There’ll be two parts. This is Part 1.
Part 2, a password-protected post, will come out tomorrow morning. I’ll email the password to the regular posters. Please wait for it. — pm3
Update: 7/26/2022
Part 2 is here. Alchemy of Souls: Ep 10 On the Love Letter, Part 2
Part 3 is here. Alchemy of Souls: Ep 10 On the Love Letter, Part 3
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
To me, the Hong sisters had set up the love letter very well. They began with Naksu’s moment of introspection while she was cleaning Uk’s room.
Naksu: What Jang Uk and I shared was the desperate feeling of survival and the earnestness of finding ourselves. Once we got what we wanted, we promised to part ways without looking back. The love that Maidservant Kim mentioned may have seeped in between us. But it is nothing but a shell that I will leave behind once I hatch.
She then closes the doors on Uk’s chambers. Her action mirrors the finality of her words. She intends to shut the door on Uk and their master-pupil/master-servant relationship as soon as she regains her energy.
Then, she learns that Uk has returned home and was looking for her. She excitedly sprints home, only to discover that he just left.
Remember in Episode 7, when Jang Uk made fun of her stamina and legs? He doubted that she could have gone far with the missing yin-yang jade because she was weak and had short legs.
Well, he would’ve been proud to see her running after him with all her might, and as fast as her short legs could scurry.
A short note on the camera angle: I thought it was a good idea to shoot this scene from the aerial perspective, also known as the bird’s eye view. You see, Naksu saw herself as a “vicious eagle” that would fly away once it hatched. In reality, Naksu is more like a field mouse that a bird-of-prey would swoop down to devour.
She doesn’t want to miss him, so she searches for him at the quay in case he’s still there.
She spots him on the dinghy, and says, “Jang Uk.” But instead of calling him by name, she yelled, “Young master.”
To me, this means that she regards him as Uk, but she’s conscious of the need to preserve their master-and-servant charade. It also means that both of them have rarely called each other by their real names. (Hmmmm….Uk doesn’t even know Naksu’s real name, does he?)
Uk: (looking back) Where have you been? I thought I would not get to see you.
This is sweet. Yes, he’s whining like a brat and shouting as usual. He shows this side of him only to her. And that’s how we can tell that he missed her. He doesn’t filter his words when speaking to her.
Naksu runs to another bridge. This time, they smile at each other.
Uk: I finally got to see you. I am glad. I need to go. They cannot know that I am gone.
Naksu: Wait there. I will go to you soon.
Uk: (frowning)
Naksu: I found a way, so do what you need to do in there.
She means that Uk should focus on his studies at Songrim, and not let his heart be troubled by her absence and their separation. This is sweet thing for her to say considering that earlier, she was upset that he’d already forgotten about her. Now, she recognizes that he didn’t abandon her as she feared, and that he was feeling just as distressed as she was about their separation that he escaped Songrim to see her.
She’s now aware that their feelings were mutual: she misses him, and he misses her, too.
Naksu: (continuing) I will do what I can out here.
I like her upbeat attitude here. She knows she has a slim chance of getting in, but she doesn’t want to worry him. She wants him to leave without any anxiety or apprehension.
Uk: All right. But what way is that?
Naksu: Songrim is hiring.
Then she takes out the flyer and throws it at Uk. He looks down at the balled-up paper quizzically.
Naksu: Do not get caught and get back safely.
This is sweet, too. She’s missing him, but instead of focusing on HER feelings of being left behind, she’s wishing him godspeed and good luck. Earlier, she was thinking of killing him for abandoning her like he did his 12 previous masters. Now she wants him to get back safely. She no longer minds getting left behind because she’s found a way to get to him on her own.
He waves and she nods at him.
My comments:
One, this whole scene is as sweet as Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene when they discovered that “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
Two, this is a love letter. Our couple already had a confession during the Mirror of Longing incident. They already have a couple token/ring in the form of a yin-yang egg-shaped pendants. And now, they have a love letter.
