Alquimia de Almas Parte 2: Luz y Sombra (2022)

End the drama slump

I'm so glad I waited to start season 1 because if I hadn't known there was a second season I would have been so angry. Season 1 ended on an epic cliffhanger and season 2 picked up on a whole different drama. I loved that there is a clear distinction between the seasons. Season 2 did a great job of changing the mood. The actors were amazing. I really enjoyed all the interactions between the different characters. Every character stole my heart. I wish we could have gotten more of this season and not just 10 episodes. Overall though great drama. Definitely this is one to end drama slumps.

Leer más

the second season is more darker than the usual. lots of twists and turns to come

I have finished watching the second season, and it seems well done and ended a good but not that bad ending... i liked it, but not loving how the story continues because it seems to be less entertaining and the fact where the second season is far darker than the first season that is full of happiness (except the ending:’) ). It’s full of darkness, less chemistry, and less interactions with the characters. Seems the continuation of the story was focusing more of Jang-Uk’s life rising from his death, saved by the ice stone because he’s the King’s star. Liked the overall story of the second season, but I was hoping for more honestly…
So far, both seasons were good for me, but this season was more of unexpected twist and turns. So now, I’ll be talking about the second season from its plot/story (well a little bit for flashbacks), ost and cinematography. And of course, the casts and characters who did so well with how they bring interests watching both seasons <33 Also, this was like the drama series Moon Lovers Scarlet Heart Ryeo, but its more of an historical action-fantasy kdrama that everyone must watch. A mixed genre of Action, Historical, Romance, and Fantasy.

STORY/PLOT
So, the story continues three years later after the incident in Daeho, Jang Uk, the son of the late king of the Royal Place, rises from the dead and saved from the Ice crystal stone as the King’s son. While fighting for the danger coming in the country, the mages continue to unfold the story anew of where it must belong. As Jang Uk became the hunter of the soul-shifters while a young woman, Jin Bu-yeon, the “called long lost daughter of Jin Ho-Gyeong and the older sister of Jin Cho-Yeon (her born name was Jin Cho-yeong), was a prisoner from Jinyowon. As she seeks to get help reclaiming her past and her life as she was in anemia after her own mother decided to bring back to life, to regain her magical powers from her past life. With that, as Jang Uk and Jin Bu-yeon met, Jang Uk slowly heals from the pain he had suffered after his only master, Mu-deok died. Slowly both discover and regain their memories and flashbacks, and Jin Bu-yeon body, finding her ways to regain her powers and energy as she regains memories from a past life, from Naksu and Mu Deok. As both slowly falls for each other, fighting from the missing pieces that left them in pain and suffering. Will they give themselves the answer they wish to desire and the comeback they deserve?
I honestly really love how it ended season 2, but the story seems to focus more of Jang Uk’s healing process of how he rises from the dead and carrying the ice stone inside of him as Master Lee concluded the last season as Jang Uk’s “not yet the end of his life”. I really love the first season, but the second season seems more darker than the first season that is full of surprises and fluttering moments, but this season gives me a scary-thrilling ride and an edge of the seat feels. But while watching, the feeling I have is always present: I miss Mu Deok so much :’)
Overall, for this area, the plot was not really promising. But the ending satisfies me as it belongs where it must be.

OST AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Well to make this second part short, the ost still brings atmosphere with every scenario represents. I also love how Lia from ITZY shines while singing the ost and its her first time as well! Not really a fan, but I appreciate her as part of the second season’s ost, she has a great voice!! The cinematography is something that I do appreciate the producers as well! Its blending every scene, every part. Most especially the fighting scenes are too realistic :’)

CAST & CHARACTERS
Well, here we are at the last segment of my note. I REALLY LOOOOVE THE CAST SO MUCH! They bring us the joy, happiness, sadness, pain, fluttering feelings, and even they made me laugh of how they were so cute tbh :’)) Some of them that I have know from few kdrama roles improved a lot!! The 3 lead couples were also cute as well :’)) Jang Uk and Naksu/Cho Yeong, Lord Park Jin and Maidservant Kim Do Ju, and last but never forget, Park Dang Gu and Jin Cho Yeon <3 They really do appreciate more recognition!

