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        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Look at all the details of "Alchemy Of Souls" costumes. Each character had beautiful and detailed outfits.

        Laure, Kpopmap Editor
        14 min to read  ·  Published : Jan 13, 2023 · Updated : Feb 17, 2023
        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        WM Entertainment / C-Jes Entertainment / tvN / Pledis

        "Alchemy Of Souls" and its second part "Alchemy Of Souls: Light And Shadow" were a huge hit. Not only because of its stellar acting and hooking plotline but it was also because of its multiple outstanding details. The fantasy romance drama is set in a country that does not exist in history or on maps in which the protagonist's fates have been twisted due to magic. Lee JaeWook (as Jang Uk), Jung SoMin (as MuDeok), Go YounJung (as Jin BuYeon), Hwang MinHyun (as Seo Yul), Shin SeungHo (as the Crown Prince), OH MY GIRL’s Arin (as Jin ChoYeon), Yoo JunSang (as Park Jin), Yoo InSoo (as Park DangGu), Oh NaRa (as Kim DoJu), Jo JaeYoon (as Jin Mu), Park EunHye (as Jin HoKyung) and more were the lead actors of the show.

        If you were one of the show's viewers, you would surely have noticed the beautiful sets and costumes. But... did you see everything?! With two articles, we aim to have a look back and show you all the details you might have missed and how detailed the drama is. The production team really worked hard for this spectacle, and it would be a shame to have missed it.

        After the first part about the filming sets, in this second part, we focus on the multitude of details in costumes by looking at the characters and their costumes throughout the drama. We also share some thoughts on why they made this choice of costumes.

        Also don't miss out on our exclusive interview with "Alchemy of Souls" costume director Jo SangGyeong for more behind: read it here

        This article contains major spoilers.

         

        A multitude of details in costumes

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN

        As an introduction to this article, we would like to mention that each character had a lot of costumes and styling in the show, and we can't cover them all. One important thing to know is that in some cases, the costumes on the TV screen and in real-life look slightly different in terms of colors or textures. For example, some patterns are more visible in real life than there are on screen. This is changing some factors.

        In the world of DaeHo, each character has a costume to suit his position and his family/clan. They are details in their outfits, like belts for male characters or eye makeup for ladies that hint at where they belong.

        Not only are the costumes detailed but the hairstyles too (male and female characters). While Seo Yul and Jin BuYeon did not seem to have a lot of hairstyling, the crown prince and the ladies from the Jin family (for example) had complex hairstyling.

        We are now going to see that even characters who seemed to have the same costume and without many details like MuDeok actually had.

         

        Analysis by character

        Let's start by introducing each character's styling and highlighting details of their costumes you might have missed.

         

        Jang Uk, from young master to invincible mage

        Jang Uk's costumes were a heaven match with Lee JaeWook and made him look even more incredible on screen! He might not have the most expensive-looking outfit, but all these details made the difference in making him stand out.

        As the character evolved from a learning young master to an invincible hurt mage, his costumes and hair changed. In part 1, his main color was blue and in different shades, while in part 2 it was mostly blue and black or only black.

        The blue costumes were beautiful and diverse.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        C-Jes (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        C-Jes / tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        Among the details, we particularly liked Jang Uk's hair ribbon in the first half of part 1.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        In part 2, Jang Uk's hair got shorter, and his aura got stronger with black clothes. His black clothes can have various interpretations such as his mourning of MuDeok, his "monster status" (killing wild souls), his new matureness, his new invincible status, his mental struggles, etc.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        Did you notice that this inner clothing (below) was shining? When he walked or moved, you could notice it. He seemed glowing from the inside, it might be a step too far to say it was because of the ice stone that the team selected this costume, but it makes sense.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        This is very important about the costume of part 2. Jang Uk's clothes made all his entrances, even more, majestic. Because the top layer of his clothes is thin, it makes him look like floating or with a glowing aura. It gives an ever more charismatic and mysterious vibe to his walk. A fantastic runway!

