Netflix’s best fantasy show Alchemy of Souls is a must for Merlin fans

This fictional world is where people can switch their bodies using illegal magic. An assassin, a powerful sorceress who was trained at a young age. Young man who has untapped magical abilities, but is kept away from the truth about his terrible and dangerous destiny. It sounds like a great setup. You’re right. You can find it on Netflix at the following link: Alchemy of SoulsTwo-season Korean drama, “The Greatest Love Story Ever Told” concluded in January. The fantasy romance was watched by millions across the planet, but never quite got the attention it warranted in the United States… until now. You’re welcome in advance for introducing you to your new favorite show.

In the modern media era, it’s rare to find a big-budget story that isn’t based on a preexisting IP. The Korean TV industry is no different. Many K-dramas were inspired by popular webtoons. Don’t get me wrong — the adaptation process has brought me some of my favorite fantasy TV shows of all time (The Magicians, Merlin, The Untamed), and some of the best K-dramas of the past few years (Everybody is Dead, Hellbound, Yumi’s Cells). But there’s something to be said for a story that doesn’t follow an already established plot, setting, and cast of characters. At the very least, the creative team — from the writers and director to the cast and costume designer — has a full sense of ownership that allows them to make choices outside of the limitations of canon. And, from a viewer’s perspective, anything could happen, adding an extra layer of tension and excitement.

Alchemy of SoulsIt comes directly from the Hong sisters’ minds, the legendary sibling writing group known for hit songs like Hotel del Luna (starring Broker’s IU) and My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox. The Netflix K-drama follows the story of mages living in the Joseon-esque fictional kingdom of Daeho, which — as the show states in its opening minutes — “does not exist in history or on maps” (yes, it’s giving Merlin vibes). This series is about Naksu (Jung Somin for the majority of the first season), who is a warrior-sorceress. Her soul-shifting into a new body leaves her less physically strong and keeps her from accessing her magic. Still, Nak-su — who, from here on out, goes by Mu-deok, the name of the person’s body she switched into — has deep, hard-earned knowledge of spellwork and swordplay. Jang Uk, a young man who comes from noble families but has had his magical abilities suppressed ever since he was a kid, is her recruit. He discovers the truth about her identity and convinces her that he will train her as an apprentice. The story of their relationship begins. Romance could be involved.

While Alchemy of Souls isn’t an adaptation, it does borrow elements from both the xianxia and romance genres. If you’ve watched any Chinese TV dramas, like the aforementioned The UntamedIf you do, then most likely you already know some of these xianxia tropes Alchemy of Souls employs. Xianxia literally means “immortal heroes.” It shares some elements with its sibling genre wuxia, which translates as “martial heroes,” but includes characters with supernatural or magical abilities that are far removed from what’s possible in the real world. For instance, characters from the classic wuxia xianxia are not able to see outside of their own world. Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonYou can dance through the bamboo forest canopy, characters of xianxia. Alchemy of Souls can, you know, put their souls in other people’s bodies. As a white American who grew up in the ’90s with limited access to international media, I love watching K-dramas and C-dramas as an adult. Their tropes might be well-known to the domestic audience, but they are not part of Western story structures.

Image: Studio Dragon

Many East Asian story formats are not allergic to romance and emotional vulnerability —rather, they often lead with it. Alchemy of Souls is not embarrassed to devote entire scenes, especially in season 2, to the lead characters gazing longingly at one another while one of the series’ epic love ballads plays in the background. Alchemy of Souls (and much of Korean TV drama) articulates expressions of character interiority in new ways for many Western audiences, offering a refreshing alternative to the traditionally “masculine” character interiority of ironic distance, stoicism, and displays of physical dominance often prioritized in big-budget Western media. Anger, aggression and emotional stoicism can all be seen in Alchemy of SoulsThese experiences do not have to be interpreted as heroic or more gentleness or playfulness or emotional openness. The series will show characters expressing emotional pain through weeping and throwing themselves on the ground. It is equally likely that they would strike someone with a sword.

The show’s central story is Mu-deok/Jang Uk’s love story. However, this is heavily influenced by their childhood drama. Because of the actions of their parents’ generation, the destinies of Mu-deok and Jang Uk have been inextricably intertwined — the complexity of which is slowly unraveled over the course of the show’s 30 episodes. The dynamic between them is fascinatingly complicated in the interim. To keep her true identity as the assassin Nak-su a secret, Mu-deok Is pretending to be Jang Uk’s maid — and therefore kind of is Jang Uk’s maid. (Once again, major Merlin similarities.) However, she is also Jang Uk’s master in his magical training. Jang Uk must beg Mu’deok to accept him as her apprentice. Sometimes, in the first episodes, Jang Uk is one step closer to actually killing him. Although others might see Mu-deok only as Jang Uk’s servant, this isn’t the reality of their relationship. Jang Uk doesn’t feel threatened by Mu-deok having power over her. This creates a dynamic that is subversive and complicates some traditional power disparities between women and men in romance relationships. The age gap between the lead actors is further emphasized in the premiere season. Jung Somin plays Mudeok while Lee Jaewook plays Jang Uk.

The other leads are not included. Alchemy of Souls invests a good amount of energy in developing the world’s magical society, a crucial element to any series operating at this scale. Daeho has four families of power. Each family is able to produce a hot, young heir apparent. Think of the Gossip GirlBrats with magic powers, however. Collectively, this group is known as “The Four Seasons.” Jang Uk is from the Uk family. Jang Gang, Jang Sang-wook’s father, was a strong sorcerer and had the power to do the alchemy to souls. This spell allows you to swap bodies. Jang Gang dipped shortly after Jang Uk’s mother died in childbirth — but not before making everyone promise they would never teach Jang Uk a lick of magic.

Image: Studio Dragon

Before the events of the series, Jang Uk was engaged to Jin Cho-yeon, thought to be the only surviving daughter of the Jin family, who is in charge of protecting most of the realm’s most powerful magic instruments. They have one of the most reliable and consistent eyeliners in TV. The Jin family is matriarchal. Jin Choyeon was engaged to Jang Uk. However, Park Dang Gu (Yoo Insoo) is her secret love. Yoon Gwion-nam is a cruel antagonist here. Everybody is Dead). Park Danggu, who is also the head of Songrim (the seat for magical instruction in Daeho), will ultimately take control. And, finally, we have Seo Yul (K-pop star Hwang Min-hyun of the group NU’EST), of the distant Seo family. Seo Yul could be described as a friend who can cause unhealthy resentment due to how beautiful and talented they might seem, but they are just too good and earnest. Although he has an old connection to Nak-su and occasionally flirts with Nak’su about a possible love triangle, he is never completely committed. Rather, the “Four Seasons” — especially Jang Uk, Dang-gu, and Yeo Sul — are consistently portrayed as supportive besties.

These are just a few of the many rich and varied worlds. Alchemy of SoulsIt builds on the story and takes viewers on an unplanned journey. I don’t want to go too far into the second season’s plot, but let’s just say the first season ends on a major cliffhanger and, when the story picks up after a time jump, the characters are much changed.

If you’re a viewer looking for a meticulously outlined magical system or a fantasy story that prioritizes plot over emotion, Alchemy of SoulsIt is not the right choice for you. But, if you’re someone who misses the sentimental shenanigans of an adventure fantasy series like MerlinYou are searching for an epic, emotional fantasy series that can go from heartbreakingly sad to incredibly romantic within a single episode. Alchemy of Souls You might just find your calling.