Jewels

Once I drop a K-drama, I almost never go back to it. I watched the first two episodes of Alchemy of Souls last year and dropped it because it felt like another "chosen one" story. There’s nothing wrong with that trope, but after seeing it countless times in Western movies and TV shows, it just doesn’t interest me anymore.

What made me give it another chance was all the hype. I kept wondering why people loved it so much. This time around, I found myself invested in Mu-deok/Naksu’s story. The idea of a legendary assassin losing her powers and being trapped in a weak body was far more interesting to me than the male lead's journey. I knew romance was inevitable, but I was excited to see how she would adapt, survive, and maybe reclaim what she had lost.

Unfortunately, that never really happened. For someone constantly hyped up as the most feared assassin, Naksu spent most of the drama helping Jang Uk achieve his goals. We were told how powerful and exceptional she was, but rarely got to see it. Her character had so much potential, yet it often felt like her main purpose was to support the male lead and eventually become his love interest.

What frustrated me even more was that the drama created such an interesting fantasy world. Soul shifting, mages, powerful relics, different mage families—the world-building was genuinely fascinating. But instead of fully exploring those elements, the story kept circling back to the romance. If the drama had been marketed as a romance with a fantasy backdrop, I probably wouldn't have minded. But it felt like it introduced this huge magical universe only to use it as a setting for a love story. Nevertheless their slow burn love story drew me in eventually.

I also never fully connected with Jang Uk. Things seemed to work out in his favor a little too often, and I never felt like he truly earned all the power he ended up receiving. Meanwhile, Naksu kept getting pushed further into the background.

And then there's Seo Yul—the victim of second-lead syndrome once again. He was introduced as one of the most talented mages of his generation, yet he spent most of the season stuck in his feelings. Even knowing Mu-deok's true identity didn't really change anything. I kept waiting for him to have a major impact on the story, especially toward the end, but it never happened.

The Crown Prince, on the other hand, ended up being one of my favorite characters. He was far more entertaining and likable than I expected. Even though he didn't play a huge role in the main plot, his presence always made scenes better.

Some of my favorite characters were actually the supporting cast. Master Lee, Park Jin, and Maidservant Kim brought so much charm and personality to the drama. The Jin family's relics were also incredibly interesting,I could honestly watch an entire spin-off about them. And Lady Jin was an absolute badass.

Overall, I can understand why people love Alchemy of Souls.The world-building is creative, the production value is great, and the story has some memorable moments. I just wish the writers had done more with the characters, especially Naksu. For me, the world itself was far more interesting than the story the drama chose to tell within it.