A REVIEW OF ALCHEMY OF SOULS

I started the show expecting a basic plot, cheap fantasy, although I expected the actors to do well and they didn’t disappoint.However, I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and the lengths to which the actors went in order to bring their characters to live.

Alchemy of souls is a well produced Korean fantasy-drama. Initially appearing to be more of a fantasy and martial arts adventure, the series progressively introduces humor, politics, and romance which I must give credit to the writers , director and actors for giving us such a great drama.

The captivating plot of Alchemy of Souls will keep you riveted to the screen. It combines humor, magic, and action to create an outstanding setting.

Alchemy is Souls’ opening sequences take us through the fantasy of Daeho, the historical setting where two competing groups are infamous for using  of spells and magic.

This involves a group that mostly consists of four families and groups who identify as virtuous. They are the Park (Songrim), the Seo (Sejugwon), the Jang (Cheonbugwan), and the Jin (Jinyowon).

The leader of the opposing group is a charismatic and powerdy figure by the name Danju. They are infamous for using prohibited magic, such as soul shifting (ones soul can take over another ones body). Maybe this is why the opposing side sees them as evil.

As we get hooked, we realise that Jang Uk the lead character is terribly haunted by his complicated past about his birth.

His fellow country people  gossip about his birth but that does not take his restlessness away from him. Soon, fate brings him and Mu-Deok together and his burden becomes lightened.

Mu Deok, while being confined to a frail body, does not let her condition get the better of her as a skilled warrior. She helps Jank Uk restore his vigor while teaching him the art of war.

Another chain of scenery leaves us with Seo Yul’s stunning appearance, intelligence, and martial arts prowess while we continue to savor the connection between Jang Uk and Mu Deok.

We also learn about Go Won’s bold decision to ascend to the throne of the hypothetical nation as the crown prince of Daeho.

Alchemy of Souls will come back in December 2022 for a second season, as we already know.As the finale arrived, several cards were tossed, tearing apart the happy ending achieved  by many of the characters.

The relationship between Mu-deok/Nak-su (played by Jung So-min) and trainee mage  Jang Uk  ( which was played by Lee Jae-wook)was one of the epic moments.  Another epic moment was the relationship between jang UK, seo Yul and park Dang – Gu , three friends who had each others back no matter the situation , it’s a relationship I loved and  look forward to continue in season two.  Another relationship I looked forward to was the relationship between jang UK and the crown prince , theirs was a relationship based on rivalry , then it grew to fondness which was because they had something they wanted in common( stopping soul shifters) then selfishness took whole of the crown prince with the help of Jin mu which was sad for me to watch , because I had high hope for him  , but I hope he gets to redeem himself in season two.

The Jinyowon Clan attempts a coup to drive out the Songrim Clan after the malevolent mage Jin Mu (played by Jo Jae-yun) made everything difficult by pulling  the strings. This entails exposing the Ice Stone, which has the power to raise the dead. Queen Seo Ha-sun (Kang Kyung-hun), who is actually a powerful shaman whose soul moved into the queen’s body years ago , is secretly supporting Jin Mu.The coup results in a display of the Ice Stone’s abilities. The person chosen to be killed and then revived is Mu-deok. Instead, the demonstration sets off a scenario where numerous characters are caught in a magical storm.

Thanks to the ice stone’s demonstration, Mu-deok is able to regain her powers. She then makes plans to leave, but her love for Jang Uk prevents her from doing so. The identity of the queen is made known, and everything seems to be in order. Jang UK and Mudeok had intended to go away together, but Jin Mu cast a spell on Mu-deok after realizing that her frail body is a vessel for the soul of the warrior Nak-su.

All hell breaks loose on the wedding day of Park Dang-gu (Yoo In-soo) and Jin Cho-yeon (Arin). After Jin Mu placed a spell on her, the vengeful Nak-su goes on a murderous spree that results in her burying her sword  in Jang Uk’s body.

The Alchemy of Souls cast, to a certain extent, makes a case for themselves. The series already had everything it required to convey the atmosphere of an exciting suspense film.

Alchemy of Souls’ ensemble cast of A-list actors plays remarkable roles, thanks to the stunning character design by Hong authors.

We are intrigued to witness a female lead that exhibits strong acting abilities. Alchemy of Souls’ Jung So-min did a fantastic job portraying Mu-deok/Nak-su. When things are tight, she makes the audience laugh, stealing valuable screen time. In AOS, Jang Uk is also a very likeable character.He excels as a result of Mu Deok’s instruction. He is really mature and realistic. The romance that Uk has with Mu deok Yi really wins our hearts.

Alchemy of Souls has a few minor flaws, but they do not take away from the Hong writers’ amazing storytelling abilities. In the first few episodes, the plot appears a little too slow or drawn out, but the performers’ great acting and character development make up for the Kdrama series’ weaknesses.

The show thankfully left some satisfying crumbs for a larger audience. We cheered for Park Jin and Maidservant Kim throughout their charming season-long courtship, which was portrayed by Yu Jun-sang and Oh Na-ra. They had a number of amusing and sheepish interactions. To advance their plot, The Hong Sisters used a convoluted series of flashbacks. It was simple to become confused about what occurred or how various characters were related to one another, despite the fact that the story never falters.

The magic used in the drama  was also elusive because its guidelines frequently seemed random. Certain plot twists would be forced through by the abrupt appearance of new rules or explanations.Although the narrative’s flexibility and the magical fabric’s magical fabric weren’t always believable, it did allow the season to climax with a wonderful explosion of theatrical excess. Korean makjang (soap opera) dramas’ key swings and turns in the most recent episodes were strikingly similar to those in those dramas. Alchemy of Souls was a captivating escapist fantasy that helped us get through the humid summer with its fast-paced plotline,   In addition, what comes next?

A brief teaser at the end of the finale showed us plenty of action, several returning characters with new hairstyles, and Go Yoon-return jung’s as Nak-su.

When first It was unclear what would happen to Mu-deok. However, given that Mu-deok is saved from a watery grave in the final seconds of the finale, it’s difficult to assume that Jung So-min won’t make an appearance  at some point in the upcoming season. But she was just recently uploaded to the website to make a comeback as Jin Buyeon. I’m delighted with the change.

Jung  so min was not the first choice for the role; Mu-deok was originally to be played by Park Hye-eun until she left the show suddenly during pre-production. Jung so min  was clearly the right choice; she brought balance to the sprawling series.. 

If you haven’t watched the Alchemy of souls I urge you to do so. You will love it.

if you have watched it please leave a comment on you feel.

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