This review may contain spoilers
My Favorite Drama - & here's why...
Just to be clear, this contains spoilers; so it's more for discussion rather than a recommendation - Although I do recommend it.
This was my second Asian drama series ever watched and having now watched about 70, I recognise it has unfortunately set a high bar.
The acting is good if a little wooden at times, but I think that is more due to the dialogue scenes being set up like a stage play. (Probably while standing on a bridge.) I think Jung So-min and Lee Jae-wook have great chemistry that builds authentically over the 20 episodes making the payoff in episode 20 so SO GOOD. The supporting cast really sold their roles too. Lot's of different personality types portrayed really well. I hated Jin Mu just the right amount; was wary but hopeful of the crown prince just the right amount; Cheerful with Park Dang Gu just the right amount; Intrigued by Seo Yul just the right amount. Really well cast.
Also a nod to the English dubbing. These days i find most dubbing awful and watch with subtitles but I thought these guys sold it.
The OST is amazing. I listen to it all the time. My only complaint is I can't find on Spotify, a version of Scars Leave Beautiful Trace that has the slightly off-beat metal ringing that's in the actual show. I'll keep looking.
World building: The incorporation of Korean history with fantasy elements to create the setting is really amazing. the personal and power interaction between elemental energy and divine powers is very cool. The background strife, drought and relics give the writers plenty of tools to help flesh out the story.
Story: The ML & FL have their mutual problems (Mu Deok a once powerful mage has lost her energy. Jang Uk has incredible potential but has no one will unblock his gate of energy.) They by chance meet and decide to help one another within a disguised symbiotic relationship. Their backgrounds inform their actions; Naksu / Mu Deok is ruthless and calculating and Jang Uk is clever, privileged but also somewhat naive. Their joint mission is to train Jang Uk up so he can transfer his power back to Mu Deok. They always move forward, with Mu Deok throwing Jang Uk into danger again and again and him 'failing-forward' to the best of his ability. This culminates in episode 18 where for reasons, they both decide to give away all their hard won achievements, leaving them only with each other and a new shared fate as husband & wife. I love the part in ep 19 where Jang Uk has to tell his 'mother' Maidservant Kim that who he's marrying. Classic.
Now; the crux of why I really like the show and - in hindsight - why I like it better than other k Dramas:
Both are resolute in their commitment to their cause and to each other. As their relationship evolves from one of convenience to one of dependence and then love, their honesty and commitment to each other never wavers (Except for the part with Kil Joo but that is a great relationship development moment for them both.)
I love it how they are both open and honest with each other,
Mu Deok Casually, "Yeah I stole and tried to sell the spirit plaque" Jang Uk just accepts it without comment even though he had been beaten severely for loosing it;
Mu Deok to Seo Yul, "I stole Jang Uk's money to go drinking and buy nice things. Do you want to come in?" leaving him dumbfounded.
Jang Uk always being forthright with his feeling towards Mu Deok, "I missed you too."
Step by step, the pragmatism and devotion of their relationship leaves no cracks for others. Even Seo Yul who has significant leverage has a tough time.
Seo Yul: "I like pine pollen tea snacks"
Shop Keeper to Mu Deok, "Would you like some?"
Mu Deok: "No." (Boom, shut down.)
Heo Yoon Ok to Jang Uk: "I made you a hangover cure, would you like..." *Jang uk has already turned and walked 20 feet away.*
One of my favorite parts (ep 10) is when Jang Uk finally gets into Songrim and they belatedly realise that it's separated them. All goals are put on hold and independently, both of them hyper-focus on getting back together again. It's really fun to watch.
It's also fun to see the friend circle evolve and recognise Mu Deok's special status as more than just Jang Uk's servant and they start to include her more as their own friend. An important evolution which has an impact in episode 20. (SO GOOD.) This is often recognised by other characters as, "Mu Deok, the servant that's always by his side."
So unlike a lot of dramas where the ML & FL constantly bounce off each other to unconvincingly end up together in the finale, Alchemy of Souls shows their relationship evolving and strengthening from within. All the drama is them leaning on each other to fight external conflicts together. I like this framework best.