Lee Jae-Wook as Jang Uk. Ever since the beginning of the season, he’s role never disappoints <33 I love his role both seasons. The fact where he proves us that he has so much potential to enter different roles other than his main roles this time :’)) Well appreciated kdrama actor and plus he might be soon the next hallyu star in the future because of how great he is <33 Giving him more love and support ever since I saw him from one of the first kdrama appearance as Baek-Kyung, Extraordinary You <33

Go Youn Jung as Jin Bu-yeon/ Jin Cho Yeong or known as Naksu in Bu-yeon’s body. Well, I saw her from Law School as the supporting role and the first time I saw her in her main role from this season! She improved well a lot; I do appreciate her discovering a role that fits her as well! She was pretty as well. Her character was okay, not really my favorite but I do love how Bu-yeon slowly acts like Mu Deok and gives me war flashbacks huhuhu :’)) But still, looking forward to her next projects appearing herself from future kdramas <333 Well appreciated and deserve recognition, giving her utmost love and support as well <333

Hwang Min Hyun as Seo Yul, he’s role from the second season never disappoints <33 I love the fact wherever since I saw him from a kdrama series as Go Eun-Taek in Live On. He also improved a lot. His acting skills are also being recognized as well. Seo Yul was one of the few characters that I loved, he was the softie one who gives his all to fight for everything, especially for Jang Uk. Overall, looking forward to Min Hyun’s future roles <33

Shin Seung Ho as The Crowned Prince Go Won. One of my favorite characters who never disappoints as well ever since the first season <33 Huhu I love that the fact he never betrays Jang Uk and stayed by his side whenever someone tempts him to betray Jang Uk. I also love Seung Ho’s role from here. From being the student role, villain role, and now, a prince role :’)) I loooove him ever since the first time watching him from his role as Nam Shi-woo from A-teen and 9-teen <33 He really improved a lot. Looking forward to his future roles and giving him the love and support he deserve <333

Lastly Yoo Joon Sang as Park Jin and Oh Na Ra as Maidservant Kim Do Ju. Huhu one of the couples that I love from the drama <333 I love both of them, the first time I saw Oh Nara was a coach role from Racket Boys and it proved that she is a great actress <333 Looking forward to Yoo Joon Sang and Oh Na Ra’s future roles as well 😊

And to the supporting cast, Yoo In Soo as Park Dang Gu and Arin from Oh My Girl as Jin Cho Yeon, they also did so well. Even if they had less screentime duration of being together comparing the last season, they were also one of the cutest couple existed in both seasons :’) Seeing Yoo In Soo from all of us are dead (haha) and arin from the world of my 17 web series, hoping that they could shine more from their acting roles. Hoping they could enter roles that are new to them, and they deserve a leading role as well. rooting for the both <3

I'll thanked Master Lee, portrayed as Lim Chul-soo, never forgetti ur also one of my favorite character in both seasons. WIthout him, Jang Uk and the other characters might not exists and as you're the savior. He's also one of the best supporting actor from a kdrama Vincenzo :P

Overall, a good series. Might not be everyone’s favorite, but I do love the story of how it began. Great for binge-watch and time kill, very recommended for beginners. But I would say that its not wuite good for rewatching since it might bring back the feels that gives me pain and it takes time to have patience while watching hehe :’) But really love the series overall.

Looking forward to the cast’s future roles!! Well deserve recognition <3

Leer más

Legendary drama

The fate of these people become twisted due to "hwanhonsool" (the soul of the dead return to the living).

In the country of Daeho, Jang Uk (Lee Jae-Wook) comes from the noble Jang family. He holds an unpleasant secret about his birth, which people all around the country talk about. He is troublemaker. Jang Ukk happens to meet Mu-Deok (Jung So-Min). She is an elite warrior, but her soul is trapped in a physically weak body. She becomes Jang Wook’s servant, but she also secretly teaches him how to fight.

