Alchemy of Souls (2022)

Intricate world, great characters, unpredictable story, but pacing is inconsistent

WARNING: Don't watch this separately from part 2 if you can't handle sad endings, because it has a crazy angsty plot twist in the end akin to "red wedding" from GoT!

Other than that this drama has a great mix of genres - fantasy, drama, comedy, action. The world is intricately built, all characters are given enough time to introduce themselves and most lead characters have great character development. The plot is very complicated and twisted, with deliberate hints about late spoilers dropped for attentive watchers from early episodes. It will keep you hooked and guessing what will happen next without you actually being able to figure it out, so unpredictable it is.
However, in later half of the show for the sake of dragging it out to 20 episodes the plot started to stall and meander around the issues with no real resolutions until the last two episodes, where everything was dumped on the audience - a common problem of many kdramas that just have no sense of pace and don't know how to end themselves properly. Some sub-plots especially took an egregious amount of screen time, like that "fake Bu-Yeon" plot. The ending was shocking for sheer shock value with lots of unresolved dangling loose ends. The sins of FL, who's occupying the body of an innocent girl, finally caught up with her in the end, but said innocent girl was done dirty, she didn't deserve any of this. In any case, stay tuned for part 2 to see the real ending, they're not done yet.

The cast did a stellar job at portraying their characters. Special props for FL who played a difficult 3 in 1 role.

OST and production value of this drama are also through the roof.

Overall, an 8.5. A very solid and unique kind of drama. But I can't give it a higher score in good conscience because of the problems with the plot I highlighted above.

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Fantasy with a lot happening, but why?

This show is a strange beast, because a lot happens in it, but it seems like less would be more in this case.
First, THE STORY:
1. This is distinctly a fantasy show, and there is a lot of world-building that is happening -- maybe too much. Not sure if this is a translation issue (though I do not think that is the case), but a lot of elements are introduced that appear extraneous and distract from the main plot. The confusing bit is that the viewer does not know which part will be important; at first I tried to keep track of the terms and ideas, but after a few episodes I let go of that and just let the plot develop without really trying to follow it too closely; that helped.
The story tries to establish that the main character is "extraordinary" because he manages to learn skills faster than others; this may have been impressive, except it is not clear what those skills really are or how he actually mastered them (the whole catching the fish thing was so unclear -- was it cheating? what did he actually learn in order to do it?). It felt a little like someone telling you that a song was the most beautiful ever written and expecting you to absolutely love it without hearing it or any other song ever.
2. I know this is asking a lot (and I am not being facetious -- it really is asking a lot for a complicated story over 20 episodes), but the "reality" of actions and reactions is tenuous. E.g., the female of the Four Seasons virtually sends the female lead to her death, and yet not only are there no real consequences for her, but also the audience is made to quickly get over and forget it.
3. Finally, the romantic tension. Don't get me wrong: The actors do a very good job interacting, but (related to point #1), at some point I lost track of what the heroine said she would do once she regained her powers and why (and I kind of stopped caring about the specifics). There will need to be a decision? or something? that will force the characters to separate? But is that something they can decide to do? Or something they would absolutely need to do? Something like that. Right now, it just feels like it's some kind of internal struggle thing for the heroine, but it feels like nonsense.
Regarding the ACTING, as stated, it's generally good.
The MUSIC is OK.
There are only two episodes to go, and I will absolutely watch them, but I do not consider those 20 hours well spent and cannot in good conscience recommend that others watch the show. Which is a shame.

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It's not how you start it's how you finish

I don't know what happened in the finale but they just decided to jump off a cliff, I found myself losing interest in the finale with all the filler information, to then in the last 15 minutes run rampant. You cant say it is a cliff hanger because the new series appears to be a prequel with Naksu instead of Bu Yeon. So it just begs the question what were they thinking ? Were they going to fill in the blanks or expect the audience create their own story? The ending just left a bad taste in my mouth, I cant say I watch many historical or fantasy KDramas but I cant say I would tune in for part 2

The acting was great, Jin Mu does well to make you hate him, the 3 love stories of the young, mature and older loves were fantastic, the chemistry was great, i found myself laughing numerous times, the battles were nice as well. You find yourself wanting to believe in those charcters and the story, to only find yourself disappointed with none of those plot lines coming to a close. I suppose they would of had that in mind leaving it as an open ending.

