Nearing its thrilling conclusion, the mystery surrounding Mu-deok unfurls as the villains make a menacing move in the penultimate week of Alchemy of Souls.
While the good and evil camps have seen through each other’s intentions, Jang Gang makes his return. Getting the reward for returning Lady Jin’s long-lost daughter, Jin Mu and Shaman Choi proceed to their plan of causing chaos in Daeho. However, they did not foresee the existence of Mu-deok whose true power unveils
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Alchemy of Souls Episodes 17 and 18 Highlights
Unearthing the mystery about Shaman Choi and the eunuch that serves the queen; Wook and Prince Won met at Gaema village where shamans thrive.
Sensing someone keeps following them, they split to determine who is being followed. Wook draws and points his sword at the man who he doesn’t recognize to be his father Jang Gang.
“If I go around denying that he is my father, it would make my mother seem too pitiful.”
Jang Gang asks him to sheathe back his sword since the village is not particularly friendly to Cheonbugwan mages.
He reminds him not to chase after surgery as it won’t do him any good.
At Jinyowon, So-yi successfully integrated herself posing as Jin Bu-yeon. Mu-deok recognizes her as the woman who asked for direction last time.
Wondering why Mu-deok was at Jin family’s house, So-yi proceeded with her pretense. Striking the emotional chord of Lady Jin with how hard her life has been after being swept away by the waters, the latter promises to bring her happiness thereafter.
Jin Mu chats with Prince Won about the King’s woes involving the “ice stone” and the “King’s star”. He plants the other side of the idea that Master Seo Gyeong didn’t do which is to utilize the limitless power of the ice stone.
Explaining how “alchemy of souls” can bring back the dead to life; Prince Won deems the founder of Songrim is right to perceive that the stone is a curse as it is a blessing. However, Jin Mu suggests creating an order who can only use the power of ice stone. He also brings in the return of Jin Bu-yeon, who parallels the same power as Master Seogyeong.
“If we accuse Lady Jin that her daughter is fake, things could get ugly between Songrim and Jinyowon.”
Affirming Jin Mu’s evil plan of introducing a fake daughter to Lady Jin; Dang-gu, Wook and Yul can’t bring it up since the tension between Songrim and Jinyowon is not at the best state.
Moving to the villains’ plan, Jin Mu urges Lady Jin to challenge Songrim’s authority by using the “ice stone”. The union of mage families holds a meeting to discuss the fate of the ice stone. Unable to arrive at a peaceful decision, Wook proposes an answer that can be found in Master Seogyeong’s poetry book “Whisper of the Heart”.
While waiting for Dang-gu and Cho-yeon to get it from Jinyowon; the King request for Lady Jin to show the power of ice stone. He offers Mu-deok to be killed and brought back to life.
Surmising it’s the perfect time for her to acquire the ice stone, Mu-deok agrees. Lady Jin moves to cut her breathing line but the sky unexplainably erupts. So-yi who sensed something amiss and her deception might be blown goes straight to the stone to try and destroy it.
A whirlwind of clouds appears and brings them to the nearby Jeongjingak where Wook, Yul, Prince Won and some other mages are convened. The ice stone also created a force field that trapped the people inside Jeongjingak.
Unknown to them, the soul-shifter being treated by Master Heo has woken up and is preying on people to regain more strength.
“No one can truly own the ice stone. You can only use its power. Pull and get pushed. Earn one and lose other. This is the burden you will have to carry.”
It turns out that Naksu’s power is back. She also conversed with Bu-yeon who warns her of the danger of using the ice stone. That the overflowing power is tricky to use. Determined to give up Wook if it means getting back her power and finding a body to soul shift, Mu-deok makes a decision.
When So-yi stumbles on the preying soul-shifter; she uses her involvement with Jin Mu and bargains on getting people to feed him. She then asks Mu-deok to bring a blanket to the room where he is. But when she learns that Yul went instead of her; she rushes to warn Yul.
Creating havoc; Wook sacrifices himself to lure the soul shifter to the secret room. As their powers as mages do not work inside the ice stone force field; Wook realizes that soul shifters are different.
“Make me another promise. Just like you said you would.”
Belatedly learning about the mayhem inside Jeongjingak; Mu-deok fears for Wook who decided to sacrifice himself. She rushes to the secret room and sees blood on the floor. Enraged, she killed the soul shifter with her power and sword.
Just then, she sensed the presence of Jang Wook who asked why she’s been hiding after learning about the soul-shifter and why she’s there to save him. Pointing her sword at him, emotions run on Mu-deok’s face.
She puts down her sword and asks him to give her another wish – surrendering her life to his promise that he will be with her all the way. Responding to her sincere trust; Wook inches closer and kisses her with all his love.
Alchemy of Souls Episodes 17 and 18 Musings
Utilizing the “power of love” in this galvanizing penultimate week’s episodes of Alchemy of Souls was such a surreal experience. Mu-deok, embracing her new better self, sealed her character growth by allowing Wook to be by her side in a risky and uncertain future.
On that note, we also have to commend Prince Won for deviating from how we thought he would shape up in the story. In a way, his graciousness and willingness to help Mu-deok also thawed the anger in her cold heart that was initially deep-seated after she lost her family.
Naksu-Mudeok’s journey to retrieve her power finally happened. Her hesitation and care for people who show her kindness overpower her urge to escape with the ice stone that she is able to control through Bu-yeon’s power.
The finale week sees the explanation as to how and why Naksu’s spirit was absorbed by Bu-yeon and how their souls would inevitably separate. Presenting the idea of “giving up something to acquire something” holds a significant meaning that would manifest in the concluding moments of the story.
I’m quite worried about the ending because the series has been nothing but polished and ingenious since day 1. Hong’s sisters put enormous efforts into the creative worldbuilding of Alchemy of Souls that there’s nothing to nitpick at all since they efficiently covered all the bases well.
Thus, a perfect ending for a perfectly contrived narrative is normal to be felt by K-Drama fans. In the preview, we see the mention of Bu-yeon’s extraordinary power having the Jin family’s blood and the blood of a strong shaman.
With the final episodes coming up; we expect explosive battles, true reunions and inevitable sacrifices ahead. Can the power of ice stone sustain Naksu’s? We are also looking at the possibility of Bu-yeon ultimately making the final sacrifice.
Witness an energizing and magical story every Saturday and Sunday in Alchemy of Souls. International fans can watch it on Netflix!
Photos: tvN Drama |
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