Alchemy of Souls (2022)

Quick Take: Alchemy of Souls Part 1 (2022), starring Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Hwang Min-hyun. 9.4/10.  20 episodes, 60 minutes each.

Synopsis:   Alchemy is a pseudo-historical drama, set in a Joseon-like era in a fictitious country where power is held by mages from powerful families.  Magic has a dark side, however; sorcery is feared and those who use it are punished.  The central character is Nak-su, an orphan girl raised to be a powerful assassin.  She shifts her soul to another body, a blind peasant girl named Mu-deok.  The weakness of Mu-deok’s body hampers Nak-su’s powers, but she does what she can to combat the hidden evil working to control the court and the country.  A love triangle develops with two powerful young mages.  The end of Part 1 was a cliff-hanger!  Part 2 is only half as long.

Review: No great themes here, just an entertaining story of good v evil, served up with romance, action, and fancy silk costumes.   Korean historical dramas routinely get criticized for deviating from actual history, so Alchemy of Souls  avoids this issue by taking place in a fictional — though Josean-like — country.  There are differences in clothing and hair styles, mainly.  And the magic!  Great casting, especially Jung So-min in the role of Mu-deok/Nak-su.  Her two suitors, mages from rival houses, are all things brave and noble.  A strong supporting cast and a couple of romantic subplots add comedy.  Special effects rely a bit too much on the billowing black smoke that seems to be the default appearance of evil spirits, but that’s not a major annoyance.

Rewatchable - 4, Compelling - 5, Plot/ Story/Writing - 10,  Acting/Casting - 10, Production - 10,  Bonus -  5.   Bonus points for outstanding production, including costumes and locations, and Jung So-min.

Recommended.

Notes:

Lee Jae-wook

made his acting debut in Memories of the Alhambra (2018), and then moved quickly into leading roles in Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020) and Alchemy of Souls (2022).

Jung So-min

has been acting in films and television dramas since 2010. See her in Playful Kiss (2010), My Father is Strange (2017), Because This is my First Life (2017), The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (2018), and Abyss (2019).

Hwang Min-hyun

was a member of K-pop groups NU'EST and Wanna One. He has focused on his singing career more than on acting, but the positive attention he received for Alchemy of Souls may change that.