AoS: Light & Shadow had everything I ever wanted in a K-drama fantasy series. I have always been a fan of the Hong Sisters'(Writers') signature of poetic dialogues, and them always dancing between tragedy & dark comedy in their romance dramas. All of which, are the primary reason I dived into AoS in the first place. So be warned that I might be biased in rating this series but I'll still try to present an objective review.


Story:

The narrative started with a time skip 3 years later, with the primary storyline involving a grieving & suicidal all-powerful mage Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook) and a mysterious amnesiac isolated Jin Bu Yeon (Go Youn Jung). Both of whom, are still coming to terms with their new reality as “someone who shouldn’t exist” when they met. And so, due to this somewhat similar present, their fates became intertwined (again) and they become entangled in a series of dangerous events. As the story unfolds, we see how these two soulmates that understand each other's circumstances bravely traverse around a society that hates their very existence.

The plot were really risky to dive into especially when a lot of cliches were present. Yet surprisingly, the writers managed to hook me and made me highly captivated by this kind of settings. Glad I took the risk cause I was able to meet different sides for my favorite characters. The things that I loved in Part 1 i.e. the poetic dialogues, the eye-catching foreshadows/ parallelism, and breathtaking CGI were still present too. Part 2 were definitely as clever and pleasant to watch as Part 1.


Main Characters:

Part 1 :
It was a very astounding choice to use Go Youn Jung's voice for Mu Deok's 'monologues' throughout Part 1 (She was credited for it from EP1-20) even without her presence. I particularly loved the moment she admitted her love for Jang Uk where she monologued: ❝ This is a clear and dangerous sign, that I am in love with this man, Jang Uk. ❞ (Part 1:Ep10). This particular scene in itself demonstrates the idea that the poisonous love confession for Jang Uk really originated from "Naksu's soul" and not the body. In fact, this phenomenal detail in the drama has actually defended many Naksu debates, including that one concerning who Jang Uk truly loved: the body or the soul.

Part 2 :

❝ I buried everything behind but you took out my past and helped me face them. You held my hand and helped me sleep when I never thought I could. ❞ - Jang Uk to Naksu

Naksu is indeed now weaker than her own lover, an amnesiac, an easily frightened girl, and she's also undeniably a damsel in distress. But exactly Naksu in Part 2 bravely loved Jang Uk despite him in love with someone else and even amidst the oppositions from others, she never left him. She always confronted the doubt and mockery she faced from others, while also defending and protecting Jang Uk in her own ways. That's still feminine and its definitely not being weak. Naksu finally doing all the things she failed to do after her death in Part 1 like the way many of her dialogues we're the things she didn't get to say to Jang Uk was so tragically beautiful.

❝ It's shameless to desire something without the will to endure the pain. A pain that does not kill me will eventually set me free. ❞ - Naksu

In part 2, Naksu is not anymore the 'fierce and physically strong' woman of the past. Despite this, she still remained a 'brave and mentally strong' soul till the end. Her Part 2 life represents Naksu's hopes for freedom and just without the pain & vengeance she harbored of the past. The plot of Jang Uk falling deeply in love with her 'soul' again without recognizing her first solidified that Naksu in P2 is still the same Naksu that Jang Uk loved in P1 .

Go Youn Jung definitely 'nailed and slayed' her first lead role.


“No one can stop me from going anywhere. And I am used to feeling unwelcomed.” – Jang Uk

Lee Jae Wook gave us an incredible performance in AoS. But I will exclude a review for his performance as Jang Uk in P2, as other reviews have already done it. But he really did extremely well and deserve all the awards he achieved due to this drama. His coldness as a mage who has lost his vigour and as a grieving lover we're heartbreaking. But then he transitioned into someone alive and better after meeting Jin Bu Yeon/Cho Yeong, showing she's indeed his only 'cure' and that was romantic!


Honestly, I had doubts that I would come to love most of the characters again in Part 2. Yet the character portrayals in this series surprisingly the side characters too, managed to prove my doubts wrong. I still found myself very infatuated with the still hilariously cute JinJoo couple; I still yearned for the little but adorable ChoDang interactions; still rooted for the hopeless romantic Yul's happiness; I even cried for So-i; and not forget to mention, the best Father-Son duo, Seja Go Won and Turtle!

All of the actors really shined and excelled in their respective roles in this drama. Cheers to many more projects for all of them after AoS!


Overall:

The OTP created by Yeong/Shadow (Go Youn Jung) & Uk/Light (Lee Jae Wook) was really on fire. It's unforgettable. I giggled hard even from their small interactions, blushed from all their kisses and hugs, and bawled my eyes out at the angst they displayed. In essence, I enjoyed the chemistry between Go Youn Jung and Lee Jae Wook, and the slow burn/second chance romance which made me love their story again.

So to conclude, for me, Part 2 is very much an intensely engaging reunion love story. I admit it indeed lacked much of the thrilling mage action and the strong feminism in Part 1. But I do not agree with Naksu being called only weak cause she is MORE than that. There is no doubt that AoS Part 2 is equally impressive as Part 1 for me especially with its still amazing fantasy realm and the unmatched reunion love story between the three couples (UkYeong, JinJoo, and ChoDang).

The Hong Sisters(Writers) gave us bittersweet endings in most of their dramas but then we actually got a beautiful happy ending for the main couple and for everyone 'here' in AoS. No unnecessary deaths, just a tear-jerker and lovely future. That's why I will never forget nor regret spending 6 months for this drama, it was a very fun and memorable journey to be able to watch, read theories, and overthink together with AoS fans. The Hong Sisters and Studio Dragon have stolen my heart again with another good drama!


Thanks for reading!