Saved by Jang Wook, Jin Bu-yeon honestly reveals losing her divine powers along with her memories in Alchemy of Souls Part 2 episode 2.
Convinced to keep the woman who willingly professed to become her wife, Jang Wook gambles on a sliver of hope that Bu-yeon can retrieve her powers back.
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 2 Highlights
Fleeing on the night she was to be married, Bu-yeon was helped by Jang Wook. His intention is so he can be freed from the ice stone inside his body that she can possibly help remove.
“I get that you are impatient, but doing it here seems inappropriate.”
Elated to be rescued, the happiness spell soon vanished for Bu-yeon when her savior dismissed her request to be carried. Reasoning that she has feet to walk, Wook also quips that she looks heavy which she blamed on the layered robe she’s wearing.
Wook asks her to take off her clothes and before Bu-yeon’s imagination went wild, he put her back to sanity when she’s already thinking of their first night.
Curious if she’s not really mentally sick, Bu-yeon affirms she’s not. She also passingly shares how she used to be utterly sick, but her mother nursed her back to life. Explaining she does not have any memory of her past before she regained consciousness, Wook listened to her story of why her mother hid her because she lost her memories.
Alerting Lady Jin that Bu-yeon was kidnapped, Cho-yeon expressed the possibility that Dang-gu might be involved in it. But Songrim’s new master is in fact being consoled by Yul who corrects his impression that his old bride could be marrying. Yul explains that it is his uncle who will be marrying Bu-yeon.
Listening to how Bu-yeon magically regains her vision when she regained health; Wook checks her eyes. They talk about soul-shifter marks and she accidentally mentions Naksu. Obviously wanting to stop the flow of their conversation, Bu-yeon reasons that she only wants to know him more.
However, Wook draws a line right away that he is not a loving husband material. He can only function as the initial husband she said she need that would help her escape and defy her mother.
Giving her a choice to leave, Bu-yeon remains firm with her decision to become his wife for her convenience. Reaching a truce, Bu-yeon asked why Wook rescued him. He comes clean about his intention of needing her divine power for the ice stone settled inside his body.
“The most tragic experience is to live your entire life regretting what you could have done.”
Lady Jin and company head to Songrim and were greeted by Master Park and Master Heo. On cue, Dang-gu arrives with Yul and his uncle Yun-o to deny the kidnapping allegation.
Learning about Bu-yeon’s reemergence made Master Park curious. Later, Yul and Dang-gu chat about what happened. The latter advises his friend to never live with regrets as he once held back in saving Mu-deok/Naksu which caused irreversible damage.
Bringing Bu-yeon to Jang family’s residence, Maidservant Kim tends to her needs when Wook announced her to be his bride-to-be.
Unknown to them, a monster is following them keen to get the ice stone inside Wook.
“You really have a way of surprising me with your words.”
Settling in a decorated room, Bu-yeon obliged Maidservant Kim’s inquisition. Surprised about learning the two have only met recently, she accidentally blabs her shock that Wook agreed to be married again.
Bu-yeon also realizes she’s not Wook’s first bride. Not finding her groom in his study, Bu-yeon quickly tastes the liquor. About to bring the alcohol bottle with her, Wook appears and hands her a cup of alcohol.
In an adorable “A Moment To Remember” parody, Bu-yeon gives him a shot of alcohol and remarks they are officially married if he drinks it. Apparently, in Daeho there’s a custom that sharing a wedding drink seals a marriage.
Teasing her, Wook puts down what she labeled as their “wedding drink”. Opting to take everything slow, Bu-yeon insists on a speedy wedding and everything it entails – steamy or not.
Wook responds by giving her a test to prove she’s a great priestess. Apparently, it is Bu-yeon’s fear as she is not as powerful as she claims.
Bringing a lamp from Jinyowon that can’t be put off, he asked her to justify her worth. Wook figures Bu-yeon can’t do it.
Confessing she lost her divine powers along with her memories; she admits only seeing energy with her eyes.
“Jang Wook, I do not wish to go back. I like it here. And I like you, too.”
With the truth unfurled, Wook tells Bu-yeon to go home as soon as morning comes. Showing her tracking bracelet, she replies how she’s being tracked by Jinyowon and soon enough will know that she’s at Jang’s residence.
Pleading not to be sent off, Bu-yeon sincerely declares that she likes Jang Wook. She reasons how not everything she said is lies and relays her divine power will come back when she gets her memory back.
Still, Wook orders her to leave in the morning. He also removes the bracelet easily with his power. Acquiescing to his demand, she voices out leaving right away since it would be more humiliating to do it in daylight.
At the same moment, Lady Jin is actually conversing with Master Lee about Bu-yeon’s vanishing.
Unearthing the truth that Naksu has taken full control of Bu-yeon’s body thanks to her energy. Three years ago, when they retrieved Naksu, to keep Bu-yeon’s body alive, Bu-yeon’s soul was obliterated.
Thus, Bu-yeon’s body survived, but the soul belongs to Naksu. Also, as Naksu’s energy flows into Bu-yeon’s body, her face assumed the real face of Naksu.
