“Alchemy of Souls” is a South Korean TV series, remarkable for its blend of fantasy and romance. It aired from June 18, 2022, to January 8, 2023, capturing audiences with its story of young mages navigating the complexities of heaven, earth, and forbidden magic. The series, penned by the renowned Hong sisters, was split into two parts and featured an ensemble cast led by Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Go Youn-jung, and Hwang Min-hyun.
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Plot Synopsis
Set in the fictional country of Daeho, the narrative revolves around a forbidden spell called “alchemy of souls,” which allows souls to switch bodies. The story begins with Nak-su, an elite warrior whose soul gets trapped in the body of Mu-deok. She becomes entwined with Jang Uk, a noble’s son, teaching him her skills and eventually falling in love. Part 2 sees a shift, with Jang Uk haunted by past tragedies, turning into a hunter of soul shifters and encountering the mysterious Jin Bu-yeon, who bears a striking resemblance to Nak-su.
The cast of Alchemy of Souls
- Lee Jae-wook as Jang Uk
- Park Sang-hoon as young Jang Uk
- Jung So-min as Mu-deok / Nak-su (after alchemy of souls) / Jin Bu-yeon (Mu-deok’s birth name)
- Go Youn-jung as Nak-su (before alchemy of souls) / Cho Yeong (real name) / Jin Bu-yeon (in part 2)
- Gu Yoo-jung as young Nak-su
- Hwang Min-hyun as Seo Yul
- Moon Seong-hyun as young Seo Yul
Supporting Cast
- Jang Family
- Oh Na-ra as Maidservant Kim Yeon
- Joo Sang-wook as Jang Gang
- Bae Gang-hee as Do-hwa
- Jang Tae-min as Servant Lee
- Seo Family
- Do Sang-woo as Seo Yun-oh
- Songrim
- Yoo Jun-sang as Park Jin
- Yoo In-soo as Park Dang-gu
- Lee Ha-yool as Sang-ho
- Sejukwon
- Lee Do-kyung as Heo Yeom
- Hong Seo-hee as Heo Yun-ok
- Jung Ji-an as Soon-yi
- Kim Yong-jin as Physician Seo
- Cheonbugwan
- Jo Jae-yoon as Jin Mu
- Choi Ji-ho as Gil-ju
- Cha Yong-hak as Yeom-su
- Lee Ji-hoo as Cha Beom
- Lee Bong-jun as Gu Hyo
- Joo Min-soo as Han Yeol
- Jin Family (Jinyowon)
- Park Eun-hye as Jin Ho-gyeong
- Joo Seok-tae as Jin Woo-tak
- Arin as Jin Cho-yeon
- Yoon Hae-bin as young Jin Bu-yeon
- Royal Family
- Shin Seung-ho as Go Won
- Choi Kwang-il as Go Soon
- Kang Kyung-hun / Shim So-young as Seo Ha-sun
- Park Byung-eun as Go Seong
- Lee Ki-seop as Eunuch Oh
- Jeong Ji-sun as Eunuch Kim
- Chwiseollu
- Park So-jin as Joo-wol
- Others
- Im Chul-soo as Lee Cheol (Master Lee)
- Seo Hye-won as So-yi
- Woo Hyun as Monk Ho-yeon
- Extended Cast
- Jeon Hye-won as Ae-hyang
- Yoon Seo-hyun as Cho Chung
- Shim Jae-hyun as a thug
- Kim Cheol-yoon as Byeong-gu
Special Appearances
- Yeom Hye-ran as a mysterious middle-aged woman
- Yegyul Band
- Kim Hyun-sook as Maidservant Park
- Jang Sung-beom as Master Kang
- Lee Jun-hyeok as a merchant
- Kim Dae-gon as a merchant
- Lee Chae-min as a merchant
Production and Development
The series was first conceptualized in 2019 under the title “Can This Person Be Translated.” The casting process saw several changes, notably with Jung So-min replacing Park Hye-eun. The production involved extensive filming across various locations in South Korea, with a significant investment in creating an authentic and immersive fantasy world.
The Shift in Seasons
The transition from Part 1 to Part 2 of the series marked a significant change, especially in the female lead role. Jung So-min’s exit made way for Go Youn-jung, who had initially played Nak-su’s original identity in a cameo. This switch added a fresh dynamic to the story, aligning with the plot’s evolution and the characters’ journeys.
Conclusion and Fan Reception
“Alchemy of Souls” concluded with mixed emotions among fans. While many celebrated the intriguing ending, calls for a new season focusing on secondary characters like Seo Yul are prominent. The show’s complex storyline, involving body-swapping and soul-switching, left a memorable imprint on its audience, making it a notable entry in the genre of fantasy K-dramas.
