The Epic K-dramas that made 2021 and 2022 interesting are numerous; only a few made an everlasting impression on fans and viewers alike. The recent Alchemy of Souls and the previous Squid Game stirred viewers’ reactions; The plot, drama, characters, and settings are so different but very captivating.
This is where we compare various aspects of both Korean dramas; Alchemy Of Souls and Squid Game.
Hold up, let’s revisit each of the stories for a little reminder
SYNOPSIS
Alchemy Of Souls
The story was fixed in a fictional country, Daheo, surrounded by a mystical lake that allows only specific people known as mages to harness its power. A group of mages in Songrim are trying to prevent the emergence of Soul shifters that were created through forbidden sorcery using the mystical ice stone that was assumed to be destroyed 200 years ago.
See: Movie Recap— Top 10 Things You Need To Know About The Trending Netflix K-drama: “Alchemy of Souls“
Squid Game
The story of Squid Game focused on particular individuals with financial difficulties who found an opportunity to go somewhere secluded with their lack of knowledge of the deadly game ahead for them to play for a large sum of money. The need for cash tests the players on their decision-making and increases their zeal for survival; out of 456 players there will be only one winner.
GENRE
Alchemy of Souls
A fictional fantasy with magical wielding and acquisitions, blended with a relatable struggle in romance and action, charge spellbound in a period drama of governance and nation prosperity.
Squid Game
The theme is survival in the depth of miscalculated horror that is inescapable and hidden from the public, imprisoning biases to avoid thrillers inciting greed and defense action to reveal the drama of what is more important than fortune.
ELEMENTS
Alchemy of Souls
‘Alchemy of soul‘ is the forbidden sorcery that allows dead persons to switch their souls into a living body by practicing Hwansu, the last stage banned from practice from the stages to become a powerful mage. The shortcut to this disturbing shift is the use of soul ejectors produced from the Ice stone that was in possession of Jin Mu, one of the conceited villains in the series. Alchemy of Souls introduced soul shifters’ detector, Gwiju, and ‘words of heart‘ the poetic evidence of why the Ice stone wasn’t completely wiped out— The Ice Stone, a gateway to salvation or destruction.
Squid Game
The mastermind behind the deadly game played at the expense of every target but unfortunate individuals created an organization to comprise men at their peak for their pleasures revealed after the test they pose on youths at their mid-life compete for more wealth than they need. Contemplating going back to the reality awaiting them in the outside world or following the rules to participate in the Squid Games that shuffled children games that were familiar to most of the players, which they must abide within a time range to avoid losing not only the prize money they all desperately need but their lives.
SENTIMENTS
Alchemy of Souls
Alchemy of Souls structured the inner cause of the plot with a struggle between power and the love of humanity without making it possible to have both. The series outlined the consequence of possessing a tremendous power; the chaos of thirst for the liberation of a such mystical object that yields outrage from greed to solely have the means to control the peak of existence. When it comes to love that blossom from channels of magic; the love between two individuals and the love for humanity was put to test when only the fragile passion is bound to be overwhelmed but brave enough for a sacrifice.
Squid Game
In the series of Squid Game, human survival instinct was tested alongside how teamwork makes winning easier by forging a favorable relationship with fellow team members. Drawing the players’ focus on the prize money and putting on them the pressure to do almost anything to win each game as their number reduce; the ruse between leading teams and betrayal among the members as they push themselves to death to quicken their chance to end the game. Compassion a few of the players had; despite knowing the game needed only one winner, a few strived to stay alive together, watching each other back.
CONCLUSIONS
Alchemy of Souls
Being fictitious, Alchemy Of Souls stirred reactions from viewers as they round up the first part leaving missing pieces of what was and what is going to be. The series did give us happy times before the strive for power took it all away and love bled. All in all, the visual and magical blend got viewers on their toes looking out for more light to be shed on each suspense in every episode.
Squid Game
Thrilling as it was, Squid Game had given nothing to laugh about; the financial incapacity of the lead character who was offered a strange opportunity to meet up the requirement for his need. A journey to an isolated space to partake in a game with other individuals in similar situations, and a shocking realization of imprisonment. The severity of ties forged in the bid to survive was gut-wrenching that every episode had more tough games and lesser survivors.
RATINGS
Alchemy of Souls
Alchemy Of Souls was viewed worldwide, it’s viewership increased worldwide as each episode was broadcasted. The series is a South Korean series that premiered on August 28, 2022, and from there got more positive remarks on every production of the drama.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean drama that premiered on September 17, 2021, broadcasted on Netflix, and happened to be Netflix’s most-watched series of the time. In the first four weeks of its release, the series had amassed billions of views from 94 countries on Netflix.
Alchemy Of Souls would wrap you in the wonders of the Ice Stone and the dangers of its Soul Ejectors to get your soul a new feature from ‘hwanhonsool’. Meanwhile, Squid Game has nothing magical, it will let you walk around in the ‘circle’ and trap in the ‘triangle’ before caging you with the ‘square’ on the card to play ‘Ojing-eo Geim’. Magic or Games, which is your best?
