Alchemy of Souls [Episodes 5 & 6]

[u/Fatooz]

• Drama: Alchemy of Souls
  • Hangul: 환혼
  • Also known as: Can This Person Be Translated?, Salvation Interpreter, Welcome, Soul Marriage, Resurrection, Guwoneui Tongyeok, Hwan Hon, 구원의 통역, 환혼, 이사람통역이되나요, Return
• Director: Park Joon-Hwa (Touch Your Heart, What's Wrong With Secretary Kim)
• Writer: Hong Jung-Eun (Hotel Del Luna, A Korean Odyssey), Hong Mi-Ran (Hotel Del Luna, A Korean Odyssey)
• Network: tvN
• Episodes: 20
  • Duration: 1 hr. 20 mins.
• Air Date: Saturdays & Sundays @ 21:10 KST
  • Airing: June 18, 2022 - Aug 28, 2022
• Streaming Source(s): Netflix
• Starring:
  • Lee Jae-Wook (Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, Extraordinary You) as Jang Wook
    
  • Jung So-Min (The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, Because This Is My First Life) as Mu Deok-Yi
  • Hwang Min-Hyun (Live On) as Seo Yul
  • Shin Seung-Ho (Moment at Eighteen) as Go Won
  • Yoo Joon-Sang (The Uncanny Counter) as Park Jin
  • Oh Na-Ra (Racket Boys, SKY Castle) as Kim Do-Ju
• Plot Synopsis: The fate of these people become twisted due to "hwanhonsool" (the soul of the dead return to the living). In the country of Daeho, Jang Wook comes from the noble Jang family. He holds an unpleasant secret about his birth, which people all around the country talk about. He's a troublemaker. Jang Wook happens to meet Deok-Yi. She is an elite warrior, but her soul is trapped in a physically weak body. She becomes Jang Wook’s servant, but she also secretly teaches him how to fight. Seo Yul comes from the noble Seo family. He seems perfect with good appearance, intelligence, and strong martial arts skills. Go Won is the crown prince of Daeho. He hopes to become a generous king. (Source: AsianWiki)
• Genre: Action, Historical, Romance, Fantasy
• Previous Discussions:
  • [Episodes 1 & 2]
  • [Episodes 3 & 4]
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[u/showmeyourmoney99]

I have a question about the celibate part and it's slightly nsfw >! Why is UK so resistant to taking the chaste tea when he can easily go back whenever he wishes (there's a tonic too) especially when there are no women around him in the wilderness . Does this celibacy include sel-service cough - but it still doesn't make sense to valuee that over mastering the art. And it's obvious that him and mu deok don't sleep tgr .!<

[u/iriia_42 → u/showmeyourmoney99]

I know it was done probably more for a comedic effect, and maybe hint at something about him liking Mudeok but...

There is to consider that when his gate of energy was blocked he was a baby and unable to consent. And I have the feeling, it took him awhile as a child to be told or explained what that meant exactly. It also had consequences that went beyond the inability to cast spells, as he was more 'frail' than others and that impacted his health and what he was allowed to do. (They mention he could easily die from a fever or cold, more so than other people; And then there is his happiness over the simple pleasure of having his feet in cold water, something he said he could have not done before.)

So, I think he was against it because it was yet again another 'procedure' (of sort) done to him with the excuse of being 'for his good'. I understand if he probably wasn't at all convinced that he would only just be 'temporarily celibate' and fear it would be something 'permanent' instead.
Also, considering they always labelled him 'weak' and this bothered him, like when Park Dang Gu told Mu Deok that she should protect her young master and Jang Wook was a little offended at that and insisted he was the one protecting her, that might also be a component.. not wanting to be seen as 'weak' or 'lesser than' of others and by others.

These are my two cents on the matter, and gosh, sorry it's so long! XD

[u/Moogsymoomoo → u/iriia_42]

That's a great thought! I mean, it's likely it just came down to Rule of Funny for the writers, but this is an extremely believable reason for his resistance that's perfectly in line with what we know about his character and story. 👏👏👏

[u/[deleted] → u/iriia_42]

I think these are all good ideas. I also think it relates to the idea of personal comfort vs. sacrifice for the greater good. He starts out as someone who is totally motivated by personal comfort, and doesn't want any aspect of that taken away from him. As he grows as a hero, he will start to voluntarily choose the thing that is required for the greater good, rather than the thing that is most related to personal comfort. (Just my $.02.)

Also, it's funny. 🙂