[Hot Take] Prince Won is heading to the dark side
by DB Staff
Hold onto your couch cushions! This thread is a hot take on a heat-of-the-moment issue in dramaland. It will be full of spoilers, differing opinions, and a roller coaster of emotions. Enter with caution. Oh and please be nice — we’re all friends here.
Hot Take: Prince Won’s envy — and evil counsel — is going to cause him to turn villainous in Alchemy of Souls part two.
Agree? Disagree? Comment below!
Tags: Alchemy of Souls, Hot Take
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1 gimzy🐣
August 29, 2022 at 5:10 PM
You better not, Hong sisters 🙂
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2 FiyaShady
August 29, 2022 at 5:21 PM
I wanna hold my tongue and still hoping that he will be a great future King, and learnt to let go his insecurity complex. Please do not turn my charming CP into evil, Hong Sisters 🙏
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3 miso
August 29, 2022 at 5:36 PM
I'd imagine two scenarios -
1. He goes halfway to the dark side, comes to his senses, and redeems himself OR
2. He goes dark side but it's all a fake to take down Jin Mu once and for all
Either way, he ends S2 as a great future king (who is still sometimes childish and petty coz I need that!).
I guess I find it hard to imagine a version of Won who is fully evil because it would just not be in line with his character so far. He's just too smart to be played by Jin Mu to the end. In fact that was the one thing I found implausible in the S1 finale.
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LaurenSophie
August 30, 2022 at 7:34 AM
I agree that it'll likely be some version of either #1 or #2, or a hybrid of both. I'd be shocked if he became legitimately evil, although I fully expect the writing to tease that possibility and appear to legitimize it at some point.
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Diana Hansen
August 30, 2022 at 9:55 AM
i like your scenarios. i think it will be like one of those. at least i am hoping so.
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bbstl 🧹
August 30, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Yes, # 2 is what I’m counting on 👍🏼
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kdramacurious
August 31, 2022 at 6:00 AM
I have to admit that the Prince's last conversation with Mudeok, where he tells her that she and Jang Uk should get as far away from him as possible, really spooked me.
All this time, I'd been convinced that the Crown Prince would make a great king because he's so self-aware even when he is being petty. But that last convo where he warns that the "wretched, pathetic" feeling that's gripped him can turn into something "wicked and violent" . . . I got chills right there.
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miso
August 31, 2022 at 6:36 AM
Yes that scene is the reason why I feel scenario #1 might also be viable. Obviously I'd prefer #2 because we get to keep our awesome Won intact but realistically being self-aware often doesn't stop people from going down the wrong route.
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4 panshel
August 29, 2022 at 6:18 PM
My Crown Prince Won is the smartest person in the cast besides Yul. He's playing Jin Mu and everyone. I refuse to believe he'd really turn evil and betray Wook and Songrim just out of jealousy.
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Unaspirated
August 30, 2022 at 4:11 AM
I hope you're right, and I agree that CP is a really intelligent person. I've been loving that he has cultivated a friendship with Songrim this whole season. But he also has admitted that he would be tempted by power if it was really within his grasp, he told Mudeok to leave before he intervened, and he is certainly one of the proudest characters in the show.
I think it's easy to see him reaching out to grab an opportunity, with good intentions, that would lead him down a dark path, at least for a while. I can imagine him doing something because he thought it would make him a better, stronger, more just king than his father was, at the expense of our other characters. If he does go dark, I don't think it will just be out of jealousy, but Uk represents a threat to his rule in a very real way if/when everyone learns the truth about Uk's birth and the King's Star.
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5 Britney
August 29, 2022 at 6:31 PM
I hope he doesn't because why would he even trust Jin Mu at this point?! He saw Jang Uk save everyone and that he wasn't trying to be in the spotlight. Even if he is the king's star, he wasn't the adversary Mu was making him out to be. He was it with his own eyes.
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6 jillian
August 29, 2022 at 8:47 PM
I doubt it. It has already been established that Won do not blindly follow Jin Mu or his parents without fact checking and making his own opinion of the matter. That's what made him a great character. My take is he is sounding off Jin Mu's plans and CP Won will not turn to the dark side.
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7 jerrykuvira
August 29, 2022 at 9:59 PM
I really want it all to be a ploy to totally outsmart Jin Mu and bring him to justice while he equally settles his score with Park Jin.