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        C-Jes (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        C-Jes (design by Kpopmap)

         

         

        Naksu, the assassin in double colors

        The "original" and assassin Naksu briefly appeared at the beginning of part 1. She was wearing casual clothes with simple fabric in colors red and purple-blue. On the TV screen, it looks navy but it is actually more purple.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Go YounJung's Instagram / tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        MuDeok, a master in servant clothes

        MuDeok's servant clothes might seem simple at first, but it has details like embroidery and a particular form with her puffy pants. Her clothes were blue (superposition) and sometimes purple (a bit like Naksu). Also, we cannot miss that Jang Uk and MuDeok had great blue-blue costumes in part 1, just like a couple clothing.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        As for her hairstyle, it was braided and with ribbon but no pins.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN / Jung SoMin's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN / Jung SoMin's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

        She wore simple clothing except for a few exceptions like wearing the crown prince's clothes or Jin ChoYeon's wedding clothes. These costumes below are the only exceptions. Her clothes also changed at the end of part 1 when she was no longer a servant to this pink and green outfit seen on the poster.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Jin BuYeon, a lady with beautiful clothes

        Jin BuYeon wore many clothes in pale pink or green, but also in blue, with flower patterns, and more. Her hair and makeup looked mostly natural as if she did nothing. Her outfits were also not as dense as other female characters who have a lot of layers. She embodied pureness and innocence.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN / Go YounJung's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        Her hair ribbons were also a huge detail of her styling.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Seo Yul, a sober elite master

        Like Jin BuYeon, Seo Yul's costumes were colorful and sober. Sometimes with purple and mint green but also simply with brown or dark green. His outfits had a few layers or different colors (2 colors, no more) and his only accessory was his belts.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Pledis (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Pledis (design by Kpopmap)

        Seo Yul gave this kind and trustworthy aura with these costumes and his hair with bangs.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Pledis (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Pledis (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Park DangGu, a flashy young master

        Park DangGu was a bright character, and so were his clothing with yellow and green clothes in the first part. Your eyes were dazzled with his costumes. Makeup, dyed hair, and a lot of earrings are also one of his key stylings.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Management Koo (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        Just like his fiancée Jin ChoYeon, he toned down in part 2 as he became the head of Songrim. He kept his earrings but had lighter makeup and cut his black hair.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Park Jin, an imposing head of Songrim

        Park Jin was the head of Songrim, so he had long coat-like or dress train costumes giving him more presence. He inspired respect just from his costumes, the white locks in his long black hair also stood out.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Namoo Actors (design by Kpopmap)

        In part 2, he cut his hair and wore simpler clothes since he was no longer SongRim's head with the exception of the last episodes of the show.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Kim DoJu (Maidservant Kim), a lovely and elegant lady

        Kim DoJu was a lady with an elegant and lovely heart. Her costumes were just like her personality. It seemed like there were no colors she did not wear.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Management Nine (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Oh Nara's Instagram / tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Oh Nara's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Crown prince, a royal appearance for the heir to the throne

        The crown prince had costumes with gold and shining tissue along with a lot of patterns (royal patterns or not). His costumes screamed royalty, aside from the scene where he was undercover.

        This character had complex hairstyles in the show. It was mostly seen tied up on a bun with chains or golden accessories, highlighting his position of power.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        He also wore a lot of navy clothes like Jang Uk, which we can't help but make the link with Joseon crown prince outfits which were also navy (reminder: this drama is not linked to any history).

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship / tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        Below, he was in disguise out of the palace, but chains and patterns were still on his costumes.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        KingKong by Starship (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Jin HoKyung, the shining and powerful priestess

        Jin HoKyung was the head of the powerful Jin family and Jinyowon. She was powerful and her costumes tell so. The ladies of the Jin Family (aside from Jin BuYeon which is interesting) had fancy costumes and makeup.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The head of Jinyowon always had hairpins, colorful lipsticks, glittery nail polish, and vibrant clothes. And even after all the events of the last episodes, she still managed to have perfect eyeliner.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Park EunHye's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Jin ChoYeon, a princess-like romantic lady

        Like her mother, Jin ChoYeon was by far the female character who got the prettiest hairstyles. She has a new hairstyle with new accessories or flowers pinned on every new gorgeous costume.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        In part 1, her clothes and hair colors were bright and innocent as her character was sentimental and full of life. Her yellow and pink clothes matched Park DangGu, her fiancé.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Arin's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        WM Entertainment (design by Kpopmap)

