Discovering Hidden Gem: Alchemy Of Souls Fantasy Series Review
By Published May 13, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT
Shealyn Scott is a Self-Publishing Senior Writer at Screen Rant. She has been writing for the site since 2026, focused on network, reality, streaming, and classic television.
A creative writer, journalist, and lover of the written word in all its forms, Shealyn enjoys deconstructing scenes from her favorite shows, using context clues and historical precedent to predict major plot points (which, due to her successful track record, has sparked rumors of clairvoyance).
As an award-winning student journalist, Shealyn spent her college years advocating for the humanities while studying English Literature. Her love of storytelling propelled her to expand her degree with minors in Writing and History, believing life to be a mere collection of stories that can be framed in as many ways as a movie scene.
As a Senior member of the TV Team, Shealyn treats the series she covers like books, analyzing every line, camera angle, and lighting choice. Thankfully, her personal mission statement lines up perfectly with Screen Rant: every creative work deserves just as much thought from the viewer as it received from its creator.
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Every fantasy lover has seen shows like The Witcher and Shadow and Bone, but one of the best is hiding in plain sight on Netflix. Whether it's based on a bestselling novel, inspired by an iconic video game franchise, or an entirely original premise, fantasy series have taken the television landscape— and the world at large, for that matter— by storm in recent decades. While series like Shadow and Bone are renowned for their complex magic systems and titles like The Witcher are praised for their action sequences, one unsuspecting option blends the best of both worlds: .
Hailed as one of the greatest of all time, Netflix's Alchemy of Souls was released throughout 2026, split into two distinct parts. The Korean fantasy has a rich overarching mythos that rivals the likes of Shadow and Bone and Game of Thrones, while its battle scenes are some of the best the genre has ever seen, giving The Witcher and One Piece a run for their money. Out of the plentiful , however, Alchemy of Souls is rarely given the credit it deserves— but it's nonetheless one of the best available on any streaming service.
Alchemy Of Souls Is A Spellbinding Romantic Fantasy
Even At Its Lowest, Alchemy Of Souls Is Top-Tier Television
Magic is the backbone of any classic fantasy, but Alchemy of Souls constructs a surprisingly unique world built on power politics. A skilled mage named Nak-su (Go Youn-jung) goes on an assassination rampage, leading her to perform an ancient spell known as soul-shifting to transfer her consciousness to the body of Mu-deok (Jung So-min), a powerless maiden. Conversely, Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook) comes from a noble family, but his own magical powers have been sealed, leaving him with no bite to back up his bark. When the two cross paths, an unlikely alliance blooms and gradually morphs into something deeper.
Alchemy of Souls seamlessly balances its action and intrigue with its underlying love story, making it a must-watch for fans or anyone who can simply appreciate a well-done slow-burn. Even if you typically hate romantic fantasy, however, there's sure to be something perfectly tailored to your taste in Alchemy of Souls' many intertwining narratives. From the captivating lives of scene-stealing side characters to the expertly-deployed plot twists that genuinely catch the viewer off-guard, this underrated fantasy drama casts a wide, high-flying net— and chances are it'll have you hooked by the end of the first episode.
Most fantasy series are, by definition, ambitious, but the sheer scope of Alchemy of Souls is what sets it apart. The setting is a sprawling universe based on a logical magic system whose detailed worldbuilding commands the audience to not look away for even a moment. The result is a creation so immersive, it could have easily backfired had the K-drama not had the story to back it up. Luckily, Alchemy of Souls is a masterclass in fantasy writing, and it is well worth the watch— though, admittedly, it's a hefty task to take on.
Alchemy Of Souls Is A Daunting But Rewarding Watch
It's The Best Investment A Fantasy Fan Could Make
The brevity of Korean television is what usually draws viewers in; for the small price of a weekend binge, they can experience an entire story, comprehensively designed to tie up every loose end in 16 episodes or less. Alchemy of Souls, in stark contrast, delights in giving its plot room to breathe. The first part alone is 20 episodes, while the second half wraps up in a neat 10. With each installment spanning anywhere from 60 to 70 minutes, Alchemy of Souls will run up over 30 hours of watchtime. Regardless, it's an investment that pays off in dividends.
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The biggest (Squid Game, The Glory, Vincenzo) opened the door for subtitled series to break into the mainstream, but Alchemy of Souls is still far more niche than it deserves to be. In an age where fantasy is an extremely oversaturated genre, Alchemy of Souls stands in a league of its own— and, despite titles like The Witcher and Shadow and Bone enjoying more notoriety, it's one of the best Netflix has to offer.
Cast
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Lee Jae-wook - Hwang Min-hyun
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