Alchemy Of Souls Part 1 Review: A Spellbinding Fantasy That Steals Your Heart

Title: Alchemy of Souls Part 1

Episodes: 20

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, History, Comedy, Action

Main Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Hwang Min-hyun, Yoo In-soo, Arin, Shin Seung-ho

Streaming Platforms: Netflix

Image Credit: IMDb

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What happens when a powerful assassin’s soul is trapped in a weak body? Alchemy of Souls Part 1 opens the door to a breathtaking fantasy world where magic, destiny, and forbidden love intertwine. With stunning visuals, complex characters, and an emotionally rich storyline, the drama pulls you into a universe where every choice has consequences, and every heart hides a secret. 

“Alchemy of Souls Part 1” is a South Korean television series aired on tvN from June 18 to August 28, 2022. Written by Hong Jung-eun & Hong Mi-ran and directed by Park Joon-hwa, this fantasy drama is available to watch on Netflix.

Plot Summary 

A skilled assassin, Nak-su, possesses a strong disdain for Songrim mages who caused the tragic end of her family in the past. In a desperate effort to stay alive, Nak-su performs the alchemy of souls, which accidentally transfers her soul into the weak body of a servant called Mu-deok. 

Alchemy of souls is a forbidden spell, as the soul shifter who performs it eventually runs wild and turns into stone. The only thing that can stop this petrification is ice stone. 

Songrim, a military-academic complex, is composed of powerful families from Daeho, mainly the Jang, Seo, Park, and Jin families. They are led by Jang Gang, who is strongly opposed to the practice of soul shifting. 

Jin-mu of Cheonbugwan (Royal Investigation Bureau) secretly aims for immortality using the powers of the ice stone. With the assistance of a mysterious member of the royal family, he builds an army of soul shifters to conquer Songrim. 

The heirs of Songrim families, namely Jang Uk, Seo Yul, Park Dang-gu, and Jin Cho-yeon, are known as the four seasons that seek balance to secure the future of Daeho. 

Jang Uk, whose gate of energy is sealed by his father, desperately searches for a master who can open it. He encounters Mu-deok and recognizes that she is Nak-su. 

To keep her identity hidden, Mu-deok agrees to become Jang Uk's master and starts teaching him magic, while Jang Uk disguises her as his servant and protects Mu-deok from any dangers. 

As time passes, their master-student relationship evolves into a passionate romance, deepening their emotional connection. 

My Thoughts 

The fictional nation of Daeho explores the story of mages whose destinies are intertwined with the alchemy of souls. The theme of the show symbolizes the balance between light and dark, while the cinematography highlights the importance of the four seasons, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of conflict. 

The entire cast delivered outstanding performances throughout the show, with special mentions to Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Hwang Min-hyun for their portrayal of unforgettable characters. 

The on-screen chemistry between Jang Uk and Mu-deok is so captivating that it fully immerses you in their enchanting romance. Additionally, Dang-gu and Cho-yeon showcase a cute love story, while Yul's care and devotion for Nak-su break your heart. 

The love triangle between Jang Gang, Maidservant Kim, and Master Lee is adorable yet hilarious. The amusing banters between Jang Uk and Mu-deok due to their master-servant and teacher-student relationship are really fun to watch. 

The show skillfully combines various genres, including fantasy, period drama, romance, comedy, mystery, and action. It begins with a lighthearted tone and gradually transitions to darker themes. 

The series explores the human tendency to seek power beyond control, ultimately leading to irreversible mistakes. The show ends with a cliffhanger that is resolved in the second part of the series. I really enjoyed watching this drama and strongly recommend it to fans of the fantasy genre.

Alchemy of Souls Part 1 is more than a fantasy drama; it’s an emotional journey filled with love, loss, growth, and sacrifice. Its rich storytelling and unforgettable characters make it a drama that lingers in your heart long after the final episode. If you love epic romances and magical worlds, this one is pure K-drama magic. 

What are your thoughts on Alchemy of Souls? Comment down your favourite character and scene. I’d love to hear your ideas! Share any suggestions or topics you’d like me to cover.

Are you a fan of historic fantasy? Check out my review of Goblin.

My Rating: 8.5/10 

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