On her way back, Bu-yeon bumps into a man with strange energy. She goes back to the Jang family’s residence and helps the servant who was attacked by the water monster.
Just in time, Wook arrives to rescue her and kill the monster. He stays by her side all night to keep her warm.
“It is only natural for the heart to waver in front of a handsome man.”
The next day, Daeho is greeted by a reward announcement for who can give a lead to where Jin Bu-yeon is. From the royal family who received the news about Yun-oh’s almost-marriage with Jin family’s heir to the mages of Songrim who are aware that Bu-yeon’s return will make Jin family stronger; everyone is curious.
Unfortunately, the viral news reaches Jin Mu who knows exactly that the face claimed to be Jin Bu-yeon is really Naksu’s. So-yi, who is wandering in Songrim also knows what Bu-yeon looks like.
Lady Heo also visits Jang residence and meets Bu-yeon. When the latter learns about the search happening for her in the capital initiated by Dang-gu and Yul, she thought her supposed groom-to-be made the move.
Hurriedly leaving Wook’s house, she headed to Chwiseonru to look for Yul. While waiting, fragments of how Wook took care of her dawned in her memory.
She also remembers Wook drank some liquor while watching over her and thinks if it could count for the wedding drink bet, she threw the other night.
Just then, Ju-wol announces Yul’s arrival. Looking at a handsome man, Bu-yeon beams brightly.
When they get alone to talk, she apologized for running away. Bewildered at Bu-yeon’s words, she further confuses Yul by cutely blabbing a quick change of heart fueled by the fact that he is handsome.
But Bu-yeon honestly speaks about giving her heart to someone already. Ergo, she intends to keep it that way.
Belatedly, Yul corrects Bu-yeon’s understanding that she’s betrothed to him and explains that it was his uncle. He also agrees for the search announcement to be halted.
“We cannot let anyone learn that the heir of Jinyowon has no divine powers.”
Excited to go back to Wook’s place, Jinyowon’s lady guards, unfortunately, appear to take her back. Yul also wondered if she was confined.
Jin Mu visits Lady Jin to ensure Bu-yeon is brought to the United Assembly meeting and be announced as the next heir of Jinyowon.
Citing the risk of refusing Daeho’s demand, Lady Jin worries since Bu-yeon does not have divine powers anymore.
Forced to taste his new recipe, Wook meets Master Park who also chides him on his intention to marry Bu-yeon because of the ice stone.
Hearing about Bu-yeon’s presence as Jinyowon’s next heir at the United Assembly gathering, Wook wonders how the events unfold since he knows Bu-yeon’s divine power is non-existent.
Noticing the Jinyowon lamp has no flame, Wook realizes Bu-yeon still possesses divine powers. The lamp apparently was put off while she was walking away crying when Wook told her to leave.
At the United Assembly gathering, Lady Jin introduces her eldest daughter Bu-yeon. Suddenly, Wook arrives to test Bu-yeon again and promises to take her if she can put off the Jinyowon’s lamp’s fire.
Not knowing how, Wook motions to leave. Feeling desperate, Bu-yeon reaches for him and the lamp’s flame died.
Taking back his wife, Wook declares Bu-yeon can’t become Jinyowon’s heir since she is already married to him.
Alchemy of Souls Part 2 Episode 2 Musings
Episode 2 of Alchemy of Souls Part 2 gives more details on Wook’s appointment as a soul-hunter. His existence seemingly controlled by the royal family and manipulated by Jin Mu surely is a valid reason why he’s losing his purpose.
Additionally, we got the answer right away to the mystery of Bu-yeon and Naksu’s soul sharing, and closure as well to the character of Bu-yeon/Mudeok.
The smirk on Jin Mu’s face at the gathering smells trouble for Wook, and we can only hope that the lead villain will suffer the highest allowed karma for his misdeeds.
Bu-yeon’s magical alchemy, pun intended, is really making us viewers formulate theories on what would happen once Naksu regains her memory. Everything could be possible, even gaining Bu-yeon’s divine powers, to be honest
Based on the preview for next week’s episode, the three men smitten with Naksu will suffer the same fate. What makes this scenario interesting is if Wook realizes Naksu is alive, he instinctively will protect her from whatever trouble Jin Mu will be brewing. Inevitably, this will spin the motivation to live that he lost.
Complicating the scenario though is Yul won’t sit back to this picture. Especially since he regretted it the most and partly blames himself for Naksu’s fate. We can’t rule out Prince Won’s adoration for Naksu as well.
Since Naksu’s reputation is abysmal in Daeho, the truth involving Jin Mu’s scheming would save the day. Hopefully, Prince Won’s growing qualm would stumble on his teacher’s wicked fiddling.
Go Yoon Jung’s hard work in giving the sassy side of Naksu’s character convinces us to root for her. Her adorable quips brighten the stunning screenplay even more. Her slow but sure owning of the limelight as the focal character is commendable.
Ultimately, we can’t wait to see how the old lovers rediscover their fated connection.
Be entranced by the wondrous world of Daeho in Alchemy of Souls Part 2. International fans can watch it on Netflix.
Photos: tvN Drama | SC Netflix
[wpedon id=”2271″ align=”center”]
