Alchemy of Souls

환혼 ‧ Drama ‧ 2022
Ongoing 3/20
DP13
7 people found this review helpful
Jun 25, 2022
3 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

Breath of Fresh Air!!!

To start of I didn't really expected anything from this because it was a Sageuk (I don't know if it is one, because of the fantasy setting) but when I saw the trailer, I was like wow this is something new and started watching this. Five minutes in & I could already tell this drama will be my obsession for months.

I don't really write reviews but, i could not stop thinking about this one so i just started writing about it.

It really has everything a good fantasy drama should have like - Excellent VFX, Great Cast, Outstanding World Building, Chemistry between the Leads, Comedy, Bromance, Action, i can go all day about this but lets stop there.

The Cast really exceeded my expectation I was already a fan of Jung So Min, Hwang Min Hyun & Shin Seung Ho but Lee Jae Wook really took me by surprise there, like really great performance by him I'm fan now. Arin & Yoo In Soo are cherry on top , Arin's Visual & Yoo In Soo's Humor are on point.

This is your sign to start this drama early, so we obsess over this drama for coming months and not be ruined by spoilers.

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Dropped 8/20
Cayis
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 22, 2023
8 of 20 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

There's nothing wrong with this series, it's just not for me

Let me start by saying that I know this is one of everyone's favorite fantasy series, and there is nothing wrong with it.

Everything is good: the story, the cast, the acting, the locations, the costumes… The chemistry between the main couple is also undeniable.

So, why did a dropped it? I just think it wasn't for me, and it didn't keep my interest beyond chapter 8.

I guess my problem is more that I'm not interested in historical series, which surprised me because I thought I would love to learn a little about a culture so different from my own.

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Dropped 9/20
Cimthog
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 23, 2022
9 of 20 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 8.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5

How CGI Shines Spotlight on Alchemy of Souls

Alchemy of Souls will be the first Korean fantastical movie that I will be watching after a long while. Thing is, their poor CGI and Video effects tire me. However, the brilliant use of CGI in Alchemy of Souls stood out for me. From the first episode to the latest steaming on Netflix, there has been no boring time.

I like that the cinematography is clean. Much more so, how they are able to make the stunts and sorceries in the movie so believable. Like, the conjuring and the effects that come with it teleport me to a world of wonder which arrests my disbelief completely.

There are may scenes that highlight how they leverage technology to make the audience have a good cinematic experience that they always crave when it comes to spell-binding movies like this.

Like Naijabanquet analysis [in https://naijabanquet.com/alchemy-of-souls-review-how-cgi-shines-spotlight-on-the-kdrama-series/], The opening fight by the Lake side hints us about what is about to happen. Call it the tip of the iceberg. Much so, the computer generated images and 3D effects that we see during the soul shifting by Jang Gang and Mudeok arrests our attention.

I can go on and on to relate how CGI has kept me glued to this Kdrama series... I just hope that the script doesn't get watery along the way!

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Dropped 10/20
Kimwoobine
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 25, 2022
10 of 20 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Vite la suite

Que ce soit l'histoire, le casting, l'OST tout est parfait. Cette série est une des perles de l'année 2022 est comme Goblin, il fera parti des séries mémorable a retenir., à voir et à revoir sans modération. Tout en attendant les épisodes à venir , c'est avec un réel plaisir que je regarde à nouveau les épisodes. Les décors sont époustouflants, les habits , tout a été bien étudiés pour nous donner une magnifique série. J'ai hâte de voir comment la suite va se décanter. Vite la suite
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Dropped 10/20
Annabeth
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 20, 2022
10 of 20 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Alchemy of Souls

I like alchemy of souls because it has its own unique fantasy storyline. The drama and OST are very emotional and Romantic. All the players are still young, all the actors and actress are beautiful and handsome ❤️. This is also what makes me so excited when watching this drama. Hopefully the upcoming episodes 11 until 20 can be more exciting 🥰
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
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Ongoing 2/20
chinggerald
20 people found this review helpful
Jun 20, 2022
2 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10

I love #JungSomin's performance as #MuDeokYi

I watched the first 2 episodes of the drama and its amazing. I love all the characters and the casting is superb especially #JungSoMin who really knows how to make her audience laugh despite the tension of the plot. I'm so excited to watch the next episodes. Can't wait. This is a mixed genres drama fantasy, romance, comedy, mystery action packed. I highly recommend this drama to all as it is really good. I hope Knets can appreciate this drama just as we other races appreciated the work of Koreans
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Ongoing 4/20
devipriyaa
3 people found this review helpful
Jul 1, 2022
4 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Its a amazing story !

Wow i really loved it ....contains lot of humor....but i really feel bad for JangUk....Its a amazing story ! I really loved the ost ...... i can't wait for july 2 for next episode......i just now completed 4th episode ....main lead acting was awesome.....i couldn't find any age gap but she is 10 years older than him woww but she looks really young ....Lee jae wook him wowww i love him very muchhh ...................... ...................... Over all I really enjoyed it as it didn't get too depressing but was also consistent and had a lot of beautiful moments. I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to watch something soft and fuzzy but also with a plot that gradually progresses in a light and neat way....................... ......................