Three, I like that Naksu is showing effort to stick with Uk. Uk has consistently been the one to ask her to stay beside him. In contrast, Naksu sees herself as a bird that will surely fly away after it hatches.
So, it’s now Naksu’s turn to show that she’s also committed to their relationship.
Four, the fact that Uk and Naksu are separated during this time makes it easier for Uk to understand (and memorize) what’s written in Master Seo’s “Words of the Heart.”
Lee: You cannot read that book with the concentration you have now. You have never trained diligently like the others have.
Uk: How long will it take if I start training now?
Lee: The earliest would be in a year.
Uk: I cannot do that. I refuse to be stuck in here for that long.
Lee: I think that is exactly the reason why Park Jin gave you that book.
Uk: (looks at Lee)
Master Lee knows that Park Jin locked Uk up in the study hall under the guise of teaching him when he actually wants to keep him from getting hurt and causing chaos. Uk is similar to Rapunzel locked away in the tower.
Lee: You could shorten that time if you become my pupil and receive my teachings.
Uk: Do you mean by drinking that chaste herb tea?
Lee: (nodding)
Uk: (gulping) Please give me some time to think.
His reluctance to drink the chaste tea reminds me of Meat Loaf’s song, “I Would Do Anything for Love…(but I won’t do that).”
Lee: This book contains my master, Master Seo Gyeong’s poem.
Uk: Poem?
Lee: It is not that long. Once you read the first word, the rest will come easily to you. Right. You cannot read this yet, can you?
Uk: Are you having fun teasing me? It is not like you will tell me.
Lee: It is quite entertaining to watch. Shall I help you again this time?
Uk: Yes, please.
Lee: Let me tell you one secret about this book that no one knows of. This poem is actually a love letter.
Uk: A love letter?
Lee: That is right. Countless mages have read this, but no one knows that fact.
Uk: Ahhh.
I find it funny how he pretends to understand the significance of Master Lee’s disclosure. But Master Lee believes in his ability to decipher things.
Lee: Master Seo Gyeong wrote this for a lady who could not see so that she could read it with her heart. You can read it by training your concentration skills. But try to think of another way since I told you it was a love letter.
Uk: (frowning)
Lee: How does a love letter begin?
Uk: What is this? Was he a pervert?
Uk’s referring to Master Seo. He wonders whether Master Seo’s a pervert because he was “exposing” his private emotions to others. Master Seo was essentially baring himself and becoming EMOTIONALLY naked to the readers — which was more embarrassing than being physically naked.
Uk: Why would he make others read his love letter? Why must I read this? It is invisible to me. Was he really a pervert?
Uk believes that a love letter must be private and confidential since it’s an expression of feelings between a lover and the beloved. Anybody else reading the love letter is like a voyeur (or pervert). Hence, Uk doesn’t want to read the poem.
Later, Park Jin visits him at his study hall. His “guard” reports to Park Jin that Uk has been looking at “Words of the Heart” for days on end.
PJ: It will not happen that soon. Have patience.
Uk: Yes.
PJ: Maidservant Kim is worried sick about you.
Here, Park Jin reminds me of a dad relaying a message from mom to their disobedient child. I said this from the very beginning: this drama examines the different forms of fatherhoods. There’s the biological father, the King, the absentee father, Jang Gang, and the surrogate father, Park Jin. I think that despite Park Jin’s flaws, Uk should be glad that he has Park Jin as a father figure. The other three mages, Yul, Danggu, and Choyeon, don’t seem to have their fathers around as much as Park Jin hovered around Uk.
PJ: Let me know if you need anything. I will prepare your bed, food, and clothes to your liking.
Of course, he’s happy to provide anything because Uk is safe. Inasmuch as we associate birds with Naksu, Uk is a bird, too. He’s a bird in a gilded cage. Park Jin is offering him comfortable accommodations, and most anything he desired, in exchange for his freedom.
Uk: I am fine.
PJ: (closes the window) The wind is getting chillier now. Keep the windows closed.
