Alchemy Of Souls

Alchemy of Souls (Korean: 환혼) is a South Korean television series starring Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Go Youn-jung, and Hwang Min-hyun.

Written by the Hong sisters, it depicts the stories of young mages dealing with heaven and earth. It aired on tvN from June 18, 2022, to January 8, 2023, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST) for 30 episodes. It is also available for streaming on TVING and Netflix in selected regions.

Alchemy of Souls
Alchemy Of Souls
Promotional poster for part 1
Also known asAlchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow (part 2)
Hangul
환혼
Hanja
還魂
Revised RomanizationHwanhon
Genre
Written byHong Jung-eun
Hong Mi-ran
Directed byPark Joon-hwa
Starring
Music byNam Hye-seung
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producers
  • Jang Jeong-do
  • Lee Yong-ok
  • Lee Soo-beom
ProducerAhn So-jeong
Running time60–70 minutes
Production companies
  • Studio Dragon (part 1–2)
  • High Quality (part 1)
  • TS Narincinema (part 2)
Budget₩40 billion
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseJune 18, 2022 (2022-06-18) –
January 8, 2023 (2023-01-08)

The series was divided into two parts: Part 1 aired from June 18 to August 28, 2022, for 20 episodes, while Part 2 (Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow) aired from December 10, 2022, to January 8, 2023, for 10 episodes.

Series overview

PartEpisodesOriginally airedAverage viewership
(in millions)
First airedLast aired
120June 18, 2022 (2022-06-18)August 28, 2022 (2022-08-28)1.619
210December 10, 2022 (2022-12-10)January 8, 2023 (2023-01-08)1.887

Synopsis

Part 1

Set in a fictional country called Daeho, the series is about the love and growth of young mages as they overcome their twisted fates due to a forbidden magic spell known as the "alchemy of souls", which allows souls to switch bodies.

It follows the story of an elite warrior named Nak-su whose soul is accidentally trapped inside the weak body of Mu-deok. She becomes entangled with Jang Uk who is from a noble family, becomes his servant and master, and teaches Uk her skills as they both fall in love with each other.

Part 2

Three years after a tragedy, engineered by Jin Mu, that led Mu-deok to run wild and kill innocent people, Jang Uk, who returned from the dead as a result of the powerful Ice Stone inside his body, becomes a ruthless hunter of soul shifters and becomes increasingly isolated due to his heartbreak over the death of his love—Mu-deok. He then meets the mysterious heiress of Jinyowon, Jin Bu-yeon, whose words frequently echo those of Nak-su.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Jang family

  • Oh Na-ra as Maidservant Kim Yeon
  • Joo Sang-wook as Jang Gang
  • Bae Gang-hee as Do-hwa
  • Jang Tae-min as Servant Lee

Seo family

Songrim

Sejukwon

  • Lee Do-kyung as Heo Yeom
  • Hong Seo-hee as Heo Yun-ok
  • Jung Ji-an as Soon-yi
  • Kim Yong-jin as Physician Seo

Cheonbugwan

  • Jo Jae-yoon as Jin Mu
  • Choi Ji-ho as Gil-ju
  • Cha Yong-hak as Yeom-su
  • Lee Ji-hoo as Cha Beom
  • Lee Bong-jun as Gu Hyo
  • Joo Min-soo as Han Yeol

Jin family (Jinyowon)

  • Park Eun-hye as Jin Ho-gyeong
  • Joo Seok-tae as Jin Woo-tak
  • Arin as Jin Cho-yeon
  • Yoon Hae-bin as young Jin Bu-yeon

Royal family

Chwiseollu

Others

Extended

  • Jeon Hye-won as Ae-hyang
  • Yoon Seo-hyun as Cho Chung
  • Shim Jae-hyun as a thug
  • Kim Cheol-yoon as Byeong-gu

Special appearances

Production

Development

Preparations for the series, as well as program discussion with tvN, started in 2019 under the working title Can This Person Be Translated (이 사람 통역이 되나요; I Saram Tong-yeog-i Doenayo).