All the other masters can pay lip service to him all day long but Park Jin joining the group was what pissed him off the most. For crying out loud, from his conversation with Lee Cheol he knew that he definitely was not the King's star. I don't know why Jang Uk didn't tell Park Jin about he and CP Won's agreement. A lack of passing needed info clearly does a lot of damage everytime in AoS.
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8 parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
August 29, 2022 at 10:38 PM
NOoooooo please NO! He’s such an interestingly complex character to root for. He can’t be a villain just for the sake of needing one.
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9 sunnysaturdays
August 29, 2022 at 11:03 PM
I really really don't want him to join the dark side but I am worried about one thing.
He didn't seem that sad that Jang wook was dead. I thought after all they have gone through together, he would be a bit more weepy. He might have been relieved about the king's star no longer being a problem.
Though, he would make a fantastic villain. That voice. *Swooooon.
Seriously though, A villain CP would just become a self-fufilling prophecy. It would only prove that he was not good enough to be the king. And that would just be heartbreaking.
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panshel
August 30, 2022 at 7:52 PM
In my opinion, he just has a poker face. When Wook told him about the real Queen being held hostage, Won equally had no reaction, and she was his own mother.
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kdramacurious
August 31, 2022 at 6:05 AM
While they were trapped within the ice stone, the prince also told Jang Uk that the queen is not his biological mother. I thought that revelation also helped explain why he was not more frantic about his mother's well-being.
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10 DancingEmma
August 30, 2022 at 1:01 AM
Hmmmm. I don’t think a “hot take” is going to cut it as this deserves more than a perfunctory attention grab.
I think the breadcrumbs are leading us to that conclusion but it also could be part of a poorly devised plot which might not pan out. I have really come to enjoy Shin Seunho’s acting and how he has embodied 9Won. I don’t want to see him as a dangerous antagonist as he would commit to it to the hilt. I first came across him in the “A Moment at 18” and he portrayed that arrogant, insecure, highly-strung and miserable character so well that I found it unbearable. He has a powerful presence as an actor for sure.
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11 Kurama
August 30, 2022 at 1:36 AM
If Uk gets darker because of Naksu's death, if Yul gets shady because of the worm, if Jin Cho-Yeon gets angry because her father's death, I really hope the Prince will be the hero we need! He saw how the power made his father weak, it would be sad that he becomes like his father.
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12 Linarrick
August 30, 2022 at 1:52 AM
Having not watched the last two episodes yet NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I figured if no one liked Go Yoon-jung’s Naksu that we’d at least have Prince Won and Jang Uk taking solace in each other, crying over their once beloved. Aaaand maybe through their heartbreak and pain they would eventually develop an intimacy…
Perhaps finding their initial aversion to each other was really an attraction…
Okay yeah I’ll just head over to AO3 and read up on some Prince Won x Jang Uk fanfic
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jerrykuvira
August 30, 2022 at 3:06 PM
'No one liked Go Yoon-jung's Naksu'
You're getting it mixed up. Her 20 minute + appearance in episode 1 made an stamped impression. If anything I know I'll be getting more badass-ery in season 2🤤. Why else would I constantly clamor for JSM in mage-ic action if not for what Go Yoon-jung delivered earlier on? 🤤
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Linarrick
August 30, 2022 at 5:27 PM
Oh yeah for sure! Her lack of badassery was one of the more disappointing things this season, so I’m definitely looking forward to that in season two! I just thought if Go Yoon-jung & Lee Jae-wook don’t have romantic chemistry then we’ll always have the Prince Won & Jang Uk ship no?
I’m also a self-professed Mu-deok/ Naksu & Seo Yul shipper so I guess I’m a little biased 🤷♀️
Anyway this is just me being silly, I’m a very passive fan, just don’t want my boy Prince Won heading to the dark-side is all
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Linarrick
August 30, 2022 at 5:39 PM
*I’m a passive fan of AoS but I’m definitely an aggressive fan for other dramas 😂 (namely Adamas atm)
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Linarrick
August 30, 2022 at 9:54 PM
*Sorry again, I meant active fan not aggressive fan. I’m not very good at English 😅
bbstl 🧹
August 30, 2022 at 4:15 PM
Funny! But not to be …
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Linarrick
August 31, 2022 at 1:51 AM
*sigh* when will kdramaland stop queerbaiting me
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13 Unaspirated
August 30, 2022 at 3:52 AM
I'm really worried that this is exactly what they are heading for. I agree with the other commenters here that he is intelligent, and he won't be easily led down Jin Mu's path, but I worry because of his pride, and ultimately his insecurity.
