Jewels

Too predictable!!!

I didn’t enjoyed this season’s format !! Guys and Girls in separate infernos was not a good idea! Because contestants picked solely on basis of looks and first impressions rather than a connection or little conversation! Atleast in the past 3 seasons they got to chat with each other a bit before choosing. Hence half of the girls were left with no option.
I have noticed couple with no chemistry and compatibility still choose each other at the end !!! Like why won’t anyone break the cycle! I was expecting jiyeon will break this pattern by rejecting teahwan! But she didn’t unfortunately!! Also if a contestant is already rejected why they can’t just leave alone without having to stand in front of the person and get rejected again!! I really hated seeing Theo in front of sian at the end!!
Also I hated the portrayal of one girl as the main character and final price !!! At first I thought people are critiquing the directors for nothing but i actually noticed how every episode revolved around her and the guys who showed interest in her! More than half episode focused on one contestant only.
Sian turned from being my favourite female contest to my least favourite!! She went way too far with exploring her options especially after her fate with Junseo.THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN IT ! but she still had a lovey dovey date with jeongsu in the end.. That made me sympathize with jeongsu. Like I get it feelings change and preferences change as well but they can’t change every day !! Hence the only thing that makes sense is that she loves attention and want it from every guy!
Youjin is too good for this show!! I thought she was a player in the beginning but she the most authentic one. But she needed to be more active and follow her heart. She got too lazy in the middle.
Hyejin, Minseol and Jiyeon were too fun to watch . I enjoyed their conversations and bond. I feel bad for hae-rin, wild card contestants are always left alone.

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Nothing good came out of this season

The difference in rating and popularity between Season 1 and Season 2 isn't surprising at all. After watching both, it's pretty easy to see why.

While Season 2 is a continuation of the same story, it feels like a poorly written version of it. The world suddenly feels smaller. Everything revolves around the Fire Bird & FLs amnesia , while Songrim; once the heart of the story feels deserted. Most of the mages have disappeared, and the concept of Alchemy of Souls itself is barely relevant anymore. For a show named after it, that's a pretty big problem. The pacing doesn't help either; the story drags for long stretches and rarely feels exciting.

Jang Uk's character takes a strange turn. He's supposed to be a darker, more broken version of himself, but instead he often comes across as inconsistent. One moment he says something with absolute conviction, and the next he's doing the complete opposite. Rather than feeling complex, his behavior often feels confusing.

The biggest disappointment, however, is the female lead. Even accounting for the amnesia plot, she feels like an entirely different person. The sharp-tongued, fearless, and clever woman from Season 1 is nowhere to be found. Instead, we're given someone who spends most of the season being passive and dependent on others. The writers keep telling us she's Naksu, but they rarely show us anything that actually makes us believe it. For someone with such an important identity and immense power, she contributes surprisingly little beyond looking beautiful on screen.

The writing itself often feels frustrating. The show builds emotional moments only to immediately undo them. Maidservant Kim and Lady Jin's "deaths" are a perfect example. The drama expects viewers to be devastated, only to reveal they're alive almost instantly. It completely kills the emotional impact and makes the whole scene feel pointless.

Then there's Assistant Gwanju, who somehow spends most of the season moving around freely despite being one of the key reasons everything went wrong in the first place. Instead of focusing on the real mastermind, Uk spends episode after episode hunting soul shifters. It eventually gets addressed, but by then the payoff feels underwhelming.

The Yul and female lead scenes were another source of frustration. The show invests so much time creating romantic tension between them, even though everyone watching knows it isn't going anywhere. Rather than adding depth, it often feels like unnecessary filler.

Oddly enough, So-i ended up being one of the few characters who genuinely impressed me. She showed more courage, determination, and personality than many of the main characters. Meanwhile, the Four Seasons barely function as a group anymore. Aside from Uk and occasionally Yul, the others are practically invisible and contribute very little to the overall story.

