Alchemy of Souls (환혼) is a 2022 Korean fantasy drama that is set in the imaginary world of Daeho. The story revolves around young magicians who are to carry the burden of the past. Starring Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Hwang Min-hyun, the show premiered on tvN on Jun 18, 2022. The show will have 20 episodes and it takes over tvN’s Saturday-Sunday 9 PM KST timeslot previously occupied by Our Blues. Alchemy of Souls episode 4 has a runtime of 73 minutes.
Netflix describes the series as:
A POWERFUL SORCERESS IN A BLIND WOMAN’S BODY ENCOUNTERS A MAN FROM A PRESTIGIOUS FAMILY, WHO WANTS HER HELP TO CHANGE HIS DESTINY.
-Alchemy of Souls Episode 4 Recap contains spoilers-
Alchemy of Souls episode 4 starts with the birth of Jang Uk. We see Jang Kang remembering the words of the late king which reminded him of the birth of his son by Do-hwa. He tells Jang Kang that the child will be born under the King’s Star and will be his heir as the divination during his coronation said. We see the divination occurring during Jang Uk’s birth and the King’s star. The scene shifts to the present where Jang Uk remembers the events that happened at Songrim while in a bath.
Housekeeper Kim is worried about him and asks Mu-deok to look after him with more attention. However, when Mu-deok goes to consol him she is surprised that he is doing fine. Suddenly, they notice that Jang Uk’s body temperature is rising which has also caused the bath water to get hotter. Mu-deok realizes the situation, concluding that it is the torrential energy surging inside him due to the flogging. She tells him that his body temperature will rise and then fall which he will have to bear through in order to survive and make this energy his own.
She brings him cold water to bring down his temperature and later wraps him in blankets when his body starts to freeze. She later warms him with her body temperature when Jang Uk says that if he dies then she can take his energy and run away. Mu-deok replies to him by saying that she would have done that already if possible and later comforts him with warm words. She also tells him about her hometown, the birds, and the caves from there.
Elsewhere, Seo Yul and Park Dang-gu try to plea to Park Jin for leniency towards Jang Uk but he rejects their request and put them on the case of the soul shifters. They enter a secret room where the body of the soul shifter who had attacked them was kept. After discussing the case they move on to leave only to see the room closing on itself. It is revealed that the mechanism of the room hasn’t been fixed since the time when Jang Uk had made it collapse. We then see the entry of a mysterious character who breaks into the Jin family house and calls for Sapsali. The ghost goes to him and enters the body of a dog. They set off to search for soul shifters, but the intentions of this man are unknown.
Also Read: Alchemy Of Souls Episode 3 Recap: Jang Uk’s Past Reveals A Deadly Fate!
The next morning, Mu-deok wakes up to find Jang Uk with his father’s sword as he tries to unsheathe it, only to fail. She tells him that it is still too early and he has to master Ryusu before he can unsheathe the sword. He says that it is only when he can unsheathe the sword that he will be able to enter Songrim. Mu-deok motivates him and says that she believes that he can achieve what he desires. Elsewhere, the crown prince makes his way to the Jang house.
The crown prince tells Jang Uk that he is here to take away Naksu’s sword and Jang Uk accepts his request. However, when the crown prince eyes Jang Kang’s sword, Jang Uk refuses to let him take it away. This leads the two to enter a bet where they are to fight for the sword. The two are ready to fight and the crown prince draws a boundary and says that it will be Jang Uk’s win if he can push him outside the line.
The two duel, as Jang Uk continuously receives the crown prince’s blows as he has connected the torrential energy inside his body to the earlier flogging. Mu-deok realizes that the situation is not in Jang Uk’s favour and rushes with a chamber pot right when the crown prince was about to deal his final blow. The duel comes to an end when Jang Uk points out that the crown prince has stepped outside the line. But, the crown prince agrees to Jang Uk but is angered and decides to punish Mu-deok. He rushes to her with his sword only to be blocked by Jang Uk who has succeeded in unsheathing his father’s sword.
However, Jang Uk is unable to control his energy which has become focused on his right hand which leads to him attacking the crown prince with the sword. The situation comes into control only when Jang Uk’s hand is chained by Jin So-yeon, as she along with Seo Yul and Park Dang-gu plead to the crown prince for forgiveness.
We then move to Park Jin, Jin Mu, Heo Yeom and Jin Ho-kyung discussing Gwigu’s robbery. Just then it is announced that Jang Uk has come to meet Park Jin. Jang Uk unsheathes the sword in front of them all but his being unable to control the energy is known to all. Jin Mu also takes him attacking the crown prince as an opportunity to get rid of Jang Uk. Park Jin orders Jang Uk to be put in prison and later goes to meet him there.
Park Jin discusses Jang Uk’s ability of being able to absorb the energy at such a surprising speed. While the two seem to have a good conversation, Park Jin asks him to not try to be a mage or a Gwanju and later tells him that he is not Jang Kang’s child. This immensely hurts Jang Uk as he becomes depressed. As he leaves, he comes across housekeeper Kim who sends Mu-deok ahead to send Jang Uk his food. Mu-deok senses that there is something wrong with his mood and decides to give him some time.
On the other hand, housekeeper Kim follows Park Jin and treats the wound Jang Uk had given to him earlier. Park Jin suggests that he should admit Jang Uk to be his son and quit his position and move away with Jang Uk. However, the two once again bicker with each and soon reach a peaceful conclusion. Elsewhere, Jin Mu’s subordinate has reached the conclusion that Mu-deok is actually Naksu while he is guiding a soul shifter from the palace to Danju. Once again, we see the mysterious man looking over the city with Sapsali on his side.
Alchemy Of Souls Episode 4 Ending
Mu-deok is unable to bear the way Jang Uk is behaving and is angered to the brink with his attitude. She decides to take matters into her hands and gets Park Dang-gu to convince Heo Yeom to speak with Jin Mu. Unknown to them, she subtly succeeds in creating another duel between Jang Uk and the crown prince. Jin Mu convinces the crown prince to the duel, he sends his people to Songrim to announce the duel between the two. Park Jin is surprised by this sudden duel and calls for Jang Uk.
Seo Yul, Park Dang-gu, and Mu-deok reach Jang Uk before Park Jin’s people and they tell him that he needs to escape if he wants to stay alive. Jang Uk realizes that Mu-deok has something to do with this but keeps his mouth shut. The four people quickly escape and reach the riverside where Jang Uk and Mu-deok get on a boat to escape.
Elsewhere, Park Jin is in an audience with the king where it is announced that the duel will be held in the middle of next month. If Jang Uk fails to return by that time then he will lose his right to be the Gwanju. While Mu-deok and Jang Uk are on their way, he exposes her and calls her a crazy master who has poisoned him again. Mu-deok then warns him to be ready for an intense environment but he is confused as Sari village wasn’t supposed to be this scary. Mu-deok then reveals that Sari village is Mu-deok’s hometown, but they are going to Naksu’s hometown- Danhyanggok.
Alchemy Of Souls Episode 4 Review
Alchemy of Souls episode 4 took us on the journey of becoming a mage through the experiences of Jang Uk. The challenges he faces and the optimism that he has keeps him moving forward. We also see the committed teacher that Mu-deok is as she refuses to give up on her student, even when he loses all motivation. The two need each other to move forward and they are doing their parts.
The mysterious man who enters this episode has really attracted our attention. He is not only mysterious but also powerful as seems like an important and maybe even a legendary character. I really look forward to the unveiling of his true identity in the upcoming episodes.
Alchemy Of Souls is streaming on Netflix.
Check out all of the other Alchemy of Souls reviews here.
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