One thing is confirmed present Longshen is not a dragon. Which makes it impossible for him to be chi wen. So longshen…
It most likely true
I wonder if it was on purpose that TJR's three roles are listed as Ji Ling / Man Man / Long Shen
Instead of Chi Wen cause Wang Duo is a guest role as Chi Wen.
But right now, as far as we know, the current Long Shen is Chi Wen... interesting, so are they not who they say they are? Was that why when WSG had that flashback, we didn't see Long Shen's face?
I wonder if it was on purpose that TJR's three roles are listed as Ji Ling / Man Man / Long Shen
Instead of Chi Wen cause Wang Duo is a guest role as Chi Wen.
But right now, as far as we know, the current Long Shen is Chi Wen... interesting, so are they not who they say they are? Was that why when WSG had that flashback, we didn't see Long Shen's face?
So far, after 7 episodes, the plot is building, things that seem straightforward might not be.... But we all can tell there's gonna be a plot twist as well.... dang it, gonna be a roller coaster, ain't it.
The way the foxy sisters keep teasing the boys is so funny hah
yeah why have a nine-tailed fox spirit when you can have TWO ! the scene when they transform for the first time in episode 3... I had to rewatch it a few time
I've never understood "chemistry" in movies. I took it as the ML's personality - his contrariness and…
Yeah, I get what you mean. Overall, I still like the drama, but I had higher expectations because it’s by the Hong Sisters. They did such a great job with Hotel del Luna, so I was expecting something on that level.
I also feel like they could’ve achieved both. I mean, there are 30 episodes across Season 1 and 2, which is pretty long for a standard K-drama.
I wouldn't watch this for the romance if that your most important criteriaI mean, it's not the drama's strongest…
Yeah, in that sense, that’s what makes it unique for a K-drama. I honestly can’t think of one off the top of my head that has what you’re asking for.
For Cdrama, there are more xianxia titles that could fit that bill. Till the End of the Moon is one of the better ones for that genre. The romance is a way to define it, I love some of the supporting cast in it as well.
What is there to say about Alchemy of Souls? I don't know what happened, but I couldn't connect with any of the…
Yeah it seem it not just you, I also have the same feeling about the ML and FL story just wasn't as convincing. I don't know if it was the chemistry of the 2 leads or how the narrative pans out. I was more interested in almost everyone one else and their relationship to the ML or the FL.
What disappointed me about it was that Hong's sister also wrote Hotel De Luna, and that show had a more convincing romance, in my opinion.
I've never understood "chemistry" in movies. I took it as the ML's personality - his contrariness and…
I always struggle with the argument that romance is not the main focus as a defense. Even if I agree with that, how does it change my point that the relationship was poorly conveyed? Something does not need to be the main focus to be written well.
If romance is just part of the characters’ personal growth, then it still needs to be effectively developed. Otherwise, why include it at all? You can write strong personal growth through other relationships such as brotherhood, family, or found family without relying on a romantic dynamic that does not come across as convincing.
We literally get Mu Deok saying something along the lines of “I think I love him or asking herself if she love him” after the poisoning. I do not remember the exact episode or wording, but it happened after that part of the story. That is exactly the issue. Instead of showing the emotional shift through the narrative, the writing just has her state it outright. It feels less like development and more like the audience is being told how to interpret the relationship.
More happens afterward, and it is still not convincing. Once Jang Uk’s energy is unlocked, he has to deal with his identity and the reason he was rejected by the mages. I understand that romance is meant to sit in the background of all this, but that does not make its execution any stronger. Meanwhile, Mu Deok remains focused on regaining her power.
The problem is that the supposed “sacrifice” and “growth” in their relationship feel underdeveloped. Jang Uk’s growth, on the other hand, is clearly defined. From unlocking his energy to learning the truth about himself, his progression is consistently shown and ultimately culminates in Part 2, where he becomes “the strongest” and carries the burden of that and his secret identity. Also, at the same time, the grief of losing Mu Deok, which was the least convincing to me, but to Jang Uk, was actually the most important thing. Again, the disconnect between this is really important as to why we need that emotional development of their relationship.
Maybe it’s because we know Naksu is alive and Jang Uk doesn’t, which makes it feel like… who are we fooling? It takes away from the emotional weight of his grief.
Let’s say I agree with your point that romance isn’t the main focus. Then commit to that. Kill Naksu off in Part 2, don’t center the story around their relationship, and instead focus on Jang Uk dealing with grief and the betrayal of someone he loved.
But at the end of the day, it was a deliberate choice to structure Part 2 around Naksu and Bu-yeon’s hidden identity. That makes romance a significant part of the story. The emotional core still depends on why we should care about Jang Uk and Naksu/Mu-deok’s relationship.
