Alchemy of Souls (2022)

VERY GOOD, could be perfect.

This show has a lot to offer and you will probably find something that pleases you- I'm not a big fan of fantasy or action shows, but these themes was worked very tastefully, having also time for the romance and mystery portions of the plot to flourish. The visuals are outstanding and really set a new mark for korean dramas, the overall plot keeps you guessing and looking for the next episode, leaving and ending on a strong moment to lead to the next season (also it didn't leave the first season weak or unresolved to the point of it lessening the enjoyment).
With that said, I found the romance and characters to be a bit annoying, especially in terms of romance. There's almost no chemistry between the two main leads, even if the spend a lot of time together. FL shows more affection to literally any other male character than the ML. There's the classic love triangle, for both the ML and FL but when the FL is constantly showing way more affection and reason to believe she likes the second love interest, to this the ML appears sometimes sad but doesn't act jealous or anything, and the ML's love triangle is almost non existent. It's not enough of a reason to drop the show or ruin it, but I find myself annoyed with their relationship.
The music is pretty good too, I wouldn't say it's enough of a reason to watch( there's other dramas with way more unique or interesting music) but I never felt like it wasn't the right music for the scene.
The acting is amazing obviously when you have some of the most recognizable actors and actresses here. Tho, I don't thing the show has a lot of jaw dropping scenes where you feel emotional with the acting, it just very consistent and believable. Also the FL is very fun to watch, probably one of her best roles yet.

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Alchemy of Souls (2022) - finished this after waiting every week for a new episode. This drama is good overall for me and the build up of the storyline with the revelations in between is also good. There are quite a large number of characters but its fine with me since I can still identify them. One thing that made me disappointed with the drama is the last parts. I think they drag the story to have a season 2. I can’t help but compare the ending of the drama to attorney woo as they are the ones I am watching together as they aired at almost the same time, and I prefer the ending of attorney woo than this one. I’m still gonna watch the season 2 since there are a lot of revelations and secrets that needs to be uncovered, but the excitement is not the same.

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BEST DRAMA TO EVER WATCH

I’ve watched over a 100 kdramas and when I tell you guys this is the best drama I’ve ever watched I’m not over exaggerating, starting from the insane chemistry between lee jae wook and jung so-min and how chaotic their relationship is then the visuals of the whole cast, the script is written perfectly it has the best mix of drama/funny/action moments , I just love ittt. even though I love aos as a whole season 1 will always have a special place in my heart, I’m a big mudoek fan and I just love the storyline in the first more than. the second however both are amazing

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Automatically Became my Top Drama

My confession: I started watching this drama because I had nothing else to watch after binging Vincenzo, and I couldn't find a drama to overcome my slump. Therefore, I had low expectations and thought I would drop it after the first episode. (I thought it would be another overhyped drama.)

However, it is NOT. I think I fell in love with everything about this drama. I enjoyed Jung So Min's acting in Because This is my First Life, and was surprised to see her in such a different role. However, she absolutely blew my mind. Watching the behind the scenes of her in fighting scenes was so cool because she moved so fluidly with the sword. No one could've been a better Mu Deok than JSM!! I also want to bring praise for Lee Jae Wook; this was my first drama with him as the lead. I think he suits Jang Uk so much, and he did a great job portraying sunshine Jang Uk, and in the second season with dark Jang Uk.

I honestly don't know why I doubted this drama. I love magic and fantasy dramas (like the Untamed and Who Rules the World; they're both C-Dramas). I am happy that Korea is starting to do more fantasy-related dramas that aren't in the modern setting. Daeho, being a fictional country gives more room for creativity rather than the Joseon era or a modern-day setting.

Additionally, the OSTs for this drama are so heartfelt. "Just Watching You" and "Scars Leave Beautiful Trace" are two of my personal favorite OSTs; they just add to the emotions.

If you are looking for a drama that will pull on your heartstrings, keep you on your toes, fascinate your soul, and make you laugh at the right time, then watch Alchemy of Souls!! And watch the second season as well. Although I will be watching the finale for it tomorrow, I am sure the ending will be fitting. Although, I am hoping for a happy one after all of Uk and Yeong's suffering... have hope :)

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The best historical kdrama out there.

