A First Impression of ‘Alchemy of Souls’ Season 2
‘Alchemy of Souls’ is a historical fiction/romance/fantasy Korean drama series. All events take place in the country called Daeho, which can not be found in history or on any maps. Viewers like me who watched Season 1 could hardly wait for Season 2. At the end of Season 1, the two main characters, Jang Uk (played by Lee Jae-Wook) and Naksu/Mu-Deok (played by Jung So-min) had confessed their love for each other. However, one of the main characters, Jang Uk, died, and the other main character, Naksu/Mu-Deok, was trying to die, but in the last scene, it looked like two people dived into the lake and were attempting to rescue her.
- Was Naksu/Mu-Deok rescued? Yes. She was a ruthless assassin, but she was also very likable. Not only that, but she didn’t really choose to be a killer. She was deceived into becoming one.
- How could Jang Uk die? HE DIED??? But the whole story is about him. People kept telling him he shouldn’t have been born. (Like he had the choice.) His loving mother was deceived, which resulted in his birth. He wasn’t just likable. He was downright lovable!
These were the questions that loyal fans asked, and of course, they would have to wait to find out the answers in Season 2. The full title for this season is “Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow.”
Netflix started releasing episodes at the end of December 2022. But I chose to wait for all ten episodes to be made available for streaming by the middle of January 2023.
This is my first impression based on watching Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 2.
Did Jang Uk die?
Of course not! He possesses the “ice stone” and that gives him the power to … NOT DIE! Even though he possesses the “ice stone”, which gives him incredible power over forces in heaven and on earth … he doesn’t want it! Everybody else covets it, but he believes that nobody should have it, including him.
What about Naksu/Mu-Deok?
I admit to being a tad bit disappointed and confused. Jung So-min is the actress who played Naksu/Mu-deok and I was looking forward to seeing her again in Season 2. However, in the process of rescuing Naksu/Mu-Deok, she is brought back to life as Naksu/Jin Bu-yeon played by Go Yoon Jung. It’s a little confusing because Mu-Deok, who was blind, was actually supposed to be Jin Bu-yeon, the daughter of Jin Ho-Gyeong (played by Park Eun-Hye).
Jin Ho-Gyeong had been searching for her eldest child for ten years and was desperate to find her. By the time she realized that her long-lost daughter was Mu-Deok; and that Naksu and Mu-Deok both shared the same body, she pleaded with Master Lee to help her save her daughter. The body of Mu-Deok had been badly damaged and the only way he could bring Jin Bu-yeon back was to bring her back in Naksu’s body, along with Naksu’s soul. The person who was brought back had no memory. On the plus side, she wasn’t blind anymore. On the minus side, she was told that she is a Jinyowon priestess who has divine powers. But she isn’t really sure about that. Naksu/Jin Bu-yeon is told that she is Jin Ho-Gyeong’s eldest daughter and that once her memory returns, her divine powers will also return.
Meanwhile … this is the confusing part … is the person Master Lee brought back to life Naksu OR Jin Bu-yeon?
As far as Jin Ho-Gyeong, the mother, is concerned, she is going to make this person her daughter Jin Bu-yeon. She has to because if she doesn’t, her family will cease to exist. The eldest daughter of Jin family must marry and bear a daughter in order to pass down the divine powers. She keeps her daughter imprisoned and kept secret. She tries to arrange a marriage and plans to kill “her daughter” (?) once she has a baby girl. All the while she is hoping that Naksu never remembers anything about her previous life. You know? That she used to be a ruthless skilled assassin and that she fell in love with Jang Uk, etc.
Anyway! You know how secrets are? People who usually don’t intend to learn the secret find out accidentally. Jang Uk was chasing after a soul shifter and accidentally found the place where Jin Bu-yeon was being imprisoned. At this meeting, their story begins. It’s not love at first sight but … but … (???)
So? Is Season 2 is a new love story OR the same old love story?
Uuuummm … ?????????
New or old, it’s great entertainment! Perfect for those who love Korean dramas that are a combination of historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. Episodes 1 and 2 were enough of a “hook” for me to want to watch the remaining eight episodes to The End.
NOTE: If you have not watched Season 1 and you are curious, read my review on Medium.com. It introduces all of the characters. In addition to the Jang Uk and Naksu, there are the master mages, the “Four Seasons,” the king, queen, and crown prince, and Master Lee.
K-Drama Review: Alchemy of Souls (2022 TV Series) | Medium.com
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WATCH THE TRAILER: Alchemy of Souls Part 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix
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