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A Koala's Playground

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Tag Archives: Alchemy of Souls

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Shin Seung Ho Remains the Unexpected Breakout from tvN Fantasy Drama Alchemy of Souls and His Character is Also

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 26, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 25, 2022
Man in traditional attire reading on throne.

We’re T-minus two days away from the ending weekend for tvN Sat-Sun drama Alchemy of Souls, and oh what has changed in the month since I was swanning high with excitement for this drama. But one thing that hasn’t changed is so much I continue to love Shin Seung Ho and his character of the Crown Prince. His useless simpering … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls, Shin Seung Ho | 14 Replies

Alchemy of Souls Hits New Series High 9.295% in Episode 18 as the Leads are Emotionally Open But the Narrative Crutches Remain Opaque

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 21, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 21, 2022
Drama scene with characters in traditional attire.

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 29 Replies

Episode 17 of Alchemy of Souls Stays High in 7.566% But Delivers Low Narrative Reveals to Characters or Audience

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 20, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 20, 2022
Romantic interaction between two characters.

I hate to tell the Hong Sisters how to write a good drama, but I can definitely tell them what mistakes they are doing to make Alchemy of Souls no longer a good drama and veering into a frustratingly bad one. They are lucky the the jam-packed with excitement start and no real competition in the time slot has allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 11 Replies

Return of Supreme Zaddy Mage Joo Sang Wook in Episode 17 of Alchemy of Souls Hopefully Reinvigorates the Plot in the Final 4-episode Arc

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 19, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 19, 2022
Two characters in traditional clothing, emotional moment.

Its for my love of Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook, both the actress and actor as well as their characters here, that I have not forgotten about Alchemy of Souls in the one weekend hiatus in airing. It’s been two weeks now since the last time I watched an episode and honestly I did not miss it. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 6 Replies

Alchemy of Souls Episode 16 Gets 7.453% and Ends on Cliffhanger Return of Tormented Zaddy But Sadly Narrative Already Fell off a Cliff

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 7, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 7, 2022
A tense conversation between two characters.

I loved the first 8 episodes of Alchemy of Souls and thus I have been more than patient and fair as I watched the next 8 episodes slowly leech away all that was fun and exciting about the story. As of episode 16 it’s officially killed the remaining tiny torch I carry for it and it legit is so boring … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 17 Replies

Alchemy of Souls Episode 15 Nets 6.610% Ratings with Focus on Uninteresting Plots Continuing to Derail the Central Narrative Momentum

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 6, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 6, 2022
Two characters confront each other on a bridge.

It makes me sad to have to complain about Alchemy of Souls since I loved it so much when it first aired, all those early episodes elicited the best feelings of curiosity, elation, and excitement. Now it’s slowly petered out to obligation, continuing to watch because I want to see the story through and also a loyalty to how the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 18 Replies

tvN Announces One Weekend Hiatus for Alchemy of Souls on August 13-14 to Prepare Better Quality Final Episodes

A Koala's Playground Posted on August 4, 2022 by ockoalaAugust 4, 2022
Historical drama characters in various scenes.

Hhhhmmmm, I wonder if reshoots are going on and changes are being made to the final arc of Alchemy of Souls. If I take tvN at its word then this is nothing more than just good production values at play as the network announced that the drama will not air next weekend on August 13-14 in order for the production … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls, Jung So Min, Lee Jae Wook, Minhyun, Shin Seung Ho | 4 Replies

Soul Swappers Abound in New Twist with Alchemy of Souls Rising to New Series High of 7.600% Ratings for Episode 14

A Koala's Playground Posted on July 31, 2022 by ockoalaJuly 31, 2022
Couple sharing a kiss and embracing warmly.

The whole soul swapping thing has been both an asset and recently a crutch for Alchemy of Souls. Yes wuri Mu Deok/Naksu is at risk thanks to the two sharing a body but sometimes it feels dangerous and other times it’s an afterthought. I don’t know anymore if she has an ultimate purpose, now that she knows her dad went … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 9 Replies

Alchemy of Souls Episode 13 on Saturday Rises to 6.290% with New Competition But Story Narrative Slows to a Crawl

A Koala's Playground Posted on July 30, 2022 by ockoalaJuly 30, 2022
Three characters in a historical setting.

Durrrr, this drama pace is really challenging my patience. Don’t fret, I still love Alchemy of Souls and it’s the one drama I immediately think to watch when I wake up on Saturday and Sunday mornings when new episodes drop, but episode 13 was sooooooooo slow. It was half Wook and Mu Deok escaping Jin Mu and half more training … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 9 Replies

Episode 12 of Alchemy of Souls Hits New Rating High of 7.091% as the Narrative Starts to Speed Up with Good Guys Picking Up on What the Baddies are Doing

A Koala's Playground Posted on July 25, 2022 by ockoalaJuly 24, 2022
Characters in traditional attire in a tense scene.

The schizophrenic ratings swing from Saturday to Sunday airings of Alchemy of Souls was particularly jarring this week, with a new ratings low one night leading to a new ratings high the next night. Tonally this episode 12 was much better for me, tighter in narrative progression and actual stakes rather than one long Wook training montage. The best part … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 11 Replies

Alchemy of Souls Settles into the Mid-airing Slump with More Training and Less Breakthroughs for Episode 11

A Koala's Playground Posted on July 23, 2022 by ockoalaJuly 23, 2022
Dramatic scene with characters in traditional attire.

So, maybe I have high expectations (now) of Alchemy of Souls but this episode 11 really felt like filler. I know this narrative progression is needed, it’s the exposition, the training montage, the little steps forward so we can get the big leaps forward, but the drama has been such a whiz bang for the first 8 episodes its a … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 3 Replies

Mu Duk Takes Life Into Her Own Hands Once Again as Alchemy of Souls Episode 10 Rises to Nearly Breaking 7% Ratings

A Koala's Playground Posted on July 17, 2022 by ockoalaJuly 17, 2022
Character in historical attire performing various actions.

This really was a filler week for Alchemy of Souls but it ended up being much needed. The first 8 episodes were such fast paced action and plot progression its a breath of fresh air to see the youngsters being young and adorable with no life and death stakes. Mu Duk passes the servant test to enter Songrim thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls, Jung So Min, Lee Jae Wook | 26 Replies

Alchemy of Souls Takes an Action Breather in Episode 9 to Enjoy Wook’s Ascension into Wizarding School and Lets Mu Duk Chill with Her Trio of Guys Interested in Her

A Koala's Playground Posted on July 16, 2022 by ockoalaJuly 16, 2022
Couple embracing and interacting in traditional attire.

Last week’s two episodes of Alchemy of Souls were a whirlwind and there was also the news about Part 2 that sent viewers into a tizzy so it’s nice that this Saturday’s episode 9 was a total slow break. Half the episode was spent at the gisaeng house celebrating Wook’s entry into Songrim, which is basically the Hogwarts of this … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls | 5 Replies

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