Plot Summary: What Is Alchemy of Souls About?
In the fictional kingdom of Daeho, there is a magic so dangerous it has been outlawed: the alchemy of souls, a technique that lets a person move their spirit into another body. Naksu is an assassin whose name alone inspires dread, and she has dared to use it. With pursuers closing in, she takes a desperate gamble. She leaves her own body behind and forces her soul into a stranger, a young woman named Mudeok.
The disguise does not fool everyone. Jang Uk, a son of the King of Daeho, realizes that someone else is living behind Mudeok’s face. Instead of exposing her, he sees an opportunity. He longs to master martial arts and become a sorcerer, and he wants this fearsome warrior to train him. Naksu has her own reasons to accept. Her new body is weak, and staying close to Jang Uk gives her a chance to rebuild her strength while keeping her true identity hidden.
What begins as an uneasy arrangement between a reluctant teacher and an eager student sets off a story of magic, secrets and growing bonds.
What Makes Alchemy of Souls Notable
- Cast: Lee Jae-wook leads as Jang Uk and Go Youn-jung plays Naksu. The ensemble includes Minhyun as Seo Yul, Moon Seong-hyun as the teenage Seo Yul, Shin Seung-ho as Crown Prince Go Won, Yu Jun-sang as Park Jin, Oh Na-ra as Maid Kim Do-ju, Yoo In-soo as Park Dang-gu, ARIN as Jin Cho-yeon and Jo Jae-yun as Jin Mu.
- Creators: Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran wrote the series, and Park Joon-hwa directed it.
- Broadcaster: The series aired on the South Korean network tvN.
- Release date: Season 1 premiered on June 18, 2022. Season 2 premiered on December 10, 2022.
- Format: There are two seasons with 30 episodes in total. Season 1 has 20 episodes and Season 2 has 10. Episodes run about 75 minutes each, and the series has ended.
- Genre: It combines historical fantasy, action, mystery and romance. Martial arts, sorcery, body-swapping and hidden identities drive the story, and the master–apprentice relationship sits at its heart.
- US rating: TV-14.
Who Will Enjoy It
- Fans of historical fantasy K-dramas set in an invented kingdom
- Viewers who like martial arts action mixed with magic and sorcery
- Anyone drawn to body-swap and hidden-identity stories
- Romance fans who enjoy slow-building bonds between teacher and student
- Binge-watchers who want a completed, multi-season story
Where to Watch Alchemy of Souls in the US
In the United States, Alchemy of Souls is available on Netflix, which requires a subscription. You can watch it on a standard ad-free Netflix plan or on Netflix Standard with Ads, a lower-priced subscription tier that includes advertising. Both seasons are listed under the title Alchemy of Souls.
Trailer
Cast
Lee Jae-wookas Jang Uk30 episodes
Go Youn-jungas Naksu / Cho-young / Jin Bu-yeon30 episodes
Minhyunas Seo Yul30 episodes
Moon Seong-hyunas Seo Yul (teen)30 episodes
Shin Seung-hoas Crown Prince Go Won30 episodes
Yu Jun-sangas Park Jin30 episodesSee credits →
Oh Na-raas Maid Kim Do-ju30 episodes
Yoo In-sooas Park Dang-gu30 episodes
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired | |
| 1 | 9 | Aired | |
| 1 | 10 | Aired | |
| 1 | 11 | Aired | |
| 1 | 12 | Aired | |
| 1 | 13 | Aired | |
| 1 | 14 | Aired | |
| 1 | 15 | Aired | |
| 1 | 16 | Aired | |
| 1 | 17 | Aired | |
| 1 | 18 | Aired | |
| 1 | 19 | Aired | |
| 1 | 20 | Aired | |
| 2 | 1 | Aired | |
| 2 | 2 | Aired | |
| 2 | 3 | Aired | |
| 2 | 4 | Aired | |
| 2 | 5 | Aired | |
| 2 | 6 | Aired | |
| 2 | 7 | Aired | |
| 2 | 8 | Aired | |
| 2 | 9 | Aired | |
| 2 | 10 | Aired |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does Alchemy of Souls have?
- Alchemy of Souls has 30 episodes across two seasons. Season 1 has 20 episodes and Season 2 has 10. Each episode runs about 75 minutes.
- Where can I watch Alchemy of Souls legally in the US?
- In the US, the series streams on Netflix. It is included in regular Netflix subscriptions and in the Netflix Standard with Ads plan.
- Who is in the cast of Alchemy of Souls?
- Lee Jae-wook stars as Jang Uk and Go Youn-jung plays Naksu. Minhyun plays Seo Yul, and the supporting cast includes Shin Seung-ho, Yu Jun-sang, Oh Na-ra, Yoo In-soo, ARIN and Jo Jae-yun.
- When was Alchemy of Souls released?
- Season 1 premiered on tvN on June 18, 2022, and Season 2 premiered on December 10, 2022. The series has ended.
- What genre is Alchemy of Souls?
- It is a Korean historical fantasy drama that blends action, adventure, mystery and romance, built around magic, martial arts and soul-swapping.
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