Alchemy of Souls season 2 (Alchemy of Souls Part 2: Light and Shadow/ 환혼: 파트2) is the sequel of the Korean historical drama series of the same name. Directed by Park Joon-hwa and starring Lee Jae-wook, Go Yoon-jung, Hwang Min-hyun, Shin Seung-ho, Yoo Jun-sang, Oh Na-ra and Jo Jae-yoon, alongside other cast members, the show premiered on tvN onDecember 10, 2022.
The will have 10 episodes and takes over tvN’s Saturday-Sunday 9:10 OM KST timeslot previously held by Under the Queen’s Umbrella. Alchemy of Souls season 2 episode 1 has a run time of 85 minutes.
tvN’s synopsis of the sequel reads:
Jang Uk returns from death, and three years later, the story of the mages unfolds anew. Jang Uk becomes a hunter of the soul-shifters when a young woman, a prisoner in her own home, seeks his help to reclaim her freedom.
-Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Episode 1 Recap contains spoilers-
Alchemy of Souls season 2 episode 1 begins with wine suppliers bringing in a batch to Jinyowon for their upcoming rituals which are rejected by Jin Cho-yeon, she later brings one of them inside when the young man meets a beautiful woman who calls herself Jin Bu-yeon.
Later, he talks about her in front of his co-workers when one of them shows the other two a charm made from the ashes of the petrified Naksu. Right then, they notice a soul shifter’s attack when they come across Jang Uk who saves them. while looking into the mind of the soul shifter. He finds out that it is the father of the body who took over.
On the other hand, the suppliers soon realise who Jang Uk is and the fear inside them only gets worse. Later, as Jin Bu-yeon drinks the wine she secretly took from the supplier, Jang Uk too drowns himself in sorrow with the wine he took from the same supplier.
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The scene shifts and we see the people enjoying a festival when a soul shifter comes by and instils fear in them only to run away while being chased by Park Dang-gu and others from Songrim. The soul shifter is seen entering Jinyowon and Dang-gu comes face to face with Cho-yeon whom he hasn’t seen in three years after the doors of the house were shut for everyone.
Jang Uk arrives at the scene and given no choice, he uses the powers of the ice stone inside him to enter Jinyowon where he sees the soul shifter and kills her. However, a mysterious door opens up for him which leads him to a prison that hides a maiden who wants to be free.
Elsewhere, Cho-yeon and Jin Ho-kyung fear that Jang Uk would come across Jin Bu-yeon, unaware that it has already happened. Jang Uk already amazes Bu-yeon with his powers and tries to leave only to be held back by her as she puts forth her wish to leave the room.
He disagrees and tries to leave again only to be stopped when she points at the ice stone inside him that is not visible to anyone. However, when she tells him that she is someone who shouldn’t have existed, he is unable to look away so he creates a path for her escape and leaves.
Later, Bu-yeon denies anyone came to her room when asked by Cho-yeon. Elsewhere, Jang Uk arrives back home while Kim Do-ju worries for him as he is destined to be haunted by wraiths all night after having killed the soul shifters. This is the price he must pay for using the ice stone as those beings surround him to take in his power.
The next day, Kim Do-ju visits Songrim and marvels at the capable leader Park Dang-gu has become after his uncle stepped down. She then goes to visit Park Jin who is busying himself with leisurely activities while torturing the people around him with his recipes.
She asks him if it is uncomfortable having stepped down from his position while laments at her behaviour when he took responsibility for all that had happened three years back. She also feels sorry for being unable to get together with him because of her worries for Jang Uk.
Later, the news of a wedding taking place within Jinyowon spreads and everyone thinks that it is Cho-yeon getting married which breaks Dang-gu’s heart. On the other hand, Ho-kyung announces Bu-yeon’s upcoming wedding to her and lets her know that she is to give birth to an heir and forever live in her prison.
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She tells Bu-yeon that her potential husband is a member of the Seo family. Meanwhile, Seo Yul is seen returning back to Daeho along with his uncle. Elsewhere, the king rewards Jang Uk for having killed another soul shifter while the prince is given the duty to carry out the reward.
While Jin Mu tries to get in between this, master Lee emphasizes that it is the crown prince who must do this for Jang Uk who is carrying out the punishment of being secluded for them.
The crown prince proceeds with giving Jang Uk the reward, however, their conversation soon shows the tension between them due to Jin Mu’s existence near the crown prince. Elsewhere, Bu-yeon manages to escape the room and makes her way to meet her potential husband only to confuse him to be Seo Yul.
