Alchemy of Souls was finally getting its season 2 as some of the stories were still incomplete. It was the most anticipated drama of 2023. I was the most excited person and expected good storyline with a happy ending. So, was the drama good? Have same vibe as Season 1? Was it as good as Season 1? Let me give you a brief review about it.
First of all, Let’s talk about what the drama is really about.
Short Synopsis
3 years later, in the country of Daeho, Jang Uk (Lee Jae-Wook) spends his lonely days hunting soul shifters. He carries the ice stone within him that allowed him to be reborn. In Jinyowon, Jin Bu-Yeon (Ko Yoon-Jung) has lost all of her memories and divine powers. She was pulled out of Lake Gyeongcheondaeho and brought back to life with the help of Master Lee Cheol (Lim Chul-Soo). Jin Bu-Yeon is now kept hidden in a secret room within Jinyowon.
One evening, Jang Uk chases a soul shifter running rampant into Jinyowon. He meets Jin Bu-Yeon and believes she is an imprisoned Jinyowon priestess. Meanwhile, Jin family leader Jin Ho-Gyeong (Park Eun-Hye) plans to wed her eldest daughter. Jin Bu-Yeon to someone from the Seo Family. She will also keep her within the same room for the rest of her life. Seo Yul (Minhyun) and his cousin Seo Yoon-O (Do Sang-Woo) travel from the distant Seoho Fortress for the wedding. Jin Bu-Yeon, wanting to get a glimpse of her possible future husband, escapes from her room to see him at Chwiseonru. On the way there, fate has Jin Bu-Yeon meeting Jang Uk once again. They both share a connection and also have something the other person could use. On a whim, Jin Bu-Yeon asks Jang Uk to marry her.
Credit: asianwiki https://asianwiki.com/Alchemy_of_Souls:_Light_and_Shadow
Parallel scenes
There are so many parallel scenes and dialogues that we can see are from Season 1. When Jin Buyeong said – “From the first moment, I knew you were my husband.” It was the same dialogue when Jang Uk had said – “From the first moment, I knew you were my master.”. Then, there is the tree scene. Jang Uk and Mudeok had talked about climbing the top of the tree located in Danhyanggok. This was also included in S2
The hand scene is probably one of the best scenes, where Jang Uk confuses Jin Buyeong’s hand with Mudeok. He feels conflicted and confused about his feelings towards her after that scene. Also, the dialogue – it’s better to die than to do nothing has been repeated in both seasons.
These repeated dialogues and parallel scenes which include the same scenes but with different settings are the main reason why the drama feels so intense and emotional while watching because it reminds me of S1.
Change of Female lead
Most of the fans, including me, were anxious about the changing of the main female lead. Jung So-Min had already won our hearts when she had played Mudeok as the main character, so, it was really hard and difficult to accept the fact that the female lead was changed in season 2.
Though Ko Yoon-Jung had a small appearance at the beginning of Alchemy of Souls S1 playing as Naksu, the fans were skeptical about having another actress play lead role. But, the current actress did a great job of displaying the personality of the same character without being indifferent. She managed to keep the consistency of the character’s personality and behavior.
It didn’t feel like the character was changed at all. It felt like seeing the same character but having a different face. Of course, it was the main aim of changing the female lead. And, all the credit goes to Go Yoon Jung for her fabulous acting and performance.
So-I, the character
Many fans don’t like and hate her, I understand but for me, this character stands out a lot. As a fellow k-drama watcher, I was happy that Seo Hye-Won got so many roles that showcased her acting skills.
I see the things from where she is coming from. The drama shows her in a bad light but I think is a good-hearted person. The sacrifices she had done to save Seo Yul probably shows that she is a nice person. In this season 2, it is also shown – the world she lived in was full of darkness. When Seo Yul helped her in S1, only then she felt like the world is not as dark as she thought it was.
She was delighted and was always ready to help Seo Yul because of it. She is brave and strong woman who has survived all alone. I could never bring myself to hate her though she had done so many wrong things.
Most Favorite scene among many of them
Though there are a lot of cute and sweet moments in the drama. One of my favorites is when Jang Uk becomes jealous of the friendship between Jin Buyeon and Seo Yul.
When Jin Buyeon says she is planning to go visit Danhyanggok (Naksu’s hometown) along with Seo Yul. Jang Uk becomes jealous, he thought why he was not asked about it when he can also take her to Danhyanggok. It was such a cute moment to watch and I was enjoying the expression and behavior of Jang Uk very much while watching it.
It was one of the most heartbreaking scene
The most heartbreaking moment for me was the one where Mudeok went petrified and without knowing, kills Jang Uk in the last episode of Season 1. I knew that moment was coming sooner or later but seeing it had broken my heart into pieces. Alchemy of Souls S2 was also no exception when it comes to such scenes.
Jin Buyeon remembers all of her past memories and she finally knows who she is. The scene is shot beautifully across the bridge. It was painful yet beautiful when she told him she remembered that she had loved another man in the past and cared for him deeply. She had liked him more than he liked her but she couldn’t tell him and had hurt him very deeply in the past. This scene was so vulnerable and pure that showed how much they loved and cared for each other. It was the most memorable scene for me.
Disappointed by lack of Naksu’s sword fighting
Naksu is regarded as one of the most badass assassin in the drama and not seeing her sword fighting in Season 1 and 2 got me really disappointed.
Her character held so much fear in the drama, everyone was afraid and scared of her. She was strongest assassin who had killed so many strongest mages. Sword fighting and tansu was her strong point. Seeing it was not well included and executed in the drama, I was sad and disappointed.
Yes, there was some fighting in the last episode of Alchemy of Souls S1 but it was not the best cause she was controlled and was not in her conscious mind. I wish there was just some badass fight between Jin Mu and Naksu. Like Jang Uk is considered as strongest mage and he got so much screen time doing all the sword fighting, I wish I had seen Naksu do it too.
Great OSTs
When we talk about K-drama there is no way we aren’t talking about its OSTs. Alchemy of Souls S2 contains a few OSTs but it is good and soulful like k-drama and represents the character’s emotion so well.
Some of my favourite OSTs are:
Ailee – I’m Sorry
Itzy’s Lia – Blue Flower
Let’s Chat
Those who have already watched the drama would really relate to what I’ve written and if some of you haven’t watched this drama yet, I would highly recommend it. What was your experience while watching this drama? I would like to hear your thoughts.
You can read my book review – Malibu Rising, All The Bright Places
I watch BL too, if you like this, read my BL review too – To My Star S2