Casting

In January 2021, Park Hye-su's agency revealed that the actress auditioned for Alchemy of Souls. In June, it was announced that actor Joo Sang-wook was offered a role in the series.

The female lead role was first confirmed to be played by Park Hye-eun [ko]. However, in July 2021, she decided to leave the series after a mutual agreement with the production team. It was stated that although Park is a rookie actress, she prepared hard for the series, but felt a lot of pressure about playing the main character of a big project. The role was then offered to actress Jung So-min. Jung and director Park Joon-hwa previously worked together in 2017 TV series Because This Is My First Life.

Line-up for the lead stars consisting of Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Hwang Min-hyun, Shin Seung-ho, Yoo Jun-sang, Oh Na-ra and Jo Jae-yoon was officially announced by tvN on March 3, 2022. On March 21, Yoo In-soo, Arin, Park Eun-hye, Lee Do-kyung and Im Chul-soo were announced to have joined the cast.

After the end of part 1 in August 2022, the female lead actress Jung So-min was replaced by Go Youn-jung for part 2, after she previously portrayed the original identity for Jung's character in a cameo in part 1.

Filming

In August 2021, production companies Studio Dragon and High Quality signed an agreement with Mungyeong City to build a filming site in Maseong-myeon worth ₩5 billion for the production of Alchemy of Souls.

Filming locations include Nongwoljeong Pavilion in Hwarim-dong Valley, Hamyang County, Goseokjeong Pavilion in Cheorwon County, and CJ ENM Studio Center in Paju. The tree shown in the fictional place called Danhyanggok is located on the lower reaches of the Geumgang River in Garimseong Fortress, Buyeo County. Post-production began as filming began in the summer of 2021.

On October 6, 2021, it was announced that filming of the series was canceled for that week after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the 5th. All production crew members subsequently underwent PCR tests. Some staff members who were classified as close contacts went into self-quarantine, even though they tested negative for the contagion.

It was reported that filming for the second part of the series had started by July 2022, and was completed on October 6.

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Original soundtrack for Part 1
Alchemy of Souls (Original Television Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Various Artists
ReleasedAugust 28, 2022
GenreSoundtrack
Length1:27:00
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label

The album peaked at number 18 on weekly Circle Album Chart and as of September 2022, 8,906 copies have been sold.

    Part 1
Released on June 26, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Scars Leave Beautiful Trace" (상처는 아름다운 흔적이 되어)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyuk
  • Heo Seok
  • Lee Jae-woo
Car, the Garden3:33
2."Scars Leave Beautiful Trace" (상처는 아름다운 흔적이 되어; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyuk
  • Heo Seok
  • Lee Jae-woo
 3:33
Total length:7:06
    Part 2
Released on July 3, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Aching" (아리운)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kassy4:11
2."Aching" (아리운; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 4:11
Total length:8:22
    Part 3
Released on July 10, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Just Watching You" (바라만 본다)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Jeong Se-woon4:02
2."Just Watching You" (바라만 본다; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 4:02
Total length:8:04
    Part 4
Released on July 17, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Raindrops" (빗방울)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Janet Suhh
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
Gummy3:54
2."Raindrops" (빗방울; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
 3:54
Total length:7:48
    Part 5
Released on July 24, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."You're Everything to Me" (온통 그대뿐인 나죠)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Shin Yong-jae4:10
2."You're Everything to Me" (온통 그대뿐인 나죠; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 4:10
Total length:8:20
    Part 6
Released on July 31, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Breath" (숨결)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Janet Suhh
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
Kim Na-young4:27
2."Breath" (숨결; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
 4:27
Total length:8:54
    Part 7
Released on August 21, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Love Letter (with You)" (연서 (with You))
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Big Naughty3:29
2."Love Letter (with You)" (연서 (with You); Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 3:29
Total length:6:58

