The series was divided into two parts: Part 1 aired from June 18 to August 28, 2022, for 20 episodes,[4][15] while Part 2 (Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow)[a] aired from December 10, 2022, to January 8, 2023, for 10 episodes.[16][17]
Series overview
Part
Episodes
Originally aired
Average viewership (in millions)
First aired
Last aired
1
20
June 18, 2022 (2022-06-18)
August 28, 2022 (2022-08-28)
1.619
2
10
December 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.[11][18][19]
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 Jang Uk her skills as they both fall in love with each other.[3][14][19]
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.[20]
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).[64][65]
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.[66][67]
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.[68][69] 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.[70]
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.[16][72]
Filming
In August 2021, production companies Studio Dragon and High Quality signed an agreement with Mungyeong to build a filming site in Maseong-myeon worth ₩5 billion for the production of Alchemy of Souls.[7]
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.[12][78]
It was reported that filming for the second part of the series had started by July 2022, and was completed on October 6.[79][80]
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
^Kim Soo-jin (June 24, 2022). 거미·신용재·카더가든·케이시·정세운 '환혼' OST 1차 특급 라인업 [Gummy·Shin Yong-jae·Car, the Garden·Kassy·Jeong Se-woon, 'Alchemy of Souls' OST 1st Express Lineup] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcKo Do-hyun (August 29, 2021). 스튜디오드래곤 등 문경에 50억원 규모 드라마 세트장 건립 (in Korean). The Maeil Shinmun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022 – via Naver News.
^ abHong Se-young (May 13, 2022). "정소민 색다른 매력 발견하게 될 것" (환혼) ["Jung So-min will discover a different charm" (Alchemy of Souls)] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Min-soo (June 29, 2022). 배우 구유정, '환혼' 출연, 고윤정 아역 연기 선봬. Job Post (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^Kim Won-gyeom (May 19, 2022). 배우 문성현, FNC 전속 계약…tvN 새드라마 '환혼' 어린 서율 역 캐스팅 [Actor Moon Seong-hyun signed an exclusive contract with FNC... tvN's new drama 'Alchemy of Souls' cast as young Seo Yool] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcKim Bo-young (June 13, 2022). 주상욱·박병은·염혜란…'환혼', 첫주부터 화려한 카메오 군단 [Joo Sang-wook, Park Byung-eun, Yeom Hye-ran… 'Alchemy of Souls', a splendid cameo corps from the first week] (in Korean). Edaily [ko]. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Son Jin-ah (March 3, 2022). 유준상, '환혼' 출연 확정(공식) (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcKim Na-young (March 21, 2022). 유인수·오마이걸 아린, 홍자매 신작 tvN '환혼' 합류 (공식) [Yoo In-soo, Oh My Girl Arin, and the Hong sisters join tvN's new drama 'Hwanhon' (official)] (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcdPark Soo-in (March 21, 2022). 박은혜 이도경 임철수 '환혼' 합류, 신스틸러 라인업 완성 [Park Eun-hye, Lee Do-kyung, Lim Cheol-soo join 'Hwanhon', complete new stealer lineup] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Pan-seok (March 24, 2022). 홍서희, 홍자매 신작 '환혼' 출연..이재욱・정소민・황민현 호흡 [Hong Seo-hee, Hong Sisters' new 'Hwanhon' appearance..Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Hwang Min-hyun breathing] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Nam-kyung (June 14, 2022). 정지안 전속계약, 럭키몬스터엔터와 체결…'환혼' 출연(공식) [Jung Ji-an's exclusive contract signed with Lucky Monster Entertainment… Appeared in 'Alchemy of Souls' (official)] (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Mi-ji (June 15, 2022). 최지호, 홍자매 신작 '환혼' 합류..조재윤 충직한 수하役(공식) [Choi Ji-ho joins Hong sisters' new work 'Alchemy of Souls'..the loyal subordinate of Jo Jae-yoon (Official)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi Hee-jae (April 6, 2022). 강경헌, '환혼' 캐스팅…왕비 役 열연 예고 [공식입장] [Kang Kyung-heon, cast for 'Hwanhon'... Preliminary notice of hot performance as Queen [Official position]] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Ga-young (June 28, 2022). 배우 이기섭, 웰스엔터 전속계약 체결…'환혼' 합류 [공식] [Actor Lee Ki-seop signed an exclusive contract with Wells Entertainment… Joining 'Alchemy of Souls' [Official]] (in Korean). Edaily [ko]. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^Son Jin-a (June 9, 2022). 서혜원, '환혼' 합류…정소민과 호흡(공식) [Seo Hye-won joins 'Alchemy of Souls'… Breathing with Jung So-min (Official)]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi Hee-jae (June 21, 2022). 윤서현, '환혼' 합류…고윤정 父 변신 [공식입장] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hong Se-young (December 7, 2022). 김철윤 '환혼: 빛과 그림자' 출연확정 [공식] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Seung-jin (July 19, 2022). 예결밴드 예결, '환혼' 특별출연 "뜻깊은 추억" [Yegyul Band Ye-gyul, Special Appearance in 'Alchemy of Souls' "Meaningful Memories"] (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (July 13, 2022). 김현숙 '환혼' 10회 특별출연 "재미나게 촬영, 제법 나와" [Kim Hyun-suk's 10th special appearance in 'Alchemy of Souls' "Fun filming, it came out quite well"] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Nam Sang-baek (July 17, 2022). 무덕이 채용청탁에 유준상-오나라 티격태격..."어렵다". Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
^Kim Soo-jin (August 24, 2022). 이재욱(장욱)을 통해 본 '환혼' 파트1 총정리 (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong Ga-young (December 12, 2022). '환혼' 이채민, 고윤정 미모에 반했다…깨알 신스틸러 (in Korean). Sports World. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ha Ji-won (October 7, 2022). [단독] '환혼' 파트2 촬영 끝…9일 쫑파티 개최 (in Korean). Sports News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^환혼 OST Part 2 [Alchemy of Souls OST Part 2] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 3, 2022. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼 OST Part 3 [Alchemy of Souls OST Part 3] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 10, 2022. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼 OST Part 4 [Alchemy of Souls OST Part 4] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 17, 2022. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼 OST Part 5 [Alchemy of Souls OST Part 5] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 24, 2022. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼 OST Part 6 [Alchemy of Souls OST Part 6] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. July 31, 2022. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼 OST Part 7 [Alchemy of Souls OST Part 7] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. August 21, 2022. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼: 빛과 그림자 OST Part 2 [Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow OST Part 2] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Melon.
^환혼: 빛과 그림자 OST Part 3 [Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow OST Part 3] (in Korean). Genie Music. Stone Music Entertainment. January 1, 2023. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023 – via Melon.
^Cho, Yeon-kyung (April 7, 2023). 제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개 [59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV·Film·Play Finalists Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jang Su-jeong (October 8, 2022). '수리남' 하정우, 2022 코리아드라마어워즈 대상 "드라마 대상 처음"[종합] ['Suriname' Ha Jung-woo, the 2022 Korea Drama Awards Grand Prize "Drama Grand Prize for the first time" [General]] (in Korean). Dailian [ko]. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^2022 코리아 드라마 페스티벌 (8일, 오후 5시~) [2022 Korea Drama Festival (8th, 5pm~)] (in Korean). October 8, 2022. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023 – via YouTube.
