Alchemy of Souls: Episodes 9-10
by alathe
Our hero has finally made it as a mage of Songrim! But, success comes at the price of separation from his beloved master. Amid numerous admirers jostling for priority, our leads must determine where their hearts truly lie.
EPISODES 9-10 WEECAP
We begin with Wook achieving the goal of a lifetime. Elated, he bows and swears to uphold Songrim’s rules. Even Mu-deok wears her pride on her sleeve: it takes markedly less cajoling than usual for her to admit that her pupil looks handsome in his new robes. Afterwards, in time-honored student tradition, Wook plans an all-out celebratory bash-up, where the only agenda is getting stupendously drunk.
Elsewhere, the mood is less jubilant. Mu and Ha-sun meet at Daeho’s most popular date destination: that one bit of the lake where they toss dead soul-shifters. Knowing that Wook was born under the King’s Star, they bemoan his acceptance into Songrim. We learn that Jang Gang apparently sealed the ice stone owing to moral qualms, reinforced by a flashback of him wailing over a petrified corpse. Ten years ago, however, Ha-sun’s faction retrieved the stone, using a young blind mage to locate it: JIN BU-YEON, Cho-yeon’s lost sister.
It’s tempting to think that’s Mu-deok. But this show teases. We move to a boat carrying another blind woman (Seo Hye-won) with a ribbon around her eyes. Looks prove deceiving: turns out, she’s not only a thief, but fully sighted. Her blindfold carries a flower insignia – an accoutrement we later learn she took from her friend, Mu-deok, for whom she’s now searching. Twist upon twist!
Back at Chwiseonreu, where Wook’s people are partying, Mu-deok stumbles upon a tipsy Yul. Much like a thoughtful Yul, a concerned Yul, and a Yul suffering terrible panic, this Yul is outwardly composed. Inwardly, he’s a disaster. He solemnly informs Mu-deok that he’s lost, and gone astray. Mu-deok, initially missing the metaphorical heft of this comment, takes his hand to guide him. He reminds her of all the times she’s confessed her love for him, which surprises her before she remembers that yes, she did indeed do that. Even as she breaks out her usual hapless servant act, he plucks a nearby flower and tucks it into her hair as a token of gratitude — while Mu-deok is left fearing he really means it.
Romantic woes abound. Do-joo is frustrated by Jin’s defense of how he tried to woo Do-hwa. You can hardly blame her: his “courtship” apparently consisted of wordless pining, and the absolute conviction that one can convey love via telepathy. Resenting how unclear his feelings are for her, in a fit of relatable frustration, she kicks her shoe into the pond. As she reaches for it, she overbalances… but, this is dramaland, where there’s no shortage of handsome men to catch you when you fall.
The man in question is Master Lee — self-confessed party pooper, and habitual drinker of chastity tea! He’s been drinking less lately, and tries to persuade himself that’s the only reason he gets flustered upon sweeping Do-joo into his arms.
At the party, panic sets in when Prince Won arrives uninvited. However, he’s only there to offer Wook an expensive drink and teeth-clenched congratulations — albeit after a tense stare-down. (Oh, the eyebrows!)
Won later confesses to Mu-deok that it was only for her sake he refrained from tearing the place down in anger. Jin’s not the only one with a skewed view of courtship: he informs her that the next time she interferes between him and Wook, he’ll kill her. Then, he grins like a smitten teenager when he learns she still carries the perfume satchet he gave her. To be fair, this is exactly Mu-deok’s style of affection; even as she refuses to rescind her loyalty to Wook, she asks after his injury.
Across the city, Cho-yeon’s father returns home, accompanied by a blind woman, adding to this episode’s growing roster of red herrings. Ho-gyeong is agitated: could this be her lost daughter? Nope: Jinyowon’s gate is motionless under her hand, and the poor woman is dismissed with little other than a fare home. Distraught, Ho-gyeong broods over her daughter’s portrait, remembering Bu-yeon’s uncanny ability to sense energy. She examines the blindfold she gave her — one decorated with the same flower as Mu-deok’s old accessory.
Later, an alcohol-stupefied Wook is carried to Songrim’s gate. With his newly-reissued spirit plaque, entry presents no difficulty. However, Mu-deok is denied. Songrim’s rules prohibit personal servants. Meanwhile, Wook cannot leave until he completes basic training. Anguished, Mu-deok can only watch as her pupil is torn away from her.
Wook is tended to by HEO YUN-OK (Hong Seo-hui), heir to Sejukwon, who has carried a serious torch for him ever since he rescued her from a rampaging Kil-joo.
Meanwhile, stubbornly perched by the gate in the pouring rain, Mu-deok is greeted by Yul, who has brought her an umbrella: he knew she’d refuse to leave. But, even semi-conscious, it is Mu-deok for whom Wook calls. And by now, we know Mu-deok’s patterns; when she huddles like a drenched cat in the rain and mutters about murdering Wook, what she really means is she misses him very much.
Next morning, Wook is determined to reach Mu-deok. He appeals to Jin, who won’t hear it. He promptly complains to Do-joo instead, moaning ostentatiously about Songrim’s regulations, with the air of a child expecting his guardian to write a stern letter to the teachers. No dice. Do-joo insists that Mu-deok is happier without him.
Elsewhere, Mu-deok despairs as Do-joo returns, alight with hope that Wook and Yun-ok are in love. Still, according to her, Wook only has eyes for a woman he described as a bird’s egg in a tree. Mu-deok, cradling the egg-shaped charm Wook made for her, knows that this can only be one person.
The trouble with metaphors is that they’re anyone’s game. Do-joo is convinced the “bird’s egg” will hatch into an egret, sophisticated enough to suit Yun-ok. Mu-deok snaps caustically that it could become a vicious eagle — one that will fly away. The crux of the matter is, whilst Wook and Mu-deok may love one another, Mu-deok can’t let that compromise her freedom.
At Songrim, Wook masters basic training in virtually the time it takes to deliver a cheeky grin. Being rejected by twelve masters has its benefits! But, when he confidently demands a visit home, Jin stops him in his tracks: his final task is to read a book written by Songrim’s founder, Seo Gyeong. The catch? Its pages are blank. Reading them requires about a year of magical focus. Privately to Yeom, Jin confirms what we might have suspected: he has no intention of teaching Wook. He’s just stalling for time till Jang Gang comes home. It’s the cruelest blow in a series of cruel blows.
Joke’s on Jin, though; Wook’s resourceful. If they won’t let him out, he’ll just leave. This is awfully hard on Yun-ok, who visits just in time to watch the object of her affections exit via the window. Again. Still, she’s good enough to cover for him, shutting the door and pretending they’re in uninterruptible conversation — for four whole hours.
Back home, Mu-deok is delighted to hear that a man from Songrim is expecting her — only to find Yul. He’s here to, uh… retrieve his umbrella! Oh, it broke? Well, in that case, he’s here to let her buy him a new one! Despite this being the most awkwardly stalled errand known to man, there’s room for a tender moment as Mu-deok worries about the leg Yul broke long ago in Danhyanggok. Still, it’s clear where her loyalties lie when she stops to buy Wook’s favorite sweets for Yul to deliver. Why? He gets cranky without snacks!
Down the street, the not-so-blind thief from the last episode is caught stealing trinkets. She leads her pursuers on a merry chase, gleefully overturning chicken crates as she flees. (I like this newcomer — she’s got panache!) Unexpectedly, she spots Mu-deok, who, to her surprise, shows nary a hint of recognition — or any sign of her former blindness. No time for questions: she’s cornered by a team of thugs who recognize her as SO-YI. It looks like the jig is up — until her attackers are swept aside by a mage valiantly wielding an umbrella: Yul! So-yi accepts Yul’s improvised weapon as a walking stick, and goes on her way.
Alas, her luck is short-lived. She’s swiftly abducted by an unseen figure, dropping the umbrella as she goes. Her abductor? None other than Jin Mu, who has plans to take down Ho-gyeong…
Wook arrives home, only to face disappointment — Mu-deok’s out. But, she’s discovered a way into Songrim: there’s a leaflet advertising for servants. When she learns Wook’s back, she races as fast as she can — to find he’s already left. Still, all is not lost; she catches him returning by boat. Breathless, she calls out to him from the bridge. She throws the leaflet out to him, promising to reach him soon. Watch their faces light up in sight of one another: I defy you to tell me that’s not what love looks like!
As the 125th Songrim interviewee, Mu-deok’s got more competition than she bargained for. Do-joo decides that’s nothing a little bribery won’t fix. Unfortunately, the maidservant (cameo by comedian-actress Kim Hyun-sook) to whom she gifts an expensive scarf rats her out to Jin, whereupon things get nasty. He reprimands Do-joo for abusing their friendship. Amid tears, Do-joo snaps back that they need no longer be close. In the culmination of two episodes’ worth of failing to use his words, Jin attempts an apology… only to plod through it so slowly she’s already left.
Meanwhile, Master Lee, as enigmatically helpful as ever, visits Wook. He lets him on to a secret: the blank book is actually a love letter. Seo Gyeong was writing to a blind woman, intending her to read it with her heart. If Wook discovers the first word, the rest will follow.
As Master Lee leaves, he encounters Do-joo, who thanks him profusely for his help the other night. Yeom watches in disbelief as his ascetic, plainly-dressed master accepts a pink silk scarf as a token, whilst stuttering bashfully in the face of Do-joo’s — well, everything. Honestly, I’m beginning to think Master Lee’s chastity tea is just sugar water.
The Songrim servant contest begins! Mu-deok must compete against hundreds of hopefuls, beginning with a written exam on all things domestic. At Songrim, Yul, Dang-gu, and a visiting Won put their heads together over a copy of the test, pooling their logic (and, perhaps more significantly, Won’s attendant’s laundry expertise) to achieve what they are adorably positive must be a perfect score. Won, revealing that beneath his grumpy exterior lies a heart of — well, of confused longing for Mu-deok — helps smuggle the answers to her.
As Mu-deok aces category after category, Wook works equally hard to facilitate their reunion. The book is a love letter; it must be addressed to its recipient. Although his next encounter with Jin is as fraught with trauma as ever, it provides the last piece of the puzzle: Seo Gyeong knew a blind woman named Jin Seol-ran, the future founder of Jinyowon. As Mu-deok embarks upon her final challenge, Wook watches the text bloom before his eyes.
Mu-deok’s last test is a race — and it’s painful. Staggering under the massive jar on her back, she slows, nearly toppling. She misses the effortless athleticism of the body she lost. But, she also remembers her efforts to stop Wook from giving up — telling him he must do something, no matter how damning the circumstances. And so, she sprints. With tremendous effort, she breaks past the runner ahead of her, beating him to the finish line by a hair — before passing out.
I’m a blubbering mess by the time Wook and Mu-deok reunite. Sitting close, they discuss the letter Wook deciphered. Mu-deok can’t understand the reasoning. An invisible letter that was probably never sent? It’s cowardly. Amused, Wook agrees: Seo Gyeong should have delivered the letter like Mu-deok did. With the air of a man playing his trump card, he produces the leaflet she threw. If a letter delivers your feelings, he reasons, it counts. Mu-deok has the look of a woman utterly caught. Wook continues — what he read was, I will do anything to be able to see you. So, he’s going to reply.
Mu-deok braces herself, afraid. But all Wook does is return the leaflet. I missed you too, he says.
Whew! Folks, this is the slow burn to end all slow burns, and I am wild with anticipation. It’s clear Wook and Mu-deok understand the depth of their own feelings, and are even beginning to understand each other’s — obliviousness isn’t the issue. Still, for all that Mu-deok fears fitting her life around a partner (blood feuds are a solitary business), she and Wook are already halfway there. I can’t stop thinking about the plain delight they both show upon seeing each other — how easily they fit together, and how hard they try for one another. Every episode, they are drawn into a deeper understanding of one another.
Communication was this week’s theme, with most of our supporting cast failing to get their message across. Jin, especially, resembles an invisible love letter, never sent. He’ll demonstrate his feelings for Do-joo a million ways before suffering to voice them, and he’ll do anything for Wook besides offer an explanation. Yul can only truly call out to Mu-deok via vague allusions to a past she can’t be sure he knows is hers. Meanwhile, Master Lee can’t even stutter out a sentence in front of Do-joo! Eventually, all this miscommunication will unravel — for now, I can’t wait to see how complicated it gets.
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Tags: Alchemy of Souls, Arin, Go Yoon-jung, Jung So-min, Lee Jae-wook, Minhyun, Oh Nara, Shin Seung-ho, Yoo In-soo, Yoo Joon-sang
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1 jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 10:07 AM
Park Jin is going to get dumped…twice. But who might he lose to? Master Lee of the chaste herbs😂. Between Park Jin vs Master Lee, let the battle begin. An adult love triangle? Dang! This show’s just getting better at checking boxes I didn’t know I needed.
But a greater award goes to Madame Kim for making this grown men consider womenfolk.
I knew it when I said said Park Jin offering him Songrim studentship was sketchy.
Heo Yun-ok🙄, please be a better tangential character instead of shaking the romance waters.
I think the most intense scene was Seo Yul confessing his feelings for Naksu. It was so real. His restraint as he spoke was very endearing, but at the same time conveyed this feeling of uncertainty and fear of having lost her already but still trying with a glimmer of hope. In that very moment, I wanted her to be Yul’s woman but it is clear her heart isn’t swayed and I kind of hurt for him. The umbrella scene just broke me more. This second male lead is going to hurt real bad.
If Mudeok is Jinyowon’s Buyeon which is crystal clear already with all evidence pointing to her, then the whole of Daeho has the most powerful mage coming their way once Naksu finds a way to let her energy seep through Buyeon. Since Buyeon is clearly more powerful than Naksu, a combo of Buyeon energy + Naksu energy + Naksu swordsmanship – all in one - will shake all of them up, even Danju Queen. And that could be why she isn’t soul shifting, and also why Gil-ju’s alchemy failed – She (Buyeon) has energy powerful enough to counter the stone. Buyeon’s energy surpasses Naksu’s.
