Kathryn_51

Not sure about overall budget but they spent 5Billion Won (~4.8 Million US$) building the outdoor movie sets.

For a change of pace from the fury over ratings (based on 583 people - out of a viewership of millions?), here's the Behind the Scenes (BTS) of Ep. 1 and 2. Especially funny part is the "secret room" scene. No subs, but still fun to watch.

http://program.tving.com/tvn/alchemyofsouls/3/Vod/View/CLIP/EA_D815884

Have you tried using a VPN? I just tried mine with Hong Kong server and it worked for me, but I'm in the US and perhaps Netflix recognizes the location of my Netflix account?

Why did Naksu’s spell fall on Mu-Deok and not the servant girl in front of her? A very likely answer is the Mu-Deok came from a mage family.

Is Mu-Deok the long lost daughter of Jin Woo-tak?? Who is Jin Woo-tak? He has not appeared yet on the show. He is married to Jin Ho-Kyung and their daughter is Jin Cho-yeon. “Jin” is not his birth/surname – he took the name when he married Jin Ho-Kyung and if I understand correctly, the Jin family inherits through the maternal line.

Woo-tak had a daughter before he married Ho-Kyung, who loved the girl as her own daughter. The daughter disappeared years ago. We do not yet know if Woo-tak is a magician but it’s very likely since he is married to one. We do not know if the daughter was – or was not – blind and it may not matter.

Finally, Ho-kyung’s half brother is Jin Moo. The Very Evil Villain Jin Moo.

It is a reasonable theory that Mu-Deok is Jin Woo-tak's missing daughter. For now. 🤣🤣

Like many others, I find Alchemy of the Souls enthralling – the various stories, the characters and potential romance, the beautiful costumes, the mysteries. AND, it is very confusing: 5 major families, several significant landmarks/locations, at least two twisted fates (Jang Wook and Mu-deok). I have LOTS of time on my hands (daughter had major hip surgery and can’t be left alone). So I spent a few hours scanning official internet sources (tVn, Wiki, Han Cinema) and putting a reference guide together for my personal use.

Aa couple of commenters asked me to post it, so you can find it in the “Recent Discussion” section. It is a cut-and-paste effort so spelling/names/etc. are not consistent. It includes major spoilers – that is, information about characters/family relationships that did not appear in Ep. 1 and 2.

Finally, there might be a hint about Mu-Deok’s background, so I will post below w/Spoiler tag It includes information from tVn site so I don’t think it will be very long to learn it on the show.

Maybe "promotional video" was the incorrect term. There was a press briefing and I saw some video of it on Twitter. But primarily it's based on photos - several of which were posted in the photo section here on MDL.

We haven't seen her yet, but the actress Jung Ji Ahn (she was the PR Deputy Mgr under Oh Han Byul) will play Soon Yi - "an outspoken character." She is a servant of the doctor's grandaughter, Heo Yook Ok. Sounds like she might help with the comedy later on.

The current King is a brother to the old king that died. So, not a direct heir, but certainly a blood heir/member of the Royal Family. As far as we know, the Royal Family does not appear to have "spirit energy".

Is there any indication that any member of the Royal Family has magical power? We have the 4 heirs to the magical families and Crown Prince Go Won isn't one of them. Perhaps we will find out next week when the Crown Prince and Jang Wook have an encounter?? The Evil Jin Moo is one of Go Won's teachers so perhaps this may change.

One thing that isn't clear to me is whether any human can be taught to "control the power of the lake" or only some humans. Some seem to be born with spirit energy but if everyone had spirit energy that could be controlled/unleashed, I don't think I would want to live in that country!

The promotional videos show three couples:

Jang Wook and Moo Deok
Jin Choe Yeon and Park Dan Goo
Park Jin and Kim Do Joe

Perhaps the "on air" time is 1hr 20 minutes because it includes commercials. That's my guess anyway based on the few times I watched an unsubbed "on air" show -the first 10 minutes were commercials and then there was at least one commercial break in the middle.

One of the best parts of Ep. 2 was that it didn't end on a stupid, contrived cliffhanger. The foundation is set for the main duo so we are eager to see how they move forward.

A couple of us posted this "relationship" chart earlier today, but our posts have fallen way down the comment chain. Here it is again:

https://twitter.com/Korean___Dramas/status/1537389728659427333

Tip: I took a screen shot and printed it off so it was handy while I watched.

Between the gorgeous visuals and the intriguing characters, I can't keep up with the connections, various territories and the subtitles. I might watch the raw Korean feed early morning (to capture the visuals) and the subbed release right afterwards.

Pre-release for Ep. 2 is out. Not Subbed. I frequently have trouble copy/pasting these links, so hope it works.

Jang Wook - very smart guy.😊

http://program.tving.com/tvn/alchemyofsouls/3/Vod/View/CLIP/EA_D815713

I think my subs said: "Finally, I get to meet you."

I have not read the webtoon, so my impression (of the series) is that MH was a resident at the orphanage. At one point, young YS is there and tells him how to "hold back his tears". It's possible that YS was also an orphan/adopted, but if so, then writers are cheating us by not hinting at it before. I think she was visiting.

After the "accident", Dr. Oh was called in to help MH with his extra-sensitivity. Eventually, MH went to live (??) with Dr. Oh and Ji-young. That's my guess, anyway since Ji-young talks about "familyl" dinners and MH considers her like a "little sister".

I've posted this over and over. I think MH saved YS at the "accident" and that's when they both began to feel their "power". That's why they are more connected/sensitive with each other than with others.

Maybe I'm wrong.🤣🤣🤣

I printed that chart out this morning and had it with me when I watched the episode. Very helpful.

Also just wondered around the web and found the Han Cinema site that describes the characters. And what do you know, The Jin family lost an elder daughter long ago.😎

https://www.hancinema.net/korean_drama_Alchemy_of_Souls-cast.html

Agree completely - the flashbacks show how YS, MH and LP relationships ended up where they are today. Now it's behind us and YS/MH can move forward. I'm hopeful as well.

I'm waiting for the childhood story to appear as well! Although I don't think they lived near each other. I think Mom the Artist visited the orphanage and took YS with her. (PURE speculation - not based on any spoilers). I think colorful painting in MH apartment was by Mom.

I don't think mom (Do Hwa) and "dad" (Jang Kang) were married at the time. Perhaps he married her later - he is identified as Jang Wook's father on the tVn site.