Seo Yul (Minhyun) comes from the noble Seo family. He seems perfect with good appearance, intelligence, and strong martial arts skills. Go Won (Shin Seung-Ho) is the crown prince of Daeho. He hopes to become a generous king.

Leer más

Answers all the questions and beautifully continues and nicely ends the story

9/10 is my rating. This is a 2022/2023 South Korean Action, Fantasy romance drama with 10, 69-87 minute episodes

First I provide a Unique Synopsis then review

Synopsis

If you watched the first season and experienced the cliff hanger and tragedy that was the ending, be reassured season two will resolve all that. One could just let things end where they did but why? This continues the story. Jang uk (Lee Jae wook) survived but is now dressed and acts in a very dark manner (shadow). As the most powerful mage in Daeho, he is charged with hunting down and executing soul shifters. Doing so takes an additional emotional tax on him as he is able to see who that person was before going “wild” and erects rock cairns to honor the departed. His nights are spent being “haunted” by wraiths and the memories of his love he lost. When chasing a soul shifter into Jinyowon leads to a chance encounter with Jin Bu yeon (Go Youn Jung) the recently found daughter of Jin Ho Gyeong (Park Eun Hye), the two form an unlikely alliance. Bu Yeon has spent the last 3 years locked in Jinyowon to hide her true identity from the other mages. Jang uk knows that if he can get rid of the ice stone his life will end and he believes Jin Bu yeon will be able to do that. Jin Bu yeon wants freedom as her mother’s plan is to keep her locked away yet have her marry and produce offspring to continue the Jinyowon.

Season two continues the story with all the characters and you find out what happened with them in the three years since the events that happened at the end of Season 1.

Review

I loved this series. I highly recommend it and will watch it again. I am a huge fan of Star Wars and Star Trek and other such otherwordly shows so the complete other world built in this seres greatly appealed to me. I was concerned that the main actress in this second season was different than the primary actress in the first but in the context of this show it makes perfect sense. It did not disrupt my like or feeling for that character at all i just found myself waiting for the aspects that were Naksu like to emerge.

Spoilers

I seriously liked the complexity of the soul shifters in this series. In Season 1, Mu deok (Jung so min) is a character unlike either her original self, Cho Yeong, the assassin Naksu (Go Youn Jung) nor the soul from the body she inhabits, Jin Bu yeon. It was so skillful both in the script and in the way the actresses portrayed these characters how you could, at times, see aspects of each of those souls and, other times, see a individual that was all of them and none of them. Finding out, towards the end, that because Jin Bu yeon lived and didn’t die as a stillbirth only because Seol ran, the original and very powerful priestess actually controlled a lot of what happened with those souls. It is why Bu yeon was born blind as Seol ran was blind, and also why she was more powerful than any of the priestesses in her blood line.

It was my fond wish that others would learn the truth about Naksu and I was very happy that it was revealed that she was tricked into being an assassin and then used as a murder weapon through sorcery by Jin Mu (Jo jae yoon). There was so much hatred toward even her memory that I found that incredibly tragic. I was sad that Seo Yul (Hwang Min-hyun) had planned to kill Bu yeon when he discovered she had the soul of Naksu as his view on the situation was so cut and dry. It made sense for his character to thin that way and actually was the reason I felt less sad he never got to be with the girl he loved. He was one of the few loose ends in the story as it would have been even better if he would have found someone who loved him enough he would get over Cho Yeong (young Naksu).

I have to commend Do Sang-woo the actor who played the soul shifted Jin Mu. The expressions on his face and even his voice transformed to Jin mu and that took a lot of acting skill to carry that off so well. He was an annoying side character as Seo Yun oh that was power hungry and arrogant and was able to kick that up to the level of Jin mu’s evil sorcerer level in a very believable way.