And what mischief is shrouded in Mudeok's smile in the picture at the end of the recap ^^?
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Nal
July 18, 2022 at 10:22 AM
"Park Jin is going to get dumped…twice. But who might he lose to? Master Lee of the chaste herbs😂."
🤣🤣🤣I am screaming at that love triangle but I'm ready for it. Park Jin is a mess, how can anyone be so slow? I feel bad for him becaus
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jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM
That's two triangles I'm very invested in here - thiers and Uk-Yul-Mudeok.
The romances here in AoS are very tight written by the way, and necessary.
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Nal
July 18, 2022 at 10:40 AM
Yes, all the triangles make sense and are also a great comic relief
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SerenaJess
July 19, 2022 at 11:24 PM
There’s a very funny review on YouTube featuring the love triangle of Handmaiden Kim/park Jin/master Lee. I can’t get the Titanic imagery out of my head now… https://youtu.be/EbxhIV9sMRw
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FiyaShady
July 18, 2022 at 10:28 AM
Agreed. Can't wait for Mudeok realized that she is indeed Buyeon and becoming a great mage with Naksu's skills.
I am hoping for Heo Yun-Ok can be someone that helps Wook in growth rather than involving in-terms of romantic notes. Why can't all females characters become great like those F4 team (minus CheoYeon but add CP)? I need them to not just be a filler, but rather be something important and creating their own arc of story.
My irk now goes towards So-i as she seems wicked and might be dangerous to Mudeok once she is involved with JinMu and Queen. Cross-fingers that she will not be that bad villant and be humane as much as possible 😅
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jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 10:38 AM
Agreed. Can't wait for Mudeok realized that she is indeed Buyeon and becoming a great mage with Naksu's skills.
Likeeeeeeeee!
She is a great mage already, lesser than Jin Seolran but worthy of mention. Although blind, she discovered where Jang Gang sealed the ice stone, something the big bads have searched for for 10 years. Naksu would be an upgrade, not a better upgrade, but the addition of fighting skills which Buyeon lacks which ups the perks.
On a side note, Jinyowon (Jin) seems to be the strongest but unexplored of the four seasons and most likely equals to Seo.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:05 AM
With all the reveals, I'm starting to get more interested in Mu Deok. No wonder the question of JSM playing or not playing in Season 2 would indeed be a spoiler(, but it is not like fans can't already theorize it)
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Nal
July 18, 2022 at 10:42 AM
"I am hoping for Heo Yun-Ok can be someone that helps Wook in growth rather than involving in-terms of romantic notes."
Me too, there are already more than enough love lines.
As for So-I, I have a bad feeling 😩
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 10:57 AM
Re BuYeon and Naksu powers merging, I would love to see that happen. That will definitely make the most sense why she soul shifter to her instead of the other servant girl. They have to pause the otp romance and see some more movement on Naksu and BY storyline. They are the key to stopping Jin Mu and Danju.
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 10:59 AM
I just want to see Naksu kick ass again. She is amazing and its sad to see her relegated to bratty Uk's love interest only.
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Jingbee
July 18, 2022 at 4:02 PM
This, I am hoping next episodes will go back to that. Uk indeed is unlikeable in these episodes as he continues to behave like a spoiled brat.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:01 AM
That pink scarf sealed the deal for me with the Lee-Jin-Kim triangle😂😂😂 Whoever thought of using that color should be given a raise!
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 11:07 AM
Park Jin is in danger of losing another love. And he has no one smoothing the way. I'm sure Master Heo will be on the Master Lee+Kim Do-joo ship. Luckily, it looks like Kim Do-joo only has eyes for Park Jin. I can't wait until Park Jin finds out that he has competition and that he can't be sitting around doing nothing.
Speaking of Master Lee, isn't he like at least 140+ years old? Kim Do-joo is a little too young for him... Then again, anyone alive is too young for him.
The Bu-yeon and Naksu combo is so powerful. I wonder what the constellation records said on their births. If we're buying that astrology is real in the Daeho world, then these girls have an amazing destiny.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 18, 2022 at 11:32 AM
I wonder if the stars showed there were actually twins, with one spirited away at birth.
How is Park Jin the leader of Songrim when he's so dumb? I kept thinking we'd see that he's smart and just has blind spots about Wook and Do-joo, but it's starting to look like the blanks I was trying to fill in are just ... blank.
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jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 11:47 AM
Park Jin is competent. Very competent to head Songrim. He brought down Naksu. Let us just say he paid the price of being competent and intelligent by being dumb with respect to the matters of the heart. I guess that unlike Jang Gang, he can't everything.
And if it helps, I've encountered people like Park Jin IRL. It's a realistic portrayal.
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 12:19 PM
So true on the realistic portrayal. People like him exist irl.
Cindy Mahri
July 19, 2022 at 3:40 AM
Most highly intellectual guys are like him, tbh. High in IQ, low in EQ. 😩😆
jillian
July 18, 2022 at 12:19 PM
Being intelligent does not apply in all aspect of life. There are ppl who are book smart but not so smart in matters of the heart.
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involuted
July 18, 2022 at 6:04 PM
"If Mudeok is Jinyowon’s Buyeon which is crystal clear already with all evidence pointing to her, then the whole of Daeho has the most powerful mage coming their way once Naksu finds a way to let her energy seep through Buyeon. Since Buyeon is clearly more powerful than Naksu, a combo of Buyeon energy + Naksu energy + Naksu swordsmanship – all in one - will shake all of them up, even Danju Queen. And that could be why she isn’t soul shifting, and also why Gil-ju’s alchemy failed – She (Buyeon) has energy powerful enough to counter the stone. Buyeon’s energy surpasses Naksu’s."
Ooh I like this. Looking forward to her realization that the gyeongchondaeho that she's been seeking has been residing in her all along but I bet Uk's a key somehow.
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Miky
July 19, 2022 at 4:32 AM
Curious if Buyeon/Mudeok soul/energy merged together with bit of the ice stone before she was tossed in that lake and that's how she suvived it back then and why she is special now...Even the artifacts call her ice stone...Now,did she loose her memory after that near death experience or why didn't she try to find her way back home even after 10 years...Is she still the human Buyeon anymore?
Quite curious how they will tie this important and complex points...
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2 Kennedyd
July 18, 2022 at 10:26 AM
So my theory is that Naksu will be revived in her original body. I'm thinking Buyeon is in her real body which is Mudeok, that is, she never died. Maybe she was too powerful to be killed just by anyone?
If that is the case, who will end up with whom? Wook could end up with Naksu and Yul can end up with Buyeon/Mudeok. On the other hand, Wook could also end up with Buyeon/Mudeok as well. I think there could be a childhood connection there too. And then Yul ends up with Naksu.
Looking forward to finding out!
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Nal
July 18, 2022 at 10:39 AM
Naksu's body was burnt so I don't think so.
Unfortunately I think one of our guys will end up alone
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Kennedyd
July 18, 2022 at 10:43 AM
True but my understanding of that ice stone is that it can revive someone too. Remember how Wook pushed back on sorcery and magic and said that sorcery could be used for good too? I think this the ability of the ice stone (sorcery) to revive someone is what he was referring to and isn't getting Naksu back her energy the whole goal of their mutual relationship?
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
July 18, 2022 at 11:10 AM
This.
I hope (and halfway expect) that S1 ends with the triumphant reconstitution of Naksu's body, while Mu-deok goes back to being the powerful missing sister or whoever.
Then S2 might have lots of action & swordplay as they deal with grudges over Naksu's past as an assassin and the associated body count.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:13 AM
This plot would indeed be a fantasy for a fantasy story😅😅
Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 2:17 PM
Naksu regaining her original body is my prediction for end of part 1 also. It makes the most sense to me in light of the casting decisions that have been circulating recently. As for part 2, it's still so early to speculate, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get all of the King's star/royal succession stuff figured out and resolved before then.
Ruckus Likes Drama
July 20, 2022 at 2:58 AM
My conjecture is:
MD might not get lots of action but Naksu will when she is resurrected.
I think MD will definitely die but Naksu will be resurrected and revenge could indeed be a theme in season 2.
I don’t like the use of deux-machina that resurrects a burnt body (sounds too convenient). I don’t like that Naksu ( I like Naksu in MD’s body) doesn’t pay for getting into someone’s body for revenge purposes (her loss of physical strength could be considered a price she pays but MD’s body is paying as she is not working to make her body strong) and that she is definitely an assassin. So she can’t be without malice! I like that UK and Naksu both are imperfect.
Nal
July 18, 2022 at 11:56 AM
Oh yeah, I forgot about the ice stone
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sooyi
July 19, 2022 at 2:06 AM
It also seems that the ice stone could be used to craft an object like the mystical relics in Jinyowon, so maybe Naksu's body could be recrafted (this is a bit too alchemy)?
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FiyaShady
July 19, 2022 at 7:34 AM
Haa, you connect the missing link that I missed.
Perhaps that what Jang Gang did to Naksu's father. He must be killed by someone in palace when he charted the star during April 1st event (perhaps the Queen), but then JG use the Ice Stone to revive him but he went berserk. That's why JG was crying upon seeing Cho Chung's body.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 20, 2022 at 1:37 AM
@laeteey
True but season 2 with Naksu actress being the lead means she will be resurrected.
I so wish I didn’t know this!
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Nal
July 20, 2022 at 8:28 AM
I didn't know about the season 2 casting 😅
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jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 10:42 AM
One way this romance amongst the young blood doesn't descend into dirty party is if Cho-yeon falls for Dang-gu. I think she's noticed that he is devoted to her, but she doesn't share the same sentiment, at least not yet. Neither do I want her to fall for him in a fail-safe manner(Incase Uk doesn't work out) cause it'll hurt Dang-gu, but I know he'll be thankful for getting... crumbs. I hope not.
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Nell
July 18, 2022 at 10:50 AM
Based on casting news, it seems like Naksu will be going back to her original body (apparently Jung So Min hasn’t signed on to be in Season 2 though all of the other main cast did).
I think Wook will end up with Naksu in her original body. I’m not sure if Boyeon/Mudeok will end up with anyone (I’m guessing an arranged marriage…maybe with Yul or the Crown Prince who will no longer be the Crown Prince with Wook fulfilling that prophesy).
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Miky
July 19, 2022 at 4:40 AM
I just can't see why Wook would choose Buyeon childhood conection be damned,it will negate all the story tilll then as we clearly see he fells in love with Naksu...
If he truly does better for Naksu to dump him and be with Yul or explore the world and be the best woman mage as his love would have been shallow
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Dramas found by chance
July 19, 2022 at 5:06 AM
This. The person who both Wook and Yul like is Naksu in Mu-deok's body, and I hope that any reshuffling of the pieces would just creep them out.
I think that with Mu-deok the Hong sisters are in danger of painting themselves into a corner from which there's no way out with honour: what fate for her soul is now satisfactory? We may end up with an Oh My Ghost or Mr Queen situation.
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Miky
July 19, 2022 at 5:11 AM
That would be an epic fail once again as that wouldn't be the women he fell and loved nor share his journey... Buyeon is a stranger and would be so seriously wrong to say in the end he loved her when he doesn't even know nor shared anything all 20 or more episodes.
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3 Nal
July 18, 2022 at 10:33 AM
I love everything about this drama and I'm totally here for the bromance between those 4.
I hope the Crown Prince remains this loveable please! He also needs to find love 😆.
Seo Yul 🥺, I just want to hug him. That fake blind girl needs to back off, she smells like so much trouble.
Jang Uk and Mu-Doek have great chemistry but I'm not yet all into the ship 😅. I like their dynamic and the way it's slow burn
I don't know how I feel about Heo's granddaughter and this new love triangle. She seems like a sweet girl.
There's love everywhere in this drama 😂, even Dang-gu and lady Jin are seemingly getting along.
I think it's pretty safe to say that Mu-Doek is the eldest daughter of the Jin family, which also explains how she got into their secret room
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Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 2:21 PM
I know I'm so worried that we are heading for the CP to have to do something terrible. Setting up a bromance and his crush on MD and then absolutely shattering us later on. I guess I'm sort of okay with that happening? But then I require a redemptive arc for him so we can regain some of those amazing relationships.
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4 Kurama
July 18, 2022 at 10:40 AM
I found these episodes were too long.
I have issues with Mu-Deok character. I don't like how Naksu is disapearing, I don't recognize the badass assassin from the beginning. I like Jung So-Min as an actress but not in this role. She lacks the dangerousness that her character should exude, be careful, on her toes.
I don't buy the love story yet. They're cute but the fact that Wook's priorities always are about Mu-Deok and not his duty make me frustrating.
If they add one character every 2 episodes, it will become hard to follow...
My favourite scene was the 3 mages solving the test. They're funny together.
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jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 10:46 AM
Paragraph 2 and 3. You get my frustration perfectly with AoS. Where is the Master. It's subtly turning into a romance story instead of a what we had in the beginning.
I hope it doesn't stop you from enjoying the show.
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Kurama
July 18, 2022 at 11:02 AM
No, in my mind, it's a light and entertaining show. Because I'm not really invested in the characters, I don't really have any expectations for them or the story.
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involuted
July 18, 2022 at 6:10 PM
I think this drama is romance first before the action though viewers were first attracted to it due to the action.
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 10:52 AM
I miss the assassin that can not assassinate. I really prefer the OTP not to end up together. Its ruining MD as a character.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:10 AM
I enjoy the romance between any character they are throwing at me, but thinking of the complexity involving soul and real body, I too prefer the OTP to be buddies, but nope we are heading down towards heartbreaks and tears
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 11:36 AM
The heartbreak can be delivered even if they r bffs. I feel romance is unnecessary in their relationship. Master and Pupil is strong enough imo.
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FiyaShady
July 18, 2022 at 11:12 AM
You shared my sentiment here. I am also wishing that Mudeok/ Buyeon not end up with anyone. She might have a bigger role in Daeho itself, and shouldn't be bound with love and marriage that much. Having a feeling towards someone close to you is normal but her character can be greater for better storyline.
