Alquimia das Almas (2022)

Unpopular opinion, but I couldn't get into this drama. I thought it was mediocre at best. Maybe it's because I'm generally not into fantasy, which (obviously) this is. But even aside from the fantasy elements, there was something about it that kept me from caring about the characters and feeling anything for them. I didn't feel truly drawn into the story and I couldn't quite pinpoint why.
A big part of it might have been the FL. I'm not a fan, she always does the same dead fish look with a blank expression and her mouth hanging open in almost every scene. Her character here has good backstory and she showed a bit more acting skill for sure, but the personality she had her character portray was godawful. Cold, flat, boring, almost masculine and I didn't feel any chemistry from her when it came to her interactions with the ML. I dropped it at episode 7.
I thought the ML was a different story; he was the one character who kept me watching. He's a good actor and his character actually had dimension and personality. But the romance was very elusive and a mess. He likes her, but does she like him, or the crown prince, or her childhood sweetheart....? Does she even have feelings for anyone at all, since she never shows any emotion?? Idk the whole drama was enough to keep me kind of interested and keep hoping it got better, but overall bored me. I kept having to fast forward long palace conversations. Something would occasionally happen to make the plot seem like it was going somewhere exciting, but then they'd cut to scenes of one of other several side characters and the little exciting twist wouldn't amount to much.

If you're in the target age group for kdrama fantasy and enjoy the genre though, you'll probably like it.

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fed up about the characters' stupidity!

I started watching this because of its high score on MDL's community. but soon the problems began... all the characters are incredibly stupid! this just makes me feel frustrated and angry.
example: the female lead changes body and decides to run away from a boat. but her new body is so weak that she couldn't. you would think that she understood the situation, but no! she will try again and again to fight back in many situations, as if she was her old strong self, and every time she will be beaten up! she could have think about training her new body, exercising, something! but no! she just run into situations head first then is beaten up.
and the same goes for all the other characters: they go into fights and problems without planning any way out, are beaten up, and feel like crap!
I am sure at one point they will be strong enough to fight back, but if this is all about muscles and empty heads I don't need this show.

when watch this? I don't know... never?

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EXCELLENT

This is a high fantasy drama, and typically I tend to stray away from fantasy k dramas simply because it is usually not executed well. But I am glad I decided to give this a chance, the chemistry between the actors is magnificent. I hadn't watched too much of the main leads' dramas before so I was a little hesitant however the interactions between each of the characters are so interesting to watch and I am enjoying each storyline within the show. During the pandemic, I hadn't enjoyed a k-drama in quite a while, but with this drama, I've rewatched each episode that has come out multiple times because the imagery is beautiful and the acting is really captivating. Definitely give this drama a try, if you're on the fence!

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Epic Addiction

I thought I will be facing a period of hollowness after FROM NOW ON SHOWTIME. Who knows I am hooked immediately to another amazing drama. I usually don't like historical drama, but because of JSM, I gave it a try. Goodness, it is no turning back.

From the casts, OST, storyline, cinematography, CGI ... absolutely 5 stars and more. I am addicted. While waiting for another week's next episodes I rewatched the previous episodes again and again. This is how crazy I get. Perhaps hypnotised by the crazy master and student :)

The couple is so beautiful, matching and funny. I pray for a happy ending.

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Okay

This is my first time giving a review, so it could be quite messy and unnecessarily lengthy. I'm halfway in, but I believe my thoughts are likely to stay the same until the show ends. I'll elaborate my rating for each category as below:

Story: 7.5/10
You probably read the synopsis in advance. Now back to my review.
The plot has a fine setup and the mystery factor tie into. Definitely not a simple one, but you can go along with it. You don't have to squeeze until the very last drop of your brain to connect the dots. The clues are quite in your face so you can guess some secrets right beforehand, even if it's a few seconds to an actual reveal on screen. But still, there are rooms to speculate and sometimes things turned out completely different from what some had theorized. Overall, it is unexpected and complex, but it's not crazy whatsoever.
About the romance factor, the relationships among the characters play out well, you can see the dynamics work. The love lines are still in the developing process as of ep. 10, but the love triangles do be a bit exhausting at times (yes, there are more than one.)
The script itself sometimes makes the execution fall flat for many details in the show. I can't specifically say which, but there are occasions when I felt some ideas can be explored further or given with a better explanation. Some scenes such as Park Jin and Miss Kim's bickering were extended longer than I preferred.

