Alchemy of Souls is everything a fantasy story should be (plus some)
I am a lover of fantasy in pretty much all forms of media but wasn't sure I wanted to start such a long on-air drama, especially since it was going to be split into two seasons. After all, how much story is there to tell in that genre that hasn't been done before? I am so glad I did. Alchemy of Souls (AoS) does just about everything right; from successfully portraying complex morally grey characters, to creating a detailed but digestible fantasy background.Every character in this drama has serious flaws (don't we all), but the audience gets to grow with them as the story progresses. It is so seamless and unforced, that you don't even realize how much the characters have developed until they are confronted by one of their original weaknesses (ie-Naksu constantly being presented with opportunities to *unalive* people). The actors have such amazing chemistry together and are giving impeccable performances, allowing these characters to have so much depth and personality that you're constantly hypnotized regardless of the plot. In writing it can be easy to rely on either the characters *or* the plot, especially when in a fantasy narrative. However, here we have a truly seamless blend, where it feels like each is just as important as the other.
The characters have to make choices that give you pause, thinking about what you would do if you were there; there is often not a black and white "good versus evil" choice. The prime example of this is Naksu's whole ~body~ situation; we all kind of want her to stay as we know her, but is that really the "right" choice? Or even the main ~romance~ storyline; seeing their relationship develop, and how well they mature and get to know each other. They are both often forced to give pause and think about what they want, versus how it will impact the other. In my personal opinion, this kind of moral complexity, the kind that is so subtle but forces the audience to subconsciously engage with the story on a deeper level, is the trademark of good storytelling. And while this isn't especially easy to achieve in novel form, I think it is much more difficult to portray on television, when you can just *show* people what they are supposed to think. AoS does an amazing job with this.
"People can be very foolish.” – Crown Prince
“They are not foolish. They are frightened.” – Jang Uk
I love myself a good fantasy novel or movie, but so often it can be intimidating to even understand what is happening due to all the lore; AoS definitely has a lot of this to catch up on, but they spread out a lot of the lore through the story. Uk's character is especially good for this; he grew up in the world but was constantly shut out from truly understanding it. The audience gets to learn about the important details as he does. Side note, I love the incorporation of modern fashion in the character designs. It brings new life to the historically inspired fantasy style, and I think it makes the whole world feel quite fresh and engaging, without trying too hard. Despite the length of episodes, I find myself very rarely skipping through scenes (I'm looking at you, So-Yi).
I definitely think this is a drama that is truly elite to watch while airing, as the world is so new that the excitement and suspense can really be felt as it is quite unpredictable. It is not without its flaws or plot holes, but it is rare to find a drama (especially one this long) that feels so fresh and exciting, that you don't even think about hitting that "skip ahead" button. I certainly see myself rewatching this later in preparation for Season 2... I won't lie, as a fan of the Hong Sister's previous dramas, I am getting a bit nervous about this ending...so I decided to write the review before I potentially cried over this story, hah!
“Some things are hard to see because they are hidden, not because they do not exist.” – Jang Uk
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Superb But Could Have Been Tighter
This series has moments of magical charm along with lead actors to love who know how to create characters the audience will enjoy and care deeply about, and also has a fine director. I like the series very much, and it's on my favorites list. The Hong Sisters are among the best writers, it's a great story line, and the cast is outstanding—often heartbreaking and often hilarious. I will definitely be front and center for the sequel. But I do think it is overly long: 20 eps that are really more like 24 since they are extended. I found that tiring and thought many of the secondary plots and scenes could have been cut. But it's a great series and worth the time spent. That ending is amazing, and I didn't see it coming.Was this review helpful to you?
Oh my goodness, this was so good.
I really enjoyed watching this drama. I mean wow... The storyline is perfect. I will be wondering sometimes if soul switching is real, we a lot of people act strange in public. Lee Jae Wook (Jang Uk), and Jung So Min (Mu Deok) played the two main leads and both were awesome. I loved their characters. Hwang Min Hyun (Seo Yul), the main actor played his heart out and I loved his way of portraying his character. Shin Seung Ho (Go Won), Yoo Joon Sang (Park Jin), and Oh Na Ra (Kim Do Ju) are the three main leads who played some powerful characters who had to lead this that, and the other characters. All the other supporting actors/actresses did just as well. I loved the story, the storyline was crazy and interesting. The costumes, the visuals, the fantasy, all of it was perfect. Thank you!Was this review helpful to you?
