How to rate a drama where the first part had me at the edge of my seat, while the second part almost lulled me to sleep? Hence my dilemma with Alchemy of Souls. I wasn’t sure where part two went wrong, or was it because part one was so amazing, it was hard to replicate the same excitement when I watched it?

The good of Part 1:

- The chemistry between Lee Jae Wook and Jung So Min is chef’s kiss. The banter between Master and Disciple, or Master and servant in some cases, showcased expert choreography and finesse in the performance.

- The cinematography, especially during the fighting scenes, was executed with remarkable precision.

- The plot, although sometimes over-complicated, was intricate and kept me on my toes.

- The supporting characters were not one-dimensional and had depth in the roles.

- The show explained the supernatural elements later, despite them being sometimes difficult to keep up with.

- The humor is quite refreshing and quirky

- The swoon-worthy music supported the emotional journey of the characters

Part 1 Verdict: Off to an amazing start!

Combined score: 9 out of 10.

Overall impression: Should have stopped at Part 1.