I may be wrong and this is a review of the halfway point but im not going to stay tuned to be potentially let down with the same situation at the end of part 2

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An Epic Fantasy Romance for the Ages

Alchemy of Souls has been well-written, amazingly acted, wonderfully directed, gorgeously scored. The cinematography was beyond beautiful and the CGIs could be envied by Hollywood blockbusters with 200 million budgets.

The Hong sisters have shown the world how to write an epic tragic romance for the ages with a satisfying ending of season 1 - there is sadness and love and hope for the future that Wook and Naksu will find each other again with a second chance at love and life.

The story perfectly captures the meaning and message of trans-migratory stories - that true love sees past the trappings of one’s body and that the person who loves you will love you regardless of your appearance. The Hong Sisters understood the assignment. This is the opposite of the awful Mr. Queen final which ruined the whole drama and made no sense whatsoever.

It's been a complex, poignant story with multi-layered characters, a story about a love that overcomes death; the eternal struggle between good and evil; people overcoming their flaws and obstacles in life; about never giving up and trying even when everything seems lost; about friendship, hate, envy, happiness, loss; about finding one's purpose in life and place in the world; about losing it and finding it again,... and it's to be continued...
Episode 20 is, in fact, just an incredible mid-season finale, the story hasn't ended in any way. One stage of the characters' journey is over, another begins. The story continues.

Jung So Min has been sublime as Mu-deok/Naksu/Yeong/Bu-yeon, hers has been a legendary performance. It's so sad to see her go but Go Yoon-Jung has been incredible as Naksu in episode 1 so it will be exciting to watch her resume her role.

See you in December...

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Worthy of being one of the top Kdramas of the year! :)

WOW! What a ride! If you love historical romance, fantasy, and action, this is the PERFECT show for you!!

AoS is an incredible show that takes you through a series of thrilling action, good character development, great plot, and fantastic cinematography! (Plus, the OSTs are AMAZING!! And when the OSTs are good, that's when you know the show is good too ?)

I took an interest in the show because of the strong, powerful Naksu that I was expecting. Although it doesn't quite turn out that way, her character development during the journey of the show has been incredible. Also, props to Jung So Min for her acting! She had to act two different characters who are in the same body, which cannot be easy. She did such a great job a portraying the emotions and actions of both Jin Bu Yeon and Naksu. In general, the cast of the show did a fantastic job at depicting their character's feelings, intentions, actions, and everything all with great chemistry. I will admit that there are some plot holes, but I did not feel like it took away from the story at all. The story was interesting (I mean we're talking about soul shifting here ?) and took us on a great journey in Daeho. Thank you the director, writers, and cast for bringing this show to life!

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the show. Can't wait for Season 2!!

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After Hwayugi, the Hong sisters are back with another great fantasy drama…. Too bad i have to wait a few more months for its continuation. This drama was absolutely EPIC… great plot, directing, special effects, acting, although I am not the biggest fan of Jung so-Min because of her usually rather limited facial expressions (to me)… which is why I won’t be too bothered if she has another body swap in the next series… ;)
Lee Jae wook is just outstanding here. And compensâtes for her in my opinionThey have been so wise to cast him as the ML despite his limited experience at the time ….

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Power or Love In This Epic Fantasy Series!

First of all, I must say that Season 2 cannot get here fast enough! When the last episode ended, I literally groaned that I had to wait but was actually thrilled that this story was going to continue. Such a lush and beautiful story is too good to end here.

Once again, the Koreans continue to prove why they are the most proficient storytellers in the world in film and television. I’ve been trying to think of another fantasy series that was heartfelt and full of luscious characters like this one. The “Lord of the Rings” film series is the only other one that comes to mind. That tells me just how incredible this series has been. And what makes this series soar is that it is story and character-driven. While it has some incredible special effects, they only enhance the core, which is what is supposed to happen in high-quality story-telling.

In a fictional kingdom populated by mages, we have a power struggle going on to possess the “ice stone,” a stone of magic that can bring people back from the dead. Of course, anyone who seeks immortality would have a strong desire to possess such a relic. There is also a differentiation between magic and sorcery. Sorcery is forbidden magic that goes against nature itself. And one of the main devices of sorcery is soul-shifting. This means that a person dies but shifts their soul into another body. In some cases, soul-shifting can also mean trading bodies. This, of course, is forbidden magic.

At the center of the story is Naksu, an infamous soul assassin who was hunted down by the mages of the kingdom. Mortally wounded, she is able to soul-shift into another body and take her identity; the identity of Mu Deok. However, because of her new body, she has no access to her energy in order to perform magic. In short, she’s a regular person. However, her drive and desire to reacquire her energy and carry out her threat of killing those responsible for the deaths of her family members, is still very much at the forefront of her mind.