The friendships that developed were such a wonderful part of this series. Jang uk was already close with his childhood friends Seo Yul and Park Dang-gu (Yoo In-soo). But, as the series develops his relationship with Crown Prince, Go Won (Shin Seung ho) becomes closer and friend/family like (and he is sort of the cousin of the Crown Prince depending on whether you consider the father the soul or the body. Go Won seems destined to befriend Naksu as he is intrigued by, and befriends her, in her many forms.

I really liked that he became the King and that Jang uk wanted him to be the king and fully supported him. The writers and creators had an well executed twist when they led viewers to think that Go won had joined Jin Mu’s dark plans.

There are a lot of flashbacks that seem unnecessary and disrupt the flow of the show but that is just Netflix. When these shows are created or sponsored on any of the streaming platforms I expect there will be certain deviations from the formula that has made Asian dramas so successful. There will be flashbacks galore (that does happen in the Asian shows but it is an order of magnitude), the scenes with kissing or skin contract will be a degree more risque and it will end with question if there will be additional seasons or not. I read that the Hong Sisters themselves indicated they did not plan beyond Season 2 so I think any indicators of a Season 3 are likely rumors. There is so much they could do with Daeho, prequels and side stories, but I hope they let the main story remain completed as it is.

I could continue on about this excellent series but will stop there. I just finished Season 2 and miss Daeho already.

#LeeJaeWook

#GoYounJung

#AlchemyofSouls2

#ShinSeungHo

#DoSangWoo

#JungSoMin

Leer más

Muito bom, mas o roteiro decepciona um pouco...

Eu não fiz uma resenha da parte 1 de Alchemy, mas vou fazer da parte 2 para deixar registrado.

Primeiro, queria dizer eu estava bem empolgada para essa temporada. Em momento algum a mudança de atriz me desanimou - pelo contrário, achei interessante e fiquei curiosa pra saber o que ia dar.

Eu gostei da temporada, assim como gostei do drama no geral. Porém, queria entender porque os K-dramas gostam de enrolar tanto!

Isso é algo que também reparei na primeira temporada, mas nessa foi mais. Muitos vezes só acontecia algo muito chocante e que interferiria diretamente na história no final do episódio. Aí você espera que a história ande no próximo...e nada. E aí você espera pelo próximo...e fica nesse ciclo.

Não que eu não tenha gostado dos episódios - gostei da maioria deles - mas sentia falta de mais ação às vezes, por se tratar de um drama de fantasia. Acho que isso foi o que mais me irritou durante todo o drama. No final, até estava sem paciência e queria que acabasse, não aguentava mais o Jin Mu infernizando tudo e todos. E também, não considero Jin Mu um bom vilão, se pensar em relação à construção de personagem. Ele só é insuportável. O que não necessariamente é ruim também, mas histórias que têm vilões bem construídos costumam chamar mais minha atenção.

Sobre a Naksu: sei que muita gente ficou revoltada porque a Naksu não voltou a lutar. Em parte, entendo isso, era interessante ver uma personagem assim. Porém, entendo que a Cho Yeong nunca quis ser uma assassina. A personagem que conhecemos no primeiro episódio da primeira temporada era uma sobrevivente, que sofreu demais nas mãos de Jin Mu. Depois, Naksu viveu muitas coisas, e é óbvio que ela não seria a mesma pessoa. Eu gostei disso, apesar de ter me irritado com a Cho Yeong correndo atrás do Uk durante o drama.

Senti falta de alguns arcos serem mais aproveitados nessa temporada. Como a Srta. Jin e Dang Gu, ou até mais destaque para Seo Yul. Quanta à médica, neta do Mestre Heo, achei um mega desperdício. A personagem virou uma chata que só estava lá pra perturbar. Pode não ter sido 100% desperdício pois em certo momento a trama encaminha por causa dela, mas enfim... fiquei indignada.

Eu gostei do episódio final, porque depois de tanto sofrimento, só queria um final feliz.