When CP Won first came on the scene, I was like, "Ugh, here is a person I will totally hate because he is the worst kind of male imaginable" - fragile ego galore, needs to be told he's won at every turn, looking for appeasement everywhere. And I was really happy to be proven wrong, and for him to be one of the best characters in the whole show. But he kind of still has those qualities.
And Jin Mu has known him as his Master for a long time, so if anyone knows how to push those buttons into manipulation, it's Jin Mu. I'm really hoping what we actually get is a short-ish (part 2 is only supposed to be 10 episodes, right?) veer into dark territory before he makes a sharp turn back to the light and assists the rest of our heroes in a beautiful takedown. I would love to see that final epic team-up!
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DancingEmma
August 31, 2022 at 12:29 PM
Very nicely put. I wish Jin Mu was not such a one note and tiresome character. I find the actor playing the role uninteresting too. I can’t decide whether it is entirely because of how the character was written, the actor or a combination of both.
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dramadillo
August 31, 2022 at 3:08 PM
This!! Jin Mu as a character annoys me for this reason - he is made to be so one-dimensionally villainous that it’s actually boring! His backstory of being an outcast because he’s the product of his father’s affair also adds nothing…I don’t know why. There’s no vulnerability or nuance to him. I want to feel torn, or even the slightest modicum of understanding towards him but he’s just easy to hate.😴 I don’t think it’s been helped by all the evil looks and smiles that only the audience are meant to see - he’s simply unrealistic and unrelateable.
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DancingEmma
August 31, 2022 at 5:33 PM
It’s like you’ve read my thoughts. Can’t agree more. His outcast status could have added such an interesting shade to his character but alas we have ended up with this tedious trope. Your comment made me refine my thoughts as I like to know if this actor was capable of much more and hence was hamstrung by a poor characterisation or it was a combination of a mediocre actor and a badly conceived role. A missed opportunity in any case.
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Unaspirated
September 1, 2022 at 4:49 AM
I do like that we've gotten an explanation about why he is the way he is, but I think that might be the issue - we've just gotten it as an explanation and we never actually saw him being outcast or mistreated. Harder to empathize with him when his hardships are more of an abstract idea. That said, he honestly doesn't bother me much.
As for the actor, I remember being very affected by his story in The Good Detective, but that's the only other thing I've seen him in, so it's hard to say exactly how good he is.
14 Kbunny
August 30, 2022 at 5:22 AM
I am hoping he will not. He is so loveable and human, that he has bouts of self-doubt and jealousy that make him human and not necessarily evil. I will haunt the Hong sisters if they make him go to the dark side.
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15 danyavln
August 30, 2022 at 6:18 AM
Can we just take a moment to appreciate Prince Won, though? I mean - man just bodies the best and most captivating crown prince role I've ever seen in k-drama land. I do not believe I am exaggerating. His stature is phenomenal, his deep voice, Lord, and my goodness, his mannerisms just demand attention, no matter how silly. I am in awe. If he turns bad, it'll be ok, I trust that the Hong sisters will redeem him somehow cause if they don't, I'm coming for necks.
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Jance
August 30, 2022 at 7:07 AM
And the eyebrows.
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danyavln
August 30, 2022 at 10:31 AM
Comment was deleted
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danyavln
August 30, 2022 at 10:35 AM
yes, them eyebrows are no joke!
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Diana Hansen
August 30, 2022 at 9:57 AM
and me thinks you will have a faithful beanies army behind you!
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danyavln
August 30, 2022 at 10:32 AM
facts!
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16 parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
August 30, 2022 at 6:31 AM
I love how most of these comments are “don’t let him be evil, but if he does for abit pls redeem him otherwise heads will roll” 😆
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kdramacurious
August 31, 2022 at 7:25 AM
Considering what a dumpster fire the late king and the current king have proven to be, surely it's time to break the chain so that the magical country of Daeho actually gets a decent king in both character and competency!
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DancingEmma
August 31, 2022 at 12:33 PM
@kdramacurious:And, heaven forbid, even a shade of democracy? A magical country without royalty shouldn’t be inconceivable but alas.
