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This review may contain spoilers
And it's a wrap!
And here we are...the answers to all that was left unanswered in the first part. Was this drama needed? It's both a yes and a no. If only Kdramas could be more than 20 episodes like Chinese, I feel this drama wasn't necessary. But since it is not possible, this drama is a must.
The story is basically the conclusion. All that was left to know was revealed and the story was wrapped up. It is not a season 2, it's a continuation, the last few chapters of the Alchemy of souls story. Thus, it is just as good as the first in almost all aspects. This dramas has parts that I loved and was disappointed with. One such detail (a plus point) that was really heart wrenching was how they wouldn't use Mudeok's name, reminding you that she never actually existed. They couldn't call her Naksu because that represents the side of hers that had blood on her hands. Yet they didn't have another name to call for the lovely person she had been with them and for them. All they could do was call her 'that child' or 'that person'. It really hurt.
I would say though, I don't see why a 3 year leap was necessary. And because I watched it soon after the first part, I couldn't find a valid reason even more. Another problem I felt was the repetition. So many scenes and lines felt the same old. The idea of reminiscence is understood. But it does get in the way. Freshness is reduced. That again made me wonder the necessity of the time leap. I also felt it was short. Just 10 episodes long. And added to that, the pacing wasn't good enough. Either they should have evenly spread the plot points or they should have added more episodes (I really would have loved if there were more episodes). There were definitely plot holes, loose ends and rushed, unsatisfying endings.
The storyline between the main leads would be the best. That was done very well. I liked how we went through a little detour and out of our comfort zone. How he fell for her again even if he didn't recognize her. Honestly, I really feared the ending. The way things were going, had it not been a happy ending I'd have cried buckets. Even for a moment when I thought it was over, I was teary eyed 😭 Yes, it was sad to see that Jang Uk has become closed off. But good that they didn't give him a full 180 change. You could still see his warmth for his loved ones. Jang Uk is definitely one of the strongest characters to exist. He just became undefeatable and I loved it! Man, Lee Jaewook is made for a cold man role. His aura just multiplied 10 times 😁 His stylist needs a raise too. He also made sure you were attached to his character and feel everything he did. Wonderful performance! Naksu and Mudeok especially, was gone. This time, it showed how Chu Yeong would have been if life hadn't put her through all that hell. Go Yoonjung as Jin Buyeon (or Chu Yeong I'd say) was just amazing! I love her soooo much! Go Yoonjung is one of a kind! Beauty and talent! This time their trope was the cold man- bubbly girl. And I love that typical genre 😌 They were awesome together!
One noticeable point is that they showed a whole new side of the characters. Obviously, Mudeok is gone and all there is Naksu who has lost her memories and is Jin Buyeon now. Jang Uk is no longer the happy-go-lucky guy but a more harsh, closed off, rough on the edges guy. Park Jin always had a comical side to him but now that is who he is. Understandable...for he is no longer the leader of Songrim. Seo Yul and Danggu had their shifts too. But yes, they still kept a lot of them same. Kim Doju is still the same and I loved that. Same with Jin Choyeon, Master Heo, Master Lee and more.
Seo Yul's character wasn't good enough though. For a moment, I even wondered if he would become the villain. Something about his storyline didn't make sense. Same with the crown prince. I was constantly confused if he was on the good side or bad. Heo Yunok was also pain in the neck character this time. Pissed me off.
Jin Mu deserved a wayy more painful death. Since he finally soul shifted, I was waiting for him to be petrified to death and broken to pieces. Ya well, reducing to ashes isn't bad too I guess. I loved that they killed all those muddle headed people of the Unanimous Assembly too. They were irritating characters too.
Musically it was the same. I guess there were just a few more new additions; else it was the same as the first part.