By the second half of the season, I found myself skipping scenes just to get to the ending. Not because I was excited to see how it all wrapped up, but because I wanted it to be over. What made it even more disappointing was constantly remembering how much I loved Season 1. Instead of building on that foundation, Season 2 felt like a watered-down version of everything that came before it.

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Overrated for sure

I didn’t know earlier that true beauty’s writer wrote this drama as well. I understand now why there were soo many similarities and even the order of certain events was same. The love triangle plot and the bad boy 2nd lead, Male lead being her saviour and all.
I want to mention some comedy scenes that were cheap and not funny e.g when ML doesn’t hold the bathroom door for a guy and he is exposed among all and FL’s friend pooped in her pants etc . I don’t understand why they degrade the supporting characters like that. These scenes were not funny they were just disgusting.

Female lead was super annoying, she was confused as hell. Made dumb choices and at times i didn’t feel like rooting for her at all. I wanted to tell the ML to just run away from her as she creates unnecessary trouble. She acts from the beginning as she is his girlfriend and not a fan bcz what fans act this way !!!
ML was attractive up to the point he had ambition other than being in love with the FL but it felt like his life revolved around her only. It made him uninteresting.
Episodes towards the end were boring, I lost interest after episode 9. Time travel become boring after she traveled back again and again. Not to mention watching ML die soo many times. And the show didn’t pick up from that point and goes further down.
Music was amazing. The couples cute moments made me keep watching the show but at some point they also become cringe.
Nothing surprised me about the story and it was predictable. So I would say Lovely runner is just overrated.

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Comedy Done Right, Stakes were questionable

Cha Eun-woo had me swooning every time he appeared on screen. What I didn't expect was to come away talking about his performance more than his face. As Lee Un-jeong, he brought a lot of charm and warmth to the role and proved that he's capable of much more than simply looking good on screen. Three women catching feelings for him in only eight episodes? Honestly, believable.

This was also my first time watching a drama starring Park Eun-bin. She did great as Chae-Ni but When the casting was first announced, I wasn’t exactly sold on her and Cha Eun-woo as a romantic pairing. Thankfully, the show wasn’t heavily focused on romance, which worked in its favor. Still, they weren’t bad together at all. I guess the whole “polar opposites attract” trope rarely fails.

That said, I low-key shipped him more with the hot villain girl. They barely had any scenes together, but every interaction was electric. Then they killed her off, and I took that personally.

Speaking of characters who deserved better, I was genuinely upset about all the Wunderkinder kids dying. The evil scientists and that creepy sponsor grandpa absolutely deserved whatever came to them, but the kids? They were victims too. They deserved a chance at redemption instead of being treated as collateral damage.

I do have a few questions, though. The Wonderfools were constantly referred to as “defected pieces,” but apart from not fully understanding or controlling their powers, they didn’t seem to suffer any major side effects. Meanwhile, the Wunderkinder kids were considered the “successful” experiments, yet they were the ones experiencing severe side effects. Am I missing something here, or does that logic feel backwards?

Another thing: why was Grandma unable to do more for Chae-ni? She was portrayed as incredibly resourceful, had connections and seemed to know far more than everyone else. Yet somehow she was always arriving just a little too late to actually save anyone. I also think she was forgiven too easily for funding the experiments on orphan children especially for someone who had a grandchild of her own.

One aspect that annoyed me was the repetitive cycle involving 3792 and the villains. Every confrontation played out the same way: he’d be on the verge of death, emotions would run high, dramatic music would swell, and then... he’d survive anyway. After a while, it became predictable. The stakes stopped feeling real because you knew he wasn’t actually in danger. Not that I wanted him to die, but if you keep building up these emotional near-death moments only to undo them every time, the impact starts to disappear.

The comedy, however, was flawless. A solid 10/10. Every joke landed for me. The goofy humor, exaggerated reactions, and comic-book-inspired style were absolutely hilarious. The Wonderfools themselves were delightfully chaotic, and that’s exactly why I loved them. They were weird, messy, and completely entertaining to watch.