Fantasy Joseon Wuxia Hogwarts
AoS is a fantasy Kdrama which brings together elements from my most beloved fantasy genres. I saw influences from the world of Harry Potter, WuXia and Korean mythology. All these elements have been amalgamated into a delicious new flavour, which was an absolute delight to watch. At the same time, the show truly retains all the characteristics we love about kdramas.AoS brought together a stellar cast with talents of all ages. Lee Jae Wook has been a wonderful actor ever since his first project, but he truly shines as Jang Uk. Jang Uk is impossible not to love, and you root for him all the way through the show. Jeon Seo Min has done well in her role of Mu Deok, and her experience did help the show. The other young actors have also created absolutely lovable people to watch on screen. The surprise for most of us was the character of the Crown Prince who became a crowd favourite very quickly. Hwang Min Hyun’s action scenes as Seo Yul were a delight to watch. As much as I talk about the young actors as they’ve led the main roles, the older, more experienced actors add density to the show with their performance.
The CGI and fantasy elements are handled well. Although the action sequences were not many, whatever they did add was done beautifully. The music works to amplify the emotions in the show. The costumes are nice, although I did have a problem with the FL’s costumes. They seemed to be made for comedic effect but it started getting annoying after a few episodes. But everyone else looks regal.
The only thing to complain about would be the pace, which is slowed down because of the 30 episode format with two seasons. In my opinion, making it a 24 episode show in one season would have helped the pacing. There are also controversies around the FL changing in S2 which is difficult to judge right now since we’re so used to JSM playing Mu Deok. We will have to wait and see if the show manages the transition well.
In a nutshell, watch the show, it's a beautiful representation of the fantasy kdrama genre.
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Though Fantasy , Human emotions are the same !!
This series has all the important genres: Romance , Action, Comedy, and Mystery.Well made series and writers have given through thought to each character.
Acting is amazing by all the characters and supporting characters as well !!
Though it has fantasy elements, human emotions are the same at the end and everything was perfect till 19.
However Ep20 is not that well thought, all powerful ones who controlled icestones get manipulated easily and importantly there was no clue about it in first 30 hrs or so. Last 20 min is done in a hurried manner.
Overall satisfying series in 2022, could have made with better ending !!
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A MUST WATCH!!
This is a MUST-WATCH Kdrama!! Every episode gets more and more interesting and gripping (I’ve binge-watched until Epi 18! ><.. update: now completed!)I’m not one who fancies Korean fantasy dramas, I don’t really care for goblins/ magic etc.. I didn’t finish Goblin, Tale of the Nine Tailed, Korean Odyssey... but this one has captured my undivided attention!!! :):):)
The storyline is riveting, each episode gets better and better, and the character development is so good! It probably reminds me of The Lord of the Rings (there’s one scene where all the mages were arguing about the Ice stone, it’s like when they were arguing what to do with the One Ring).
The only small dissatisfaction I have is the FL Jung So Min. As Mudeok she is fine (which is her primary role) but as the Shadow Assassin she doesn’t quite pull it off. Even with her serious trying-to-be-ruthless expressions, mehhh, it didn’t quite cut it for me. However, she pulled it off quite well for the final episode. Every other cast member was fantastic!! I especially love the love triangles!! 🤣❤️
A definite on your watchlist!!
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How can anyone not like this show ?
I dont care what anyone says, this is the best kdrama of 2022, and maybe even 2020 to now. Every episode had me on edge, the different characters, their development, depth and pacing of the story was just brilliant. Of course this show propelled Jung So Min to new found fame, and rightly so. Her performance in this should win whatever lead awards of the korean tv industry. Im planning to rewatch this before the sequel comes out on 10th december. A great series which has been quite innovative in the overused storylines and tropes of kdramas. I give this a 10/10, special effects, CGI, acting, OST music are all on point!Was this review helpful to you?
The most annoying thing is the passing. For example, you have 1 scene in which the story is progressing and the rest of the episode is just a filler. Up until ep 12, I was a bit bored. It could work with half the episodes. Also, I didn't like the many pairs. Some was completely unnecessary. And the love triangle didn't make sense. With everything happening, does anyone care who love who? I surely don't. All in all, I believe this drama contains a lot of things and it isn't clear if they are necessary. It is a bit confusing.
It is a promising drama. If it had a bit tighter plot, less elements and less comedy, it would be better. And I think two seasons is too much. If had better passing, they could fit everything in the 20 episodes of 1+ hour.
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This review may contain spoilers
Thoroughly enjoyable 1st season
From the very first episode, Alchemy of Souls had me hooked. The intricate lore, the unique world-building, and the promise of an epic hero’s journey immediately piqued my interest. Jang Uk’s path, riddled with obstacles and destiny-driven struggles, was something I was excited to watch unfold.One of the standout elements for me was the relationship between Jang Uk and Mu-deok. Right from the start, their dynamic was refreshing—built on trust, understanding, and an easy camaraderie. The scene where Jang Uk falls sick after receiving an immense energy boost and Mu-deok tends to him was particularly striking. Up until that point, there hadn’t been any explicitly intimate moments between them, yet this scene carried an unspoken depth, making it feel as if they had known each other forever. Their relationship was a highlight, and I only wish the series had given them even more screen time together.