I do not even know how to describe my love for this kdrama. One of the best historical kdramas I've watched ever. Like argue with the wall no other kdrama will replace my number 1. This kdrama is the most beautiful kdrama I've ever watched. The casting, the ost's, the acting, the whole story. Like these are the kind of kdramas we get when writers think out of the box. I have rewatched this several times and cried laughed had the same reactions as I did the first time I watched it. I don't think I can compliment this kdrama enough. This is truly a masterpiece and I don't think I will get over it. I still remember waiting impatiently every weekend to watch this. Recommend 100% trust me you can not go wrong with watching Alchemy of souls.

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Worthy to watch.

I was hesitant to start this drama since its release, and only until now I decided to give it a chance. I know it is loved by many and I think I can understand why, including the very interesting universe created, the characters and the story. However, I consider that some small things could have been better executed, starting with its length. I must clarify that here I will only talk about the first part.

First of all, regarding the acting, I think it was mostly good, the actors and actresses managed to do a good job. I admit that at the beginning the performance of the female protagonist did not convince me, her 3 or 4 face expressions did not make me connect with what she was trying to convey, but later on I developed a liking for her performance, no shame to the actress, I think it had more to do with the direction.

Regarding the universe created I think it is quite coherent and although at times it seemed to break its own rules for the convenience of the plot, they managed to give it a more or less good justification. And in this aspect I would like to highlight the CGI and the effects, which in my opinion were quite good and the budget used is understood. Budget that seems to me that was too little for the costumes, because although I am not a person who is fixated on clothes, I did not like the costumes in this drama.

Now regarding the chemistry between our leads, I think at some point it seemed to come out of nowhere, from the beginning we knew they would be together but the build up of their relationship was not what I expected, I even came to think there was more chemistry between Mu-deok and Seo Yul.

Something to mention, talking now about the length of the drama and also the length of the episodes, is that in many moments I felt like I was watching fillers and stories that although some were enjoyable and pure comedy didn't do much to move the plot forward, and if it hadn't been there it wouldn't have mattered.

I liked the characters, but I think they did very little justice to the women in this kdrama, as they seem to only revolve around the men even though they supposedly have equal or more impressive powers than them. Especially what they did with Naksu was criminal, and I still don't want to talk about how they completely forgot that she was powerful and they did reduced her to just being Jang Uk's companion, but that's already for part 2. However, in part 1 I think they could have given her powers more of a part, like how are you going to introduce me to an assassin that everyone fears and then reduce her to just being a maid in the whole drama? But well...

Finally, it was a little strange that the antagonists always had the upper hand but never did anything big enough, which didn't feel as natural, it seemed like they were just waiting to be caught. Also, when the climax of the story came and the major problem that they were warning us about from the beginning was unleashed it was resolved in a simple way and therefore didn't feel as threatening as they wanted to sell it, although I understand that they wanted to lay the groundwork for the next part.

Leaving these details aside, I agree that this kdrama is pure entertainment, the fight scenes are very flashy and every time they unsheathed the swords had me in chokehold. I enjoyed the story and I think the job was well done, just maybe it could have been a bit better.

Would I recommend it? Of course I would, as long as you are a person who enjoys watching a kinda slow story build up.


(I think I’ve fallen in love with Lee Jae Wook)

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Shadow assassin lost her direction and purpose !!

I don’t write review for every k-drama i watch. But alchemy of souls is worthy of a review. I felt an itch and needed to get it off my chest.
Alchemy of souls is a blend of fantasy, action and romance with a historical backdrop. There is no historical fantasy k-drama closer to its level.

Although story is quite intriguing but can’t say it’s totally unique. There are many old tropes that are used in this drama. For instance, an assassin with a goal to avenge her family falling in love with her enemy is nothing new. Naksu lost her powers and had to rely on Jung uk to retrieve her powers back, but in the process she forget what her actual goal was. She kept pushing the ML to achieve his goal but lost her own way ! THAT was disappointing considering she was a total badass assassin. She became a character who lost her purpose and was left incomplete and unfulfilled.

Then comes our male lead with a broken past, Jung uk born under the kings star with prophecy to be world’s saviour and declared “special”. His past and identity crisis is used to make him get away with everything. It’s cool up to a certain point but when a character becomes too invincible, their journey becomes too predictable . Further naksu is the one who always gets him out of trouble.. her role was confined to that only.. Individually both characters had flaws but as a couple they complemented each other. Their chemistry is definitely something. Slow burn romance is more convincing. I enjoyed their bond as master and pupil but I didn’t thought it will last till the end and we will never get to see assassin naksu again.