His gesture is symbolic, of course. He doesn’t want his bird aka Uk to fly away because the cold season is upon them. He’s shutting Uk inside Songrim, for fear of a) chaos happening in their world, and b) harm happening to Uk.
Uk: (thinking of Master Lee’s words) Master Seo Gyeong wrote this for a lady who could not see so that she could read it with her heart. (addressing PJ) I have one question. Did Master Seo Gyeong know of a woman who could not see?
PJ: During the Great Chaos that occurred 200 years ago, the first leader of Jinyowon was the one who helped Master Seo Gyeong by his side. And she could not see.
Uk: (reflecting on this) He had written this love letter for the leader of Jinyowon. By the way, are you sure you can let others read this? What if these are his private thoughts that you are making others read?
Remember what I said: Uk thinks that love letters should be private and confidential.
But also remember that Uk himself received a “love letter” from Naksu/MuDeok.
Although the “love letter” was simply a recruitment ad — without any incriminating words of love and devotion — he guarded the letter from the Crown Prince’s prying eyes. He didn’t want the CP to know about it, so he handed the CP a cookie as a decoy instead.
So naturally, Uk is upset that Master Seo’s privacy is being violated, like the CP was intruding in his and Naksu’s private and personal affair.
PJ: You must be trying to use me to read what is written in there. I will tell you this. Those words have nothing to do with his private thoughts….
Uk: (frowning again. He remembers Master Lee’s remark that no one knows that it’s a love letter)
PJ: (continuing) Instead of coming up with tricks, you should focus more on training yourself.
Uk: (still wondering to himself) How could no one know that this is a love letter?
Lol. No one know it’s a love letter because the name isn’t revealed. I’ll talk about this in Part 2.
Park Jin leaves the room. Uk continues to ponder Master Lee’s words.
Uk: (thinking) There must be a different way to read this love letter. Those who read this through training do not know. Only those who are aware that it is a love letter can read it. But how?
Uk remembers Master Lee’s parting question, “How does a love letter begin?” So he runs after Park Jin.
Uk: I have one last question. What was the name of the first leader of Jinyowon?
PJ: (unwittingly giving Uk the answer) Her surname was Jin, and her first name was Seol-ran.
Uk: (thinking to himself) All love letters begin with the recipient’s name. The recipient’s name was Seol-ran. (aloud) “An orchid that blooms in the white snow. Her name will open this letter.”
And it does.
Uk: (amazed) I can read it.
So he reads it, memorizes it, and copies it.
“You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.
You cannot touch fire, but it is inside the tree.
You cannot hold the wind, but it is resting on the rock.
If you let them be, they will exist everywhere.
The faint blue light makes me sigh.
My white breath turned into snow and tears.
I could not let them drop and hide them.
Despite knowing that they will fill up once again.
I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear.”
My interpretation of the Love Letter will continue in Part 2.
Good night.
Helloooo! I silently follow your blog and would love to be able to access this too 🥲 pretty please?
It seems MD for a large part expects JU to live up to her standards. This episode seems to be the first time (since the incident leading to JU’s gate being opened) that MD showed (again) that she holds herself to the same standard as well. It’s a nice reminder of how both MD and JU are both reciprocal master and pupil/servant but also equals.
PS: imagine how CP, SY and PDG would react if they got a question wrong 😅
I would be pleasantly surprised if Naksu’s real name turns out to be Mu Deok. However, if I’m not wrong, I’ve noticed historicals have rather different names for nobles and servants. So I doubt MD will be it. But I hope it is.
Kalimera @Packmule!
Thank you for writing this!
@wapz, it will be more profound if the real name of Naksu is Seol Ran. In reality, she is noble as well. Her father was a mage, so her lineage might not that flashy like Uk’s or Jin’s, but she is not a servant. 🙂
@Packmule3
Thank you. I loved the love letter and you are absolutely right, the Hong Sisters set this up well. The invisible love letter that was never delivered is so beautifully romantic. I never thought about the Romeo Juliet balcony scene but you are right, it is so much like that.