I wish they accelerate more on Buyeon/ Mudeok revelation and gave much impact on "HwanHon" things... we need more magic!
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 11:37 AM
Yes! I want to know more about BY and what she can do. Also how her and Naksu's powers can be merged to destroy the baddies.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 1:22 PM
Please tell me what does HwanHon mean?
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 1:58 PM
It means return of someone's soul after death.
involuted
July 18, 2022 at 6:21 PM
Second you here. I'm okay with throwing romance into the mix as long as they keep the integrity of the characters. So in this case this should lead to an angsty type end where Naksu will eventually choose her independence over a partner cramping her style and I'm actually all for this type of romance.
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Nefret
July 18, 2022 at 10:57 AM
That's exactly how I see it to some extent.
The plot of the last two episodes would have fit well into a single episode.
But whenever I'm about to digress a little, the series manages to captivate me again. This time it was the test for the servants. Of course, the cheat sheet, delivered by the crown prince, was the highlight.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 1:01 PM
I agree.
A few sequences in episode 9 seemed frivolous. For example did we need the welcome to infirmary for the grand daughter while everyone was celebrating UK sequence?
I enjoyed episode 10 and those three working together and then the cheating sequence — kiss in the air! I am looking forward to Saturday :)
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Jingbee
July 18, 2022 at 4:15 PM
I miss Naksu, the bad-ass master, too. She has devolved into a love sick character here and so is Uk though je remained to be a love - sick spoiled brat. I hope they get back to the storyline of them becoming a powerful pair to save Daeho from the villains.
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ace_xx
July 19, 2022 at 1:45 AM
Same, I'm still not sold on the Uk x Naksu love line. They're absolutely great to watch together as Master x pupil but at this point, we still havent seen why Naksu would romantically fall for Uk yet when he has consistently disappointed her time by time. Her main motivation to get into songrim is because -in her words - she has " come too far to give up" on getting her powers back.
The whole romance feels very forced and I even feel like the story would be better if their relationship remained platonic.
The writing of Uk's character is also in my opinion very weak. There's no defining trait of him that makes him easy to root for or help us get invested in the character. Sure he's cheeky, with some childish antics that can be endearing but other than that, it's not like he's consistently determined/hardworking/smart, instead he comes off as whiny and it almost feels like he got everything handed to him by Mudeok and people around him.
idk I hope Naksu gets her powers back soon because im excited to see her fight and become the central part of the story - maybe at that point the chemistry between the leads would be better and the love line would make more sense once Naksu is no longer held back by her lack of powers.
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 4:53 AM
Disclaimer: I am totally sold on it haha, but here is my take on a couple of points you brought up.
As I see it, Naksu and Uk started off with a desperate partnership because they were both in a position where no one else would ever help them. But slowly they've come to care about each other in a way that goes beyond their dependence on one another and shared goals, though they still do have those things. I think these episodes were really helpful for them to find out exactly what those feelings look like for each of them. I think Uk has been disappointing to Naksu at times, but he's also come through for her in big ways that she didn't even know she needed, and allowed her to push him to his limits even at significant risk to himself. Naksu tells herself a lot of things, but I wonder how many of them are rationalizing her own actions with reasons that seem more palatable to her.
I really love Uk's character. He is flirty and cavalier and reckless and young, and willing to do almost anything (except the tea haha) to become a mage which has been his dream his whole life. But he also carries with him these deep rejections of his father and father figure, and his brash and spoiled exterior hides a person who has never felt like he was allowed into the places he really belonged. He's had to watch the other Four Seasons grow up and achieve mastery of the skills he longs for, and I can understand his lack of motivation with all of his previous 12 masters when he knew that no matter what they taught him, it wouldn't get him accepted into Songrim. He can be quite lazy, but when properly motivated, he works really hard and I think is naturally intelligent. In the first episode he talks about doing the tasks his master set for him for long hours, he trained hard to master tansu in time for the duel with the CP, he breezed through the first set of books this week because he'd already covered all of that in his previous training, and he still worked hard to figure out the poem/love letter even when he knew that Naksu was on her way to him. Yes, he's been incredibly lucky, but he has also taken some really intense risks, and they've paid off.
In my mind this period of Uk gaining power while Naksu is weak was/is really necessary to their story together. Can you imagine them being a balanced pair when Uk was just barely starting to learn mage skills and Naksu was already totally amazing? I don't think it would work. But now when she regains her powers, they will be such an unstoppable force (provided they can agree on goals). I anticipate plenty of angst when that day comes but I'm looking forward to all of it!
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 19, 2022 at 8:47 AM
This is a brilliant summary of Wook's character and how he and MD/Naksu have developed their relationship. *applause*
I suspect some disagreement arises out of whether we like or don't like a character as a 'person' - which is completely normal, we've all experienced disliking someone 'just because,' and is also a credit to the writers and actor for creating and embodying that person convincingly. I think Wook is written in shorthand, just well enough for Lee Jae-wook to fill in the rest and make him a vivid character, but I admit I'm probably doing some of the mental work required to be convinced by him because I find the character so charming.
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Totally agree! Also agree that LJW is filling in a good bit of this character, and I definitely think that is a strength of the writing (and casting). If you get the person you want in the role, you can hand them the reins a little bit more and still have a fantastic and fleshed-out character. Buuuut I'm also biased because I'm a fan, and I can see how others would find him more annoying than I do.
dramadillo
July 19, 2022 at 11:23 AM
👏!!! 💯! This is how I see their relationship as well - they’ve both pushed each other to grow in new ways.
True, Uk really disappointed Naksu right after Park Jin’s revelation about Do Hwa’s “affair” and he gave up for a while, but other than that, he’s consistently surprised her by his willingness to put himself in harm’s way to protect her whilst she’s in MD’s “weak” body. He stood in front of her when sapsali was looking for a soul shifter, he broke sapsali’s vessel and faced the consequences, he took responsibility for the missing spirit plaque, he offered to drink from the chamber pot in her place, he made sure she was treated properly after she was tortured for poisoning him, the list goes on! I too think that he oftentimes uses his immaturity and foolhardiness as a front to hide his feelings of being rejected and ostracised for reasons he can’t understand and certainly was not responsible for. In many ways, he is probably most similar to Master Lee - they both have a mischievous streak that makes them interesting as characters. Is he annoying and childish at times - absolutely! But he’s also all these other things, which makes him a more layered and faceted character than most male leads.
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5 TLF
July 18, 2022 at 10:46 AM
Alchemy of souls is now 10 episodes into the story and Mu-deok is still completely powerless. What is even worse is that she is also completely lacking in agency and seemingly only exist to please Jang Uk. I can’t think of a single thing she have done deliberately, that have lead to her growing in power/magic (agency). What kind of team of lunatics spends 10 episodes and have zero character growth for the main character...but then simultaneously have the love interest constantly improving and kicking ass all over the place? Don’t they realize that we can compare the two and clearly see the stark imbalance?
I don’t even like Jang Uk that much. But he would still make a much better protagonist than the pathetic wreck that is Mu-deok. Ask yourself, what have Mu-deok done to earn being the main character? So far, it’s a big fat nothing.
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Kennedyd
July 18, 2022 at 10:58 AM
I don't think the main character has to always be a flashy character nor do I think she's pathetic. She doesn't have Naksu's powers and she is a servant. I think she's doing fine with what she's given - which is no powers - by excelling as a servant (even though Naksu likely would not have had that experience) and in culling and developing strategic relationships with everyone to survive and further Wook's goals. I mean what can she do in her situation?
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Chungking Pineapples
July 18, 2022 at 11:12 AM
@Kennedy Perfect response & exactly what I was thinking.
MD ascension's to power and return her to original state is completely tied to Jang Wook since he is meant to be her source of energy, so it makes complete sense to me that she would want to tie herself to the hip with JW & push him to the highest success.
There is literally nothing much she can do herself since as MD, she's a simple, normal human being with absolutely no magic powers. BUT, in case you missed it, she's really adept at using her brains and as Kennedy well puts it "culling and developing strategic relationships with everyone to survive."
"I can’t think of a single thing she have done deliberately, that have lead to her growing in power/magic (agency)" - You must've sadly been fast forwarding through most of the show :( Just because she's using her brains more instead of sorcery and fighting doesn't make her any less resourceful or witty of a character...just my two cents.
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TLF
July 18, 2022 at 11:41 AM
@Chungking Pineapples If by “adept at using her brain” you mean she can be cute and charming when she is accidentally dropped into a dangerous situation (by the writer, without any agency from her). I actually agree with that. She can be cute and funny. If her role on the show was to be the comedic relief, she would be well cast for that role.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:45 PM
I do think that the focus is not on her journey as an individual but on UK’s journey or on them together.
I did wonder why doesn’t Naksu/MD try some tricks on their own body to build up energy as she knows that Danju can get her killed/picked anytime so some self defence practice would be great.
bunnylita
July 18, 2022 at 11:15 AM
A character can gain agency through more than just physical powers, and Mu-deok has gained agency. She's learned everything she thought was true about her past was a lie. She learned she'd been manipulated and robbed of her agency her whole life. And there's one person in her life (Wook) that has pledged to help her get it back. Yes, she cares about him, but every step of the way she's made it clear that she will never give up on herself. She's learning a new way to navigate the world now that she isn't as physically powerful and has to depend on others. I don't even think she realizes it, but the girl has friends now. A support system. And more and more, she has the truth. So when she gets her powers back, she'll be truly unstoppable in a way she wasn't before.
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Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 12:07 PM
Yes yes yes to all of this. (And very well said!)
I also think Mu-deok and Uk's relationship is not one in which either of them is sacrificing their identity for the other one. They still have priorities that are separate, they've just also come to care about the other person and that person's priorities as well. I think Mu-deok has come a seriously long way from when we first met her, and just because she has fewer people that she needs to send murderous glances at right now doesn't mean things will stay that way for long. I'm glad this emotionally isolated person has already had so much growth and gained so much agency.
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dramadillo
July 18, 2022 at 12:51 PM
I think what I’ve really enjoyed about Naksu’s arc is that she’s growing in ways that she was never able to when she was isolated by Jin Mu and trained to be an assassin.
She already knew how to survive, to fight and to kill (albeit she’s no longer in a body that allows those skills to be used to their full extent). She was singleminded and able to cut off her nascent relationship with Yul in service of her greater purpose (revenge). But now, because of her physical limitations, she’s forced to learn to trust, to act out of love/consideration/caring rather than revenge, to communicate honestly, to get to know her own feelings, etc.
She seems to resist this change in herself a bit, but I think we may see her in a position where she’ll ultimately have to choose which aspects of herself she wants to keep. I’m excited to see that!
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Interesting take. I look forward to her choices too :)
Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 1:55 PM
Yes! I think at some point lots of our characters will have to make difficult decisions. We already saw it a little bit when Yul lied about what he knew about Naksu, and I can see the CP also being put in a position where he'll have to make a difficult choice between loyalty to his family and friendship/cooperation with the mages. They are setting up so many dilemmas for these characters, certainly not least of which is what Naksu will do if her goals and Uk's goals are ever out of alignment. And it wouldn't be interesting if that were going to be an easy decision for her, so I'm really pleased with how the whole thing has been set up.
I think Naksu thought of herself as having "arrived" at the beginning of the story. That she was basically at her peak, and that if she had more to learn, it was just technique. But now she's much more aware that she had been deceived all along and that this outside world isn't what she was led to believe it would be. It's much more complex, and she's becoming much more complex in response to it.
dramadillo
July 18, 2022 at 2:03 PM
@jls943 - YESSSS! So perfectly articulated!!
TLF
July 18, 2022 at 12:21 PM
When exactly did Uk (wook) pledge to give her agency? For all he knows she stole the body she currently inhabits from it’s rightful owner. But for some reason he doesn’t seem to have much of a problem with it. At least Yul seem somewhat troubled by her (naksu) being a soul shifter in another person’s body. Uk just seem to be a selfish guy who is using her for his own convenience (as a teacher and for romance). Where are you seeing this imaginary helpful and honorable person who have promised to give her back what she deserve?
Also, the fact she learned about her past being a lie. That was accidental. An assassin just pooped up and tried to kill her and she had to be saved by Uk. It was pure luck that the assassin decided to tell her the truth when he was dying. There was no real agency in that.
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bunnylita
July 18, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Their entire deal is that he will gain power and use it to return her to power. Their entire relationship is about how they're two lonely people who finally have someone to depend on. It's been very explicitly stated in dialogue and through action. It;'s literally the entire premise of the show.
And how it learning about her past an accident? Gilju didn't tell her accidentally. He told her to crush her spirit. Jokes on him it didn't work. And immediately afterwards Uk followed him so he could find out where the real Danju is. And why did he do that? To help Mu-deok.
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Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 2:03 PM
I don't think folks are saying she gained agency because she actively forced Gil-ju to tell her the truth, but when he did, he unknowingly gave her more power because now she's more informed and can make better decisions about whom to trust and what should be done.
Also, yes, Uk can be selfish and spoiled (I think that's part of his charm), but he has pitched multiple ideas to Naksu about how they can stay together no matter what happens because they rely on one another. And there was that whole scene at the edge of the lake when he promised her he wouldn't let her run wild or turn to stone - that's definitely not selfish behavior.
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involuted
July 18, 2022 at 7:13 PM
LOL @TLF I think you will be the kind of fan critiquing the show until the end. I guess the slow pace in the recent episode frustrated some people. I'm sure it will pick up at some point. From what little we know today Naksu will gain her agency at the end since she will be back as lead in S2.
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Bethy80
July 20, 2022 at 12:45 AM
I absolutely agree. I think this idea of agency is an interesting one in this show actually.
