Alchemy of Souls (AoS) is an awesome fantasy K-drama on Netflix. If you haven’t seen it yet, do that first before reading the rest of this article.
I really like the writing in AoS. Characters and setting are epic. In each episode, important things happen which move the plot forward, and subsequent episodes keep building on this. AoS avoids the sin of plot loops that other K-dramas commit. In other K-dramas, the story threads are about to be resolved, the lovers come together or whatever, then something random happens. About ten episodes later the plot gets back to exactly the same place as before, then proceeds to resolution. American shows commit the same sin. For example, the entire movie Infinity War accomplishes almost nothing plotwise except to introduce the bad guy. AoS doesn’t do that.
Until the final episode.
AoS was on track to stick a good landing in the final episode. Jang Uk and Mu-Deok would get married and live happily ever after in their powerless state. Two other couples do get together and are on track for happiness, with a third couple possibly forming.
The producers paused season 1 to rework the ending to fit their plans for the newly-awarded second season. They had to throw some twists in to keep the plot in flight, and now we know what those twists are. While it makes good TV, they took all of Naksu/Mu-Deok’s character development over the previous 19 episodes and trashed it.
Naksu has turned into a good person. In her big test, she gives up the power of the Ice Stone for love, not just of Jang Uk but of her other friends and even just random people. She has earned the right to be stronger than the witchcraft that Jin Mu throws against her. Plus, her soul is trapped by the most powerful priestess ever. I really think Jin Mu and all the sorcery in the world should be no match for that.
Whether in fiction or the real world, I don’t believe in mind control. I don’t believe people can be turned into robots who act against their own character. They can be subjected to enormous punishments and temptations so that they choose actions they detest, but that is a consequence of their deepest character. The old Naksu acted on her own will, deceived as she was by Jin Mu. This new Naksu is acting in a kind of trance.
There is a more self-consistent way to keep the story going. The biggest unresolved plot thread is the fact that Naksu is living in a stolen body. That should be her final test of character. Right in the middle of her wedding to Jang Uk, Lady Jin should show up and accuses her of stealing Bu-Yeon’s body. Both Jang Uk and Naksu would have to choose between doing the right thing or being together.
I imagine in the next season the solution would be to transfer Naksu to the body of a young woman who has just died, so that Naksu could legitimately occupy it. Using the same logic, Bu-Yeon could be retrieved from the Ice-zone and reunited with her mother.
Arguably, episode 20 as it stands is more emotionally compelling, but for me it just barely passes suspension of disbelief. I will of course look forward to the next season in December with great anticipation.