By the way, I was just thinking about the use of nature for adding layers to the story and it reminded me of Kurusuwa. I saw a video long time back about how he uses weather and nature to move his story. So, I find it nice how drama writers follow the master to the best of their abilities and resources.
I am waiting anxiously to find out why does MD feel that her letter is foolish and pathetic. Also, how will she justify why she should turn down Uk.
Please do share the password for part 2, I would love to read.
@NoOne, be patient. I’m finishing up Part 2.
You’re already on the list. Regular posters on the AoS threads get first dibs.
Beautifully stated @packmule. The aerial shots as Naksu’s vulnerability in being prone to birds of prey, as well as the comparison you drew of Uk being a bird in a gilded cage are so true. Love Kim DoJu unknowingly reminding her that she might not be able to fly away as easily as she is thinking.
We saw how hard she fought to be reunited with Uk, even though as she is realizing their future together is uncertain. This is because she knows that as an assassin, and a sorcerer who has soul shifted, how can she a) survive and prevent being petrified – But the ice stone can help that and so can learning Hwansu- which Naksu has learned, right? But she can’t access it (so a bird with its wings clipped.) and b) how can she be a good match for a future Gwanju (since she doesn’t know he’s a potential King, right?).
There must be something about her to give hope to the match. And So many thoughts about Naksu and MuDeok and who they are.
Could it be Naksu that is actually Jin Bu Yeon? Or a reincarnation of Seol-Ran? She has the same eyes as Seol-Ran. She could be a descendent of the Jin family somehow? That would make Uk and Naksu (who he loves, not MD) a good match.
In rewatching eps 5-7, I noticed her blue energy comes out just to protect her. It came out when she was in the lake. And when Master Lee threatened her. And interestingly when she was in the mirror, and her blue energy emerged, it was only then that the pots spoke up and said hey it’s the blind girl, it’s the ice stone.
That energy could either be her protecting herself, or the soul of the girl played by JsM in a blindfold that’s protecting her.
So many thoughts swirling. Then also, the lack of JSM in S2 may invalidate that. Or worse indicate an ending where Naksu dies? But then why is the other actress back in S2? (Yes, clearly over-thinking lol)
Excited to hear your thoughts PM and BOd friends.
Hi! I posted on an old post of yours, so I’m not sure if you saw it. If you didn’t, may I have the password as well? Thank you!
Hi! I recently discovered your blog bc I’m so addicted to Aos rn that I search for reviews and here i am, i just finished reading all your notes abt it. Thank u for sharing your thoughts, istg it helped me understand the drama more. I was thinking of how will i be able to access the private notes but i saw that it’s only for regular posters. 😢
Lovely summary @packmule3. I was struck on rereading this summary (I read it this morning, it is the end of the work day now), with how for each of them, Uk and Naksu/MuDeok, love is action. N/MD’s tossing the recruitment ad (around a rock – lol) is a sign of her commitment to action. She is not around just to whisper sweet nothings in his ear or listen soulfully, in her actions she shows her love. And given how difficult this recruitment is, it is a significant commitment to action for love. Uk, too, lazy as he is, instantly becomes alert and engaged when N/MD is threatened. He grows as he protects her.
On another note, I, like everyone watching this series, am intrigued by who MuDeuk is. I have been struck more than once, with how goddess-like she is, at least in the realm of alchemy, especially when she saves Uk’s soul. In that scene she reminds me of Venus on the Half-Shell (fully clothed though) or the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. I am now wondering if she is that original “blind girl”, Jin Seol-Ran. If Master Lee can live for 100+ years why can’t she live for 200+ years? It would explain both her ability to access the Jin cave and the response of the magical items.
Also, a separate short thought: I am not convinced that Naksu is evil. Her willingness to use the device to soul shift in the first scene, no matter the cost to the woman, speaks to her being evil. But other than that and her own blustering ways, we do not actually see her being evil (unlike Jin Mu). There is a lovely series of books by Robin Hobb (the Farseer books) where the main character, an illegitimate prince of the realm is forced to be an assassin. He is a troubled character, but not an evil one. It is not clear when Master Lee speaks of N/MD as ‘great souled’ whether he is thinking of the soul shifter (Naksu) or the being whose material body she inhabits. To have achieved the level of skill that Naksu achieves, given she is basically self taught, does speak of a greatness of soul.