In the past, Naksu had a great deal of ability and power. However, she was also completely ignorant of her real situation. Every decision and sacrifice she made, cutting herself off from every friend or person, every life she took perhaps, was in service to a group of people who were consistently lying to and manipulating her to their own ends to gain their own power. She thought she was devoting her life and all her strength to revenge on the mages who killed her father and all her family. She has recently learned that all her choices (ie agency) were used to actually help the people who destroyed her father. Kil-ju actually put it very well- both she and her father were used and discarded as tools. So on the surface she was strong and making lots of decisions, but on a deeper level, her lack of information and her isolation from reality meant that her choices were stolen from her or at least completely warped.
Now she is physically weak and magically stunted but she is gaining information. (I really dislike the idea that people who don't seem to have a lot of abilities in life, perhaps due to impairments like physical weakness or blindness or due to economic/social barriers like being a servant in a very hierarchical society or very poor, then don't have agency. I think that is untrue, they have more limitations, they have fewer options, it doesn't mean they don't have *agency*. I think we have to be careful about confusing abilities/power with agency.
Anyway, I think she has to figure out a new motivation for sure. Her whole life's purpose and and all the blood on her hands was revealed to be serving the horrible people who destroyed everything she loved. That's not an easy mental transformation to make. But I do think there is another motivation already driving her: she is terrified of running insane as a soul-shifter. Look at her face every time she sees one of those petrified corpses. She never intended to be in another body this long. She is utterly trapped since her original body was burned. Now she and Uk know that the Ice Stone is in the palace somewhere and the true mastermind is there too. Not only can the Ice Stone save her from going insane (she and Uk don't know that something is already protecting her from running amok. Master Lee is the only one who knows that.) but the real person who should be her target if she still wants revenge is in the palace. She has no organisation at her back, little to no physical or magical strength, and she doesn't know who the real mastermind is. She and Uk are trying to get access to the palace via his mage status. That is their next step and they are both working to get there.
Plus, all this manual labour as a servant has actually increased her strength. It's not glamourous but she never would have been able to do that water run when she first switched bodies.
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Cyberglich
July 20, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Thanks. That is an awesome analysis.
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Dramas found by chance
July 21, 2022 at 4:34 AM
+1 on this. Interesting character growth happens when people get weaker, not stronger.
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FiyaShady
July 18, 2022 at 11:16 AM
You should read her narration about her and Wook being desperate in surviving, given their current conditions. She is far from pathetic...what she needs is her pupil to become stronger as soon as possible or another luck for getting herself become powerful mage again ( that is why the Buyeon story needs to appear soon).
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 12:15 PM
Objectively, she is working hard at becoming stronger, by developing her steppingstone (Wook) and making sure he doesn't veer off-course. And Wook is, as she mentioned, extraordinarily lucky. The other way to skip the steppingstone step would be to live in the soul-shifter graveyard lake or maybe travel around the world via old-school modes of transportation in search of masters who may be able divulge some secret method.
She doesn't have the mage powers and can't flick energy to take down people, but she's got a brain and even some brute strength. I'm guessing once we all find out that the body is Bu-yeon's and has been capable of using magic, that could change. Now Mu-deok is just a muggle.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:40 PM
I think the issue is that we haven’t had a lot of insight into MD’s motivations after her crying bout in the jungle.
In the sense, now that she has been told (and she believes) that the mages are not responsible for her dad’s death what is motivating her to her old body/strength?
Also, I do believe there have been hints that she thinks she is pathetic and is not as capable as she would like to be to help Uk (she said it in episode 2– I can’t help him open his energy gate as I don’t have my energy).
Mage or no, I wish the creators would do something about her journey too. Right it is about UK’s journey (I am not complaining — I can’t watch 20-30 hours of these two bickering and I would be overjoyed. I missed them so much in episode 9). She needs some boosting and happiness. The girl has had it tough!
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TLF
July 18, 2022 at 12:49 PM
I agree with that. Addressing the core motivation of MD should have been the focus of the show. Instead they just destroyed it and moved on like it didn't happen.
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Cyberglich
July 18, 2022 at 2:24 PM
I agree. I miss the badass Naksu, the fearsome assassin. I like MD and JU but it is so uncharacteristic of a young mage grown up alone in wilderness with that much talent and training.
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cjoyce17
July 18, 2022 at 11:14 PM
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cjoyce17
July 18, 2022 at 11:26 PM
I agree at your first comment. I wonder why Mudeok is not doing anything to regain her powers? Honestly when the preview for episode 9 showed up I was like why does Mudeok look like she was suddenly "head over heels" (i can't think of the right term) for Uk to the point that she will follow him because she doesn't want to be separated with him. But upon watching both episode 9 and 10 I'm still happy because I still like where it was going. I'm here for Mudeoks chemistry with the 3 leads that I think she was really the main reason why I was watching this show.
I'm just confused why you have watched all these 10 episodes when as you said you don't like the main leads Uk (that much) and Mudeok? At this point maybe you should just drop this drama and watch something else?
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TLF
July 19, 2022 at 12:38 AM
I’m obviously watching the show because I like the show. Haha. At this point I’m not liking it as much as I did at first. But I’m not ready to give up on it completely.
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6 jillian
July 18, 2022 at 10:50 AM
I am all for the love triangle brewing between Master Lee and Songrim Leader Jin for Maidservant Kim. I love all Master Lee's smitten face whenever Maidservant Kim is around. I do not mind Jin being dumped again. Master Heo is right about him, he is frustratingly dense and slow. I dont know when he will learn but it better be fast. 100 year old Master Lee is in the picture.
The new ladies are getting my attention, Heo Yun Ok and So Yi. I feel bad for Yun Ok's unrequited love and wish her all the happiness.
My fave has got to be Crown Prince, Dang Gu and Yul helping Mu Deok behind the scenes. Together answering the quiz for MD is the cutest but I want to know if she used those info to pass the test. It would be funny if she passed on her own. And their "perfect" test paper is not so perfect after all. 🤣🤣
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
July 18, 2022 at 11:01 AM
If Master Lee is really 100 years old? Does he really need the chastity tea??
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 11:07 AM
Good question. He said it helps him with his magic. Avoid distractions and all that.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 11:23 AM
In a show where I accept all sorts of fantastical things, I had trouble figuring out how MD would be able to check the cheatsheet or pass off the "perfect" answer sheet as her own (with all the folds) without getting caught!
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 12:29 PM
I wouldve loved to have seen her try. CP and his loyal attendant can be her diversion as she tries to sneak a peek.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 12:42 PM
But I also feel like one of the other test-takers would rat her out. < 4% acceptance rate. That's harder to get into than Harvard! I felt bad for the guy who came in 6th. He was soooo close.
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 12:50 PM
Not if they knew she is in kahoots with the CP. 🤣 they would fear for their life.
FiyaShady
July 18, 2022 at 1:57 PM
If it is up to me, I will hire the 6th person 😅.
bbstl 🧹
July 18, 2022 at 9:08 PM
I noticed that she was the only female to make it after that grueling race with the giant water pot. I would think after this kind of exercise, she’d be getting back a lot of strength for Naksu to use.
Miky
July 19, 2022 at 5:01 AM
@bbstl There was another woman who won the race aside from her...
Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
July 18, 2022 at 12:45 PM
We saw her hide it. We didn't see her even try to read it, so I guess she didn't look and won on her own merits, which is more satisfying anyway. I'm with the "guys were overthinking" camp.
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 12:52 PM
I prefer that too. It is def more satisfying.
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dramadillo
July 18, 2022 at 12:59 PM
I like this take. Those three were really not the people I’d rely on for help to ace a servants’ exam!!😅
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 9:45 PM
You are absolutely right. These priviledged men would know nothing about being a servant. But it was still cute seeing them attempt to help her the best way they know how.
Kurama
July 18, 2022 at 11:26 PM
But it's why they asked the eunuch for the questions they didn't know. Being the eunuch serving the Crown Prince, I'm pretty sure he knows what he's doing :p
dramadillo
July 19, 2022 at 11:51 AM
@kurama Your comment made me think that the servants’ exam was a nice touch on the writers’ part - it highlights the often unacknowledged hard work and intelligence of those who aren’t mages or royalty!
Bethy80
July 20, 2022 at 1:00 AM
Thank you for pointing out the fact the writers included a whole bunch about the abilities and knowledge of servants. (When the CP suggested that if clothes get ink on them you just throw them away I burst out laughing.) The mages and royalty also have large areas of ignorance (kinda like when Yul was a useless cook in the ravine)
They have been in a certain power position in their society all their lives but they have also been taken care of by an army of servants all their lives. I am glad we are getting a little nod to that via Mu-deok's duties and the servants' test. They have to know and do a lot and they are certainly not nameless ignorant automatons. Audiences tend to view them that way just like royalty does...
7 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
July 18, 2022 at 10:50 AM
I'm a bit confused (but in a good way) by all the new female characters and wondering where the show is going with them. The WTf cousin from Business Proposal is fun to watch as So-yi.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 10:58 AM
So-I 's scenes were short, but the actor playing that role made a great impression in such a short time. It did not realize she was the cousin from BP until I read the comments in some site. Seo Hye Won is fast rising in everyone's favorite list.
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SooHa
July 18, 2022 at 8:55 PM
First time I saw So-yi .. I scream: that the WTF OMG cousin girl from Business Proposal!! :D
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8 emsel
July 18, 2022 at 10:54 AM
I really don't mind if the entire series is going to be 80% filler because throughout the 1 hr+ episode, I am not questioning the plot or analysing the characters motive and after each episode I am left feeling happy and not clouded with real world problems, which I personally think is what dramas should aim to achieve. As mentioned in my fan-wall I am going to go with the flow and let myself be entertained. I will cross (worry) the bridge (possible derailment) when I come to it.
@alathe BTW great recap! Reading it gave as much joy as watching the show👍
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9 Chungking Pineapples
July 18, 2022 at 10:55 AM
Oh good, episodes where we can take a breather from the action & get some comedy as we watch as all the relationships blossom - ep 9, in particular, shows that distance does make the heart grow fonder & solidifies the leads' feelings for one another beyond master & pupil. Every bit of family background info doled out only makes the eventual angst between the two leads that much stronger, doesn't it?
MD sure isn’t giving an inch when it comes to Yul, ha. I’m actually starting to feel bad for Yul & absolutely can’t wait til he reveals to MD that he knows of her real identity…but that might take another few eps since that dude is just so damn righteous. (He would be a guy you’d trust to follow the “bros before hoes” rule til the day he dies.) But I hope you go astray soon, Yul! Go, go, go - & learn not to give away pricey umbrellas to other girls so easily!
Ah, Crown Prince~ In any other drama, you'd be the ML w/ your tsundere character! Did anyone else sense some foreshadowing when MD said (paraphrasing) "I would not resent you even if I died by your sword?" when the background music turned all sombre....In fact, I think ep 9 had alot of foreshadowing & lines that will be referenced again in ltr episodes. (I, for one, think MD will cave & buy those expensive pine sweet biscuits for Yul later!)
I do think these episodes show that this drama lives and breathes through the interactions and tiki-taka between Wook & MD. Without them together, there is indeed a bit of magic & spark lost :(
To address the elephant in the room (not to incite arguments but merely to express some grumblings):
Switching or replacing out actors in subsequent seasons is common practice in Western dramas, but it isn't right to compare apples to oranges especially in a rare case like this where body switching is also part of the plot, so to hear rumors of JSM being replaced is a punch to the stomach. We will never know if JSM was notified there would be a S2 when she initially signed onto the role, so assuming she didn’t know (& the rumors are true), it would be a major disservice to both her & GYJ. The latter is now taking heat since she has huge shoes to fill & JSM has already secured a spot in our hearts as the one & only Mudeok AND Naksu.
Unless the Hong sisters have an extremely logical & tight script planned out for S2 (highly doubtful), it will be a really hard pill to swallow for writing out JSM’s role. Plus, S2 is only 10 eps & GYS is given a shorter period to build chemistry w/ all the male counterparts & there will surely be countless comparisons…so no, even Shakespeare couldn't pull off a switch like this & make me buy into this.
Whichever media outlet decided to release this rumor now sure had some major beef w/ the production with its ill timing when S1 isn't even halfway finished & this news has riled up viewers. Or were they thinking some news is better than no news?…Either way, they had better compensated JSM well for her playing 3...
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Chungking Pineapples
July 18, 2022 at 11:08 AM
roles!
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 11:31 AM
I'm mad that the media outlet released that. And it's not like the production can defend itself since explaining what will happen will lead to spoilers and this is a drama where there can be a dozen different endings. I wonder if season 2 would be a spin-off or sequel (Naksu gets reincarnated!) rather than part of the main story.
I'm worried about the ending, since Naksu was/is an assassin. Given that she worked for Jin Mu, she may have killed a bunch of innocent people. The drama may feel like she has to pay for her crimes via a heroic death. The Hong sisters have killed off the main characters for realism before.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:35 AM
More like killed main characters for despair😑
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:48 PM
Please tell more… which main characters?
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 1:30 PM
All the main characters who were on Team Rebel in Hong Gil Dong (which many probably won't watch now that Kang Ji Hwan was found guilty of rape). Hong Gil Dong was a robin-hood sort of character. I think the rebels helped the prince get on the throne. Once he was on the throne, then came the clash of ideals - prince wants to maintain status quo and Team Hong Gil Dong wanted drastic reforms (stuff that was suspiciously like democracy). It ended up with the prince killing all the rebels in order to preserve royal authority.
The ending wasn't that bad with the theme that even though the person is dead, Hong Gil-dong's dream lives on (i.e. present day being a democracy, etc). And the death scene was filmed beautifully.
Chungking Pineapples
July 18, 2022 at 11:38 AM
I'm actually okay with the killing of main leads as long as it's logical or creates so much angst that it makes the series that much more impactful; but like you said, with the Hong sisters, there could be a million different unpredictable endings in store for us!
There is alot of outcry over in Korean forums and comments too regarding the rumor of replacement (they're also screaming for a happy ending, ha), so again, we can only hope the Hong sisters aren't shooting themselves in the foot and give us, at the very least, a gripping and memorable rest of S1! *crossing fingers & toes*
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FiyaShady
July 18, 2022 at 12:10 PM
Yes, me too. 100% agreed!