She makes her way to the docks to meet him but has to escape when Jinyowon’s priestesses rush to find her. Seo Yul is back in Daeho and so is Seo Yi who sees him return.
Bu-yeon once again crosses paths with Jang Uk and finds out that he is the perfect husband material for her as he has bad blood with Jinyowon and is strong enough to oppose them. She puts forth her desire to marry him only to be told off.
She does not let go of this and tells him about her identity while letting him know that she will wait for him on the night of her wedding. Later, Dang-gu, Seo Yul and Jang Uk come together at Park Jin’s house as the latter prepares a meal for them.
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Episode 1 Ending
Alchemy of Souls season 2 episode 1 ends with Dang-gu drowning in his sorrows after finding out about Cho-yeon’s wedding, while Jang Uk stays back to talk to Park Jin about the stone inside him. When asked about the result of his separation from the ice stone, Park Jin tells Jang Uk that is because of the stone that he is alive and only someone as powerful as Jin Seol-ran would be able to carry out this task.
Only Jin Bu-yeon was as powerful as the first leader of Jinyowon- Jin Seol-ran.
Days later, Bu-yeon prepares for her wedding while she waits for Jang Uk, however, she soon loses hope when on the way to her soon-to-be husband’s house.
Right then, the winds shift as the water creates a curtain and she disappears from the watch of Jinyowon’s priestesses. She soon realises that she has been taken away and finds Jang Uk waiting at the docks.
Delighted by this, she tells him that she knew he would come and he doesn’t deny it while letting her know that she is useful to him. She then calls him husband and jumps out to hug him.
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Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Episode 1 Review
Alchemy of Souls is finally back and there is no better start to the new season than having all the mages gather back to the starting point of this story. As every character is brought right in the first episode, this is definitely going to be an unforgettable sequel.
Jang Uk has definitely turned darker when compared to the last season, however, the wittiness that brings out his charm is still right there and I am happy about this. And just like him, many other characters have kept their personalities the same as last season, except that it is not always shown.
But watching Naksu who is being called Jin Bu-yeon bringing out a cheerful yet sneaky character is something new as we have only witnessed her as a powerful assassin till now. This new personality is really intriguing and exciting for us to watch and makes me curious about her role which is going to change it all.
Altogether, the sequel has finally begun and we are looking forward to what the show is to bring in just 10 episodes!
What did you think about episode 1 of the sequel? Let us know in the comments below!
Watch Alchemy of Souls season 2 on Netflix.
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I’m only a lil frustrated I haven’t heard “mu-deok” at all but I will wait and be patient as the story unfolds. Lee jae wook! ????
Don’t prefer Naksu bring back Mu Deok-i
Let Naksu be Naksu.
Bring back Mudeok and we need more information about Buyeon. Buyeon/Mudeok is the same person.
The first S2 epi 1 did not glow as S1. Seems to be dragging nd boring a little bit. Not that interesting. Wanted Mudeokie back pls
As expected, it was a disappointment. As a lead actor as good as lee jae wook, he needed a strong lead actress beside him. That was why part 1 worked like magic. The main leads were equally good and on point. That was not the case here. Early on, its easy to say the lead actress in part 2 is very pretty but she still lacked the sophisticated acting required for such a big role. Following in jung somin’s wake does not make it easy either. Overall, episode 1 dragged and was boring. Will probably wait until it ends before I watch, just to get answers. It did not engender the same thrill and anticipation for me.
Disappointed bit boring as well????
i need mu deok back…………
We miss mudeok.
We all need Mu-deok back. Her name was not mentioned once in this episode. The chemistry between Jan Uk and Mu-doek can not be replaced. Sorry, Go Yoon Jung is so beautiful and all but we don’t see the connection.
As it’s only the 1st episode, it could be a story twist later on but without Mu-deok, I think the viewings are going to be declining drastically.
As a viewer, I think they should have concluded this drama at Jin Cho-yoen and Park Dang-gu wedding. And Mu-deok accepting By-yoen body and leaving Naksu soul hidden forever. The 2nd season should have been about Mu-doek finding out that’s her body is Bu-yoen and on…
So sad and disappointing. Will wait for the ending before continue watching.
Bring mudeok back …..
How do we even know this Naksu has the original Naksu/Mu doek soul in it? Or if it’s actually Bu Yeons soul in Naksus body???
