Why Did Naksu Choose Jang Uk Over Seo Yul In "Alchemy Of Souls"? An In-Depth Analysis With Questions And Reflections On Life

This article contains spoilers. 

Back in the noughties era, K-Drama fans may agree that second leads overflowing kindness will eventually turn to non-stop cruelty once they discover the mutual feelings between the main protagonists. Fortunately, as stories in K-Dramas progress each year, so does the attitude of second leads toward rejection. Now they are portrayed as sane human beings with conscience and morality. Hence, they cease to use criminal ways any more to achieve their goals. Particular dramas such as "Love Alarm", "Itaewon Class", "Alchemy of Souls", etc. have already showcased the sports attitude of second leads (Well, some of the second leads in each of the given dramas).

Undeniably, that is good for the main protagonists and the viewers, or so I thought - as I realized that apprehension on “second leads glow-down” was gone, but replaced with the confusion of “who will I root, the main lead or second lead?”

Sometimes it’s hard to choose, but once I’m certain who I want to root for - it becomes easier to watch the drama - only if the main protagonist has a similar choice to mine. While there are times that it didn't, my subconscious mind was secretly asking, “Why did she choose him?”. 

So, If you’re currently experiencing my inquiry due to the recent talk of the town: "Alchemy of Souls" Jang Uk (Lee JaeWook) and Naksu (Jung SoMin & Go YounJung)’s happy ending, this article might be helpful to you. 

Social psychologist David Myers wrote in his 10th edition of Social Psychology book the five factors that initiate attraction: 

1. Proximity

When we are always near to someone either by choice or by chance - attraction will blossom.

2. Physical Attractiveness

We are attracted to beautiful people.

3. Similarity

We tend to be attracted to people who have countless similarities.

Complementarity

The belief that couples' differences benefit each other. However, Myers shared a lot of research that this was still not proven. Thus, he believed that opposites rarely attract.

4. Liking those who like us 

Myers wrote, “Discovering that an appealing someone really likes you seems to awaken romantic feelings.” Tons of research have confirmed it.

5. Relationship Rewards

We tend to get attracted to people who are beneficial and make us feel good.

To understand Naksu's choice, I had put the attraction factors to Jang Uk and Seo Yul (Hwang MinHyun). Then, I rated them: as full, half, or none. I had relied my ratings on Naksu’s reaction and conversation with the two mages.

Jang Uk’s rating:

Obviously, Jang Uk got a full mark in proximity since Naksu was his maid and master; the shadow assassin also got attracted to him, probably, because she felt secure that she would live and regain her power, as Jang Uk got her full support and help (Relationship Rewards).

Although Lee JaeWook is handsome, I still gave him “None” because Naksu never once uttered that Jang Uk is a knockout. For similarity, he only got “Half” since he is not as reserved, patient, and diligent as Naksu.

Seo Yul’s rating:

Compared to Jang Uk, Seo Yul always got a “Handsome” comment from Naksu, whether behind his back (ep 3) or in front of him (ep 2). Moreover, they are almost similar: demure, diligent, and talented - except Naksu (in season 1) probably felt unsecured towards Seo Yul, as the latter kept scolding the former for having numerous schemes with Jang Uk. Seo Yul probably validated Naksu's feelings when he replied to Naksu, “Next time, I might have to do just that.” (ep 8). Hence, Seo Yul deserves a half in Relationship Rewards and in proximity as they’re rarely together.

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Clearly, Jang Uk won Naksu’s love. However, Jang Uk’s “Liking those who like us” seems to have a gray area. In "Alchemy of Souls" season 1, episode 11, both mages were able to confess their feelings to Naksu. Jang Uk, who bought DangGu’s fake news that Naksu likes Seo Yul, had created a thought in his head that he is low for assuming that he is the one that Naksu likes. His irrational beliefs prompted him to disobey his Master. As a result, it seems that Naksu felt uncertain about her plan to regain her energy through Jang Uk.

Jang Uk’s reaction to his irrational beliefs bred five questions in my mind:

1. Did Naksu choose Jang Uk for the irrational belief that he wouldn’t help her get back her energy?

2. Did Naksu choose Jang Uk out of guilty because he repeatedly acts devastated?

3. Did Naksu choose Jang Uk because she felt pressured by his bitterness?

4. Did Naksu force herself to fall in love with Jang Uk?

5. Or Did Naksu just learn to love Jang Uk ?

Perhaps, the questions above may elicit a thought that it’s preposterous. Yet as Dr. Daltzman wrote in Psychology Today, “Common sense confuses reality with truth.” 

Every story seems to have a touch of reality. So, if question number four is factual in real life, then the Hong sisters have shown the “Fake it till you make it” wisdom that we sometimes use. Also, there's Jang Uk's alluring spoken words of love vs. Seo Yul's love actions behind that may reflect our desire, most of the time, to choose extravagant things.

If question number 5 was also a reflection in our real life then:

1. What are the required prerequisites to take, so we can learn to like someone or something quickly yet abundant? (like how Naksu quickly accepts Jang Uk’s love and confesses to him that she likes Jang Wook more than he likes her.) 

The answers may benefit those individuals with no choice but to get what they need immediately. For instance, a young couple, who haven’t fully known and love each other for their worst, have accidentally born an infant out of wedlock. Unfortunately, as it seems, they have to quickly learn to love each other unconditionally to avoid raising the infant with divorced parents. 

In the usual K-Drama love triangle, the chosen one is always with the target of interest - If that is typical in real life too. Then:

Does proximity outrank all the other factors that initiate attraction? Perhaps the question can be a research idea for students and practitioners of the field.

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