Acting: 9/10
To be frank, the acting is quite solid and convincing. Many of the cast are experienced and it's believable for them to pull off a good act. Even the so-called "idol actors" such as Minhyun and Arin both have the potentials and are capable to go further if they continue to improve themselves. The chemistry between the two leads, Jaewook and Somin is very over the place, which makes the dynamics of their relationship more real, hence why I ship their characters hard. Everyone has the visual and is talented as well. Perfect cast.

Music: 7.5/10
There is nothing much to say here, the tracks are played here and there, they definitely push the emotions, but they are not outstanding and leave no impressions to me. I personally would not look them up and listen to them.

Rewatch value: 5/10
Maybe I just rate this in a 50/50 way because I'm neutral about this. I'm not someone who rewatch shows, so I think I can't speak for the rest.

So that wraps up my overall thoughts about the series. You should give it a watch if you are interested in the fantasy genre and want to have a show as an escapism. It's a weekly show as well, so you can take breaks between the episodes to let it sink in. Hope you'll have a good watch!

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CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IS A CRIME

This drama has only 1 thing: plagiarising of Chinese culture. Because of cultural appropriation, it's currently called in court to be sentenced. Taoism never reached Korea, so how?
But Koreans keep stealking since 2004, no wonder why.
A useless series, not worth watching, in my opinion. Actors are not good, even adult actors. They seems like children, and the whole drama is like a middle school recital. They can't act and they are not handsome at all.
Setting, pottery, dresses... everything is plagiarised, and the few little Korean elements are totally useless.
Nor original at all, only a cheap plagiarised copy with low budget.
The second part of the story is totally nonsense.
I won't recommend this drama, but of course, go ahead if you want to watch it and give it a try.
The series is accused, that's why it's a flop in Korea. The second part listed in December was already listed before the flop, it's not a season 2. They couldn't keep the whole cheap story in less episodes.
It's torturing yourself watching this drama, 1h long episodes are too much.

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Give it a try!

This was a big budget drama that borrowed a lot from Wuxia dramas and it's super obvious when you start watching. Personally I loved the effect and was immediately pulled into the story. The costumes, sets, effects and music were all on point and amazing. The amount of care and effort is so visible in every frame. This drama has a very typical underdog story that is also propped up by an underlying mystery which takes 30 episodes to fully unravel. I feel that the first season was fine for the most part and had a lot of satisfying “anime-like” moments that pulled you deeper and deeper into the world. The problems start becoming more apparent when you consider the romantic aspects of this show and it falls a little flat. The acting in this show is phenomenal from everyone involved when you set aside the romantic parts. In the first season I couldn’t help feel a distinct lack of chemistry from the leads… The secondary couples are not not even worth mentioning at all. The chemistry between the main couple does manage to improve in the second part due a major change in the depiction of the characters. Despite the fact that the romance manages to improve in the second part, the characters all get REALLY dumb. They also start saying and doing the dumbest stuff to move the plot along and some of the retcons (pertaining to reincarnation) were too much to be acceptable. All in all its a pretty good show but it wasn’t tied up well enough to be truly great, memorable or rewatchable.

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hum não.....esperava mais

Eu sinceramente não entendi porque ás pessoas gostaram tanto desse dorama, tudo bem que eu mesma me enganei porque achei que seria naquele estilo de ação dos doramas chineses, estilo o tigre e o dragão mas ok, resolvi assisti inteiro achei que tem um excesso de personagens sem função que estão ali só para encher linguiça e são zero desenvolvidos além de ter vilões preguiçosos que não fazem nada a trama inteiro no melhor estilo pink e o cerebro e pior parece que todo mundo ali é descerebrado vários personagens, vulgos figurantes trocando de alma no mesmo lugar e ninguém desconfia de nada.
O motivo do pai do protagonista selar os seus poderes é risível o homem age no maior estilo ditador, intransigente sem nenhum motivo relevante e o mais bizarro ás pessoas seguem o que ele manda por que mesmo? acho que seria muito mais engolível se o personagem fosse filho de um demônio com uma humana e pudesse ficar instável no futuro, é clichê sim mas faria mais sentido.

Mu Deok, naksu, prometia mas ficou só na promessa mesmo no começo achei que veríamos várias cenas dela de luta, ação etc ficou só no querer mesmo o dorama inteiro ela fica no corpo da mulher frágil e é só, o papel dela se limitou a ser par romântico num casal que na minha opinião não tem muita quimica não me convenceu que são apaixonados.