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17 kimchiturka
August 30, 2022 at 6:41 AM
No He's Not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Linarrick
August 30, 2022 at 6:50 AM
Say it louder for the people at the back!
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kimchiturka
August 30, 2022 at 6:59 AM
Should've written in all caps.
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18 Jance
August 30, 2022 at 7:10 AM
I'd be gutted but understand if he turned evil from conclusions he drew himself, but if it's because he trusts Jin Mu, then NO. That won't work for me.
He was shaping up into such a wise and clever king! Like the way he came and offered Uk a drink after Uk beat him in the duel because a Crown Prince needs powerful people on his side...
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19 Linarrick
August 30, 2022 at 7:33 AM
Didn’t think I was at all passionate about AoS but then this post shows up…
Maaaate you come for my boy you come for me!
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danyavln
August 30, 2022 at 10:37 AM
right!!!
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20 welh
August 30, 2022 at 9:25 AM
CP will be in conflict: 1) he wants to be the King; 2) he knows the people believe the Star King (Uk) is the chosen leader; 3) he must weigh the option of stepping aside or defeating Uk (which seems impossible since Uk is now the ice stone incarnate). Personal pride will rule #1. Pragmatic logic will rule #2. Clever intellect will solve #3.
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21 Toodlepip
August 30, 2022 at 1:19 PM
I could see Won travelling some of the way to the dark side before coming to his senses after several clues. We have seen in S1 that he considers all sides of an issue and draws his own conclusions. However, he does have a jealous side and is prideful, always wanting to save face, so these can occasionally cloud his judgment. I hope I'm not wrong, but hopefully his good characteristics will prevail. Hong sisters, don't mess this up!
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DancingEmma
August 31, 2022 at 12:47 PM
@aoiffe: Very good observation. He has a fragile ego but he has not been shown to be vicious and sociopathic. Instead, he seems to yearn to connect with others even if it is often filtered through his prideful - your apt adjective - communication or lack thereof. I don’t often find the depiction of the members of Royalty likable or sympathetic in KD or for that matter in any other shows but I have to give the credit to Shin Seungho who is really - ahem - magically good in this role.
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22 bbstl 🧹
August 30, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Well, I don’t know but I’m all there, with 🍿
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23 SerenaJess
August 30, 2022 at 11:42 PM
I don't believe Prince Won will turn to the dark side. He has his faults- he's proud, often cold, and susceptible to jealousy. But throughout the season he's also been fair-minded, and he recognized the decency in his “rival” Jang Uk despite not always particularly liking him (shout out Shin Seung-ho for some really fine acting in conveying this balance). The prince had a look of skepticism when Jin Mu announced he had caught the soul-shifter Naksu and blamed Songrim for harboring her; part of this may have been his own feelings for Mudeok/Naksu, but he also seems very deliberative and not someone to rush to judgment. Previously, he had been pushing for Jin Mu to confess and accept his punishment; with Naksu running wild and killing people he then refrained from exposing Jin Mu, but I don't get the sense he is under Jin Mu's influence or sway. Jang Uk may be the King's star and rightful heir to the throne, but I'm thinking Prince Won would actually make the better king (and hopefully this is borne out in Season 2 and he doesn’t actually become a villain).
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24 Cindy Mahri
September 4, 2022 at 11:30 AM
I love how Won started out as this seemingly typical infuriating royal who now has us defending his honor and threatening for necks to roll, Naksu-style, if they destroy his character. 😂
But seriously, I'll understand if he detours through a short villainy road. But please, Hong Sisters, stay true to the character you've written. Jang Wook is hot and all but CP Won just is KING material, ya hear me? He reminds me so much of Zuko from ATLA so please give him a good ending in season 2. 🥺
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25 faithwithme
September 7, 2022 at 9:43 PM
i wish they incorporate original Naksu (GYJ) when she met the blind Bu Yeon (JSM) during the scenes where they confront each other in some kind loop in one of the few eps especially during that ice stone scene. it will better like so that some people will at least ready with OG Naksu return during 2nd season.
now you have people saying they dont want to watch 2nd season due to lack of JSM participation.
honestly i love to see how Wook and OG Naksu will meet each other. will Naksu find him first and keep eye on him or they will meet in some unexpected situation that require them to fight side by side.
I. M E.X.C.I.T.E.D FOR DEC TO COME!!
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