Entendo que até o momento parece que só estou falando mal do drama, mas eu gostei bastante de assistir. O elenco é incrível. O CGI é muito bom. As atuações são maravilhosas. O drama é muito bem produzido. Os figurinos e cenários são impecáveis. A história é boa e interessante. No meu caso, só o desenvolvimento da mesma que não me agradou tanto em alguns aspectos.

No fim, acho que o que mais marcou foram os personagens, em especial Jang Uk e Cho Yeong.

Jang Uk é um personagem que passou por muitas coisas. Ver sua evolução desde a primeira temporada foi muito bom. Gosto muito dele e Lee Jae Wook fez um ótimo trabalho retratando o mesmo.

Cho Yeong para mim é o grande destaque de Alchemy of Souls. Uma personagem complexa e cativante. Fiquei muito contente dela ter tido o seu final feliz e poder viver como ela mesma, pela primeira vez (mesmo que as pessoas não saibam seu verdadeiro nome). Jung So Min e Go Youn Jung fizeram um incrível trabalho ao interpretar essa personagem.

Queria destacar a música "Scars leave beautiful trace" , que tem uma das letras mais lindas que já vi, que combina perfeitamente com o drama. Uma música épica.

Enfim, é isso. Eu gostei muito de ter assistido Alchemy of Souls, mesmo com essas ressalvas.

Leer más

Absolutely Incredible, what a freaking ride

Hands down one of the best dramas I have ever watched. I do truly understand why there is so much hate for season 2, and it took a lot of reflection for me to not only come to terms with the way the Hong Sisters decided to execute this season, but also to learn to appreciate the beauty of the choices they made in Jang Uk’s and Naksu’s love story. No joke, 10 minutes into the last episode, I was sprawled on the floor crying my little heart out because this show has tugged on my heartstrings so so much. One of the most beautiful conclusions in Dramaland and the best conclusion I could’ve hoped for with their story. Sure, it had flaws, but I’m willing to overlook them and instead focus on all of the things that were executed so beautifully, especially the “1 year later” epilogue. My little hopeless romantic heart was so happy with those last 10 minutes of the show haha. I genuinely cannot recommend this whole series enough, and all I want to say is for everyone to go into this season especially with an open mind despite the negative opinions.

PS: I challenge you to find a more rewatchable drama than this one

Leer más

A great second season with a different Fil.

When I started this show, I had no idea that Go Youn Jung was going to be the new lead, And I'm glad they did it. I was hoping they'd do it as well since this really hasn't been done before.

What can I say? As good as the first season which is rare and they pulled of having a new female lead very well.

Go Youn Jung was just incredible, Both her and Jung So min did so well with the same character and I don't know who I like more.

I do think this story was a little weaker than the first season but other than that, An Incredible end to a great show.

Leer más

Destiny at its finest

I was a little scared coming to this season and have so many doubts about if they will be able to make something good knowing the FL was going to change. My biggest question was that i didn't know how the writting could go in a way that makes sense and also get a happy ending.

Omg they didn't dissapoint. In the first two episodes what happened to Mudeok/Naksu gets explained and all makes sense (Of course in a world of magic).

Go Youn Jung is amazing in her role, she even gets the same manners and gestures that Somin put on Naksu in season 1, the looks and the fun actitude wich gets clearer when he meets the eunuch/Go Won lol. They banter is as great as in the first season.

My boy Jang Uk being the most powerful mage of all them... oh my! Lee Jae Wook performance was good in season 1 but here is even better. There is so many good moments: Seeing him in the first episode with naksu sword (I almost cry when i saw it) that flashback when Park Jin is telling he shouldn't had been born, how he cries, how he doesn't even care because the person he swear to protect is no longer with him and the most important one when Park Jin goes to Cheonbugwan and said to Uk that Songrim support him and his decision about Jin Mu. How significant is this moment and how much i love it. After all this time, after all he had to endure and sacrifice, his, basically, surrogate father say everything he wanted to hear.

Important to mention all of Jang Uk fantastic entrances specially when the Cheonbugwan mages are going to kill Seo. Badass is not enough for him.

