Alchemy of Souls season 2 (Alchemy of Souls Part 2: Light and Shadow/ 환혼: 파트2) is the sequel of the Korean historical drama series of the same name. Directed by Park Joon-hwa and starring Lee Jae-wook, Go Yoon-jung, Hwang Min-hyun, Shin Seung-ho, Yoo Jun-sang, Oh Na-ra and Jo Jae-yoon, alongside other cast members, the show premiered on tvN on December 10, 2022.
The show will have 10 episodes and takes over tvN’s Saturday-Sunday 9:10 PM KST timeslot previously held by Under the Queen’s Umbrella. Alchemy of Souls season 2 episode 4 has a run time of 76 minutes.
tvN’s synopsis of the sequel reads:
JANG UK RETURNS FROM DEATH, AND THREE YEARS LATER, THE STORY OF THE MAGES UNFOLDS ANEW. JANG UK BECOMES A HUNTER OF THE SOUL-SHIFTERS WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN, A PRISONER IN HER OWN HOME, SEEKS HIS HELP TO RECLAIM HER FREEDOM.
-Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Episode 4 Recap contains spoilers-
Alchemy of Souls season 2 episode 4 begins with Jin Bu-yeon recounting the memories she saw when she found the blue jade egg. However, she thinks that it is her powers as a Jinyowon priestess that enable her to see those memories which angers Jang Uk while disappointing him.
She then tries to keep the jade back in its place but the stone tower collapses which then angers Jang Uk further. Believing that Mu-deok’s memories are in the blue jade, Jang Uk then tells her to keep the jade with her so that she would get more memories of Mu-deok which would then answer his questions.
Also Read: The Sex Lives of College Girls: Will the Teen Comedy- Drama Return With a Third Season?
She then gets frustrated by him for putting a dead person in between them and promises to rebuild the stone tower. As the day ends, she finally builds the tower but is scared while making her way back home in the darkness. Soon, many fireflies make their way to her and light up her way back while she is unaware that it is Jang Uk who has made this happen.
Elsewhere, the crown prince has gotten rid of the rumours surrounding the queen while he looks after the turtle that he brought back. Meanwhile, an attack on a boat spreads the rumours of Naksu’s return which terrorises Daeho as travellers begin to fear boarding their boats while the sales of amulets and charms rise throughout.
The next day, Jang Uk, Seo Yul and Dang-gu sit together with Park Jin who teaches them an important lesson with a dessert that he has prepared for them. Right then Sang Ho arrives with the news of the rumours of Naksu’s return spreading through Daeho.
While the news reaches the palace, Bu-yeon finds the charms being sold in the town when she meets Joo Wol who takes her to Chwiseonru for some talks. There she meets the crown prince again and finds out that he has bought the turtle she asked him to save.
Meanwhile, Jang Uk is called into the palace for the task of getting rid of the soul shifter Naksu for the peace of Daeho and to get rid of any doubt that the people may have about his relationship with Naksu. He has no choice but to accept this task.
Later, Jin Mu tells the crown prince that he is doing this for his own good to separate Jang Uk from Jinyowon and get the latter into their hands. Elsewhere Joo Wol tells Bu-yeon about the moments Jang Uk spent with Mu-seok in Chwiseonru which angers her.
Later, she once again sees the memories and thinks that it is the jade that is doing this to her. On the other hand, Seo Yul meets his uncle Seo Yoon-o who has called for Bu-yeon to show off in front of his friends. However, Seo Yul makes sure to not let him tarnish Bu-yeon’s reputation and takes her away before she reaches them.
Bu-yeon then tries to talk to him about his ailment when he asks her to not discuss this matter, instead, she offers him some honey biscuits that she had packed for Jang Uk. She then asks him about his favourite desserts and tells him that he has an expensive taste which reminds him of his conversation with Mu-deok.
Also Read: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Season 2 Recap: Here’s How the CIA Officer Wound Up in the Venezuelan Jungle
Meanwhile, Jang Uk is with Park Jin as he tries to figure out what Jin Mu has planned with the ongoing rumours and soon finds his answers. The next day, the queen requests to hold a banquet while Bu-yeon is given the invitation to attend the festivities.
While Kim Do-ju takes up the task to dress her, Jang Uk arrives and compliments her while giving her permission to show off their good relationship in front of everyone. He then asks her to cut her nails to which she agrees, unaware that her nails are sent to Park Jin who then takes them to Jinyowon.
At the banquet, the ladies introduce themselves but when the queen sees Bu-yeon she lashes out that only one lady from each family is allowed to attend the banquet, and asks Cho-yeon from the Jin family to leave. Bu-yeon then steps up and asks to leave, aware that this will foil her plans, the queen lets go of this matter.
The banquet soon begins and Kim Do-ju announces that Jang Uk has arranged for fireworks after which she tells Bu-yeon to go to the back garden. There she meets Jang Uk who tells her that Naksu will be attacking her later and that she must die.
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Episode 4 Ending
Alchemy of Souls season 2 episode 4 ends with everyone busy looking at the fireworks when one of the female musicians turns into a soul shifter and attacks Bu-yeon which shocks everyone as they think that Naksu has taken her revenge on Bu-yeon for marrying Jang Uk. However, Kim Do-ju arrives with the real Bu-yeon and tells them that this was a relic from Jinyowon that had been used.
Meanwhile, Jang Uk follows the soul shifter and kills her, completing his task of killing Naksu who has been scaring the whole of Daeho. Elsewhere, Seo Yul meets So Yi and asks her about what has been put in his body while letting her know that he has not been taking his medicine.
Master Lee returns to Songrim while Jang Uk finally visits the cliff where Mu-deok ended her life. Later, he drinks away in Jeonjinggak when he sees the blurred figure of Mu-deok, only to realise that it is Bu-yeon.
As she comes closer to him, he finally cries for Mu-deok and later lies down in Bu-yeon’s arms. Later, he wakes up and kisses her, hence ending the episode.
Also Read: The Big 4 Ending Explained: Did Topan Kill Antonio? Will there be a Sequel?
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 Episode 4 Review
This episode finally has Jang Uk letting go of Mu-deok as he takes a step forward to listen to Park Jin’s advice. With the fake Naksu terrorising Daeho, he has blocked all the rumours and made sure of letting her fade away in the past with peace.
Jang Uk’s protectiveness is no different from season 1, but instead of Mu-deok it is Bu-yeon this time and he himself is unaware of the feeling he is going through once again with her. On the other hand, it is sad how Bu-yeon is unable to understand the memories that she is getting back are her own as she puts everything that happens around her on her divine powers.
The show is definitely ready to get better as we keep going through these episodes and the excitement to know how this story ends is definitely one that we cannot overlook.
What did you think about today’s episode? Let us know in the comments below!
Watch Alchemy of Souls season 2 on Netflix.
Also Read: Reborn Rich Episode 13 Reactions: A Death in the Family