October 30, 2022

Our Take: A visually stunning and intoxicating drama that creates a world of its own

The Premise

Written by the famous Hong sisters and produced by Studio Dragons, Alchemy of Souls is an avant-garde project that blends various genres to create a high-quality, entertainment-packed classic. Set in the fictional country of Daeho, the show centers around different lineages of mage families who aim to protect the world from chaos and destruction by those who want to use the legendary ice stone for evil.

In particular, the plot revolves around Shadow Assassin, Naksu (Go Yoon Jung), an elite mage with unmatched powers. After being cornered, Naksu is forced to perform the Alchemy of Souls, a forbidden spell that allows one to transfer their soul into another person's body. While performing the spell, Naksu accidentally gets trapped in the body of Mu Deok (Jung So Min), whose weak body causes her to lose her powers.

While trying to escape, she encounters Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook), a young master of the Jang family searching for a master who can unlock his gate of energy and train him to become a mage. Together, they strike a mutually beneficial deal and embark on a tumultuous journey to achieve their goals.

Unpacking the Show's Universe

Alchemy of Souls brings a refreshingly new and original storyline to life and sets the stage for an intricate and detailed universe. From the first episode, we are treated with stunning visuals and mesmerizing CGI. In particular, many unique aspects of the show stood out to me, including the outfits and hairstyles, architecture, the concept of alchemy, and impressive lore. While the story has some semblance of Sageuks (historical dramas), it doesn't adhere to typical tropes, such as in-fighting among the royal family and concubines.

The concept of alchemy and controlling nature through the flow of energy was a great addition to the story. Through the mages, we see the exploration of the science of transforming one element into another and the fundamental law of equal exchange taking place. Soul-shifting is considered a huge violation of the natural order of existence and one that exacts a heavy toll on its users. For most soul-shifters, if their souls clash with their host bodies, they are forced to regularly feed on the souls of other humans to survive and maintain their powers.

Aside from soul-shifting, the narrative surrounding the ice stone and the idea of it as a medium for controlling energy flow between the heavens and earth was very interesting. By itself, the ice stone is neither good nor bad. But, depending on the wielder of the ice stone and their intentions, it can get used to save people's lives or cause destruction and chaos. The ice stone embodies the saying, "With great power comes great responsibility."

Another level of intricate detail that was well-executed is the incorporation of swords and how they demanded skilled masters to unsheathe them. The ability to wield a sword and cast spells are impressive feats that are not to be taken lightly. Mages must undergo intensive training to earn their powers, including learning different training techniques, fighting styles, breathing forms, etc.

While fantasy dramas typically tend to incorporate the idea of gods to set a grander stage, Alchemy of Souls relies purely on the mages' resilience and willpower. There are no higher powers that will swoop in to save the day. Instead, the mages must channel their inner strengths and work together to protect their loved ones.

The show goes one step further in its world-building process by focusing on a broad ensemble of characters, including mages, sorcerers, assassins, royalty, and servants. Many of the characters are three-dimensional and multi-faceted, each with their own motivations and personalities, adding color to the storyline. As their backstories unfold, we learn more about how the different mage families are connected and the 200-year history of Daeho.

Highlights of the Cast

Mu Deok and Jang Uk's chemistry and progression were a favorite. Watching them push each other to their limits to get what they wanted was very inspiring. As with most things in life, you won't be able to get what you desire without testing your limits and going above and beyond what you think you are capable of.

Their honesty and willingness to reveal their vulnerabilities to each other made their relationship one to root for. From the very start, they are clear about their expectations and what they want. But, as they grow closer, they push each other to evolve and become better people. Mu Deok gives Jang Uk the space to unlock his potential and fight for himself, while Jang Uk's raw genuineness and tenacity enable Mu Deok to lower her guard and learn to trust others.

Many of the other characters were also developed with great care and attention. The crown prince, Go Won (Shin Seung Ho) (for the most part) thinks rationally and tries to do what is right, which was a surprising direction for his character. Seo Yul (Hwang Min Hyun) is thoughtful, powerful, and genuinely cares for those around him. While Jin Cho Yeon (Arin) is initially selfish and pompous, she slowly matures and learns to take responsibility for her actions. Park Dang Gu (Yoo In Soo) was like a ray of sunshine among the group, injecting comedic relief into the scenes.

Food For Thought - What is a Monster?

The show emphasizes that anyone and everyone can become a monster, whether by choice or brute force. Jang Uk takes an unconventional stance by asserting that we can protect said monsters and keep them in check. In a world where getting rid of problematic people and people who are different is the norm, Jang Uk makes a powerful statement on an alternative option.

His stance makes us question whether we are achieving peace by getting rid of people who are different from us. Are we truly creating a better world, or are we merely enforcing a false sense of homogeneity and conformity by dismissing the outgroup?

Room For Improvement

Trying to create an enthralling and elaborate tale also led to some misses in execution and inconsistencies. With so many moving parts, at times, the narrative stalls and moves at a sluggish pace. While I certainly didn't mind the entertainment factor, there were a lot of filler events and overemphasis on romances that did not necessarily drive the plot forward.

To my disappointment, Nak Su and Jin Bu Yeon's characters were also heavily underutilized. Nak Su is initially introduced as a strong, smart, and powerful character, but she gets relegated to a maid for much of the show. While she still shines as a maid and Jang Uk's master thanks to Jung So Min's acting, it would have been more enjoyable to see her command the screen as the elite mage she is supposed to be. Likewise, Jin Bu Yeon's character gets introduced as a powerful sorceress with the power to control the ice stone at a young age, but we barely see her in action.

The motives and execution of the villains also fell a bit flat. From the start, it was clear who the villains were, making it feel almost forced. While Jin Mu (Jo Jae Yoon) had all the right ingredients of a villain, it sometimes seemed like he got let off the hook for bad actions for no reason, and he was just going through the motions of what a villain should be like.

Final Thoughts

Despite some of the flaws, I highly recommend giving Alchemy of Souls a chance. The cinematography, acting, elaborate fight scenes, and storyline provided ample entertainment, and I was consistently excited to keep watching each episode to see what happens next. While the ending threw several wildcards into the story, it sets the stage for Season 2, slated to premiere in December 2022. Hopefully, the new season will resolve some of the many unanswered questions in this sprawling series and end the show with a bang.