Alchemy of Souls

Once in a while you come across a hidden jewel which outshines everything around. This is one of those gems which is par excellence. A must see, it has twists and turns, plots and sub plots, just when you think you've figured out the plot it goes into a totally unexpected dimension.

Don't understand a word of the language but the subtitles are very well done.

Moreover its got superb acting by all the main characters.

For me it's been the fantasy series of the year so far.

Caught up to 14 episodes and oh my GOD this show is so good! I have no bias for any characters or writers prior to the show, but now I've completely fallen in love with all the actors and the writers. The acting, the suspense, the plot building, and the twists make me look forward to this show every single day! If you like fantasy, magic, and a complex storyline, you'll love this show. I compare it to Harry Potter, it has a a lot of similarities. If they could make 3 seasons I would watch without hesitation. The AoS world is really amazing, I want to explore every inch of it!

A magnificent fusion of adventure, fantasy, comedy and romance. Koreans, at their current rate, will dominate the world of entertainment in a very short time. Just stay away from the increasingly weakened and irritating contemporary Hollywood formula. If Netflix has any sense, it will only finance the projects, leaving the Koreans to do, with complete independence, the works that are increasingly delighting audiences around the world. In South Korea, artistic talents erupt in profusion, names like Park Eun-bin, Park Min-Young, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Gin are becoming easier to memorize in the western world every day. The screenwriters and directors demonstrate extreme competence in works that capture you from the very first chapters. Alchemy of Souls is no different, the beautiful and talented protagonist couple, Jung So-Min (Mu-Deok) and Lee Jae-Wook (Jang UK) get involved and involve the viewer in a story, which always leaves you wanting the next episode and who knows, a new season. Remembering that new seasons are very rare in the Korean industry.

Season 1 (10/10): The first season is a really good season, probably the best historical/fanatasy drama I have ever seen. The storyline is just really unique and pulls you in fairly quickly. The balance between comedy, romance and action is just perfect. The characters are all really charismatic and interesting. You get to see many different stories develop through the characters and you grow to love most of them. My favorite thing about this series are the visuals. The whole series is just like eye-candy. I could honestly watch this series just because of the visually pleasing scenes. The graphics are amazing as well. And the soundtrack really just pulls it all together.

Season 2 (7.5/10): The second season continued with the great visuals, but something just felt a little off compared to the first season. The first episode in this season was a great starter, but episodes 2-7 weren't honestly that interesting. I feel like the story only started to take off in episodes 8-10. Don't get me wrong, the second season was still decent, but it just didn't live up to the same standard as the first one.

Squid Game, Tomorrow, Kingdom, Uncanny Counter, Sweet Home, All Of Us Are Dead, Hellbound, Arthdal Chronicles, Hotel del Luna, Yumi's Cells..

And the list goes on...

I am an avid kdrama fan and I love to watch the evolution Korean tv shows is having. They keep pushing their limits and they are giving us truly amazing jewels with the fictional dramas.

Im very used to historical dramas ( Sageuk) and I thought Alchemy of souls would be similar but with a touch of magic added to the mix ( something like Lovers of the Red Sky) but how wrong I was!

This is a completely new magical universe creating new order of things and a world of fantasy ( although somehow women still were the prostitutes/gisaengs here, and all the students and soldiers were male but I won't complain a lot)

I deeply enjoyed how well written the characters are, the layers and depth of each is just outstanding, needing to mention specially the crown prince (Shin Seung-ho ) whose constant internal struggle is just amazing to watch, he seemed the typical villain who is only mean and stubborn and is but was such a big surprise to getting to know him and seeing how he is so much more! I can't wait what comes next in the 2nd season.

Why you should watch it? This has no clichés and no predictable events, a very original script ( even the love confessions aren't typical here!), fantastic photography, special effects, costumes, fight choreography... and it has a lot of funny moments! This drama has so many genres you won't be able to get bored!

The music is good mixing some korean typical songs with some familiar elements that will remind you to Harry Potter and even Game of Thrones.

Chemistry of the main characters is great ( all the couples in general) And there's is only one dead fish kiss! Only one!! ( kdrama enthusiasts will understand what i mean)

Go and watch it if you haven't and start the countdown for December and the 2nd season!!