The aftermath of the heartbreaking deaths and sacrifices of the mages of Daeho continues in the premiere of Alchemy of Souls Part 2.
Coming together, will they patch up old pains? Will they find the will to continue looking for the love and purpose that they turned their backs on?
abbyinhallyuland watched Alchemy of Souls Part 2 on Netflix
Episode Recaps: 01| 02| 03| 04| 05| 06| 07| 08| 09| Final Episode + Series Review |
Alchemy of Souls Part 2 Episode 1 Highlights
Three years after the chaotic events in the land of Daeho, the kingdom has since been inhabited by soul shifters. Jang Wook has also become a soul-shifter hunter. At the same time, Naksu has also become a terrifying thought for Daeho people even if she’s announced to be lying in the depths of Lake Gyeongcheondaeho.
Closing its doors from outsiders in the last three years, Jinyowon’s Choyeon (Arin) meets Master Park Dang-gu (Yoo In Soo), who has assumed the leadership of Songrim. Chasing after a soul-shifter who sought refuge inside Jinyowon, the two painfully reunite since their heartbreaking wedding.
Pleading to seek entrance to Jinyowon, Cho-yeon refused and icily remarked how he couldn’t possibly take care of the soul-shifter creating havoc when he could not save his bride’s father. Evidently, the former lovers who still yearned for each other had become estranged. While emotions are clouding their thoughts, Jang Wook moves to enter the premise.
After killing the soul-shifter, he discovers the supposedly hidden place where Bu-yeon (Go Yoon Jung) stays. Finding a prison-like abode, Wook encounters Bu-yeon whom he thought to be a clueless priestess. Surprised to see someone break the barrier of the place she was staying; she fended herself with priestess instruments that are totally no match to Jang Wook’s power.
“Hey, Lousy Priestess. Step back unless you want to end up like that fire poker. I am not used to having people stand so close.”
Assessing the woman as a lousy priestess who’s trying to escape being imprisoned, Wook refused her request to break free with him. However, his heart relents when she told him the reason why she can’t go out. It’s because she’s guilty of existing when she’s not supposed to do so.
Building a wall with plate steps for her to sneak away, Bu-yeon promised to wait as Wook explained not wanting to cause any trouble with Jin family anymore.
Having the ice stone means braving the side trouble it brings as the souls tend to swarm Wook in his quiet moments. During these times, of course, Maidservant Kim stays by her cherished young master. She also pays a visit to her good friend Master Park who has been causing headaches with his relentless concoction of kimchi side dishes.
“Some say he is bearing a bitter grudge, while others say he is just painfully in love with her.”
News of a wedding in Jin family reaches Dang-gu and worries if Cho-yeon is betrothed to another man. Unknown to him, Lady Jin is marrying Bu-yeon to a young master from Seo family. Paying Bu-yeon a visit to relay her upcoming marriage, Lady Jin explains how she needs to bear a daughter as the eldest daughter who possesses the strongest energy.
Despite disagreeing about being married and still staying at Jinyowon, she tacitly listens to what her looming fate would be.
Meanwhile, Master Lee speaks with the royal family to have Crown Prince Won deliver the bounty for Jang Wook’s new soul-shifter conquest. Acquiescing to Master Lee’s demand, Prince Won meets Wook, and they engage in a respectful verbal spat.
Arriving at Songrim, Seo Yul (Hwang Min Hyun) and Dang-gu head to Jeongjingak but did not find Wook there. Feeling sorry for leaving Songrim three years ago, Yul apologized to his friend for not being there when his two best friends need him the most.
“Jang Wook, will you marry me? I want you to be my husband.”
Proceeding to her plan, Bu-yeon escapes her place planning to meet her groom-to-be to talk him out of marriage. But she gets a better idea when she visited Chwiseonru and learned from Ju-wol about the four eligible bachelors of Daeho.
When she spots Jang Wook, who as usual, made people move away from him – Bu-yeon invites herself to his table and properly introduced herself. Conveying her predicament, she tells him how she realized the perfect husband for someone like her of an unwanted existence.
She straightforwardly declares wanting Jang Wook to be her husband surprising the strongest mage in the kingdom. Bewildered at her proposal, Wook thinks the woman in front of him is crazy to suggest marriage after meeting only once.
Running down the reasons why he’s the perfect candidate for a husband that could defy her mother, Bu-yeon assures that she’s not crazy and that his presence would guarantee her being thrown out from Jinyowon.
Her impossible proposal is nonetheless rejected by Wook who left her company when she also mentions her beauty as another bargaining agreement. Sensing Jinyowon’s lady guards are near through her bracelet, she hides and was also helped by Wook. Affirming her identity, she pleads that Wook takes her away before she gets married.
Still, Wook dismisses her wish but remarks on the intention to look for her since she can see divine energy and she might be of help to him someday.
“Did you think removing the ice stone would mend your painful heart?”
Reuniting at Master Park’s house; Wook, Yul and Dang-gu struggle to eat the badly-flavored dishes prepared by Songrim’s former leader for Yul’s return.
Ever the wise mage, Yul uses her guest of honor privilege to not proceed with bearing to eat the prepared feast of Master Park. He also adorably refuses to help his friends and lets them continue to eat the non-palatable feast.
Cho-yeon learns about the wedding at Jinyowon reaching Dang-gu’s radar and worries about him. On cue, Dang-gu spews his unwavering love to Cho-yeon after drinking heavily to celebrate Yul’s return.
Alone with Master Park, Wook talks about the wedding at Jinyowon. He also expressed his intention of wanting the stone inside him to be removed. His second father reminds him that by removing the ice stone that he carries inside his body, he will die. Having no reason to live, Wook responds that it would make him at peace, at least.
Belatedly learning that his older cousin is going to marry the eldest daughter of Jin family, Yul also attends the wedding.
Hoping for Wook to take her away on the day of her wedding, Bu-yeon gets her wish came true as she was taken away by his power en route to her supposed groom’s house.
Jumping into his embrace, Wook allowed Bu-yeon to taste her long-yearned freedom to escape.
Alchemy of Souls Part 2 Episode 1 Musings
A lot has changed in the kingdom of Daeho since Nak-su’s turbulent outburst and Wook’s return from the dead. We can notice the diminished cheery atmosphere and an invisible detachment felt among the prominent mage families.
Still stunningly pictured with its elaborate set design and wardrobe, the series promises to be another weekend feast for its superb cinematography.
Shaping up to focus on Jang Wook’s emotional turmoil of braving his life as a soul-shifter hunter whilst living the heartbreak of losing Naksu – the secret to Bu-yeon’s identity would most likely spin the core conflict of the story.
Echoing the same feel of how Jang Wook needed Mu-deok ergo they end up being master and apprentice; the same “need” for each other brought about connecting the two lovers, who are yet to discover that fate played on them.
Seeing Jin Mu still working with the royal family means retribution for initiating Nak-su’s frenzied killing will be concluded in the second part of the series.
It won’t be long for Jin Mu’s hidden evil ploys to materialize once again, and that would aggravate the discord among the mage families that seems to be on the brink of bursting.
Be entranced by the wondrous world of Daeho in Alchemy of Souls Part 2. International fans can watch it on Netflix.
Photos: tvN Drama
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