My Spoiler Impressions of ALCHEMY OF SOULS Ep 1+2
As I'd started to attempt to review the new KDRAMA "Alchemy of Souls", THIS following handy collection of clips essentially describes both what the show is about - seen in Eps 1+2, and previews the next episodes too - and who the characters are. And if you decided to not scroll thru to read my ramblings, I'd understand, cheers.
"환혼" (literal title "Return") is directed by Park Joon-Hwa, written by Hong Jung-Eun and Hong Mi-Ran - better known as the "Hong Sisters" (2019's "Hotel Del Luna", 2017's "A Korean Odyssey", 2013's "The Master's Sun"), so that certainly puts me in a mod and expectation!
The series showcases magic spells and mages, with a tinge of supernatural-related powers. "Swords & Sorcery" with this essentially period-styled series featuring men with modern hairstyles, so there's no need to take it too seriously for this CGI-filled KDRAMA.
Lee Jae-Wook as "Jang Uk" has a complicated background and history. He was birthed by an emperor who took over his birth-mother's husband's body, and had sex with her, hereby leading to his conception. His father than forbade anyone to teach Jang Uk any magics, or "release his Gate f Energy", which of course by the end of Episode 2 - thanks to Naksu - had been sorted, and now Jang Uk pledges his allegiance to Naksu as his "master" to teach him magic. In my own parlance, "this is so KDRAMA!"
Yoo In-Soo (who played "Yoon Gwi-Nam" in "All of Us Are Dead" / IG @k.a_innsoo) plays "Park Dang-Gu" with a head of dyed blonde hair, while Minhyun (former member of K-pop group "NU'EST" and "Wanna One" / IG @optimushwang) sports a modern cut too, as "Seo Yul" (who in the past Naksu had been in love with/infatuated with ... SO KDRAMA!).
Arin (a member of South Korean idol group "Oh My Girl" / IG @ye._.vely618) rounds out the 4 main families of magic as "Jin Cho-Yeon", who was previous engaged to / was supposed to marry Jang Uk, but did not... SO KDRAMA LOR!!!
I might not be fluent in the South Korean language (AKA "I know nuts"), but seems they are not seeking formally in period speak, so aspects of the translated dialog is pretty sharp and funny too.
The protagonists are fun, even if there circumstances are not ideal. Ko Yoon Jung (IG @goyounjung) as "Naksu The Shadow Assassin" is ravishingly adorable, and after the first episode when she executes the Soul Transference spell - surrendering her mortal body and instead enters a blind girl (not so blind after) named "Mu-Deok" (played by the as adorable Jung So-Min), so that's not too much of a stretch of "imagination" LOL
But no worries, we do continue to "see" Naksu in flashbacks, and her constant spoken thoughts is a rime mover of her comedy, IMHO.
Jung So-Min (IG @somin_jj) as the lead female protagonist "Mu-Deok" is comedy gold. She certainly can milk the laughter, especially straight-cute-faced but with a killer (literally) demeanour and dialog, like a straight man in a comedy routine, which turns out even funnier, IMHO.
The two main protagonists constantly "mind-speaks" (like inner mind dialog / self-talk seen in thought balloons in manga/comicbook/webtoons), which provides tons of fun, especially when Natsu is so fuelled with vim, she constantly narrates in her mind (which the audience "hears") about killing people.
But by the end of Ep2, you'd have seen the way both Jang Uk and Mu-Deok/Naksu subconsciously sacrifice themselves for each other, you'll know how the "romance" aspect of this fantasy tale is going to go, IMHO.
The following is the given synopsis for the show, which frankly speaking describes what the situation is, but not what is going to happen, IMHO.. anyways:
"The fate of these people become twisted due to "hwanhonsool" (the soul of the dead return to the living). In the country of Daeho, Jang Wook comes from the noble Jang family. He holds an unpleasant secret about his birth, which people all around the country talk about. He's a troublemaker. Jang Wook happens to meet Deok Yi. She is an elite warrior, but her soul is trapped in a physically weak body. She becomes Jang Wook’s servant, but she also secretly teaches him how to fight. Seo Yool comes from the noble Seo family. He seems perfect with good appearance, intelligence, and strong martial arts skills. Go Won is the crown prince of Daeho. He hopes to become a generous king."
"Alchemy of Souls" air twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:10PM KST on tvN in South Korea, and on Netflix. Consisting of 20 episodes, the show premiered June 18th, and is scheduled to end August 21st, 2022.
As of Ep2, I highly recommend this series if the fusion genre is to your preference, and the comedy is balanced with the magic and mystic, and no doubt suits my personal tastes! I certainly hope to enjoy myself, and crossing my fingers the "political intrigue" would not end up mudding the series as it did "Mr Queen" for me. Enjoy the preview for Ep3, cheers.
"환혼" (literal title "Return") is directed by Park Joon-Hwa, written by Hong Jung-Eun and Hong Mi-Ran - better known as the "Hong Sisters" (2019's "Hotel Del Luna", 2017's "A Korean Odyssey", 2013's "The Master's Sun"), so that certainly puts me in a mod and expectation!
The series showcases magic spells and mages, with a tinge of supernatural-related powers. "Swords & Sorcery" with this essentially period-styled series featuring men with modern hairstyles, so there's no need to take it too seriously for this CGI-filled KDRAMA.