Thanks very much for writing this, very much appreciated.
It’s making me wonder if Seol ran’s soul or spirit had reincarnated and was born as Buyeon. And it is her soul which Master Lee is referring to as a great soul inside this tiny body. Which is why Master Lee was so confident that JU will be protected from the alchemy of souls.
There are just so many secrets and mystery here and this love letter is merely the tip of the iceberg.
When Jang Uk was able to read those blank pages of Master Seo’s book, he also interpreted Mudeok’s message (the one she threw to him on the boat) as a love letter. For Mudeok it was just an ordinary notice that Songrim is hiring, but Jang Uk interpreted it as a love letter because it contains a feeling once that message was thrown to UK. “It’s the thought that counts”.
Hmm. It occurred to me. 1st line of 2nd stanza: could that be referring to the first Jin matriarch hosting a displaced soul, like MD?
Not sure what thoughts are since the next thread is locked.
Still pondering the rest of that second stanza…
Wonderful write up of Part 1. Thank you @pm3. I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed Episode 10. For once I am glad there are 20 episodes to this drama..there are so many plot twists that have yet to be unravelled… and I cannot wait for it.
I am pretty certain that MD is the missing Bu Yeon since clues have been scattered in the past few episodes. If this is true, I am curious as to how the plot will pan out and hope it doesn’t get botched up. Another thing that is interesting to note is how people around JU (apart from PJ) are noticing that he is on his way to becoming a respected Mage (and King too, fingers crossed) given how fast he manages to reach each level and how astute he is in figuring things out.
Re the love letter, it is so heartwarming ro see how the leads pine and do things to get closer to each other and yes, the Hong Sisters have set it up really well as mentioned by @NoOne.
This weekend couldn’t come fast enough!
Hello. Can I pls get the password?
Hi @packmule3，I really enjoyed your write up. Can I get the password for part 2. Thank you.
Welcome to the blog, @GH.
Part 3 is coming shortly. It’ll be open to the public.
Enjoyed this thoroughly, @pM3 💗 Great shots as well.
Parting is such sweet sorrow, indeed. Oh romeo romeo… where forth art thou, my romeo
This separation of Uk and MD is very revealing… that MD stayed outside the gate in the rain, that Uk escapes Songrim, that MD came running to catch Uk and throwing him the Ad *how did that rock got there? haha. That bridge scene is heart-tugging. awwww
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How do i gain access to part 2 please? Thanks.
Hi, I found this blog through the posts on Ep5 and Ep6 about Naksu and Mu-deok’s soul. I also wondered whether it was Bu-yeon who initiated contact with Naksu’s soul when she used the soul ejector or if she protected the young server who was Naksu’s target rather than them being conveniently or destined compatible souls or even wilder (fragmented parts of the same soul). Anyways, thsi part of the drama made me very frustrated considering Seo Yul is the one who knows Naksu before she was Mo-deok and was falling for her despite his suspicions on her intents with Uk, while the CP was one who fell for Mi-deok’s (Naksu) glib tongue and Bu-yeon’s face. Jang Uk, I think, knew immediately who Mu-deok’s (primary) soul was and thus, was able to not form such a strong attraction to her outer appearance but her words, actions, and reasoning that made her very attractive to him. Of course, he expresses concern for the limitations she was unfamiliar living with in Mu-deok’s body. It’s not on the beauty but the expressions, ticks and habits she has when feeling particular emotions that made her endearing to him in a way. In the end, (of this season) their time apart helped them develop awareness without the other person and realize what they wanted when they found that their major challenge relationship could be dissolved and they ended up making a decision to stay with the other to be more that their current relationship (though I see Naksu is still standing at no, maybe, I don’t want to hurt myself). I would like to see twhat the next discussion is all about. (I binged the series in 3 days XD)