For example, as viewers, we know that Bu-yeon is actually Naksu with lost memories. Based on what’s shown, Jang Uk would have been happy with her even if she never regained those memories. In a way, that is romantic. He loves “her,” even if she isn’t fully the same person. But at the same time, it also feels like he moved on from Mu-deok too easily.
This doesn't matter because they are the same person, cause we know that. But Jang Uk doesn't, of course, he found out later. But again, where is the emotional weight behind it?
The emotional development in the relationship never reaches the same level of clarity. Even as part of a larger narrative, it feels so underdeveloped that it holds the story back rather than supporting it. The Hong sisters can absolutely write a more compelling romance, based on what I remember from Hotel Del Luna. You could also argue that romance is not the main focus there either, but it is still far more compelling than in Alchemy of Souls.
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I wonder if it was on purpose that TJR's three roles are listed as Ji Ling / Man Man / Long Shen
Instead of Chi Wen cause Wang Duo is a guest role as Chi Wen.
But right now, as far as we know, the current Long Shen is Chi Wen... interesting, so are they not who they say they are? Was that why when WSG had that flashback, we didn't see Long Shen's face?
I wrote this earlier
Instead of Chi Wen cause Wang Duo is a guest role as Chi Wen.
But right now, as far as we know, the current Long Shen is Chi Wen... interesting, so are they not who they say they are? Was that why when WSG had that flashback, we didn't see Long Shen's face?
I dont mind it at all, but yeah I can see why other wouldnt
I also feel like they could’ve achieved both. I mean, there are 30 episodes across Season 1 and 2, which is pretty long for a standard K-drama.
It very FoF vibe, I mean it from the same director and screenwriter
For Cdrama, there are more xianxia titles that could fit that bill. Till the End of the Moon is one of the better ones for that genre. The romance is a way to define it, I love some of the supporting cast in it as well.
I mean, it's not the drama's strongest point. The world building and fantasy vibe it probably it strongest espect
What disappointed me about it was that Hong's sister also wrote Hotel De Luna, and that show had a more convincing romance, in my opinion.
JJY and TJR actually look really good together in their costume
If romance is just part of the characters’ personal growth, then it still needs to be effectively developed. Otherwise, why include it at all? You can write strong personal growth through other relationships such as brotherhood, family, or found family without relying on a romantic dynamic that does not come across as convincing.
We literally get Mu Deok saying something along the lines of “I think I love him or asking herself if she love him” after the poisoning. I do not remember the exact episode or wording, but it happened after that part of the story. That is exactly the issue. Instead of showing the emotional shift through the narrative, the writing just has her state it outright. It feels less like development and more like the audience is being told how to interpret the relationship.
More happens afterward, and it is still not convincing. Once Jang Uk’s energy is unlocked, he has to deal with his identity and the reason he was rejected by the mages. I understand that romance is meant to sit in the background of all this, but that does not make its execution any stronger. Meanwhile, Mu Deok remains focused on regaining her power.
The problem is that the supposed “sacrifice” and “growth” in their relationship feel underdeveloped. Jang Uk’s growth, on the other hand, is clearly defined. From unlocking his energy to learning the truth about himself, his progression is consistently shown and ultimately culminates in Part 2, where he becomes “the strongest” and carries the burden of that and his secret identity. Also, at the same time, the grief of losing Mu Deok, which was the least convincing to me, but to Jang Uk, was actually the most important thing. Again, the disconnect between this is really important as to why we need that emotional development of their relationship.
Maybe it’s because we know Naksu is alive and Jang Uk doesn’t, which makes it feel like… who are we fooling? It takes away from the emotional weight of his grief.
Let’s say I agree with your point that romance isn’t the main focus. Then commit to that. Kill Naksu off in Part 2, don’t center the story around their relationship, and instead focus on Jang Uk dealing with grief and the betrayal of someone he loved.
But at the end of the day, it was a deliberate choice to structure Part 2 around Naksu and Bu-yeon’s hidden identity. That makes romance a significant part of the story. The emotional core still depends on why we should care about Jang Uk and Naksu/Mu-deok’s relationship.
For example, as viewers, we know that Bu-yeon is actually Naksu with lost memories. Based on what’s shown, Jang Uk would have been happy with her even if she never regained those memories. In a way, that is romantic. He loves “her,” even if she isn’t fully the same person.
But at the same time, it also feels like he moved on from Mu-deok too easily.
This doesn't matter because they are the same person, cause we know that. But Jang Uk doesn't, of course, he found out later. But again, where is the emotional weight behind it?
The emotional development in the relationship never reaches the same level of clarity. Even as part of a larger narrative, it feels so underdeveloped that it holds the story back rather than supporting it. The Hong sisters can absolutely write a more compelling romance, based on what I remember from Hotel Del Luna. You could also argue that romance is not the main focus there either, but it is still far more compelling than in Alchemy of Souls.
But I enjoy relearning how to name genre with you