Alchemy of Souls (Series review) - Love, Magic and Plot twist galore

I was stuck in a K-drama slump for a very long time. It wasn’t that I had given up on dramas entirely, but every show I tried ended up being dropped halfway through. Then I heard about the Hong Sisters’ drama, and as a long-time fan, I had to at least give it a try. So imagine my surprise when I ended up binging the series and loving every single minute of it. 

Alchemy of Souls is a drama I never knew I needed in my life.

This Korean drama throws you into a world where souls can switch bodies, power always has a price, and everyone is hiding something. The twists and turns—and then the twists again—had me worried that the writers wouldn’t be able to tie everything together properly. But the ending was so satisfying that I genuinely couldn’t find fault in it. It’s such a rare win. 

Mini SPOILERS AHEAD

Set in the fictional land of Daeho, the story centers on an unforgettable pair: the feared assassin Naksu, trapped in the weak body of Mu-deok, and the privileged young mage Jang Uk, who desperately wants to grow stronger. He has a past! And that’s just understatement of the century.
Since Jang Uk doesn’t follow the rules, he decides the feared assassin would make a great teacher. And that how the story unfolds. While heroes and villians are searching for Naksu, she is hiding in plain sight in front of the people searching her. Each episode we see a plot unravel, relationships form and break, villians becoming more evil and of course cute and funny interactions between our leads. 

During S1, we have Jung So-min, who plays Mu-deok. She does such a wonderful job of portraying the skilled and mighty assassin trapped in a weak body. Their dynamic is funny, intense, and emotional all at once. Watching their relationship grow from teacher and student to friends, and then to lovers, is one of the best parts of the show. Their banter is top-tier, but what I truly loved was the loyalty they show toward each other.

When I heard the news that S2 would have Go Youn-jung as Naksu/Mu-deok, I emotionally rioted. I invested in 20 episodes with Jung So-min; there is no way a new actress can just take over the chemistry and make it believable, I thought. But trust me, it works! 

It works for the story, bringing it to a nicely wrapped satisfying ending, and the actors are so good that I felt Go Youn-Jung had just as good if not better chemistry with Lee Jae Wook. (please don't come at me for that). Jung So-min and Lee Jae Wook were so good together, but their relationship grew from mentoring, to loyalty and love. But there always was a power difference between them. When Go Youn Jung comes in to the picture with Naksu's appearance, she is considered to be powerful and she does grow into that power. There is also a angsty, passionate relationship between the two that adds to their chemistry. 

The supporting characters add a special warmth to this magical story. Jang Uk’s relationship with Maidservant Kim Yeon, along with his bromance with the Crown Prince, is both cute and adorable. The drama blends action, romance, humour, and mystery really well. One minute you’re laughing at silly training scenes, and the next you’re trying to untangle a plot mystery. But let me tell you, without giving away too much, it all comes together so perfectly. 

With 30 episodes divided into 2 parts, the pacing towards the end of S1 did lag a little. Since the finale has to end on a cliffhanger, 18-19 was slow, with the finale rushed to end the way it did. 

Alchemy of Souls also looks stunning, and the writers have done such an amazing job with building the rich, magical world of Daeho and the magic system. Every episode ends in a way that makes you want to watch just one more—even when it’s way past your bedtime.
If you enjoy fantasy with complex characters, slow-burn romance and tension, and real plot twists, you need to watch this drama. Just a warning: once you start, you won’t be able to stop. 

Available on Netflix Worldwide.