I need Mudeokiiii
Bring her backkkkkkkk
Meh. Watched it. Hated it…Even the music/new song added. What a mess they have made. I’m even angry, and sooo sad, lol… No actress can replace MuDoek’s actress and character. No one. Blah
Exactly what happened to MuDoek cause originally Jung So Min was her originally, what dont make since is why they got rid of her character . Using Naksu body instead of MuDoek don’t make since
Can someone tell me how naksu got back her body? I’m confused. The part 2 isn’t given at all without mudeoki, it’s so boring and looks too unreal mudeoki name hasn’t been mention and it’s frustrating. Bring back mudeoki!!!!!!
Why is everyone saying bring mudeoki back ? When Jang UK was inlove with Naksu?
Is everyone forgetting that mudeoki was just the body ? And that it was actually Naksu soul that Jang UK fell inlove with?
Throughout the whole first season Naksu tried to regain her powers because she lost it when she went into mudoekies body ! ( mudeoki was purely just the vessel )
Because , MuDoek still is Buyeon who was played by Jung So min . Who story still in the show. They should have made both soirts separate gave Buyeon her body back and Naksu . The story has been ruined completely
Thank you for stating the obvious that others seem to have forgotten. Yes, the face is different but the soul is finding its way back and that is who he loved. I too love Jung So Min but the show is called Alchemy of Souls for a reason!!
The story from Season 2 is lame and failed to stretch the magic from the 1st season. Buyeon Simply has no magic & no chemistry, with Uk.
You will only finish it because you want some answers from Part 1.
Other then the fighting scene, the first episode is Awful!
The conversation, comedy, love chemistry—- are just not there!
Sorry for those anticipating The Part 2. It is such a great disappointment! It has NO charm. NO spark. The new music is Awful. It’s BORING as F! It’s such a shame! You will only finish it because you want some answers from Part 1, but the first episode is Awful!
Plus the new actress has no chemistry with Yul & Uk — lacks maturity in acting, no charisma & lacks facial expression (not to mention her face became long and she lost her cheeks). This new actress’ face is sooooo much different when she is warrior Naksu character. Sorry! The actress-MuDeok can really act even just her eyes!
Seriously,that’s what I’m not happy with,the new actress face supposed to be Mu deok face or naksu face,we already know that bu-yeon is called mu deok
Exactly, like what?????? You kept all the characters except the one that nade since to keep.
I’ve been rewatching Season 1 since I love the chemistry between Mudeok and Jang UK. I’m really disappointed with Season 2 episode 1. It’s dragging and boring. No chemistry between
UK and Buyeon. It’s not fun and exciting as Season 1.
The previous actress who played Mudeok is much better than the new one. I also think she’s not as pretty as Mudeok.
Tbh I like the first episode and I really liked the actress although I do miss mudeok. I’m curious to see who really is inside naksu’s body. I also wanted to say that mudeok is just an identity that naksu and buyeon shared, which technically means janguk fell in love with Naksu’s soul. I just want to see mudeok’s name being cleared as well as letting the people that cared for her, mourn her death properly like janguk
Agree!!❤️
Not a great start – the stuff with Park Jin is just painful (and why arent he and maidservant Kim together anyway), and ‘Jin Buyeon’ was always going to struggle to establish herself given quality of previous lead actress. But I’m prepared to give it a chance, first episodes are always hard, and I liked the runaway bride idea.
To the people saying Uk fell in love with Mudeoki’s ‘soul’, though, nonsense. Surely one of the key themes of the show is that our bodies do matter – has been that whole point of the shapeshifter theme is that we are the product of both body and soul; putting a soul into a different body fundamentally changes the person, hence Mudeoki’s lack of power and softer personality than Naksu presumably was.
But the plotline strongly hinted at is that Uk will fall in love with Naksu again/discover it is her this time around (assuming it is really her soul, and not Buyeon’s), and regain interest in life – if so I really hope there is going to be a whole lot more to it, because that just won’t be enough to hold my interest! I’m holding out for some filling in of the gaps from 20 years ago….
I’m sorry but this seasonsocks, the_ could have kept all the old cast members like Buyeon aka Mu-deok and had Naksu get her body back . And Jung So Min could have been her original character Buyeon. It’s so disappointing I’m mad. Story needs to be rewrit/en
The new female lead is probably more conventionally attractive than JSM, and she appears to be trying her best to be an interesting new character.
The flaw is the logic of the new “Jin Bu-yeon even existing – and with the body of Nak-su.
Nak-su’s body was burned.
