Alchemy of Souls Hits New Series High 9.295% in Episode 18 as the Leads are Emotionally Open But the Narrative Crutches Remain Opaque
I love me a sageuk tortured OTP, where their differences make them perfect complements and life situations place at at opposite sides. That the Hong Sisters did create that construct in Jang Wook and Mu Deok for Alchemy of Souls makes it even sadder that they got a new relationship breakthrough at the end of episode 18 and frankly I could care less. The drama owes audiences answers on big questions, it can keep those answers hidden from the viewers but we should have been told WTF is going on with Jin Bu Yeon (missing for years and now soul hidden as Mu Deok uses her body) and also WTF2 is the power of the ice stone for realz. I feel like returning Zaddy Jang Gang knows all the answers but he’s just wandering at the periphery while Jin Mu’s gang of openly evil minions wreaks havoc all around. And don’t get me started on missing for a few episodes one super powerful mage Master Lee. At least this drama continues to do well in ratings with 9.295% in episode 18, a reward for the hardworking cast doing miracles in acting narrative circles.
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This drama has a big rythm problem. The episodes are too long and when something is happening, either they already spoiled it in the teaser, either the editing make it boring…
Agree. It’s as if they are trying to stretch it one plot as much as possible. So each episide becomes a filler for the next one.
Disagree. You’re trying too hard to fit your expertise into the show like your critique is absolute. It’s not. You didn’t write it and would probably do an asinine job of it. Lighten up and enjoy the show
Lol.
Thank you Larry
Ep 17 was boring. Ep 18 was slightly better, especially a few last scenes. It seriously dragged so much. Now we know, Uk fell for Naksu. Then, when naksu back to her own body (seasin 2 (?)) Then, how about mudeok/buyeon?
Only 2 episodes left, but so many missing puzzles.
It’s escapist entertainment. It’s not reality. You’re taking yourself way too seriously as if you could write the show better. You can’t. Try this. Enjoy the show for it is. Entertainment
Aiyooo, don’t make it personal. Reading different point of view about this drama is pretty good. Everyone has the right to give their opinion about this drama tho. Stop defensively respond to any criticism and attack those offering it. If you like it, then go watch it and hide yourself bcuz life isnt just about you and your thoughts. Everyone has their own thoughts about this drama. Respect!
@Larry Reed Are you being paid to defend the writers? LMAOOO
@Larry Reed You haven’t watched many dramas have you? Some dramas get a good start but fumble towards the end like this one. It was too draggy for several episodes and now there’s only 2 episodes left. Which means the ending will be rushed.
Yeah I don’t write dramas so what’s your point? They’re supposed to entertain us. They did but are now dropping the ball towards the end.
Well said! Just enjoy the show as it is! Dont pretend to be experts! If you dont like it then dont watch it! Period!
Too many fillers and unnecessary stuff going on! I don’t know how to say anymore. I prefer to watch the main story progress than this Buyeon or fake daughter subplots. I mainly stay for Jang Uk and CP, while all others annoyed me af. I don’t like FL’s acting at all, she always looks dull and forced on screen. Her fight scene in ep 18 is so embarrassing and not convinced at all.
Looking forward to see the original Naksu actress as FL in part 2.
You take what you say way too seriously. Obviously, you think you’re an expert in drama. What have you ever written?? Nothing probably. Come down out of the clouds with your over-inflated, pseudo inspired sense of intelligence. Try simply enjoying the show
This kiss scene is one of the best I see in k-dramas lately. I noticed ML boy is giving his best in delivery. I’m very impressed with him.
I can’t wait to see him in more dramas as ML.
One of the weakest saeguk dramas of this year.
I am waiting for the King’s star plot which is the only thing left which makes me excited in this drama. I don’t care about Naksu or Jin Bu Yeon anymore, which is already dragged like crazy.
Hong Sisters always screwed up in second half and still going on with unnecessary love lines. I feel nothing about them.
I’m glad they still achieved higher rating because the casts deserve it. Jae Wook deserves to hit big.
Actors of the future – Lee Jae Wook and Lee Do Hyun. Both are just so good. Not pretty boys but act so well.
Agree. Both of them are crazy good at acting and have very impressive acting talents. Hope k-drama industry doesn’t sleep on real talents.
I think Lee Do Hyun is gorgeous tho, but you’re right, not in a flower pretty boy kind of way.
And yes, these two are much better than the hyped ones who can’t act (you all know who those ones are lmao I won’t name names), and they also have leading man presence.
Excited for their futures!
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In my opinion, Lee Jae Wook is very handsome in his own unique way. May not be a flower boy, but his male lead charisma is so strong. His acting skills are amazing, I mean as good as a veteran actor. Even with a veteran actress Jung So Min, he holds on his own and even outperforms in some scenes. He deserves better dramas.
Love both of them. They aren’t conventionally handsome, but something about them is so attractive on top of their talent.
True. They acts very well. I find them good-looking too, as they stand out because of onscreen presence and detailed micro-expressions. Rooting for these two. Hope they would be paired up with actresses around their ages because both of them stuck in noona pairing typecast now.
Interesting connection. I didn’t even realize until now.
They’re some of the best of this new generation. I would put Yeo Jin-goo there too, although I prefer him when there’s not much romance, like in Beyond Evil.
This should have been a 16-episode drama. No season 2. The storyline just seems to be all over the place now. I suppose they need to recoup the investments on props, CGI etc somehow. Only the first few episodes were great, I’m only continuing to watch since I don’t have anything better (yet) to watch on the weekend.
Can this annoying edgelord mofo Larry Reed shut the eff up? Yes, we can’t write better dramas, that’s why we’re not writers, duh. Newsflash, it’s the writers’ job to write good stories, and people have the right to criticize constructively if we feel like the writer isn’t doing a good job, because, again, that’s LITERALLY THEIR JOB LMAO. So tired of that so-called argument. it’s like saying you can’t criticize a food for being too sweet/sour/spicy/whatever because you’re not a five-star chef LOL f*ck outta here with that
You don’t get to police others’ opinion. if you want to simply enjoy anything any writers pump out, then go ahead, but a lot of people actually have standards and want actual good stories, so deal with it lol
It could have been a great drama but… the story is too simple for so much episodes . And when i say simple i should say boring , Hong sisters are dragging it as if they were a french author of XIX century who got paid each week by a newspaper for a new chapter . But they aren’t Balzac and i don’t get their goal on doing that . Even the characters( played by good actors ) have no substance . One thing is sure , are they great mages because Hercule Poirot would have found Naksu since the 1st episode !
Nevertheless, I love this drama. Kudos to the casts!
This is a very good drama, its the best better than some dramas however its true that it was dragged wen they is so much questions that had to be answered, but i love it and the whole cast makes it even more worth watching