What a journey of emotional growth!

How to be thirty! Realize that you don't have to put up with emotionally unavailable and dishonest guy even when that's your childhood crush. Realize that the women that guy was with was not your enemy, just another victim of not loving yourself enough and not having enough self respect to walk away from the wrong relationship after being treated poorly by the guy. Realize that you have to use your head as well as your heart when choosing a partner. Realize that you have the power to start again after painful breakups. Realize that you have the power to hurt others and own up to your mistakes as well as realize that you have the power to protect yourself from being hurt over and over again. Realize that being emotionally vulnerable and saying sorry is a very mature and right thing to do. Realize that you need to take responsibilities for your life instead of blaming someone else. Realize that the right guy has no agenda and may be having been by your side the whole freaking time.

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Alchemy of Souls: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the plot

I have to write these thoughts down otherwise Alchemy of Souls will keep occupying my mind and probably my soul.

The last few episodes of season 1 are very emotional and there are lots of plot twists. One of the twists is Mu-deok drawing her sword through the body of her fiance, Jang Uk. Surprisingly, I didn't cry watching this scene. Don't get me wrong, I did not see it coming either. However, I started bawling when So Yi was killed by Jin Mu's guys in season 2. So Yi, despites being a swindler, is able to form meaningful relationships with her helper and Seo Yul. It was really touching to see Seo Yul repeatedly tries to protect So Yi, who he is not close to, who gives him the poisonous parasite that can kill him, and who is of no use to him. He understands that she is merely a victim of her circumstances and empathizes with her pain. I was hoping that happy endings can still come to those who do wrong in the past and the writers will let So Yi live. I did not cry for JangUk because I knew that this character was destined to get a happy ending. Sometimes, the death of a supporting character, especially those who are helpless, weighs more in my heart than those of the leading protagonists.

Why does Seo Yul not end up with anyone in the end? He is such a mature and considerate man. In real life he would probably be wed a long time ago. Is it because he is hung up on Naksu the whole time?

I am glad that in season 2 the writers do not keep going with everyone trying to protect Naksu from dying. It is much more down to earth and realistic for her to accept the fact that she is an assassin who has killed many people. Being controlled by Jin Mu is not an excuse for all the damage she has done. I am very surprised and pleased when Jang Uk acknowledges that he would have to kill Naksu if he recognizes her, which must have relieved Seo Yul from his guilt of planning to kill Naksu. In the end, her soul is saved by Naksu's willingness to die and her contribution to saving the world from the firebird's destruction.

The writing of the show lacks female empowerment. Naksu is saved as a reward for Jang Uk, who kills the firebird not because she is a strong woman with power and her own moral compass. That's such a misogynistic message. Light and shadow always go together and they give too much credit to the male lead in season 2 and not enough to the female lead. The writers even downplay the divine power, which is supposed to be the mastermind of Jang Uk's destiny. I was screaming when Maidservant Kim, and Lord Park died but apparently they did not. Like KimChi Review says, I demand my bucket of tears to be refunded. They do not die thanks to the divine power Jin Bu Yeon possesses. Her power is often told from Master Lee's perspective, which does not give it enough justice. Jang Uk always gets the cool action scenes as resolutions for any problems. The scene in which Jin Bu Yeon's entering Jinyowon to save her mom and Maidservant Kim could have been given more action and air time. To my disappointment, it felt underwhelmed as the previous scene is extremely emotional with the deaths of such great characters like Park Jin, a great couple (Park Jin and Maidservant Kim) and Bu Yeon's mom, who is the leader of a Jinyowon, a highly prestigious organization that protects the world from dark magic.

The transition to a new actress and character of season 2 is actually great in my opinion. The chemistry of the new female lead and Jang Uk is adorable. It is a great break from the sharp, selfish at times, and determined assassin who lives in Mu-deok's body. I love how her character comes back as childlike, gentle, and considerate. She is forward with her affection towards Jang Uk, worried about her mom's fear of losing her, and asks Seo Yul if his friend ever gives him his favorite snack as well as letting Seo Yul get lost and wander with him to calm him down. Her compliment to the Crown Prince is also genuine and does not contain any ulterior motives. Mudoek's character is complicated and interesting, but her thorn is tiring and hard to understand at times. Jin Bu Yeonn's character is refreshing and mature in contrast. Even when she gain Naksu's memories back, she is able to handle them very well.

I cannot not write about the Crown Prince and the turtle. They are such a great pair. The Crown prince's saving the turtle represents his will to protect those who are powerless. The scenes that have the Crown prince and the turtle are always humorous and heartwarming. It is because of these characters along sides with engaging stories, great acting, and powerful cinematography that makes me find it even harder and sadder to say goodbye with Alchemy of Souls.

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