Overall, despite a few frustrations with the plot, I had a great time with this show.

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Such an underrated show. Definitely deserves more hype

I’ve just finished the drama and it’s hilarious. Why is this drama soo underrated!!! It’s not the best out there but good enough.
I’ve watched all kdramas of Rowoon and the matchmakers is my favourite drama of him after Tomorrow. Rowoon rocked his character as Shim jung woo. He is an amusing and hysterically funny character. The more we get to know him the more appealing he becomes. His character development from being a man of principle to being agent of love added more to his charms hehe. Female lead was cute. She was bubbly yet mature at the same time.

The whole matchmaking plot was hilarious, from teaching the sisters the art of eye contact to the chaotic wedding day, i laughed like crazy. Among all the chaos, the sweet moments between the couples were heartwarming. Jung woo and princess encounter story was soo adorable, kinda made me sad for them. Everything adds up episode by episode. The shows gets political and serious in some episodes but that’s alright since I laughed a lot too. Some moments made me emotional too. That’s the beauty of a good drama.

The review won’t be complete without mentioning what bothered me. Yes! the odd pairing of crown prince and lady ha na!! This pairing made no sense till the end. But as they were one of many couples and not the main lead couple soo I can overlook it. Also only if the writer had maintained the same humorous vibe till the end of the story, it would’ve been better as the story got quite tense towards the end. But because I enjoyed the 1st half of the show more I will let it slide.

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Could’ve been soo much more!!

Once I drop a K-drama, I almost never go back to it. I watched the first two episodes of Alchemy of Souls last year and dropped it because it felt like another "chosen one" story. There’s nothing wrong with that trope, but after seeing it countless times in Western movies and TV shows, it just doesn’t interest me anymore.

What made me give it another chance was all the hype. I kept wondering why people loved it so much. This time around, I found myself invested in Mu-deok/Naksu’s story. The idea of a legendary assassin losing her powers and being trapped in a weak body was far more interesting to me than the male lead's journey. I knew romance was inevitable, but I was excited to see how she would adapt, survive, and maybe reclaim what she had lost.

Unfortunately, that never really happened. For someone constantly hyped up as the most feared assassin, Naksu spent most of the drama helping Jang Uk achieve his goals. We were told how powerful and exceptional she was, but rarely got to see it. Her character had so much potential, yet it often felt like her main purpose was to support the male lead and eventually become his love interest.

What frustrated me even more was that the drama created such an interesting fantasy world. Soul shifting, mages, powerful relics, different mage families—the world-building was genuinely fascinating. But instead of fully exploring those elements, the story kept circling back to the romance. If the drama had been marketed as a romance with a fantasy backdrop, I probably wouldn't have minded. But it felt like it introduced this huge magical universe only to use it as a setting for a love story. Nevertheless their slow burn love story drew me in eventually.

I also never fully connected with Jang Uk. Things seemed to work out in his favor a little too often, and I never felt like he truly earned all the power he ended up receiving. Meanwhile, Naksu kept getting pushed further into the background.

And then there's Seo Yul—the victim of second-lead syndrome once again. He was introduced as one of the most talented mages of his generation, yet he spent most of the season stuck in his feelings. Even knowing Mu-deok's true identity didn't really change anything. I kept waiting for him to have a major impact on the story, especially toward the end, but it never happened.

The Crown Prince, on the other hand, ended up being one of my favorite characters. He was far more entertaining and likable than I expected. Even though he didn't play a huge role in the main plot, his presence always made scenes better.

Some of my favorite characters were actually the supporting cast. Master Lee, Park Jin, and Maidservant Kim brought so much charm and personality to the drama. The Jin family's relics were also incredibly interesting,I could honestly watch an entire spin-off about them. And Lady Jin was an absolute badass.