Although the love square with mudok and three guys was alot to take in .Specially the crown prince falling for a servant was bit too much. However Yul’s past with naksu was touching and i felt every bit of his emotion. He silently protected her. I wish he had confronted naksu and told her that he know about her identity. I wonder why he stayed silent and never told her!!. I also don’t understand why she carried Yul’s whistle with her!!

My major disappointment is that naksu’s role was minimised. I was expecting more out of her character as an assassin since this was not romcom but an action fantasy drama. I wanted to see her more in action. Meanwhile male lead was overhyped by the writers with the saviour plot. Every superhero movie has the same plot “he is the saviour” and all.
Yul was introduced as a powerful and smartest mage yet his role was just that of a bystander as he knew everything about naksu but still did nothing!!! Mater Lee had better role to play than him. Crown prince unexpectedly became one of my favourite.
Music was good, “ just watching you” is my favourite track from the drama.

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A Must Watch

This is just a must watch. Probably the most engaging, fun, interesting fantasy Kdrama I have seen The actors are perfection - they casted perfectly and the visuals are stunning

Considering this is high fantasy the writing weaves in the fantastical elements fairly seamlessly. The plot is not difficult to follow - although when you watch it a second time back things make much more sense and it is almost like watching the show with an entirely new lens.

If you like high fantasy and enjoy an amazing plot and fun characters and just an amazing show, watch this! Will for sure be re-watching….for the 3rd time.

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unforgettable, historical, and well made kdrama drama series this 2022!! <3

After few months placed on my watchlist, and finally got the chance to watch this EPIC AND LEGENDARY kdrama, I finally deserve appreciation of how I got the chance to appreciate and GIVING LOVE to this drama!!! I loooooove alchemy of souls!! Even if I am far from how it got a trend throughout my fyp tiktok pages, and now I got the chance to watch it since its the summer break!! I do love the story, but even if I was taken a back because historical kdramas are not really my type of kdrama genre, but again this one was a great start (after my first historical kdrama series I've watched, Scarlet Heart Ryeo)!! I am too speechless with the ending, because of course I've been waiting for the whole episodes both season 1 and 2, and here I am watching all eps in 4 days and I have never regretted watching it throughout the whole series because of how unique and very special in a different way the storyline of the drama is!! Expect that this note would be pretty long, but I do hope this would make me remember the things that I do appreciate the love and support from the drama receives due to how the story makes it recognized by many kdrama fans, like me :p.

Now, I'll talk first in regards of the storyline and the plot, telling myself soon why I loved this drama and how *again* appreciated the existence of this drama, especially the writers who did so well with the drama, the cgi, the storyline and how it was written really well that blends with each and every scenes that makes it even more interesting and attracting.

STORYLINE/PLOT
So, the story mainly talks about a magic spell came from a crystal ball, the alchemy of souls (the name itself). Brining power and spirits that switches from one body to another through a soul. With that, from the plot itself, it was set in a fictional country, Daeho which connects to the young mages developing their growth and love as they overcome their challenges and difficulties in life finding the answer that they were looking for in related to the alchemy of soul, how it changes their life through the magic spell.

There we met Jang Uk, the young master of the Jang family who was born from his mother who was a mistress and involved by a scandalous birth that came from his father, who turned to be one of the soul shifters, involved through the magic of the alchemy of soul.

While looking for his destiny and finding the answers of where and how the historical image of his own family was destroyed due to his father and where it all started, there he met Naksu, who was a soul shifter and known as one of the most wanted elite assassin, whos soul is accidentally trapped inside from a weak body, Mu Deok, who turned to be one of Jang Uk's maid/servant from a powerful and noble family in the country. With that, as Jang Uk identifies the spirit inside Mu Deok, which is Naksu the elite assassin, there he declared and told her to be his master.