Apart from Jang Uk and Mu-deok, I also enjoyed Mu-deok’s interactions with the Crown Prince. Their witty banter added a layer of charm to the show. On the other hand, I felt that some of the relationships between the younger characters took up more screen time than necessary. While I thoroughly enjoyed the older couples’ scenes, I would have preferred a greater focus on the main leads.
The hero’s journey aspect, which was the biggest draw for me, felt somewhat underwhelming by the end. While Jang Uk’s rise was satisfying to watch, I wished there had been more of his personal growth throughout the series. Similarly, Mu-deok’s character, despite being immensely powerful in her past life, was often relegated to the role of a mere maid. It would have been more fulfilling to see her take on a more active role in shaping events.
For the most part, the show felt like a breeze to watch, especially up until the first 15 episodes. The pacing was engaging, and the mix of action, humor, and romance kept me invested. However, the last few episodes were not as enjoyable. The storytelling felt a bit rushed, and some plot developments were not as satisfying as the earlier parts of the series.
That being said, the show excelled in many areas. The actors delivered stellar performances, the cinematography was stunning, and the visual effects—especially in the action sequences—were quite impressive. The humor was well-placed, providing a balance to the intense moments. However, I personally would have liked to see more romantic moments between Jang Uk and Mu-deok.
The ending left me with mixed feelings. Jang Uk’s literal rise from the ashes was one of the coolest moments in the entire season, and it was a fitting culmination of his struggles. However, Mu-deok’s abrupt downfall felt unfair, especially since she wasn’t fully conscious during those final moments. I wish the show had dedicated more time to her and Jang Uk in that critical scene where she stabbed him—it felt rushed considering their journey together.
Overall, Alchemy of Souls Season 1 was an engaging and visually captivating show with strong performances and a fascinating world. While some elements could have been developed further, it still delivered a compelling story. Now, as I move on to Season 2, I’m eager to see how the story unfolds from here.
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Even a kdrama hater will love this show!
To be honest, I’m not very big on watching kdramas, especially when they are over 16 episodes. Most of the time I never even finish the full 16 and just stop watching altogether. However, this show was not the case!I remember starting to watch this a while back and even though I did enjoy it, I only managed to watch up until episode 14 before forgetting that I was watching it. I later went to watch other dramas and didn’t bother coming back to watch it for a long time.
It was then that I managed to convince my sister (who has never seen a k drama in her life and refuses to watch them) to watch this entire series from start to finish.
I must say, it was definitely worth finishing! This is probably one of the best written k dramas I’ve watched, not to mention the amount of effort put into the sets must have been crazy. For both me (a person who doesn’t usually finish kdramas) and my sister (a kdrama hater) to completely binge watch a show, I would consider it to be nothing short of a masterpiece!
I honestly cannot recommend this enough! I can’t wait to rewatch this show over and over again :D
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2022's Ace
I initially knew about AOS since long time, but it never interests me because the actors and actresses were mainly rookies except for JSM, but then the second season came out and then I was like, "If there is a second season then that means the first season is good right?" so I gave it a go. IT WAS VERY GOOD.I am a character driven type of a person more than plot driven ones, and this drama served it to me in gold platter. Naksu opened the character with her intense battle and mysterious aura, paving the way into the drama's center plot. We are curious about this person. Mudeok is another interesting character, because it's supposed to be a 'fake' character. JSM played Mudeok very well, her expressions are so funny! It's just sometimes I see her playful kiss character flashing in Mudeok (?) so it kinda bothers me in a way, but I think it's not that prominent so it's fine.
LJW's Jang Uk is literally perfect. Jang Uk is the driving force in this drama, I think. His characterization is fleshed out perfectly and consistently throughout the season. Spoiled, repressed, lonely, innocent and deeply loving, it's hard not to empathize with him.
The supporting characters are all so good and very strongly fleshed out, no one is a stone faced NPC, everyone took part in the big picture of the drama.
Cinematography, CGI, coloring, wardrobe, soundtracks, the drama lines are all exceptional. You may find plot holes, but some will be solved in Season 2. Overall, it was very fun and entertaining and emotionally rollercoastered me into the finale, and built a strong foundation for a next season.
I would highly recommend this if you like a historical fantasy genre, or if you like angst with comedy, in general.
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Excellent
Can't go wrong with a good action period drama and The Alchemy of Souls is no exception. Everything about this series is binge worthy to the point I didn't want it to end so I hesitated until I found out there's a S2 in the works! That alone should prove it's an all around thrilling experience. From the visuals to the action, it all hits hard and every character brings their own spice. You'll find some classic actors, some K-Pop idols and some fresh new faces to bring it all together.Highly recommend to anyone looking for good plot twists, bad guys you love to hate and cute quirky comedy romance.
Enjoy!
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