I rather watch much powerful angst, full of tears, super tragic dead with heart-wrenchful sobbering as long as it falls in logical sense.
It makes me hype even more than happy, fluffy ending itself 😅.
My doubt is always with Hong Sister's consistency for keep up a good, flawless script from beginning to the end 😪😔.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:33 PM
You said it! #metoo
Hong sisters and their ends!!! Master’s Sun was my first drama and I had so much fun until episode 11 or was it 12!
I want fun all the way till the end. I like our cast and fun/good drama is possible. Please deliver.
#fingers 🤞🏾
ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 12:33 PM
I feel like that doubt is with any script in kdramaland. Kdramas tend to lose energy in the last quarter. A drama that is more than 4 episodes and that is good from beginning to end is incredibly rare. Even 2521, which had lots of accolades, generated a lot of outrage and lead to so much commentary on what went wrong.
welh
July 18, 2022 at 11:33 AM
In my view, the series was always set up for a 20/10 split because of Netflix. I think Netflix and the production company want to develop a "franchise" series and this story has many Potter, anime and marital arts elements to become one that could grind out series and spinoffs for years. But that goes against past Korean drama storytelling of a self contained and conclusion to the story.
Part 2 recently started shooting. I suspect that it will focus on revenge for MD's demise.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 12:37 PM
Ugh I hope netflix doesn't have them doing that. I would be disappointed if they are written by someone other than the Hong sisters and would be bitter that commitments to additional seasons and spinoffs would prevent them from working on anything new. I like the stories they end up exploring.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 4:43 AM
@welh if the series was always set as 20-10 then why did they burn Naksu’s body. You can resurrect the dead but not when there is no body unless a human becomes a creator (and not from the womb way).
I don’t have a problem with the number of episodes or division. I am just worried that with the choices made will the creators be able to convince me that they followed the demands of the story and were not doing a shoddy job of bringing things together.
I deliberately chose “me” and not the audience as I believe drama and it’s review is pretty subjective :)
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welh
July 19, 2022 at 6:26 AM
The ice stone is the Deus Ex Machina, a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by the inspired and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability or object.
And the split must signify a hard turn in the story for the writers, such as Uk turning from normal mage into a renegade/outlaw to avenge or join Naksu.
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miss h
July 19, 2022 at 9:16 AM
IDK I don't really see this becoming a franchise series. I kind of believe the PD when he said that they couldn't fit everything in 20 episodes. The Hong Sisters get too caught up in banter and hijinks and can't get to the freaking point.
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:37 AM
I just wanted to say you are not wrong in talking about actor replacement here because it involves a main character that is very much relevant to the story and you are pointing it out in the recap of the said story.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 18, 2022 at 11:53 AM
Oh yes, that struck me, too. I could foresee a scene where the CP is forced (by mistaken identity, treachery, her self-sacrifice, or some other plot device) to kill MD/Naksu in front of Wook, who then duels him for vengeance and the crown. At this point I think odds are greater than even that MD/Naksu and Wook will not end up together, at least in this world. It's all getting very Hong-ish.
Drama rules require that these two mostly fun and lighthearted episodes be followed by massive angst and tragedy next week.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:57 PM
I agree! There is some foreshadowing :)
The story of the Big leader and the blind lady from 200 years ago is not happy. The statement that CP will kill MD and MD accepting it… it did sound like a prediction.
I keep wondering what is a red herring and what will come to be!
I have been wondering about the final battle and people who will die. Then again the drama goes everywhere so I don’t know… coz a part of me says the “old man” from the infirmary might soon ask for Uk to fulfill his promise and marry his granddaughter.
To be honest, I felt that episode 9 was a filler as I longed for UK and MD interactions. I was like that spoilt child who spent their entire pocket money on a film where the OTP went missing. I like CP and Yul but nothing like the crazy pair trying out their love language (of MD trying to get Uk killed) :D
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Miky
July 19, 2022 at 5:06 AM
I also sensed the forshadowings coming our way !
Also it’s so obvious Master Heo will ask Jang Uk to marry his granddaughter…
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10 Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 11:09 AM
Despite our little break from all-out action, I had plenty of other things to keep my mind occupied this week, and I’m still fully on board the AoS train.
1. Okay, theory #1: Bu-yeon and MD switched souls at some point previously, and then Naksu also entered the body of the original MD, displacing her soul (which still seems to be in there). So then that means that fake-blind girl (So-i I think) is Bu-yeon’s body, but has the original MD’s soul inside it. But this doesn’t really explain why our MD(Naksu) can open the Jinyowon gate, so theory #2 is that the whole thing is less complex and that original MD is actually just Bu-yeon in disguise, as others have suggested. What do other folks think about this?
2. We got a pretty good explanation for the blindness changing depending on the soul – if Bu-yeon’s blindness is an expression of her energy and power, then it would follow her soul through its various body-swaps, and a new soul inhabiting that body wouldn’t be afflicted.
3. The boys on Team MD are one of my favorite things about this drama. It was just amazing when they realized they were all interested in the test questions because they wanted MD to succeed and then worked together to come up with the answers! I was torn between thinking that they must be waaaay overthinking some of the questions and thinking that they were actually on to something. I guess they did okay!
4. Two points of our love heptagon have fractured off and are doing their own thing now (which I’m super here for – love Dang-gu and Cho-yeon together), but I think we’ve added a new point in mysterious So-i, who is understandably smitten with Yul after he heroically saved her… from people who were after her for pretty legitimate reasons haha! So we’re still at love hexagon. And! We’ve now added a second love triangle to our delightfully complex relationships, and watching Master Lee swoon over everything Kim Do-joo does was the thing I didn’t know I needed, but now cannot live without (the music when she broke the thread with her teeth? I was dying!).
5. I was also dying (but more in a deep, wistful sighing way) when they were talking about love letters at the end. I love that Uk interpreted MD’s “letter” correctly, and that she was reprimanding herself for not bracing before being that close to him. Same, girl, same.
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welh
July 18, 2022 at 12:14 PM
#1 My original thought that both Naksu and Bu-yeon's souls are in MD's body along with the hidden ice stone. That is why as a soul shifter she does not turn into a monster or have the mark and can open the Jin's secret room.
But the introduction of So-Yi's past with MD creates more problems. SY resembles BY who we assume is blind. Can BY be using SY name as an alias? If MD's soul was transferred transferred into SY/BY, is the ice stone still inside SY/BY who can now see but not have mage powers? Did BY soul shift so she would not return to Jin family house? But MD does not seem to have the memories of BY. And is that why SY is looking for MD to transfer back?
The "science" of soul shifting is still incomplete. There is no rule that more than one soul can inhabit a body. Naksu clearly retained her memories in MD's body. If BY's soul is also in MD, would not Naksu sense those memories as well?
The idea that BY and Naksu are in MD and MD and the ice stone are in SY so they have to reunite in order to get back to normal makes some sense.
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Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 12:22 PM
I completely failed to consider that the Jinyowon gate could be responding to Bu-yeon's latent spirit hiding out behind the scenes in MD's body. But I think she is sufficiently under the radar that Naksu doesn't have access to her memories, at least under normal circumstances.
I'm not sure about the ice stone being inside a person. Wasn't the implication from last week (when the fleeing soul shifter went to the palace to be saved from running wild and petrification) that the ice stone was in the palace, and presumably in the hands of the queen? I could have missed something here, but that's what I thought.
Jin Mu seems pretty sure that Bu-yeon is dead, but if she soul-shifted just before she died with the help of the ice stone, maybe she could maintain her home in the new body without the side effects. And that might help explain why Naksu hasn't run wild yet either, and why she doesn't have the mark.
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:31 PM
Sounds super complicated to me :(
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 1:27 AM
Oh the love letter! I squealed and am still squealing silently… every time I think about the last scene!
>sigh<
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Cyberglich
July 21, 2022 at 3:45 PM
I agree with theory 2 because, there was a painting of BY in her mother's room which looks like MD. Perhaps the Jin family did not recognize their daughter because the current MD is not blind; also, the rich and powerful rarely see the servant. They would never expect their privilege daughter as servant.
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11 spazmo
July 18, 2022 at 11:09 AM
i'm just dreading the Mu Deok changeover or whatever it is going to be....
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:29 PM
Tell me about it!
One one hand I just want Saturday to come but on the other I don’t trust the creators with the last few episodes!
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spazmo
July 18, 2022 at 6:21 PM
but there are TEN more episodes, so we are at the halfway point.......
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koto
July 19, 2022 at 10:29 AM
I'm on the opposite side of this, I'm looking forward to seeing Naksu in her original body again being the powerful mage that she is. And throughout the story so far, I've always kept in mind that this is Go Youn Jung's Naksu inside Jung So Min's Mu-Deok so it's not so much a bother for me. And if Naksu were to stay in Mu-Deok's body, I feel like there'd be some ethical questions if any romance happens.
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koto
July 19, 2022 at 10:29 AM
Go Yoon Jung**!
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spazmo
July 19, 2022 at 1:43 PM
i can't figure out where "mu deok" is going to go, and who is he attracted to, naksu or mu deok........ i'll just wait and see....
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cjoyce17
July 19, 2022 at 7:54 PM
same :( I am so confused on who is Uk attracted. But we can't deny the fact that the great chemisty he has is with Somin. So if ever Naksu went out of Mudeoks body I am not sure if Uk will still have great chemistry with the real Naksu whether is was her he truly likes or not.
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12 welh
July 18, 2022 at 11:15 AM
Things have gotten very Potter. Uk’s return to Songrim is like Harry going to Hogwarts to learn magic. But it also had Naruto/anime characterization as Uk’s learning is not based on intellectual training but emotional cheats to harness his uncontrollable energy. Another character was introduced, So-yi, a thief who probably sold Mu-doek to the brothel. I think she came back because she found out that her blindfold had the Jin family crest so she could make money off her again. However, So-Yi resembles Bu-yeon's portrait. Potentially, there is the problem that those two have soul swapped in an usual fashion so they do not turn into monsters. Again, the hiding the ice stone inside Bu-yeon, could be the answer. Then, we have so many transplanted souls we need a scorecard.
I really thought the final leg of the servant’s challenge would have opened the gates to Naksu’s energy but it apparently did not. Which is a shame since we all want to see Mu-deok transform into an extraordinary but conflicted mage.
The Crown prince making friends with the Master Seo and Park was great bonding which should play out later as Jin Mu and the Queen plot to use the prince to take out Uk to solidify the crown and Jin clan as ultimate rulers. The capture of So-yi to be or not to be Bu-yeon is enough to take down the obsessed Jin clan in some sort of "exchange."
Mage men are totally clueless in regard to love. Maidservant Kim’s love triangle is a humorous reprieve from palace politics. I still find Master Lee having the Jiraiya role of the naive, sexually repressed, unrequited lovelorn sage who likes to bend the rules. I think he is still the key to unlocking the potential for both Uk and Naksu.
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pliplipli
July 18, 2022 at 2:19 PM
I don't remember if it was a comment here or somewhere else, but someone said this drama was harry potter with martial arts and this is the only thing I use to define it lol
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welh
July 18, 2022 at 4:43 PM
That was me.
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pliplipli
July 18, 2022 at 5:11 PM
perfect description is perfect lol
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sooyi
July 19, 2022 at 3:13 AM
So-yi left Sari Village because she was running away from the goons she cheated out of their money, and they were the same men who harassed her until Yul saved her.
I don't think So-yi being Bu-yeon is a plausible theory because there was a scene in which So-yi was talking about how Mudeok was so easy to take advantage of because she was so nice while fiddling with the daenggi embroidered with the Jin Clan emblem, and then we switch to the scene in which blind Mudeok was wearing it. And to be frank, the teen actors in Alchemy of Souls don't look like their adult counterparts per se, so physical resemblance, in the eyes of the viewer, does not seem like a reliable clue.
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Dramas found by chance
July 19, 2022 at 5:33 AM
This drives me mad with K-dramas, trying to figure out which child actor in a flashback corresponds with which adult actor in the main drama.
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13 Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 18, 2022 at 11:24 AM
“Daeho’s most popular date destination: that one bit of the lake where they toss dead soul-shifters.”
🤣🤣🤣
@alathe , thank you for the terrific recap! It made me laugh as hard as I did during these episodes.
Twitter tells me that the Chwiseonreu nightclub bop is “Nonstop” by Arin’s (Cho-yeong’s) real-life group, Oh My Girl. A pop song remade in (sorta, kinda) period style - is this another page out of the Bridgerton book?
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emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:30 AM
The party song was indeed good
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ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 11:36 AM
I'm a fan of Oh My Girl, so I was happy to hear the traditional/pansori-ish version of the song! I was also reminded of Bridgerton!
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alathe
July 23, 2022 at 10:21 AM
@elinor - I'm so glad you liked the recap: thank you! :D
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14 emsel
July 18, 2022 at 11:33 AM
Does anyone else feel the Crown Prince wants to hang out with the guys from 4 seasons, but his status is keeping him from enjoying their company? Much like the rich kids in school controlled by their parents to not enjoy themselves and have connections that will gain them power and money
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FiyaShady
July 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Yes, he did. I felt that since his fight at Jang Gang's house (after Wook managed to unsheath the sword).
As his characters explained: he wants to be a great future King, and most probably want the Daeho 4 seasons kiddos become his supporter rather than his enemy.
Poor him for having Jin-Mu as his teacher which always in manipulative to achieve the greedy ambition.
Praying harder that he will not crumble upon Jin-Mu wicked plan and stay in clear about his own belief: a good future King of Daeho.
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jillian
July 18, 2022 at 12:37 PM
I agree. CP is a closet four season fan. I feel that his position has made him lonely and he truly enjoys the interaction with the boys and MD I look forward to more scenes with him and MD, Yul, DangGu and Uk.
I see him as someone who is socializing and being himseldlf for the first time in his life and enjoying life outside the stifling palace.