Jin Bu-yeon’s body may have been recovered from the lake by Jin operatives, but that body would have still looked like Mu-Deok / JSM / Jin Bu-yeon.
The new character does not have the correct body, nor does it have the correct soul.
Even if the Jin’s had the ability to alter the body, there is no reason to have the body look like Nak-su.
And if the soul inheriting the body is Naksu’s soul, then the character should not have the same powers as Jin Bu-yeon.
Not sure how they will explain the lack of logic, but “Ice Stone Magic” is not a valid explanation because the ice stone is not controlled by the Jin family
People let’s wait for the story to unfold. Please let’s release 2 episodes on Saturday and Sunday.
The first episode was really amazing…. people out here are commenting they need Mudeok to be back but her role in this series is almost over ….This new charatcer of Buyeon is really beautiful and we still have so many unanswered questions. Jang Uk loved his master Naksu and not Mu deok ….. So how can we judge and call the drama a disappointment when we don’t know the whole story….. 1st episode was perfect and there was no drag… it was well-paced and the OSTs were really good…… can’t wait for the next episode …..
I totally agree with you!!!
I haven’t heard anyone utter the name of mudogi
Park Jin has suddenly become a clown just 3 years after stepping down.
The make up has suddenly changed and several characters’ new looks no longer reflect the power they possess.
Comparing Episode 1 of Season 1 to Episode 1 of Season 2, I can only say that the new season pales in comparison. I can’t tell exactly what or how but the spark in Season 1 seems to missing in Season 2.
I pray that the remaining episodes can focus more on the story rather than to make viewers like and accept the new main actress.
How Mudeok has suddenly become Bu-Yeon is not explained. Mudeok was resourceful and intelligent in Season 1. Yet, all we see are Bu-Yeon’s antics and even haplessness in Episode 1. What happened when her soul shifted?
The new lead might be more conventionally attractive than JSM, but Oh Na-ra is still the most attractive actor in the show. The younger Jin daughter is in second place, but isn’t in the same lap.
Seriously though, I think P2 is off to a good start except for how old man Park seems to have developed early-onset dementia due to his retirement.
From powerful albeit slightly dim mage and leader of the Songrim to his current state of clueless old fart in just three years?
Maybe losing Oh Na-ra was too much for him and he just cracked.
This whole thing makes absolutely no sense whatsoever because Naksu’s body was burned. And Mudeok’s body was the one fished out of the water at the end of S1 Ep.20. So whichever soul is still present (Jin Buyeon or Naksu), the body should be Mudeok’s body, not Naksu’s body. So there is absolutely zero logic or explanation as to how we have switched bodies (and actresses) and are now seeing Naksu’s body/face rather than Mudeok’s. IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. They should at least offer some plausible way this could be the case, but there is nothing. It’s really annoying.
I am confused as to why UK did not recognized Bu-Yeon, can some explain? Would she be consider as a shifter?
As expected by the Hong sisters boring and insipid. Bring back Mudeok. Will be skipping all the episodes until the final episode to see how the Hong sisters screw up another ending.
Please we don’t want nak su, bring back mudeok abeg
There are a few points which I want to highlight, at no offence to the current female lead. In season 1, we can see that though Naksu seems to choose the body she want to switch soul, but actually it seems Bu Yeon was the one who chose to switch w Naksu. Plus when Jang Uk is met with danger and almost met with soul switching, Bu Yeon saved him. Hence, there is a certain affinity between her and Jang Uk which can be further explained in season 2. And when MuDeok is at the verge of dying, Bu Yeon was awakened and shouted out “Mum”. Plus Naksu is undergoing stoning, which is leading to her death. But yet now Naksu revived w Bu Yeon body, and even regained her looks, which seems to be unrealistic as Bu Yeon died instead of Naksu. Hence, I personally feel more emphasis shd be placed on Bu Yeon which contains MuDeok feelings and memories in season 2 to continue her love for Jang Uk. The revived body should be back to hers, and unfold the story.
Mudeok and Jang Uk were the essential heart of the story and I am missing them as a couple They were adorable together, funny, sweet, loving, supportive and it’s just not the same. Hoping it gets better and that they somehow bring her back. Love Lee Jae Wook!❣️
I love their chemistry is so good current! I really like Go Yoon-jung is best more than Jung So-min because I hope Go Yoon-Jung has the strongest power action back in real life as Naksu’s real original body!
Spin-F from Kimiai Rooh, we want to see what happened to Jang Ok in the last 3 years