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        WM Entertainment (design by Kpopmap)

        Her wedding outfit was one of the most gorgeous costumes of the whole show. Overall white, it included a lot of layers, patterns, and a bit of color. The flower crown and belts were masterpieces.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        WM Entertainment (design by Kpopmap)

        In part 2, after the passing of her dad on the day of her wedding and the end of her engagement, she had a more mature look with darker hair and less hairstyling.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Arin's Instagram / tvN (design by Kpopmap) - Before -> After

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

        Heo Yeom, the doctor with blusher

        Yeom was the doctor of the drama. He took care of sick Jang Uk several times. His curly white hair and pink blusher made him a lovable character. For his costumes, he mostly wore blue tones.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Jin Mu, the evil incarnated in his majestic clothes

        Jin Mu can't be missed with his dark eyes makeup, facial hair, and short white hair. With his high-ranked position, he had high-quality costumes.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN / Jo JaeYoon's Instagram (design by Kpopmap)

         

        Heo YunOk, a noble lady

        YunOk might also be a secondary character but she also got to wear pretty clothes and had beautiful hair that no other female characters had.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        JooWol, the standing-out gisaeng

        Here is a special mention for JooWol who had a lot of beautiful hairpins.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN (design by Kpopmap)

         

        A well-thought storyline behind these clothes

        Family common points

        The belts were one of the things we can notice from the show. The male characters wore the emblems of their family or Songrim. They usually have the same belt even if they keep on changing clothes. Jang Uk is a particular case because he was the only one without a proper belt in part 2. It is more a rope than a belt.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Jang Uk belt in part 1 / Jang Uk with the belt of Songrim / Jang Uk belt in part 2 / Park DangGu in part 1 / Park DangGu with Songrim belt / Park DangGu with the head of Songrim belt / Seo Yul in part 1 / Seo Yul with Songrim belt / Seo Yul in Part 2 / Yeom belt / Park Jin belt when he was the head of Songrim / Crown prince belt 
        (source: tvN / Pledis / KingKong by Starship)

        The Jin family ladies shared this special eye makeup. It is interesting to notice that Jin BuYeon did not get this makeup. We can only guess that Jin HoKyung did not 100% approve her as her daughter and let her out of fancy makeup and clothes like her other daughters Jin ChoYeon and temporary fake Jin BuYeon (SoYi).

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        Park EunHye's Instagram

         

        Jang Uk & crown prince, royal blood

        As mentioned before, Jang Uk and the crown prince shared one common color of outfits in very key scenes just like in the one below when they entered Jinyowon to save MuDeok. This color is none other than navy color. They are both princes and linked to royalty by blood so we might wonder if their outfits sharing this royal navy color as a special meaning.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN

         

        Thoughts on the main couple colors matching

        Jang Uk wore mostly blue in part 1 and black and blue in part 2. While Naksu: red and purple/blue, Mudeok: blue, and Jin BuYeon: pastel colors. The one with the best matching color is most likely MuDeok. Actually, for the opposite feeling, it should be Jang Uk-Jin BuYeon. Jin BuYeon's clothes are so pure and pink that they are the opposite of Jang Uk's black clothes.

        In the poster of part 1, Jang Uk and MuDeok matched in their blue outfits. They looked like the perfect couple.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN

        But what is interesting is the main poster of part 1. Jang Uk is not wearing blue (his main color) but Songrim clothes. As for MuDeok, she is wearing the clothes that see her death. She is not dressed like this for the majority of the show. It is an interesting choice from the production team. It is indeed her most pretty clothes.

        The ending of part 2 and part 1 had MuDeok/Jin BuYeon/Naksu/Cho Yeong wear similar clothes in pink and green pastel colors. Would that have a special meaning?

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN

        One of the key scenes of the ending is the one below. It is interesting to have again the blue and black duo, kind of matching the light and shadow like their names.

        The Costuming Of "Alchemy Of Souls" - Everything You Need To Know About The Fashion On Set

        tvN

        Are you also in love with the clothes of the drama? Did you notice something we did not cover?

         

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