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Completed
Surya Surya
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 14, 2023
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

overall performance in this drama is perfect

very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very nice



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Completed
sezhu
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 7, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

must watch...

alchemy of souls...is an must watch drama....i started watching it because of main lead uk.....he played a second lead role in extra ordinary you......💜💜💜💜💜💜....so i really loved it........the second lead yul.....is very cute💖💖💖 i really pair....mu deok and jang uk.....buf also i cant wait to see jang uk and naksu.....best drama....with awsome story.....all characters are awsome.....editing and graphics also really awsome....사랑해요...낙수....우ㅋ....
i am really eager to wait "alchemy of souls: light and shadow".......
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Completed
VonnyLaunchbury
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 26, 2024
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Superb

I have already wrote a review for Alchemy of souls series 2 and my review is no different. A great series from start to finish and a great series for a follow up.
I love Lee jae wook. He is so masculine compared to a lot of South Korean actors.. No offence intended..
His visuals his vocals and his acting are perfect. All the male and female actors were fab. I know jung so min who played Mu deoki wasn't in series 2 which was a shame but if needs be. Thanks to the director
the production crew..scriptwriters for giving us a great series. ❤️
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Completed
Drama Addict
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 25, 2023
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Soul shifters and heart renders

The fictitious land of Daeho is dominated by two powerful groups of mages who are learned magicians: Cheonbugwan and Songrim. Cheonbugwan reports directly to the King. Songrim is a self-run organisation openly against the practice of sorcery, especially the soul shifters who are able to move from their bodies to dominate another. Soul shifting involves exchanging bodies, often with an unwilling younger person to prolong one's life and is an evil sorcery. Cheonbugwan claims a similar anti-sorcery stance but secretly rivals Songrim for power.

While running away from the pursuit of the Songrim mages, assassin Naksu finds herself soul shifted into the body of MuDeok and later becomes the maidservant of Jang Uk from a powerful elite family. Jang Uk knows that MuDeok is Naksu and uses this knowledge to blackmail her to help him lift a seal on his energy. The Jang Uk is the son of the Head of Cheonbugwan, who has been missing for 20 years but rumours goes that he is an illegitimate son from his mother's affairs.

King is plagued by the prophecy that a powerful King's Star mage would one day appears and is insecure about his position. There are dark powerful forces supporting the sorcerers and the people practicing it are in high places, who will make use of the King's and Crown Prince's insecurity. Even the Unanimous Assembly of mages is dominated by ambitious sect leaders who are secretly hoping to lay their hands on the Ice Stone which can make the soul shifting happens, while claiming to be righteous and anti-sorcery.

What I like about this drama:

a. This soul shifting story is original. There had been dramas based on soul of a person shifting to another - mostly as individuals unique cases. But this drama takes it to another dimension as a widely practised sorcery involving a cult of powerful men and women whose ambitions are to live forever and dominate the world.

b. The chemistry of the leading female character MuDeok (Jung So Min) with the first, second and third male leads is great.

c. The cast is outstanding and acted their parts well. To mention a few:
- Jung So Min - she was outstanding - whenever she was disgusted with Jang Uk, she would squint her eyes and glare at him which was often interesting to watch,
- Lee Jae Wook as the male lead - filled with a desire to break free from his bondage and to excel and at times temperamental and slackening,
- Hwang Min Hyun as the righteous mournful Seo Yul haunted by guilt,
- Shin Seung Ho as the disturbed Crown Prince knowing often that it is wrong but nevertheless unable to resist a selfish course of action.

d. Along the drama, there are a lot of secrets to be unveiled, identities to be confirmed, suspenseful moments and what would be Naksu's choices - make the story very interesting and attention gripping.

What I dislike about this drama:

a. The ending was open-ended. It takes another 10 episodes in a sequel to wrap this up. If I had watched this drama shortly after it was released, I would be cursing as the ending is so crap. But since the sequel is already released, I just hopped onto the sequel to figure out the ending.

Overall, I highly recommend this drama.

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Completed
yita
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2024
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

What can i say...

My ratings are already screaming my love for this show. First of all I'm not a fan of historical or fantasy dramas or i thought i wasn't, BUT THIS, this is something else. MU DEOKI, MU DEOKA or the actress in general so much in love with her. Her acting skills are just *chef kiss*. And please let me talk about my JANG UK baby he was funny af and we love him that way exactly.
The plot was amazing every character were very well written and all the episodes where full of entertenment with a hint of comedy and romance for the whole series which is absolutely great and... MY NAKSU BABY just killed it even tho she was a guest role. All the action scenes were so well directed the filming process was fantastic and even it was pretty long of a series (because 20 EP are quite too much and i generally watch 16 ep max so...) it was soo worth watching.

I reccomend this drama to people who love an entertaining and long show with lots of amazing main leads.

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Alchemy of Souls poster

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Statistics

  • Score: 9.1 (scored by 90,385 users)
  • Ranked: #35
  • Popularity: #20
  • Watchers: 174,301

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