Confession: I've literally watched this show - without exaggeration - ten billion times; and I still love it.
This was my second Asian drama series ever watched and having now watched about 70, I recognise it has unfortunately set a high bar.
The acting is good if a little wooden at times, but I think that is more due to the dialogue scenes being set up like a stage play. (Probably while standing on a bridge.) I think Jung So-min and Lee Jae-wook have great chemistry that builds authentically over the 20 episodes making the payoff in episode 20 so SO GOOD. The supporting cast really sold their roles too. Lot's of different personality types portrayed really well. I hated Jin Mu just the right amount; was wary but hopeful of the crown prince just the right amount; Cheerful with Park Dang Gu just the right amount; Intrigued by Seo Yul just the right amount. Really well cast.
Also a nod to the English dubbing. These days i find most dubbing awful and watch with subtitles but I thought these guys sold it.
The OST is amazing. I listen to it all the time. My only complaint is I can't find on Spotify, a version of Scars Leave Beautiful Trace that has the slightly off-beat metal ringing that's in the actual show. I'll keep looking.
World building: The incorporation of Korean history with fantasy elements to create the setting is really amazing. the personal and power interaction between elemental energy and divine powers is very cool. The background strife, drought and relics give the writers plenty of tools to help flesh out the story.
Story: The ML & FL have their mutual problems (Mu Deok a once powerful mage has lost her energy. Jang Uk has incredible potential but has no one will unblock his gate of energy.) They by chance meet and decide to help one another within a disguised symbiotic relationship. Their backgrounds inform their actions; Naksu / Mu Deok is ruthless and calculating and Jang Uk is clever, privileged but also somewhat naive. Their joint mission is to train Jang Uk up so he can transfer his power back to Mu Deok. They always move forward, with Mu Deok throwing Jang Uk into danger again and again and him 'failing-forward' to the best of his ability. This culminates in episode 18 where for reasons, they both decide to give away all their hard won achievements, leaving them only with each other and a new shared fate as husband & wife. I love the part in ep 19 where Jang Uk has to tell his 'mother' Maidservant Kim that who he's marrying. Classic.
Now; the crux of why I really like the show and - in hindsight - why I like it better than other k Dramas:
Both are resolute in their commitment to their cause and to each other. As their relationship evolves from one of convenience to one of dependence and then love, their honesty and commitment to each other never wavers (Except for the part with Kil Joo but that is a great relationship development moment for them both.)
I love it how they are both open and honest with each other,
Mu Deok Casually, "Yeah I stole and tried to sell the spirit plaque" Jang Uk just accepts it without comment even though he had been beaten severely for loosing it;
Mu Deok to Seo Yul, "I stole Jang Uk's money to go drinking and buy nice things. Do you want to come in?" leaving him dumbfounded.
Jang Uk always being forthright with his feeling towards Mu Deok, "I missed you too."
Step by step, the pragmatism and devotion of their relationship leaves no cracks for others. Even Seo Yul who has significant leverage has a tough time.
Seo Yul: "I like pine pollen tea snacks"
Shop Keeper to Mu Deok, "Would you like some?"
Mu Deok: "No." (Boom, shut down.)
Heo Yoon Ok to Jang Uk: "I made you a hangover cure, would you like..." *Jang uk has already turned and walked 20 feet away.*
One of my favorite parts (ep 10) is when Jang Uk finally gets into Songrim and they belatedly realise that it's separated them. All goals are put on hold and independently, both of them hyper-focus on getting back together again. It's really fun to watch.
It's also fun to see the friend circle evolve and recognise Mu Deok's special status as more than just Jang Uk's servant and they start to include her more as their own friend. An important evolution which has an impact in episode 20. (SO GOOD.) This is often recognised by other characters as, "Mu Deok, the servant that's always by his side."
So unlike a lot of dramas where the ML & FL constantly bounce off each other to unconvincingly end up together in the finale, Alchemy of Souls shows their relationship evolving and strengthening from within. All the drama is them leaning on each other to fight external conflicts together. I like this framework best.
Confession: I've literally watched this show - without exaggeration - ten billion times; and I still love it.
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