With that, they discover to learn the different spells and magic that holds deeper through a sword that brings power and strength from a magic occurred from a droplet of water. As Jang Uk and Mu Deok together discover slowly its mystery behind every questions ponders inside their head, until slowly they find its answer and changing their destiny, where their destiny is to be together and fighting for each and every answers they missed to understand. (end of the short summary)

So, I do love how the purpose of this drama was portrayed. From the story itself, it tells the meaning behind the beginning of the story, until slowly it shifts to the purposes of how and where it all began. Alchemy of Souls is one of the dramas that I do appreciate it the most, with the best storyline yet, the smooth ups and downs and unexpected twist and turns from the characters of their different scenarios and challenges they occur.

CAST AND CHARACTERS
Before I'll end this note, since there would be a season 2, I'll thank the cast who did so well with this drama.

Lee Jae Wook, you did so well! I love how he proved himself of how he has so much potential to enter different roles from his next future projects. Slowly I begin to be a fan from his kdramas ever since Extraordinary You (one of my favorite kdramas!) who has recognitions from his role as Baek Kyung <33 Jang Uk also deserves a good ending in the next season hehe :p and also, he might be *soon* the next hallyu stars in the kdrama industry in the future of how he was unforgettably known by many fans like me :p

Jung So Bin as Mu Deok, huhuhu she's the same as Lee Jae Wook, so much potential. Knowing her from the very first kdrama that I saw her from Because this is my first life as Yoon Ji Ho, gosh at the same time, she is so pretty and gorgeous! I'll miss her so much because of how she gives a big part of the first season as Mu Deok. Speaking of Mu Deok, I love her humor and how she strives to change her life discovering her mystery from her past life, I love her willingness to be part of their story with Jang Uk together <333

Hwang Min Hyun as Seo Yul, I liked him ever since I saw him from Live On (one of my favorite kdramas as well!) and he did great from his role as Seo Yul, I could say he's really skilled and gifted to be an actor, and an idol as well <333 He also gave himself and proved to have more potential entering roles soon that is far different and trying roles that he never had. Seo Yul is one of my favorite characters from the drama, he is willing to do anything for Mu Deok and his mate, Jang Uk as one of the mages in Daeho. Even if he encountered a one-sided love from Mu Deok, I do at least recognized Seo Yul how he was independent to himself. And I love him so much from the first season <33 Overall, Loving Hwang Min Hyun <333

Lastly, Shin Seung Ho as Prince Go Won. Shin Seung Ho was well known from the web series role A-Teen and 9-Teen which the very first encounter I saw him from his role. I love how he encountered roles from being the villain from Weak Hero Class 1 (also saw him from this drama) and he also proved to have so much potential!! Entering different roles that made him for me made special, I love and appreciate his effort and recognition as he entered the kdrama industry to be the actor. The Charming Prince from his role, I love the character development he made, where he makes different decisions in order to save his part and his encountered friends (like Jang Uk and Mudeok developing friendship even if not quite shown haha, especially their quarrels and little fights turned to chaotic haha). Shin Seung Ho, you deserve so much recognition as well <333

And to the other main and supporting casts like Yoo Joon Sang as Park Jin, Oh Na Ra as Maidservant Kim Do Ju, Yoo In So as Park Dang Gu and Arin as Jin Cho Yeon, they also did so well and take part of giving recognition from this drama <33 Love the casts from the bottom of my heart and soul, love how they take big part of this drama as well that made well known to many <333


Overall, really a great watch. Love how it never made me disappoint and hoping that season 2 would answer few questions ponder inside my head after the ending :')

A good watch, very recommended to beginners who wants to enter and discover historical drama series, great for binge watch as well!! Rewatchable too!! Love it <33

Looking forward to the casts next few roles in the future!! <333

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one of my top 10 drama

It is one of the top ten drama .Initially it was a bit boring then it started became more intresting. It was good drama. one of my fav scene is the first scene of GYJ as naksu she looks badass there. It is light hearted full of comedy acting is pretty good and their freindship is amazing . It is like anyother beautiful kdrama which has lots of intresting element with a mix of fantasy and different era. But I like season 2 better there is something about that season it hits differently like I feel more connecting to this. I can watch season 2 as many time possible that season is not as funny though as firat one also it only has 10 episode ... little disapointed with that but it is full emotions and felt those emotions as well whenever I watch season 2 it filled my heart with something Idk I just cant express it in world. Comedy is superficial while emotions are something that has deeper connection maybe thats why

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