storybrookewanderer

[storybrookewanderer]

Dear 2024 me,

Stop being so melodramatic and appreciate everything you have.

Sana wala ka ng topak bi sa 2023.

Love,

Your family more.

[storybrookewanderer]

2023 Kdrama list

1. Alchemy of Souls S1 and S2 (watched Dec 2022 - Jan 2023) - 1000000000/10, seriously, I am obsessed with this kdrama from Dec 2022 until present and could not get enough of it still - I have the soundtrack fave in spotify, kept watching edits and reading fanfiction.

2. The Glory S1 and S2 (watched March 2023) - 3724/10, so satisfying to watch! Best writing so far, I love everything about the storyline and the characters.

3. Hospital Playlist S1 and S2 (watched April 2023) - 8/10, they are the ultimate friendship goals and I'm really invested with their personal lives. There are just moments in the drama that are sort of unnecessary, I skipped a few scenes to be honest. But a good show to watch on a rainy day.

[storybrookewanderer]

I will not die like this. I cannot. ALCHEMY OF SOULS 환혼 (2022) Dir. Park Joon Hwa

[storybrookewanderer]

ALCHEMY OF SOULS 2022

first and last scenes ;; cho yeong, jang uk, jin choyeon, park danggu, seo yul, go won  ♡

[storybrookewanderer]

I feel like I'm being ungrateful for saying I felt underwhelmed by AOS s2 finale *though I definitely bawled at Kim Do Joo's part*

There are a lot to be unpacked but was rushed on the last 2 episodes.

But, I won't refute that Alchemy of Souls is top tier kdrama - it still is. Kudos to the cast because they were absolutely amazing portraying their characters, the chemistry they gave onscreen and offscreen was off the roof.

And now, as I feel the emptiness after I finish any kdrama - I'm off to schedule a rewatch, and will probably blog about my commentaries along the way lol.

[storybrookewanderer]

I'm no longer excited but frustrated waiting for the last episode.

At this point I'd rather rewatch season 1 than finish season 2.

[storybrookewanderer]

My 2 braincells left can't comprehend what happened in AOS episode 9. I might need to sleep this off so I can fully rant.

But just a 2 things that made me angry before I do -

I love Jang Uk x Bu Yeon/Naksu scenes and it's the only thing I like about s2 now but that kiss at the end was so awkwardly put in between scenes in Gwido.

And what the actual eff is that ending? If they touched Kim Do Joo, I'll riot.

They expect us to believe they can wrap it up on the last episode?????

[storybrookewanderer]

ALCHEMY OF SOULS: LIGHT AND SHADOW 2022–2023 | S02E08

[storybrookewanderer]

ALCHEMY OF SOULS: LIGHT AND SHADOW (2022) dir. Park Joon Hwa and Bae Hyun Jin

[storybrookewanderer]

Few notes and rants on AOS Episode 8:

- What a great way to start an episode lol (but seriously, Bu Yeon blowing to turn it off again is the highlight of this episode).

- I'm so happy that she finally remembers who she is -and you can really see the shift in her (kudos to Go Yoon Jung's acting skillz), but seriously the Bu Yeon's soul conflict is bad writing.

- So much angsttttt (it dragssss) but Jang Uk having existential crisis with her past love made me giggle.

- I am so confused with Seo Yul and Master Lee's characterization and role, like they are just there now because they know about Naksu's soul for narrative purposes.

- When Bu Yeon entered Gwido with the Turtle, my first thought was "is she going to soul shift with it?" But anyway most likely, Turtle will save the day.

- Jang Uk in there makes me think he's just an illusion. Well I hope I'm wrong and wished he finally finds out Bu Yeon has Naksu's soul.

- Based on the preview:

My theory is, Bu Yeon/Naksu will stay in Gwido while Jang Uk returns to Songrim to finally beat Jin Mu's ass and start war, then she'll use the Ice Stone she found so she can separate herself from Bu Yeon's body (instead of Uk using his as to not damn his soul for using sorcery) thus they can live happily ever after.

*cross fingers*

The scene where someone in white dancing while it was raining makes me think it's the ending scene, and it's the real Bu Yeon (Jung So-Min making a comeback plesss).

Just an afterthought:

When Jin Mu mentioned Seo Gyeong going to the North Fortress to maintain peace, and Jang Uk doing the same while Bu Yeon stayed in Jinyowon same as Seol Ran - so basically history repeating itself with the same circumstances (drought, powerful mages etc) - repeating but hopefully different outcome due to different choices.

Welp anyway, hope they can wrap it up nicely with just 2 episodes left.

[storybrookewanderer]

Alchemy of Souls?

More like Alchemy of Flashbacks.

Alchemy of Plotholes.

Alchemy of Angst.

Alchemy of Hands.

Alchemy of Kiss.

.

.

.

.

Hot damn. That kiss though.

Also for the love of God, I don't really care about the souls anymore, give them their happy ending. If another wedding does not happen between Jang Uk and Naksu/Cho Yeong we will riot.

[storybrookewanderer]

“I go insane when it turns off. I just pine for you. That is why I came to see you.”

[storybrookewanderer]

Let us hurry. We have no time.

Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow (2022)

[storybrookewanderer]

“Did you find your own room?”

[storybrookewanderer]

Dear 2023 me,

It's you, January 8, 2022 you.

Today, you felt the lowest.

You started working in the office Jan 4th and was quarantined on 5th because of covid symptoms.

You were supposed to get tested today but plans seem to fall apart.

You cried in the shower so no one can see.

You're tired.

You want to go home.

Adulting sucks.

Work sucks.

You just loss the sense of smell and taste. You're scared shitless.

You just want to go home.

Home.

Please?

I hope you are at home now. Safe and happy.

Well I hope you are still alive.

[storybrookewanderer]

"It is brazen to desire something without being willing to endure the pain."

- what I tell myself as I wait for the weekend for another episode of Alchemy of Souls.

[storybrookewanderer]

Alchemy of souls is just top tier grumpyxsunshine trope for me, Jang Uk was the sunshine in season 1 and became grumpy season 2, only to find his sunshine again in Bu Yeon/Naksu.

Unknowingly falling in love with the same person/soul is also top tier soulmate trope.

What I'm saying is Alchemy of Souls is top tier kdrama.