For me, this was an epic, engrossing first watch when it was first released, but sadly not a good rewatch.
In season 1, the story takes place in Daeho, a fictional country where young mages try to escape the twisted fates brought on by the forbidden 'alchemy of souls,' a spell that swaps souls between bodies. Naksu, an elite assassin, ends up trapped in the weak body of Mu Deok (Jung So Min) , a servant to the Jang Family. Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook), the young master, hides a dark secret about his birth and turns to Naksu for help to change his fate.
In season 2, Jang Uk comes back from the dead, and three years later, the mages’ story starts again. Jang Uk now hunts soul-shifters, and a young woman (Go Youn Jung) who is trapped in her own home asks him to help her gain her freedom....
The cast worked really well together. Off-screen, they seemed to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, which made their on-screen chemistry even better. I loved the costumes, hairstyles, and the world-building, as well as the storytelling, plot twists, intense looks, and humour. The show made me laugh, cry, swoon, and feel anxious, only to laugh again.
This was my first time seeing Jo Jae-yoon, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Whenever he’s in a drama, I know I’ll be entertained.
The ending of season one was heartbreaking, and I still haven’t recovered from it.
In season 2, episode 1, there’s a fun Easter egg: Lee Chae Min appears as an extra, along with one of my favourites from 100 Days My Prince, Lee Jun Hyeok.
The main lead has great chemistry with both female leads, which really shows his talent.
I still don’t understand why the Queen became friends with the man who trapped her in a broken body and watched her real body get destroyed.
I really wanted to see the real Naksu in season 2, but instead we got a damsel in distress, even though she was supposed to be a powerful assassin and a reincarnation.
Overall, the experienced actors did a great job carrying the story and making it believable in both seasons.
I don’t think this is a show to binge-watch. On a second viewing, some episodes felt really slow and didn’t have much story. This pacing works well the first time because it builds tension, but it’s less effective during a rewatch.
For a first watch, it is a 10 out of 10 score from me
If you've already watched this, please head over to Netflix and do so immediately.
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