Part 2

Original soundtrack for Part 2
    Part 1
Released on December 18, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Blue Flower" (푸른꽃)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Lia (Itzy)3:48
2."Blue Flower" (푸른꽃; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 3:48
Total length:7:36
    Part 2
Released on December 25, 2022
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Tree (Just Watching You 2)" (나무 (바라만 본다 2))
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
Hwang Min-hyun4:03
2."Tree (Just Watching You 2)" (나무 (바라만 본다 2); Inst.) 
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
 4:03
Total length:8:06
    Part 3
Released on January 1, 2023
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."I'm Sorry"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Janet Suhh
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyuk
  • Heo Seok
Ailee4:16
2."I'm Sorry" (Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyuk
  • Heo Seok
 4:16
Total length:8:32

Viewership

Alchemy of Souls ranked second, tied with Our Blues, in streaming for Netflix Korea TV show category from January to December 22, 2022.

Alchemy of Souls : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
PartEpisode numberAverage
1234567891011121314151617181920
11.2941.5161.2751.7601.3211.6321.3471.8041.4161.8171.3051.7691.5641.9261.6801.9261.8152.3591.9842.4101.696
21.6481.9331.8122.1261.6761.9671.5182.0541.8712.2671.887
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)
Nationwide Seoul
Part 1
1 June 18, 2022 5.205% (1st) 4.833% (1st)
2 June 19, 2022 5.872% (1st) 6.047% (1st)
3 June 25, 2022 5.288% (1st) 5.315% (1st)
4 June 26, 2022 6.841% (1st) 6.878% (1st)
5 July 2, 2022 5.352% (1st) 5.253% (1st)
6 July 3, 2022 6.639% (1st) 6.880% (1st)
7 July 9, 2022 5.311% (1st) 5.158% (1st)
8 July 10, 2022 6.826% (1st) 6.694% (1st)
9 July 16, 2022 5.204% (1st) 5.329% (1st)
10 July 17, 2022 6.958% (1st) 6.835% (1st)
11 July 23, 2022 4.989% (1st) 4.908% (1st)
12 July 24, 2022 7.091% (1st) 7.032% (1st)
13 July 30, 2022 6.290% (1st) 6.008% (1st)
14 July 31, 2022 7.600% (1st) 7.484% (1st)
15 August 6, 2022 6.610% (1st) 6.710% (1st)
16 August 7, 2022 7.453% (1st) 7.544% (1st)
17 August 20, 2022 7.566% (1st) 7.767% (1st)
18 August 21, 2022 9.295% (1st) 9.793% (1st)
19 August 27, 2022 7.915% (1st) 8.121% (1st)
20 August 28, 2022 9.218% (1st) 9.903% (1st)
Part 2
21 December 10, 2022 6.719% (1st) 7.852% (1st)
22 December 11, 2022 7.743% (1st) 8.808% (1st)
23 December 17, 2022 7.176% (1st) 8.236% (1st)
24 December 18, 2022 8.458% (1st) 9.366% (1st)
25 December 24, 2022 7.134% (1st) 7.665% (1st)
26 December 25, 2022 8.237% (1st) 9.206% (1st)
27 December 31, 2022 6.644% (1st) 6.654% (1st)
28 January 1, 2023 8.605% (1st) 10.078% (1st)
29 January 7, 2023 8.218% (1st) 8.853% (1st)
30 January 8, 2023 9.651% (1st) 10.603% (1st)
Average 6.665% 7.099%
Special August 14, 2022 3.225% (1st) 3.446% (1st)
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Asia Model Awards 2022 Asia Special Award Lee Jae-wook Won
Rising Star Award, Actor Category Arin Won
Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best Screenplay – Television Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran Nominated
Korea Drama Awards 2022 Best Director Park Joon-hwa Won
Global Excellence Award Lee Jae-wook Won
Top Excellence Award, Actress Jung So-min Nominated
Scene Stealer Festival 2023 Scene Stealers of the Year Oh Na-ra Won
Im Chul-soo Won

Notes

References

This article uses material from the Wikipedia English article Alchemy of Souls, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license ("CC BY-SA 3.0"); additional terms may apply (view authors). Content is available under CC BY-SA 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
®Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wiki Foundation, Inc. Wiki English (DUHOCTRUNGQUOC.VN) is an independent company and has no affiliation with Wiki Foundation.

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