As a whole, the Alchemy of Souls story deserves a good 9.8/10. But definitely, the first part holds much of that score. The second part falls short in story, character development and pacing. But if you love this world like me, there is no way you could hate this part of the story. After all, this is the end. I am so attached to all the characters and this universe as a whole, I don't know how long it'll take me for moving on completely. And honestly, I don't want to 😭 I would literally do anything to watch this masterpiece for the first time all over again 🥹🥹
The story is basically the conclusion. All that was left to know was revealed and the story was wrapped up. It is not a season 2, it's a continuation, the last few chapters of the Alchemy of souls story. Thus, it is just as good as the first in almost all aspects. This dramas has parts that I loved and was disappointed with. One such detail (a plus point) that was really heart wrenching was how they wouldn't use Mudeok's name, reminding you that she never actually existed. They couldn't call her Naksu because that represents the side of hers that had blood on her hands. Yet they didn't have another name to call for the lovely person she had been with them and for them. All they could do was call her 'that child' or 'that person'. It really hurt.
I would say though, I don't see why a 3 year leap was necessary. And because I watched it soon after the first part, I couldn't find a valid reason even more. Another problem I felt was the repetition. So many scenes and lines felt the same old. The idea of reminiscence is understood. But it does get in the way. Freshness is reduced. That again made me wonder the necessity of the time leap. I also felt it was short. Just 10 episodes long. And added to that, the pacing wasn't good enough. Either they should have evenly spread the plot points or they should have added more episodes (I really would have loved if there were more episodes). There were definitely plot holes, loose ends and rushed, unsatisfying endings.
The storyline between the main leads would be the best. That was done very well. I liked how we went through a little detour and out of our comfort zone. How he fell for her again even if he didn't recognize her. Honestly, I really feared the ending. The way things were going, had it not been a happy ending I'd have cried buckets. Even for a moment when I thought it was over, I was teary eyed 😭 Yes, it was sad to see that Jang Uk has become closed off. But good that they didn't give him a full 180 change. You could still see his warmth for his loved ones. Jang Uk is definitely one of the strongest characters to exist. He just became undefeatable and I loved it! Man, Lee Jaewook is made for a cold man role. His aura just multiplied 10 times 😁 His stylist needs a raise too. He also made sure you were attached to his character and feel everything he did. Wonderful performance! Naksu and Mudeok especially, was gone. This time, it showed how Chu Yeong would have been if life hadn't put her through all that hell. Go Yoonjung as Jin Buyeon (or Chu Yeong I'd say) was just amazing! I love her soooo much! Go Yoonjung is one of a kind! Beauty and talent! This time their trope was the cold man- bubbly girl. And I love that typical genre 😌 They were awesome together!
One noticeable point is that they showed a whole new side of the characters. Obviously, Mudeok is gone and all there is Naksu who has lost her memories and is Jin Buyeon now. Jang Uk is no longer the happy-go-lucky guy but a more harsh, closed off, rough on the edges guy. Park Jin always had a comical side to him but now that is who he is. Understandable...for he is no longer the leader of Songrim. Seo Yul and Danggu had their shifts too. But yes, they still kept a lot of them same. Kim Doju is still the same and I loved that. Same with Jin Choyeon, Master Heo, Master Lee and more.
Seo Yul's character wasn't good enough though. For a moment, I even wondered if he would become the villain. Something about his storyline didn't make sense. Same with the crown prince. I was constantly confused if he was on the good side or bad. Heo Yunok was also pain in the neck character this time. Pissed me off.
Jin Mu deserved a wayy more painful death. Since he finally soul shifted, I was waiting for him to be petrified to death and broken to pieces. Ya well, reducing to ashes isn't bad too I guess. I loved that they killed all those muddle headed people of the Unanimous Assembly too. They were irritating characters too.
Musically it was the same. I guess there were just a few more new additions; else it was the same as the first part.
As a whole, the Alchemy of Souls story deserves a good 9.8/10. But definitely, the first part holds much of that score. The second part falls short in story, character development and pacing. But if you love this world like me, there is no way you could hate this part of the story. After all, this is the end. I am so attached to all the characters and this universe as a whole, I don't know how long it'll take me for moving on completely. And honestly, I don't want to 😭 I would literally do anything to watch this masterpiece for the first time all over again 🥹🥹
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