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FormAnOrderlyQueue
July 18, 2022 at 11:21 PM
Totally. Desperately wants to belong. And Prince Won's right eyebrow has become my new favourite thing in the drama...
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15 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
July 18, 2022 at 11:44 AM
And the choice of the final screenie.
--------
This is as good a time as any to comment on what seems to be a (welcome) trend...
For quite a while after the management change, DB seems to be rather dull and bland, but recently I'm happy to see more recappers willing to make fun of the things in kdramaland that deserve it, not just passively accepting whatever the shows send us as gospel.
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16 ar_arguably romantic
July 18, 2022 at 11:56 AM
Thank you, alathe, for the recap! You really captured all the feel of the characters and situations and the feelings of those who are invested in the story and the characters.
For fans of the Avatar animated series - during the chase after So-i - i noticed a man with a napa cabbage cart and was totally reminded of the Cabbage Man- his cabbages!! Luckily, the cabbages were fine!
I really liked how things slowed down this week, there was forward momentum in the introduction of the two ladies whom I assume will play some bigger role down the line, Bu-yeon, another love triangle, Naksu finding out Wook's feelings for her, and Park Jin getting suspicious of Mu-deok. Some other random thoughts:
The petrified corpse was Nak-su's father, so Wook's dad likely did play an unintentional role in his death.
Jang Kang messed with sorcery, which I'm guessing is the dark arts. I wonder if that also played a role in sealing Wook's energy. By Daeho law, if you practice sorcery, your descendants can't ever be mages. Following the rules, Wook shouldn't be allowed to become a mage.
I feel bad for Mama Jin. It seems like she is the only one in the world worried that her daughter has been missing for a decade. Bu-yeon wasn't an older rebellious teenager running away from home. She went missing as a kid (probably 11-12 years old?). Kids that age don't go missing willingly - particularly high status kids with mage powers.
That So-i intro was really at twist upon twist all within a short period of time. Loved it!
I really loved how Naksu/Mu-deok gave it her all and then more for the competition. It's easy to shout at someone to try harder and push themselves to the limit, but this time, she followed her own advice.
Also loved how at the same time as the competition, Wook tricked Park Jin into giving him the words to unlock the book's text... Mu-deok had told him that she would come to him, but he still worked on that book in order to be able to go to her.
The only thing that sort of bugs me is that Songrim appears to be an all-boys school. Are the female mages just getting trained at home? And is mage-homeschooling effective? Then again, it looks like Yul and Dong-gu have tons of free time on their hands, so maybe homeschooling is the way to go.
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Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 12:08 PM
OMG I had the exact thought about the cabbages! I thought for sure they were going to go flying! Thank you for reminding me of that gem!
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Unaspirated
July 18, 2022 at 12:14 PM
I was wondering where the women were in Songrim also. Cho-yeon isn't affiliated with Songrim and is definitely receiving instruction at home, but that's also because she's a Jin and they are very careful about family secrets in their matriarchy. But I assumed Dang-gu and Yul were just at a high enough level that they don't train full time anymore like they presumably used to. It's unclear to me if Yun-ok is trained as a mage, as a healer, or both, but I hope we get to find out soon.
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jerrykuvira
July 18, 2022 at 12:44 PM
I think female mages go to Jinyowon, that's if Jinyowon accept non-indigenes. I also see that Jinyowon has no male mages in their midst. But I don't think they're trained as fighters, they're more like channelers than fighters.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 18, 2022 at 1:39 PM
Great point! Just because we don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. And all the armed guards at Jinyowon are female. Naksu is certainly not the only female fighter in this world.
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dramadillo
July 18, 2022 at 1:47 PM
Thank you - I had been wondering whose corpse Jang Gang had been crying over! Curiouser and curiouser!
I, too, liked that Uk was trying hard to reunite with MD even though she had pledged to find her way into Songrim. Both of them did their best to be able to remain at each other’s side, and I’m keen to find out how Uk’s confession will impact their relationship.
There seems to be no reason for Songrim to train male mages exclusively - and if Jin Seol Ran was an equal to Seo Gyeong then I really don’t understand why Songrim has no female students. I was thinking that the servants’ exam also unduly favoured men since the physical test doesn’t account for the physiological differences between men and women. It’s one thing to expect all servants to complete a chore within a certain time, but to only accept top five means you’re taking the fastest and strongest, and those are most likely to be men. But I’m probably overthinking things! :P
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Lady procastinator
July 19, 2022 at 2:03 AM
That corpse looked like Cho Cheung, Naksu's Father
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dramadillo
July 19, 2022 at 10:49 AM
Thank you! Even after rewatching that scene, I still couldn’t tell! I’m wondering now whose soul had taken over Cho Cheung’s body - could it have been the king’s?
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Lady procastinator
July 19, 2022 at 10:38 PM
My theory is Jang Gang switched souls with him to replace the constellation plate that showed the King's star at the time of Uk 's birth with a fake one like he told Jin Mu. But when he switched back, Cho Cheung couldn't handle the toll and turned wild, eventually decimating his family.
17 Ruckus Likes Drama
July 18, 2022 at 12:21 PM
My dear @alathe
I think you are the magician here who weaves a magical portion that makes me super happy each week.
I loved your write up and you speak of “panache”, you have got to read your own recaps!!
I meant to tell you last week that I saw the episodes and then I read your write up and saw them again… your commentary made the show even more fun! Gracias ati… you are the best.
Keep them coming…
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DancingEmma
July 18, 2022 at 1:43 PM
@noone: Hundred times yes to this!@alathe
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books7time
July 21, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Aw, if I were a writer I would want to receive a comment such as this. You're so thoughtful.
@alathe's recaps remind me of the best of the best of old DB recaps.
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alathe
July 23, 2022 at 10:22 AM
@noone, @dncingemma, @books7time - you're all so sweet! Thank you so much. I'm grinning super hard - these comments are a joy to read! :D
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18 Toodlepip
July 18, 2022 at 3:13 PM
I missed the action of previous episodes, but loved how Uk and MD worked so hard to get back to each other. I also thought Yul showed a bit of his petty side by making MD buy the most expensive umbrella 🤣, that was great.
Finally, the new love triangle is fab! Master Lee in a pink scarf! Blue scarf last week, pink one this week, - I hope it's a thing!
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19 lapislazulii
July 18, 2022 at 4:26 PM
I’M SCREAMING, WOOK AND MUDEOK JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY OR SOMETHING IDK I had a lot more thoughts to share about everything that happened but my brain kind of short circuited after the ending of ep 10 and the preview for ep 11. Seo Yul you poor thing, you can have my heart instead ❤️
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 1:31 AM
I am like a teenager counting days after that preview!
So when will Saturday be here? :D
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20 sakuradaydream
July 18, 2022 at 5:43 PM
buyeon/mudeok/naksu I am losing track of this woman and her 1001 identities gawddamn (lowkey would l̶o̶v̶e̶ kill to see Naksu again in true form kicking ass)
Not to mention the 1001 lovelines like where tf did that heo chick come from?????
Anyways I kinda enjoyed this week's eps, I was just hoping for something more as it felt really draggy and not much progress was made (YUL FINALLY FIGHTING THO OMG) but then again there are gonna be 30 eps so 😶
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21 involuted
July 18, 2022 at 7:37 PM
Great recap @alathe!
My key takeaway for ep 9 & 10 is Crown Prince is such a cuddly teddy bear!
I'm amused that each time Uk pulls a "I miss you" sequence, he'll need to first explain MD's thoughts for him to the viewers.
I think it's high time MD drop the ruse with Yul. He doesn't buy it and she doesn't even bother to act the part in a more convincing way and doesn't serve any purpose
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 1:35 AM
MD is an enigma for me at this time. I have no idea about her inner journey.
Uk is easier to follow as his journey can be “seen”.
So yes please, UK please explain MD’s thoughts for you to us… please!!
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alathe
July 23, 2022 at 10:25 AM
Thanks, @quintessential! Hah, totally agreed about the Crown Prince. :D
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22 SooHa
July 18, 2022 at 7:38 PM
Oh My Girl song in traditional way, reminds me of The Bridgerton series.
The empty book reminds me of Harry Potter.
The trio helping Mu-deok by giving her a cheat sheet - Yul, I can't believe you did that! - is a gem, they are so cute and I can't wait for the F4 straight again!
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23 bbstl 🧹
July 18, 2022 at 8:01 PM
Thank you for the recap, @alathe, and I too got a Big Bang out of Won’s eyebrow(s) 😁
Omg, my spell check automatically capitalizes the word combo big and bang ☺️
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alathe
July 23, 2022 at 10:26 AM
Thanks, @bbstl! Haha, capitalized for Extreme Eyebrow Emphasis, I guess! :P
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bbstl 🧹
July 23, 2022 at 10:13 PM
No, it’s that “my band” is Big Bang and I’ve typed it so many times that my iPad defaults to the caps ☺️
And let’s talk about Crown Prince’s voice which sounds like music! Wow, outside of acting he should get a lot of voice work.
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24 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
July 18, 2022 at 11:18 PM
I was NOT expecting the cousin from Business Proposal to show up here lol. Her bumping into Yul felt kinda… meet-cute-y. Which, I don’t know how I feel about that. Yul’s feelings for Naksu seems so inherently a part of him, that I can’t imagine a Yul who isn’t pining for Naksu. That said, I like Sol-i already. She’s got this spunky energy that’s right at the edge of being endearing or annoying - and she’s threading the line well for now. Heo Yun-ok honestly seems like a nice person. I’m not looking forward to when the writers inevitably change her into a jealous, scheming woman just to serve a boring love triangle. Men are always allowed to be fun and charming whether or not they’re the endgame in these triangles (Yul, the Crown Prince) or not, but this luxury is almost never extended to female characters. Hell, even Cho-yeon seems mostly motivated by her feelings for Wook for now, which is disappointing because we know she’s a powerful mage in her own right and I’d much rather see that. Or her properly develop a bond with Dang-gu. Speaking of which, I still find his crush on her adorable. I hope we get to see more of their fake engagement shenanigans.
I know that this phase is an important one character development-wise for Naksu/Mu-deok, but I miss bloodthirsty Naksu. I KNOW that this part is necessary because she needs to form bonds with the people around her and learn how to trust others and communicate, but I want to see her being a badass again soon. Hopefully we spend more time on that in episodes 11-12. That reunion though, wow. Lee Jae-wook is freaking swoony.
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 5:21 AM
Bloodthirsty Naksu is super fun, you are absolutely correct. But I'm still here for this part of the story (partly) because Uk needs to be on a level with her if they are ever going to be a thing, and he had some serious catching up to do at the beginning of this story.
100% agree about that reunion. Naksu was like, "I should've braced myself" and I thought it was courteous of the writers to know to warn us!
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25 Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 1:38 AM
And I forgot to say this:
I miss UK’s cute pony tail with the nicely curled hair on the back.
Dress and style change means the characters reached a new level? Even MD has a new hair style (which looks nice :) )
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26 Lady procastinator
July 19, 2022 at 2:00 AM
This seemingly predictable fantasy is giving birth to so much suspense, starting from who's going to end up with who 😛 to who's going to be the last one standing where
I'm thoroughly enjoying theorizing! This maybe the first time I'm absolutely fine with whoever FL ends up with: both UK and Yul have my blessing but if Hong sisters really wanted Yul out of the game why choose Songrim at all? The whole missing you shenanigan could have been possible in Cheonbugwan too. The Crown prince could have been present there much more conveniently but guess who couldn't be available conveniently? Yul and Dang-gu *wink wink*
I was surprised when Naksu agreed for Songrim when all the real answers she is searching for are hidden in Cheonbugwan, her father worked there, she knows her former employers were from there. That is just a minor plot hole I'm happy to overlook.
Speaking of Naksu's Father, we have a flashback where the Gwanju is mourning over the wild body of Cho Cheung, which might be a foreshadowing that Jang Gang may had a crucial hand in his soul shifting and conversely may be the reason for fallout between our Ukiedeokie couple.
I'm getting excited to meet Jin Bu-yeon and learn her motivations on why the hell is she sheltering Naksu inside her body so willingly? Could she have predicted earlier her body would unite with Jang-uk?
I recently rewatched EP 2 where the Chapsali was hunting for the soul shifter and I noticed it Mudeok was not emitting any dark energy according to it's vision. Even Hemp Master Lee didn't attack her coz he saw how mudeok's soul was protecting her. But that doesn't mean she has lost control over her body. The periods of blackout Mudeok has experienced are still not explored and could pave the way for so many future twists.
Now that I think about it, Naksu hasn't had much benefit from inhabiting her body except winning the hearts of all the most eligible bachelors in Daeho while Mudeok has regained her vision, is far away from the risk of abuse and torture, she even had the opportunity to enter her home Jinwoyon and enter the cave of relics itself. Also her soul was the one which willingly inserted itself in the sorcery mess. What exactly is her motivation?
On the lighter side, I'm gushing over Crown prince and the new Mudeok fanclub. Please let them stay this way forever 🥰( delusions and more delusions 🙈)
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 9:14 AM
I agree: Cheonbugwan would have been the right choice for infiltrating the palace but I think Uk had always wanted to join Songrim (like his dad?) and MD knew it.
Episode 3 has lots of scenes where he speaks of wanting to join Songrim now that his energy gate is open!
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 19, 2022 at 9:38 AM
Maybe MD/Naksu has a long-term plan - when Wook asked her which house he should choose after the duel, she says, “Go to Songrim for now.” That’s where he’s going to get the mage training he needs, anyway. And as you say, she knows how much he has wanted to be admitted there. Cheonbugwan has the royal observatory and is closely aligned with the royal family, right? That would put him too closely under their surveillance right now.
Also, how else could we have that all-important party scene with the Songrim flower boys at Chwiseonru? 🙄 Daeho Disco really broke the mood for me, even though it made me laugh out loud.