Daí o uk ali num golpe de sorte consegue desbloquear os seus poderes, começa a se desenvolver mais rápido que os outros, mas chegou um determinado momento depois de muita encheção de linguiça e fofocas que ele ainda não seria mais forte que os outros magos daí sem mais nem menos ele resolve abdicar de seus poderes, esses que para variar são muito mal explicados.

A grande maioria dos coadjuvantes não tem muita função desenvolvimento e são em excesso tem uns com muito tempo de tela sem a menor necessidade, como o "mestre dos magos" o Lee.

tem outro personagem que poderia render e não rendeu nada que é outra decepção Seo Yul ele passa uns 9 episódios sabendo quem era a Naksu e nada falou, muita preguiã dos roteiristas.

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warmly and positive drama , idk it gives me such feelings ) !

This drama has great energy! ) warmly and positive!))
I saw many reviews about this drama in the feed before I started watching, so , finally I can say - yes! worth to watch it ! ) , super interesting, funny and cool drama)! Lee Jae Wook -showed his character as well , it was amazing !!I fell in love with him hahaha Cho Son Min I dont like but .. she so funny so too plays very cool ) her and Jae Wooks facial expressing super hilarious !))))
I liked most of all that they made the plot at the same time in the style of historical fantasy, but with some modern funny facial expressions, mimic hahaha)) especially Lee Jae Wook! That way he smiles sarcastically or looks at people haha it was so hilarious and cute )) , to see them arguing or resisting in a modern way )
I liked the plot of 1st and 2 nd season too, at first I was apprehensively thinking whether to watch it or not, coz I didn’t know how Koreans make historical fantasy (I saw the Chinese ones usually and only earlier lol ), but after reading the reviews I decided to watch and I was drawn in from the first series)) there is no point in describing the same thing as it is in the description , just if you like the theme of jokes and magic and all that+, - you won't regret it!
very beautiful music and I liked the outfits)
Chan Wook , when he staring at u , its looks so mega hilarious idk lol that somehting ! he has funny cool smile )) i fell donw in lol he super funny guy ahah but he has staning look in the historical outfit ! handsome !
ther are many jokes in the modern way in the historical ancient atmosphere so its gives u kind mixed funny feelings ahaha their replies ( idk i watched in english and russian so can only guese if in korean its sounds same crazy funny too ahah )
prince Go Won looks hilarious too ! dumb a little when thinking a lot but then boom and gives u smart reply or ask some serious question so he only look like dumb but inside he so smart ) cool that at the end he chosed Chan Wooks side and helped to kill the Jin Mu ..

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Now that I have finished it reading, I am feeling sad and empty inside. It was such a great journey. Jung UK's character was my favorite, he was always the light of the drama, I feel bad for him because he thought he lost his life by the hand of his merciless wicked assassin master, Naksu. The love of his life. But his resurrection from death was my favorite scene.
It was so fantastic and mesmerizing. Loved it very much.
And the friendship among Mo duek, Seo Yul and Park dong-gu was so funny and heart touching. At the last moment, Park Dong-gu hesitate to kill Mo duek shows his affection for their friendship.
And the crown prince's friendship with Mo duek was also so touching. They saw each other's real face though they were sometime stood against each other, they were each other's well wisher and hope each other to live a good life.
And the love story of Park Jin and Maidservant Kim so touching and funny. Their interaction was more interesting and comedic, they supported each other for many years and had each other's back.
Lastly feel bad Park dong-gu and Jin Cho Yeon's wedding day ruined because of Jin Mu. That character is so hateful.

This story has everything beautiful. Beautiful story, great actor, and they act so beautifully. Magic and supernatural things blends so naturally that it made it fantastic. Everything seems logical. I loved it very much, haven't watched such great fantasy drama in a long time. It will always remain my favorite drama.

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My favourite Drama

This is the best drama that I've seen, From the story, Characters, Acting, Visuals, Everything was great.
It's not the type of show I'd watch but decided to give it a go and it was incredible.

I saw Lee Jae Wook in Do Do So So La La Sol and thought he was very good so I was expecting big things from him in this show and he killed it.

The whole cast and side characters are some of the best I've seen in shows, The visuals and fight scenes were done really well.

I highly recommend this show to anyone, It's a light hearted show with comedy, great fighting and a great story.

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