Overall, I can understand why people love Alchemy of Souls.The world-building is creative, the production value is great, and the story has some memorable moments. I just wish the writers had done more with the characters, especially Naksu. For me, the world itself was far more interesting than the story the drama chose to tell within it.

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The Kdrama home I keep returning to

Just like Se-ri accidentally landed in North Korea, I accidentally landed in the K-drama world with Crash Landing on You and what a beautiful accident it was.

I had no idea this drama would give me so much comfort while also filling me with butterflies. I absolutely loved the star-crossed lovers story set between two enemy nations. It felt impossible, yet the show made every emotion believable.

In a time when memorable dialogues feel rare, this drama delivered some truly beautiful and meaningful ones. I still can’t get over quotes like, “If you pray hard enough, you will get to see the ones you miss,” and “Wrong train can take you to the right station.” These are the kind of lines that stay with you long after the show ends.

Another thing Crash Landing on You does exceptionally well is character development. Watching Se-ri transform from a cold, snobbish heiress into someone softer, more empathetic, was rewarding parts of the drama. Likewise, seeing Captain Ri slowly open up emotionally and allow himself to love despite all the risks made his journey just as compelling. The drama also never loses momentum.

For me, Gu Seung-jun had one of the best character arcs in the entire drama. He started out as a selfish conman who mostly looked out for himself. His transformation was incredible, which is exactly why his ending hurt so much.

And then there’s Seo Dan forever a boss lady. Throughout the drama, she never lost her self-respect, or strength, and that's something I deeply admired about her character. Even when her heart was broken, she carried herself with grace, making her one of the most memorable characters in the show.

And the chemistry between the leads? Absolutely flawless. I completely fell in love with Captain Ri and Se-ri. Their journey had yearning but it is hopeful, and unforgettable. It took years, countless obstacles, and more than a little fate, but seeing them find their way back to each other made the ending all the more satisfying. Though you could argue that the ending wasn’t beautiful for everyone. The second-lead couple absolutely broke my heart. Their story had tragic end.

Rewatching this gem made me realize what’s missing from many K-dramas today. It’s not that the stories are bad, but very few are executed with the same level of care and emotional depth. So many dramas feel forgettable, while Crash Landing on You gives you everything—longing, yearning, heartbreak, hope, and romance—all balanced perfectly with comedy that never feels forced or over-the-top. It constantly gives you reasons to root for the characters and desperately wish for their reunion.

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Started strong but lost me in the Family politics

This is only my second C-drama, and I picked it up after constantly seeing it pop up on recommendation lists and reading a few positive reviews. On top of that, enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, so this drama naturally ended up on my watchlist.

The story starts with a familiar setup: two rival clans and a political alliance marriage. It's a classic premise, but it works well here. When the female lead arrives in the male lead's state, he's immediately annoyed by her presence and keeps her at arm's length. Slowly, though, she begins earning his trust. My only issue is that, for someone constantly described as a hater of her clan, the male lead softens a little too quickly. His transition felt faster than what his characterization initially promised.

That said, the first 6–7 episodes were absolutely fantastic and had me hooked. Unfortunately, the drama started losing me when the focus shifted toward the mother-in-law and the male lead's cousin constantly scheming to break the alliance. What began as a story with political stakes and tension gradually started feeling more like household politics and family drama. I found myself getting bored during these episodes and eventually put the show on hold.

The main reason I haven't dropped it completely is the female lead. I absolutely love her character. She's smart, capable, and refreshingly subtle in the way she handles problems. She doesn't rely on over-the-top reactions or dramatic displays to prove how strong she is, which made her very enjoyable to watch.

I wasn't sold on the male lead at first, but he eventually grew on me. The chemistry between the leads works really well, and their romance is enjoyable to follow. I also appreciate a good slow-burn relationship.

For now, though, the story has leaned a bit too much into daily-soap-style family politics for my taste. Maybe it picks up again later, but for the moment, I'm taking a break and plan to return to it sometime in the future.

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