We then have Jang Uk, a somewhat spoiled and lazy young man who is supposed to be learning various forms of magic, despite also being cut off from his energy due to an edict from his father. He’s given no reason why, and so he spends much of his time lazing around and doing nothing until Mu Deok shows up and gets a job as his maid. However, it doesn’t take Jang Uk long to realize Mu Deok’s true identity, and he asks that she train him and become his master.

One of the central themes of this story is what is more important? Power or Love? It’s ironic that most people find love to be a weakness. What they fail to realize is that power without love IS weakness. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. This is something that Mu Deok must face and decide, which becomes an important factor when she is ultimately forced to decide what she wants: her power back or Jang Uk.

The settings created for this series are absolutely incredible. I have to believe that most of the fictional towns are sets, and they are elaborate enough to rival any major film project.

There are so many amazing performances in this series, that it is incredibly difficult to pick one that stands out from the rest. Lee Jae Wook (Jang Uk) and Jung So Min (Mu Deok) are absolutely fantastic and they have great chemistry together. One of my personal favorites was Kim Do Ju (Maidservant Kim) who was too exquisite for words. She is such a lovely woman, and her performance really stood out for me. However, the performance of Jo Jae Yoon as the villainous Jin Mu was captivating, to say the least. More often than not, a story is only as good as its villain. Imagine Star Wars without Darth Vader or Lord of the Rings without Sauron. They just don’t work nearly as well, and Jo Jae Yoon gives a stellar performance as the villain behind the throne; the man pulling all of the strings. I’ve seen Jo Jae Yoon once before in “Descendants of the Sun,” but this role feels like it was tailor-made for him. He’s deliciously evil and corrupt with little smirks that make you want to hit him. What makes his performance so grand is that he never plays Jin Mu in an over-the-top way. We have no angry outbursts or rage-filled speeches. He’s calm, level-headed, and far brighter than people give him credit for.

Of course, as with so many Korean series, we have moments of love, humor, inspiration, and even wisdom. Koreans are masters of character. They are always multi-leveled and multi-dimensional, much like real people.

The fight scenes are all well-choreographed. Some of which reminded me a little of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I also like that they explain the magic. Robert Jordan, who wrote one of the most epic fantasy series of all time in his “Wheel of Time” series, is considered to have explained the science of his magic better than any writer ever. But Alchemy of Souls comes really close as we learn how magic and energy are used.

This series is grand on an epic scale. Even a 20-episode series with each episode at an average of 75 minutes went by at a clip because I was so vested in the show. As I stated before, I cannot wait until the next series comes out. They ended things on a great cliffhanger that made me keep looking at the clock and going, “Oh, no! It’s almost over!” Yeah, I didn’t want it to end. For me, this is one of the best fantasy series I have ever seen, and frankly, it was the central theme of love and power that kept me coming back for more. And yes, I can’t wait for more!

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GOOD FANTASY IS FINALLY BACK!! THE HONG SISTERS DID IT AGAIN!!

I officially got into k-dramas because of fantasy dramas. It has since always been my favourite genre, although I haven't finished any good one in a while now. I keep starting so many in hopes of finding a good fantasy that keeps me glued but just end up putting them on hold soon after. But this. JUST WOW!!! The story, the actors, the chemistry, the visuals, the aesthetics, the set, the music!!! I am just so obsessed with everything in Alchemy of Souls.

I did not start it immediately cos I was in a drama slump (again, I keep getting into slumps and my currently watching lists is reaching astronomical heights) and I think this actually helped me enjoy it even more. Binging it was so much fun, I haven’t stayed up this late clicking next episode in a long time.

I loved how it was historical but somehow modern as well. The language was a bit more graspable, the interactions were flowing and so were the overall dialogues. Like it was not your usual historical drama, and that was not just because it was a fantasy as well. The two usually distinct genres really fused together. The humour and comedy were also never really out of place, even in the most serious of scenes I never felt annoyed by the little silly moments (do we want to talk about Uk and the crown prince’s exchanging stares, they are always so effortlessly cute and funny. Also Park Jin with Kim Doju and Master Lee, what a love triangle. Park Jin and Jin Mu fighting over honey biscuits had me rolling on the bed). Like, I promise, you are not going to get bored one moment haha. But again that’s me but give it a chance.