But lets get on our OTP: from the beguining they notice something, specially Jang Uk was so lost because everything was telling him she was his love but it wasn't really her. When both gets to know the truth how they are willing to sacrifice her and their love for the greater good. Heartbreaking.

The fight of Jang Uk with the bird of fire give us the best parallel with Naksu fight in the first season. The start and the end, as it was both their destiny.

To end this review, the happy ending is everything good in this world :).

Leer más

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

I DID'T EXPECT THIS! I started season 2 with a broken heart from season one, and honestly, I thought it was gonna be a sad ending. BUT IT WASN'T! I am so happyyy! So, let's start. This drama wasn't just a drama, it was my comfort, my sadness and my happiness. Jang uk is the literally definition of true love and it just set my standarts so high. I couldn't explain the happiness I felt when he expressed the love and when I would seenthem happy together. As I said, I was mentally prepared for a sad ending, so I was a little taken back by the happy one, but it was so worth it. The actors looked so good and not to start with the acting and the CGI! (or how it's the name) . The whole serie was a big plot twist. I honestly hated the crown prince bcs I thought it was on Jin Mu's side, but I'm grateful I was wrong. What more can I say then just GO WATCH IT NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leer más

Flawed/rushed but still beautiful and unforgettable

Story:
Apart from the flaws mentioned below, the story was pretty good, if you understood it and kept an open-mind that this was a story about Fate, Divinity and Fantasy. Still alot better than many other good dramas in the past few years.

Some flaws/dislikes:
-Flashbacks should have used more Jung So Min scenes, especially the more memorable (critical) scenes. (e.g. the wedding scene should have included flashbacks of when Jang Uk & Naksu first met in the inn , and also when Naksu decided to finally give up regaining her power and sheath her sword)

-Agree with most that the last episode seems very rushed and anticlimatic. Too many things happening in one episode.

-Story seems to have changed last minute and was still ongoing changes while filming was ongoing. Probably due to production team realizing they needed to extend more episodes and Jung So Min unable to extend her contract. One big issue I noticed was Jin Seol-ran/Bu Yeon's soul remaining in the body. Jin Seol-ran's soul remaining in the Ice Stone was only introduced in LnS, plus the fact that Master Lee early on in LnS specifically said that reviving Bu Yeon's body requires Naksu's soul and Bu Yeon's soul will have to be ejected and lost forever, yet this all changed quickly in the middle episodes. Seems it was added in for the tearjerker and to emphasize the "Light and Shadow" theme. (also felt Master Lee's speech wasn't as "impactful"). Another was Seo Yul exclaiming about Naksu's soul during the 7 star thing. (Shouldn't Naksu have already left Bu Yeon's body?)

-Amnesia arc was definitely too long and draggy. But with the Jin Seol-ran soul reason, it became a necessity.


Acting/Cast:
Only change in cast from AoS was Go Young Jung. Felt she did well and was very expressive for a rookie actress. The change from bubbly to the more serious "old Naksu" as she remembers who she was, was good and noticeable.
-0.5 as she was not able to re-produce Jung So Min's deathstare/glare even after regaining her memories.
Lee Jae Wook also did extremely well portraying the change in Jang Uk. Not sure why some people felot it was "flat".


Music:
I have always believed that OSTs are incredibly important for a drama. The quality itself and the time placement.
Having excellent OSTs make a drama so much more unforgettable and immersive.
Continuing from Alchemy of Souls, Light and Shadow did not fail to give such an experience.
Especially to 2 new main tracks: Lia's Blue Flower and Ailee's I'm Sorry
Admittedly, I start watching AoS after watching an MV of Lia's Blue Flower.
Comparatively, my top drama for music is still Hotel Del Luna's, with AoS/AoS:LnS a close second.

(Anyone who sees this and knows what track was played after Jang Uk destroys the tracking thread and he visits Bu Yeon, please do let me know. Did not find it anywhere, so it seems to have been forgotten and they did not release it)

Leer más