Lee Jae-Wook as "Jang Uk" has a complicated background and history. He was birthed by an emperor who took over his birth-mother's husband's body, and had sex with her, hereby leading to his conception. His father than forbade anyone to teach Jang Uk any magics, or "release his Gate f Energy", which of course by the end of Episode 2 - thanks to Naksu - had been sorted, and now Jang Uk pledges his allegiance to Naksu as his "master" to teach him magic. In my own parlance, "this is so KDRAMA!"
Yoo In-Soo (who played "Yoon Gwi-Nam" in "All of Us Are Dead" / IG @k.a_innsoo) plays "Park Dang-Gu" with a head of dyed blonde hair, while Minhyun (former member of K-pop group "NU'EST" and "Wanna One" / IG @optimushwang) sports a modern cut too, as "Seo Yul" (who in the past Naksu had been in love with/infatuated with ... SO KDRAMA!).
Arin (a member of South Korean idol group "Oh My Girl" / IG @ye._.vely618) rounds out the 4 main families of magic as "Jin Cho-Yeon", who was previous engaged to / was supposed to marry Jang Uk, but did not... SO KDRAMA LOR!!!
I might not be fluent in the South Korean language (AKA "I know nuts"), but seems they are not seeking formally in period speak, so aspects of the translated dialog is pretty sharp and funny too.
#SPOILER for #AlchemyofSouls #환혼 Ep1
— toysrevil (@toysrevil) June 19, 2022
Martial Arts & Mages.
Swords & Sorcery.
A period-styled series featuring men with modern hairstyles, so there's no need to take it too seriously for this CGI-filled #kdrama
Features on #POPCORNX: https://t.co/NF2PH3YaDa#iliketeevee pic.twitter.com/bAi85JgpvO
The protagonists are fun, even if there circumstances are not ideal. Ko Yoon Jung (IG @goyounjung) as "Naksu The Shadow Assassin" is ravishingly adorable, and after the first episode when she executes the Soul Transference spell - surrendering her mortal body and instead enters a blind girl (not so blind after) named "Mu-Deok" (played by the as adorable Jung So-Min), so that's not too much of a stretch of "imagination" LOL
But no worries, we do continue to "see" Naksu in flashbacks, and her constant spoken thoughts is a rime mover of her comedy, IMHO.
Jung So-Min (IG @somin_jj) as the lead female protagonist "Mu-Deok" is comedy gold. She certainly can milk the laughter, especially straight-cute-faced but with a killer (literally) demeanour and dialog, like a straight man in a comedy routine, which turns out even funnier, IMHO.
#SPOILER for #AlchemyofSouls #환혼 Ep1
— toysrevil (@toysrevil) June 19, 2022
Manifesting soul-shifting leaves an assassin in a weak servant girl's body. The servant is asked to be the master & I cannot wait for Ep2 tonight!
Features on #POPCORNX: https://t.co/NF2PH3YaDa#iliketeevee#LeeJaeWook#JungSoMin XOXO pic.twitter.com/766s8kTVE9
The two main protagonists constantly "mind-speaks" (like inner mind dialog / self-talk seen in thought balloons in manga/comicbook/webtoons), which provides tons of fun, especially when Natsu is so fuelled with vim, she constantly narrates in her mind (which the audience "hears") about killing people.
But by the end of Ep2, you'd have seen the way both Jang Uk and Mu-Deok/Naksu subconsciously sacrifice themselves for each other, you'll know how the "romance" aspect of this fantasy tale is going to go, IMHO.
#SPOILER for #AlchemyofSouls Ep2
— toysrevil (@toysrevil) June 19, 2022
The way they sacrifice themselves for each other ... So this is how it starts.... #lovethis #mustwatch #환혼 #Kdrama airs Sat & Sun (21:10) on #tvN & #Netflix.
Features on #POPCORNX: https://t.co/NF2PH3YaDa#iliketeevee#LeeJaeWook#JungSoMin pic.twitter.com/Tcw30URV9i
The following is the given synopsis for the show, which frankly speaking describes what the situation is, but not what is going to happen, IMHO.. anyways:
The powerful people of Daeho 🔥 #AlchemyOfSouls pic.twitter.com/06KlisbipP
— #ExtraordinaryAttorneyWoo 6/29 ً🐳 (@kdramatreats) June 21, 2022
Visuals overload from the male leads of #AlchemyOfSouls #LeeJaeWook #YooInSoo #ShinSeungHo & #MinHyun for 1st Look 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gFLtw78ogV
— #ExtraordinaryAttorneyWoo 6/29 ً🐳 (@kdramatreats) June 21, 2022
"Alchemy of Souls" air twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:10PM KST on tvN in South Korea, and on Netflix. Consisting of 20 episodes, the show premiered June 18th, and is scheduled to end August 21st, 2022.
As of Ep2, I highly recommend this series if the fusion genre is to your preference, and the comedy is balanced with the magic and mystic, and no doubt suits my personal tastes! I certainly hope to enjoy myself, and crossing my fingers the "political intrigue" would not end up mudding the series as it did "Mr Queen" for me. Enjoy the preview for Ep3, cheers.
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