The actors were amazing in delivering their characters. Usually with ensemble casts you have big expectations but not all the time your hopes are fulfilled. Our main leads were a group of talented actors, new and established, and I can say that I am so happy for them and how hard they worked. Seeing their hard work being paid by a second season within the end of the year just proves how much the story and their acting wowed the audiences. I am so proud of Lee Jae Wook btw. He has come so far since Extraordinary You and I’ve been watching and waiting for him from almost three year now. I prayed for a role like this for him so bad!!! I’m so glad this worked out for him. Can’t imagine a better Jang Uk. (Also are we ready for badass Jang Uk? The teaser better make him justice in season 2)

The individual stories of each character and how they were presented was really catching. After 20 episodes I know why they are the way they are and why they have been key in the story building process. Jang Uk, Seo Yul and Park Dang Gu have my heart!! Even the crown prince to be completely honest. The women of this drama woah!! Strong, elegant and resolute. Like I enjoyed this drama so much that I don’t actually hate any character. Like okay, maybe I dislike a few for obvious reasons, but the comedy made up for that. Also where can I find these honey biscuits? Like they were the main character.

The only little downside was Nak Su. It was a bit disappointing how she transformed into Mu Deok by the end. Like yes, she did not have powers anymore but somehow she just became more gullible. It’s like they were two different people. Like Nak Su’s soul was in her but it was Mu Deok who was controlling it which was one my theories as well. And with the Jin Bu Yeon twist they did to some extent make sense into that aspect. This is why I am excited for Go Yoon Jung being back as she added the essence and life into the original Nak Su. I am happy with how Nak Su/Mu Deok/Bu Yeon fused in Jung So Min but I crave more of that badass Go Yoon Jung Nak Su.

A lot of people consider this an overrated drama, and I can admit myself that until a few days ago I could have thought so too. When the final episodes aired I was at around episode 13 and thought that yes, I am loving it so far but is it actually going to live up to all the love I am currently feeling? And you know what, it did. I feel like the last 10 episodes really did it for me. Honestly you could not really stop at any point. Like at at around Hal dramas i start feeling bored because of the usual politics and power plays but not this time. While in the first half we were slowly flowing and building the momentum, the second half really showed so many important and necessary developments. Some dramas play their cards too early on, and it leaves boring episodes by the end where unnecessary subplots are added and are mostly just filler episodes. In here, although there were so many characters, there were subplots but they were somehow expected and everyone was waiting for those secrets to be out and put the final puzzle together. Like for a 20 episodes drama which was averagely more than an hour long they really managed to wow me.

I loved how between the last two episodes there were moments of calm before the ending. We knew it was going to one hell of a ending. Explosive. And that teaser at the end!! Are you kidding me!? How am I supposed to wait until December? Thank God I am going back to uni otherwise the wait would have killed me. I think I’ll just rewatch it (which from me is a big statement, because I never rewatch dramas)

I know that some people might feel disappointed by what will happen or not with Jung So Min but I am sure the writers have something good in store for us. The original Nak Su impressed me so much with her strong personality so I am very excited about Go Yoon Jung returning as Nak Su. It’s going to be just 10 episodes and from the teaser I am expecting a rather fast paced plot, which is honestly required at this point of the story. I hope Seo Yul finds his happiness, he was truly the scene stealer for me.

Rather than a review this was more like a rant to myself. I do understand the reasons many people might not like this but personally for me their points are exactly why I enjoyed this. I am just happy many people, just like me, loved and enjoyed the characters’ journey and the story. That is all that matters at the end. We are all different and have opinions but at the end of the day what matters is if the drama made you feel something.

Thanks for reading this messy train of thoughts!! Season 2!! DECEMBER COME FASTER!!

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A rare and FANTASTIC drama

Wow. AOS is truly, truly the most spectacular production I've seen in a while, especially from a rather dry K-Drama scene on the action romance side of things.

First off, I just want to applaud the Hong Sisters for crafting yet another masterpiece-- Hotel Del Luna was a huge disappointment to me writing, acting, and directing-wise, and I just feel like they made all the right moves with Alchemy of Souls. Not to stir up a fanwar, but Alchemy of Souls turned out to be the Hong Sisters' high-profile magnum opus that I thought HDL was supposed to be. And I couldn't be happier that it was a sageuk-style HIGH FANTASY! I have not seen this level of tight-pacing, enticing plot lines, affectionate characters, and balanced humor in a LONG TIME. And to top it all off, there's wonderfully appropriate acting levels here, as well as glorious CGI and art direction. I haven't seen a project so committed to a sense of epic grandeur since Moon Lovers (and say what you will about ML's plot, but the production was breathtaking).