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Lady procastinator
July 19, 2022 at 9:41 AM
Yeah it was an emotionally appropriate decision I guess but not a logical one. The Naksu of ep 1-2 would have immediately caught on that Park Jin Mu is hardly a man to be trusted. But oh well that's my minor grumbling. Cheonbugwan is hardly a place for romance to be in the air, so Songrim I is 😂
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 11:27 PM
And hasn’t Naksu trained under Park Jin Mu so… in an indirect way UK already has a Cheonbugwan teacher.
But like others have said: for now seemed appropriate though I was wondering we will have time in the drama for Uk to change teams?
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ar_arguably romantic
July 19, 2022 at 10:23 AM
I think the ultimate goal is Cheonbugwan. Before answering which offer Wook should take, she took a measured look at Jin Mu, Park Jin, and Mama Jin. She had said that he should stay in Songrim "for now". I'm guessing to build up strength in order to take on the big bad. Access to Cheonbugwan would be nice, but sketchy Jin Mu seems to have an out for Wook. She doesn't know that Park Jin was not going to have Wook trained either.
I think her motivation is to be a strong mage again since she puts her entire identity and self-worth into being the strong Naksu. By the time, she became Naksu, she had shed her past name, her past life, and decided to be an assassin that has to fear no one. I like that we're getting to see who Naksu is without her magic and reputation. She is resourceful and people are drawn to her. Even the gisaeng boss treats her like a friend/sister.
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 1:09 PM
I agree, I think Uk's eventual goal is likely in Cheonbugwan, but that doesn't mean he needs to train there under Creepy McCreeperson with all the soul shifters. Songrim seems like a less toxic place right now by far.
I did suspect Park Jin of taking him in to keep an eye on him and not to train him, which is what is happening now, so I wonder how long he will stay there. Another option might still be Master Lee, who has shown on multiple occasions that he is at least interested in Uk, if not legitimately pulling for him. And he offered to train him once already, but Uk didn't want to drink the tea. With Master Lee in love now, I wonder if he'll change his mind about that particular stipulation?
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 19, 2022 at 1:41 PM
I did suspect Park Jin of taking him in to keep an eye on him and not to train him
Because that’s worked so well each of the previous 13 times he’s tried it. 🙄
With Master Lee in love now, I wonder if he'll change his mind about that particular stipulation
Waiting for Maidservant Kim to try to woo him by getting his favorite tea and serving it to him without knowing what it is. Also waiting for the next scarf merch drop - maybe a nice shade of apricot?
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 1:51 PM
It's true, it's not the greatest plan, but what other options does Park Jin have? I guess he could completely disregard Jang Gang's warning and just train Uk to be as conscientious as possible, but I think that ship has kinda sailed. At least this way Park Jin won't be totally in the dark about his training, which he pretty much was before. I feel bad for him - things have gone so consistently wrong for him since the beginning of the story, and I don't think a lot of it has been his fault. He's just responding to a situation that has been almost entirely outside his control. I think he really is a good leader for Songrim, but you can't mess with destiny, you know?
Except the romantic stuff - that's totally his fault ;D
ar_arguably romantic
July 19, 2022 at 2:34 PM
It sort of doesn't matter if Park Jin isn't going to train him, since his real master - Naksu- is now officially a Songrim servant.
I feel a bit bad for Park Jin. I would be like wtf if a respected colleague or friend just handed me their baby (and a time-bomb of a baby since his existence = treason) with confusing instructions and then skipped town for 20 years and then 20 years later, I find out he/she was doing all sort of illegal...sorcery crap. But I can't get an explanation. And on top of that, this colleague/friend who was doing illegal crap managed to successfully woo the woman I loved. Maybe holding all these secrets is shorting out his brain.
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Lady procastinator
July 19, 2022 at 10:32 PM
I have been iffy about Park Jin Mu but now I'm softening towards him after this pov. I know he is a sincere dad to Uk which Jang Gang never was but he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Infantilizing Uk now is hardly of any use, if anything train him hard secretly and teach him to lie low. Have some trust in your child SMH.
27 blessingwind
July 19, 2022 at 2:10 AM
Currently watching this drama and I am hooked for each episode.
I cant wait to see how powerful Jang Uk and MuDeok will be later on. Both of them possess immense energy within them. Once Jang Uk master's his powers, he will be unstoppable. Mu Deok has both Buyeon's divine energy and Naksu's skill inside her and that is one special being. Wishing for her to her powers back, but it also means that Uk and Mu deok will have a separation as Mudeok has constantly reminded herself that she has no role to play in Uk's life once she regains her powers.
The bond between UK and Mudeok is so special and their scenes so heartwarming. The bridge scenes when they finally see other even for a few seconds, their happiest faces was worth the watch.
I love how Jang Uk always is honest about his feelings with Mudeok , as we actually are unaware of the inner turmoil in Mudeok's heart. We dont know what she is planning and going to do, quite hard to read her sometimes ,as she by nature have put up a wall since she was little. Jang Uk has the power to unleash her emotions slowly.
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28 sooyi
July 19, 2022 at 2:46 AM
-When Do-joo was bribing the Songrim attendant in charge of the entrance examinations, it reminded me of the real-life process of rich parents paying for their children's admission in elite universities 😂😂 What was funnier is that Oh Na-ra was in SKY Castle which dealt with a similar subject matter.
-Yul, Dang-gu and the CP (unknowingly) joining forces to help Mu-deok cheat gave me the noughties drama feelings. Boys over Flowers anyone?
-Ugh I am really hoping for Park Jin's character development real fast. How can somebody as narrow-minded, stubborn and unworldly be in charge of a powerful organization like Songrim?
-I guess PLOT requires Jin Ho-gyeong not to feel suspicious about Mu-deok entering Jinyowon, but that didn't sit well with the character of Jin Ho-gyeong who, in spite of being pessimistic by the search of Bu-yeon, still yearns for her missing eldest daughter.
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wapz
July 19, 2022 at 3:15 AM
Jin Ho gyeong probably didn't think deeper because Bu Yeon was blind since birth. Thinking that she'll regain her sight is a bit of a stretch. And Cho yeon is not that smart to ponder over it.
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Lady procastinator
July 19, 2022 at 4:45 AM
Cho-yeon was confused enough to claim it herself that she was the one who opened the doors. Unfortunately, there was no further discussion after that. But I need her to discuss with someone ( read Dang-gu) on what happened exactly at that time
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 5:30 AM
I assumed that the Do-joo bribing bit was a reference to SKY Castle! Aren't the Hong sisters famous for referencing other dramas in their scripts?
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ar_arguably romantic
July 19, 2022 at 10:31 AM
A lot of narrow-minded people are in leadership positions, so he's just depressingly true-to-life. I feel like a lot of these positions are also just due to family connections. Like how Wook is expected to succeed his dad as Gwanju even though he just got his mage abilities a month ago. If we're going by skill level, wouldn't Seo Yul be the more appropriate candidate?
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 11:21 PM
We are in the world of son succeeds his father or daughter gets her mother’s position.
Also, difficult to say as Uk is just 20 and he now is learning. So yes, Yul is better suited now but who knows what happens when kids graduate :D
Sorry, but it was fun to write that. However, tis a fact that different people bloom at different times in life :)
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29 Miky
July 19, 2022 at 5:16 AM
Might be a minor point but for me is quite major and is ikling me for some time now and that is why is Wook never at least in private calling her for her real name(the one he knows) aka Naksu and insists in always calling her Mudeok,it's like it's taking away her identity or denying it...It's clear why he would use this name for cover but when it's just the two of them why isin't he using it...We clearly see Yul make that difference...
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Unaspirated
July 19, 2022 at 5:28 AM
Is Naksu her real name? I keep wondering what her real name is, the one she was given by her family at birth. I thought that Naksu was her assassin name. Also, at least half the time in private he calls her "master", which is pretty respectful. Yul knew her when she was in her original body, so maybe that's why it's easier for him to make the distinction.
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Miky
July 19, 2022 at 5:59 AM
Nah,Naksu is her assassin name,we're never told her real name...
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Unaspirated
July 22, 2022 at 11:47 AM
I'm actually really excited for the eventual reveal of her real name. Maybe it will be nothing, but I can also see it being a really emotionally impactful scene between Naksu and UK, and one that happens at a turning point for them and their relationship. Here's hoping!
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Miky
July 22, 2022 at 12:02 PM
True,i'm also hoping we'll get that moment...Like u said,the name inself might be a minor point story wise but it will be quite a great emotional & intimate moment among the two of them...Those kinds of gritty emotional moments elavate the show...
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 22, 2022 at 12:19 PM
But will she introduce herself formally, as if meeting a blind date?
(Sorry, MLN flashback.)
Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 8:46 AM
@miky88
I think he just thinks of her as Mudoegi or Sasangnim. And at some point he had made it clear that he wanted Naksu as his Master so he doesn’t use Naksu at all.
Also, personally for me, I would always be scared if he used it in private as chances are some one (evil most probably — as is the rule of the drama land) will overhear it. Yul always thinks Naksu but doesn’t speak it out aloud.
Though a part of me feels that Uk loves Naksu but when he throws “I missed you” and the dialogues of the preview (I miss seeing you) then I wonder can he/does he even make a distinction?
It is such an interesting question: who are we? The physical self or the one inside? Also, we don’t know MD or her character at all so we can’t tell.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 19, 2022 at 10:33 AM
People in dramaland have superhearing when it comes to eavesdropping on conversations. Sometimes, I'm like "for real? you heard that all the way over there?"
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bbstl 🧹
July 19, 2022 at 7:23 PM
😆😆😆 and yet they can have a normal volume conversation separated only by a paper wall and the people on the other side don’t hear them 🤷♀️
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30 FiyaShady
July 19, 2022 at 8:47 AM
Watching Swoony VC today...
Seo Yul unrequited love with Mudeok, mirroring Seo Gyeong and Jin Seol-ran love story.
But what Wook said is true, love should be expressed and delivered loud and clear...rather than quoting in the magical invisible book 😅 (and later being teased as pervert 🤭🤣).
I am definitely not shipping SLS or any love geometry here 😬
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 1:00 PM
You don’t think the story of Sri Gyeong and Jin Seol-ran maybe the mirror for Md and Uk? Maybe not with regard to expression of love but with regard to the end?
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ar_arguably romantic
July 19, 2022 at 2:45 PM
I can see both parallels - one of a Seo man and Jin woman (Mudeok's body) who can't be together.
And one of our OTP. There was a throwaway line from Wook, who has a sweet tooth, about how Seo Gyeong also had a sweet tooth, so why aren't there any snacks in Songrim? Are they meant to be reincarnations (not sure if reincarnations exist in this world)?
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Jingbee
July 20, 2022 at 1:31 PM
I thought he was referring to Park Jin.. as he would have known him having grown up under his wing, too. Seo Gyeong lived 200 years ago, though yes, stories could have prevailed about how he liked sweets but it is more likely he was referring to Park Jin, imo.
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ar_arguably romantic
July 20, 2022 at 4:29 PM
Great point! Park Jin would totally be the type of guy to secretly like sweets, but feel like it would be unbecoming of mages to like sweets.
31 KittyKate
July 19, 2022 at 10:33 AM
*Wook will end up with Naksu once her body gets reincarnated by the ice stone (I read that the working title before they settled for 'Alchemy of Souls' is reincarnation or something like that)
* Prince won will end up with Mu-deok
* Dong-gu will end up with Cho-Yeon
* Yul will end up with So-yi
😁
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 19, 2022 at 1:05 PM
😁😁😁
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32 SerenaJess
July 19, 2022 at 9:01 PM
I don't have much to add given the excellent recap by @alathe and the detailed commentary by everyone else. I enjoyed the humor of these two episodes and the time given to explore the relationships between the different characters, all of which was excellently portrayed.
I'm annoyed that Jang Uk once again is having his training delayed; Park Jin not only is not very bright, in my opinion, but pretty unethical.
We've been led to believe that Jang Gang had noble intentions in sealing Uk's source of power, but I'm starting to have my doubts given his disappearance and that he was the one who began dabbling in sorcery again, despite the terrible events of the past when the mages first discovered the alchemy of souls.
Despite the pleasant vibe of these episodes, there's a certain lack of tension now that the CP has become chummy with the Songrim group. Also, I'm not sure I understand Jin Mu's and the queen's overall plan. They want to have the CP kill Jang Uk because he's a threat to the throne? Why not just hire an assassin to get rid of Jang Uk? Jin Mu is planning on bringing someone back to Jinyowon to impersonate BuYeon and have her marry the CP? Seems kind of far fetched that this would work out. And did they kidnap So Mi because they thought she was blind or just randomly grab her? These are minor quibbles right now, looking forward to seeing how the plot plays out.
Personally I ship Jang Uk and BuYeon in MuDeok's body, given the sparks between Jaewook and Somin (and pretty much none between her and Min-hyun), and Seo Yul and Naksu together (hopefully back in her own reincarnated body, since otherwise there will be one too few bodies to go around and some poor soul will be stuck in the AOS misty purgatory).
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33 kd6606
July 19, 2022 at 10:38 PM
Thanks for this hilarious and spot on recap!
These 2 epidodes were too short - They were so much fun!
All actors are spot on.
Wook does cheeky so well.
I could take in Mudeuk's 'scowl' all day.
The Prince is hilarious, he so wants to be included but can't bring himself to ask.
100-year old Master Lee as a lovestruck teenager? Can't get any better!
I am loving the new female characters. The urchin thief is a breath of fresh air, as is the spunky new doctor with 'wook-stars' in her eyes.
And the servant contest! I couldn't stop laughing at the three buds - two Mages and a Prince - trying to take a housekeeping test, and then helping our Assassin cheat. I am waiting to find out they got it all wrong, it was really 26 tables they needed, Ha!
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34 kd6606
July 19, 2022 at 10:40 PM
And two observations:
As an objective observer (emoji with eyes rolling and laughing): This show has generated so much delightful discussion! So it must be good.
And am I reading they are breaking it into 2 seasons? NOOOOOOOHHHHH!!
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35 OldLawyer
July 19, 2022 at 11:14 PM
This show keeps getting better.