Next, I would like to talk about how satisfied I am with the casting and acting. Not every single performer was a standout, but GOD I love Jung Somin. Truly, it's a relief they casted a veteran actress who's able to hold all the bubbling and conflicting emotions of Mudeok, Naksu, and Buyeong altogether. She has considerable depth, range, and truly immerses herself into her character in a way that is hard to find amongst seas of wannabe-starlets. The other standout performance I would like to name is Hwang Min-Hyun, who genuinely surprised me. Perhaps the character of Yul was so perfectly-written for him, or else he's talent that no one had recognized before. I had my doubts about yet another it-boy idol actor, but his calm tenderness and quiet strength are so delicately delivered. And man-- what GOT me was that teary-eyed stare he always held at Mudeok. His pitiful looks of longing were insane, I'd think he was actually hopelessly lost in a first love if I didn't know any better. 10/10 for him.

Now for my favorite part -- the creative decisions. I won't be reviewing the plot, because it's honestly a scaffolding that holds up everything else that makes this production great. First off, the lore is incredibly refreshing, as they've decided to go full high fantasy rather than historical fantasy, but still reserved some sageuk-style embellishments for the sake of genre stability -- very Tolkien style with an Asian twist. Going full fantasy allows them to write their own tales, to make their own rules and conventions-- even if they are inspired by Confucian civilization and existing superstition.

The next thing I would like to praise is actually how skilled the writing and execution is format-wise. What bumped it from a 9 to a 9.5 was solely the fact that they very cleanly wrapped up a lot in Part One, but set up SO much for Part Two, with the brave decision to have two separate female leads (especially in a romance!). I think what the Hong Sisters did SO right this time was, rather than center the story around lovers, to center the story around HEROES that are in love. The romance is there, but its not what everything hinges on. And before Uk and Mudeok are lovers, they share bonds of so many different dimensions: master and student, master and maid, savior and executioner. It's a fondness that is deeper that attraction -- it's respect, affection, survival.

And boy oh boy, I am PUMPED for the upped stakes of Part Two, especially with the return of Naksu via Go Yoon Jung. I'm counting on Jung Somin staying on to play her part as Jin Buyeon, because it would be a complete disappointment to see AOS without her incredible performance.

In terms of why I didn't give it a 10, I reserve that for my absolute favorite dramas that move me deeply (make me laugh and cry), so that's usually for more slice of life ones and so forth...but this drama makes me VERY optimistic for the future of Korean cinematic fantasy, all wrapped up in the Hong Sisters' satisfying writing. Yes, it can get a little predictable and some plot points seem a little too convenient, but that's what a fun story is all about! And honestly, the grim suspense and "realistic" tragedy that dominates television these days that was once a refreshing defiance against happy endings has become a tired and trite convention that just feels like a carrot on a stick these days. I'll gladly take happy endings (hopefully!!!)

Also, I think a whole star of my rating needs to be devoted to (1) the ambiguously lovable crown prince who is a fantastically confounding character and (2) the classical version of Oh My Girl's Nonstop-- it's gave Korean Bridgerton, and I mean that in the best possible way...

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I watched this drama for the main lead Jang Uk, but fell for all 4 charming princes. the story was very good, the acting and CGI were also good. this might be a bit lagging for those who watched all the episodes at once. but I didn't experience any inconvenience. I loved it!!!! Can't wait for the next season and can't wait to see how the story enfolds.

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Got more than I bargained for

This K-drama took me by surprise, as I didn;t think i would be so invested with it, but it turns out really good.

Such a well-made drama with mind-blowing plot development and intriguing elements. If more of such dramas are made in Korea in future,
◽ The characters’ personalities and the chemistry between them. The variety of amazing interactions we’ve got depending on who was on screen was perfect.
The production quality. This show is simply beautiful. I have no complaints about CGI either, which is a surprise, since I always complain about some details related to it.
◽ The acting from the majority (but not the whole) cast.

I feel like the drama overall failed its female characters. They failed at setting it up in an interesting way and failed to show how connected it is to everything happening. Which is sad, because from the few scenes we have seen with Jin Bu Yeon, she seemed like an extremely strong, brave and worth watching character.

Overall : It was a nice paced out drama, not sure if I could do a rewatch of it, but we will see

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