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36 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 20, 2022 at 12:22 AM
wow a recap thread broke the 200 comment mark. when was the last time that happened.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 20, 2022 at 1:39 AM
Comment was deleted
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 20, 2022 at 3:50 PM
I went and worked this out. Cos I was bored and procrastinating and because I’m me.
(I’m not watching this show. This analysis is not to make a point, I just like collecting random data. This is also only considering Solo Drama discussion threads/recaps, not site OTS, news threads, What We’re Watchings, etc.)
The closest most recent contender is the The Red Sleeve Cuff Hang Out, 3/12/21 – with 260 comments.
However, it's a hangout for the whole drama, and not a recap, or even an Open Thread- as DB did not solo or joint episode recap this show. DB also does not archive Hang Outs under the recaps of a drama, like they do OTs, (which actually makes them hard to find lol- hey @db-staff if you’re reading this).
The next closest contender then, of an actual recap, is Vinnie Ep 1, 22/02/21- with 187 comments. Just shy, Carrot Boy, my dear.
If we include Drama OTs, and want to break 200, then the nearest entry was:
The Mr Queen OT Final, 15/02/21 – with 221 comments
And just before that
The Start Up OTs (Finale 07/12/20):
13+14- 340
11+12- 489
9+10- 368
7+8- 476
5+6- 262
3+4- 272
The Do Do OT Final 27/11/20 - 216
And the Brahms OTs:
Final 21/10/20 - 218
13+14- 215
7+8- 351
5+6- 212
But if we want an actual written up recap, that broke 200 comments, we have to go all the way back to August 12, 2020 for It's Okay to be Not Okay, Episode 16 Final , - with 315 comments.
(The rest of IOTBNO was high(ish) too, and it had individual recaps, rather than joint ones.
15- 274
12- 349
11- 288
10- 307
9- 277
8- 351
7- 229
6- 361
5- 254
4- 373
2- 298)
Therefore, it has been just shy of two years since an actual recap broke 200 comments.
We’re still a wee way away from the hey days of “Breaking the Red” (500 comments) as it were, but hey, no you know when, even though you didn’t ask.
Lol ‘kay bye~
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Ruckus Likes Drama
July 21, 2022 at 12:55 AM
I think Hotel Del Luna did pretty well in terms of comments. I had read them all when I watched the show later :)
I had fun in the chocolate discussion thread too.
But wow… you really did some data digging :)
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 21, 2022 at 12:59 AM
HDLL is a 2019 show and therefore is completely irrelevant to this post, as I only went back far enough to find the closest recap with over 200 comments lmao
If we go back far enough we'll find all kinds of threads with all numbers of comments, some of which I don't even need to data dig to tell you that they're much higher than anything mentioned hither pfft.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 21, 2022 at 1:31 AM
I was REMISS. And didn't think to check to find an all hangouts ever archive page!
If we count Hangouts, and within this time frame (Aug 2020 - present), then I need to at least MENTION the Bossam: Steal the Fate Hangouts May 2021, which had 504 comments (in the RED!), and 354 respectively. Again, this show was not properly recapped, so thus these hangouts accumulated all discussion of the entire show outside of the fanwall, but nonetheless, deserves a mention.
Now, where their any other threads that got camped on in this time frame, a la, JBL, in lite of no recaps. I don't THINK so but I'll update this if I find anything
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
July 21, 2022 at 6:18 AM
Wow, you really went in-depth with this. I can’t imagine the amount of research and how you had to look through literally dozens of recaps/OTs/hangouts to find the data. You’re a treasure to this community, @sicarius.
NGL, I’m kinda shocked Vincenzo never broke 200+ comments during its airing. And that the closest it came to doing so was in episode 1, and not the finale. It certainly felt popular enough to do so. As for Red Sleeve Cuff, even though the hangouts were for the whole show, I think it could’ve reached 100+ or even 200+ comments (especially for the last few episodes) if it had solo or joint recaps.
Start-Up, the Mr. Queen finale, and the Doo Doo finale that shan’t be named are not surprises to me. Honestly, if I had to randomly pick a show within the last few years that could’ve reached hundreds of comments, I’d probably have chosen Start-Up simply because of all the obnoxious shipping-war discourse. Do You Like Brahms?, however, is a surprise - and a good one. I have a soft spot for that show.
The IOTNBO numbers were quite consistent across episodes. No high or low spikes during certain episodes, just good numbers throughout. It’d be nice to see numbers this high and consistent again for some show. Maybe Extraordinary Attorney Woo?
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 22, 2022 at 1:37 AM
It was really interesting actually going back in time, and seeing what kinds of things drew more comments than others- not always did it equate to a known general consensus on popularity or quality haha.
Both Bossam and Red Sleeve I think, had they been recapped fully would've drawn quite the crowd. The former, @wishfultoki kindly recapped herself, on her wall and blog, and the latter I did to a lesser extent on my wall, and several of those threads have over a 100 easy, and they were unofficial fanwall posts that not everyone found their way to.
It is good to see a slow revival in both the voice of the recaps and commentors! Ofc, big shows like those of the Hong Sisters ARE always going to attract more people but I scrolled back as far as 2017 (when the new site was launched) where this kind of thing was the given average for a lot of shows, and not just the most commented show of the year.
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books7time
July 21, 2022 at 2:57 PM
I would submit that some of that milestone achievement is due to the recapper. Her writing brings out the best in the series while also playfully roasting the drama and dramaland.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
July 22, 2022 at 1:38 AM
Plenty of things contribute to such factors, yeah. I'm glad you're enjoying her recaps! ^-^
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37 brian
July 21, 2022 at 12:36 AM
So I've been thinking long and hard about how the blind girl was in the Alchemy of souls and how she helped keep Jang Uk from changing souls. I think, as we now know, that the blind girl who was the elder Jin sister is probably stuck inside of the ice stone, which is where you go when the spells activating the alchemy of souls begin. It also explains why the Elder Jin sister disappeared, even though it's hinted that she's dead.
I think the scarf that the thief girl took from Mu Deok is probably some sort of red herring. The original Mu Deok may have known the girl, but isn't her at all. I remain intrigued by this aspect of the plot.
On the other side, I continue to enjoy the subtle rom/com between Mu Deok and Jang Uk. I also love all of the secondary love interests, and the fact that the crown prince is a lonely guy who in intrigued by Mu Deok to the point where he's attracted to her, and he just wants to have a bromance with Jang Uk.
Master Lee remains a fairy godmother with weaknesses for the opposite sex, and that's also fun. I half expect some new tragedy to occur, but I'm definitely interested in each new episode -- love the expository by the secondary characters that flesh out the story.
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38 AtypicalDramaWatcher
July 21, 2022 at 2:07 AM
We need an alchemist to separate Naksu, Mudeok and Buyeon into three separate beings so that Prince Won , Yul and JangUk can go climb that tree!
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books7time
July 21, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Hahaha. Oh, your comment gave me life.
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39 Warrior Ajumma
July 21, 2022 at 9:28 AM
Just trying to organize facts as I see them…sorry for the length. I wanted to comment much earlier, but didn’t know how.
Uk is 20 years old. He is younger then CP. He was born after current king, who already had a son, took the Thorne. That is why Uk’s birth or identity could cause a “treason” situation. You can also tell by the interaction. LJW is actually the youngest of the cast except for Arin.
Mentioned in drama: Dang-gu is heir to So grim, after his uncle Jin Park.
Chou-yin is currently heir to Jin line, pending her older sisters status.
Seo should be heir to Heo Seo in medical center, though the granddaughter may also be a candidate.
Uk is apparent heir of Jang family wealth and power. Though he is weak in magic, hence his dependence on a very loving group of friends, he actually wields secular power. He mentioned he knew how to be a creditor, when talking to Buddhist teacher. He also told Heo Yeul she was not a debtor, so why would he follow her? Maidservant Kim is steward of this vast wealth, which has been used to pay off in gifts for Uk’s transgressions and pay for his grand entrance party. As “Young Master” he knows how to wield power when he has to.
Choy-Yeon only has a crush on him and is a bit immature. She decides she wants him, and assumes he is hers, in typical Korean drama fashion. Heo-Yeol likes him too, but is more mature in realizing it is one-sided.
Regarding Ying-Yang jade: it was broken, therefore Choy-yen did not want it anymore for her rings. Jang family bailed her out, by exchanging it for more valuable jade, even though she broke it. Therefore, he was not disrespectful for using it for the eggs.
Story progression for MD. Episodes 1-4 were about her thinking she was still in her old body, still capable of assassination, infiltration, acting without hesitation on murderous thoughts and able to get away from consequences of her actions. Uk was schooling her into her new body. She act humbly as a servant rather than constantly revealing her arrogance as Naksu. He repeatedly groveled and took responsibility for her actions. She threatened and stole from him when they met. He bought her and gave her a safe place. It was cute that he teased her temper to make her reveal her identity to him.
She stole the spirit plate to enter Songrim illegally. He covered for her.
To save her life from ghost dog, he broke a priceless heirloom and took punishment for both breaking the secret room, and the statue.
When she poisoned him, he covered for her, saying he did it, and she was covering for him.
He took the flogging for her theft of spirit plate. He was willing to take responsibility for her chamber pot diss to prince and drink. Comedy gold in that all his gang was willing to step up as well!
Episodes 5-6: Coming to terms that she is not what she used to be. And love the married life! To me, the end of episode 6 was the culmination. She wanted to climb the tree while drunk, but sobered up to the realization...
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40 Warrior Ajumma
July 21, 2022 at 10:06 AM
Sorry,
Three other things I observe…
1. Uk is always looking for MD. He physically is wandering around looking and asking if anybody saw her.
2. Episode 9-10 are also about her putting aside her pride to get to her goal. She at first was waiting to see how he was going to get her to Songrim, except by trying to buy another spirit plate. She spurned the idea of the servant contest as beneath her, even though it was pointed out that to the world she is a servant (illusion). It was when she focused on the goal of being together that she did what she had to do. Put aside her pride, enter the contest and win it. I loved the final spurt at the end. She did it!
3. CP and Seo both told her they may have to kill her, next time. She accepted that fate from both. CP from having her side with Uk. Seo from fear she would do UK harm. He so sweet and protective of his friend.
I’m afraid she gave her egg to CP and thus spurring another duel in episode 11-12, because you know, she’s Uk’s egg.
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41 jerrykuvira
July 22, 2022 at 12:03 AM
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42 jerrykuvira
July 22, 2022 at 12:08 AM
If there's another little piece of information pointing to Mudeok's origin/family root, we can recall that Master Heo found Mudeok's ear very familiar. Initially I thought she might have come to him for treatments for her blindness, as an adult. But now I don't think that was the case. Besides, it would take Mudeok to come from a high ranking parent (like Jinyowon) for Heo to attend to her himself. Perhaps Jin Ho-gyeong had brought her (Buyeon/Mudeok) to Heo for remedies to her sight and by so doing, that made Heo register that familiar ear.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
July 22, 2022 at 9:36 AM
There's a belief in many cultures that earlobes are connected to vision - for example, that piercing can protect or enhance eyesight or that pressure on certain points on the earlobe can treat vision problems. Heo might have taken more than passing notice of her ear while trying to treat her blindness during her childhood.
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43 Cimthog
July 23, 2022 at 12:01 PM
Alchemy of Souls will be the first Korean fantastical movie that I will be watching after a long while. Thing is, their poor CGI and Video effects tire me. However, the brilliant use of CGI in Alchemy of Souls stood out for me. From the first episode to the latest steaming on Netflix, there has been no boring time.
I like that the cinematography is clean. Much more so, how they are able to make the stunts and sorceries in the movie so believable. Like, the conjuring and the effects that come with it teleport me to a world of wonder which arrests my disbelief completely.
There are may scenes that highlight how they leverage technology to make the audience have a good cinematic experience that they always crave when it comes to spell-binding movies like this.
Like Naijabanquet analysis in https://naijabanquet.com/alchemy-of-souls-review-how-cgi-shines-spotlight-on-the-kdrama-series/ The opening fight by the Lake side hints us about what is about to happen. Call it the tip of the iceberg. Much so, the computer generated images and 3D effects that we see during the soul shifting by Jang Gang and Mudeok arrests our attention.
I can go on and on to relate how CGI has kept me glued to this Kdrama series... I just hope that the script doesn't get watery along the way!
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44 Cyberglich
July 24, 2022 at 11:45 AM
I am dying for your recap ep. 11 and 12, and reading all the witty, detailed analysis from everyone. It helps me to understand and enjoy all the complexity of this drama. Please. Thanks.
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45 bong-soo
July 26, 2022 at 11:56 AM
I caught up with AOS’s episodes 9 and ten last night. I continue to enjoy my first Hong Sisters drama.
One of my favorite scenes of these episodes was joining up Yul, Dang-gu and the Crown Prince to create the cheat sheet for Mu-deok.
I am so glad the way the part of Crown Prince Go Won is written and being acted by Shin Seung-ho. We may be seeing a Won/Wook bromance developing. Politically I think it is smart of him to hang out with the mages of Songrim.
O/T. SSH was definitely in my doghouse after his performance as a complete sob in D.P. In AOC the Crown Prince could also been written as a complete sob and then SSH might have been typecast. Fortunately that didn’t happen.
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46 darwi
August 17, 2022 at 11:40 PM
@alathe thank you for your recap. Your articles are delightful to read.
I'm late to the party, but your prose really elevate the reading pleasure.
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47 LordPhazer
September 28, 2022 at 3:50 AM
Man, I liked how the crown prince is adjusting to the Four seasons or as well as they can. There's a budding sense of camaraderie with Dong-gu and Yul, and a rivalry with Wook. It's obvious that the Prince knows that these mages will become the four pillars of his thrones later, but I fear for the future when its revealed that Jang Wook was born under the king's star.
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48 SP2022
January 1, 2023 at 1:51 AM
The scene on the bridge with the boat and then by the fire are two of my favourite scenes ever, so so cute
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