The Hidden Story Behind Arin's Jin Choyeon in Alchemy of Souls

The Alchemy of Souls captivated viewers with its unique blend of fantasy, romance, and complex characters. Despite her glamorous appearance, Jin Cho Yeon, portrayed by Arin, stands out as the most popular girl in Daeho with a childlike innocence that adds depth to her character. This fantasy romance drama, set in the fictional nation of Daeho, tells the story of characters whose fates become intertwined due to soul-swapping magic.

Written by the famous Hong Sisters and aired on tvN, the ₩40 billion production achieved impressive ratings, with Part 1 reaching No. 1 when its finale aired on August 28, 2022. Throughout its 30-episode run, viewers witnessed the evolution of various characters, including Jin Cho Yeon, who transformed from an immature youngest daughter to a respectable lady during the three-year time skip between Parts 1 and 2. Additionally, her complicated love-hate relationship with Park Dan Gu became a compelling subplot that further developed her character. As part of one of the four major wizarding families in Daeho-guk, Jin Cho Yeon's journey stands as a testament to the rich character development that made the cast of Alchemy of Souls so memorable.

Becoming Jin Cho Yeon: Arin’s First Steps into Acting

For Arin, a member of the K-pop girl group OH MY GIRL, portraying Jin Cho Yeon in "The Alchemy of Souls" marked her first significant acting role. Her transition from idol to actress caught attention among fans who were eager to see how she would handle such a prominent character in this fantasy period drama.

How Arin was cast in Alchemy of Souls

Arin's journey to becoming part of the cast of Alchemy of Souls began unexpectedly. Initially, the production team was searching for someone who could embody both the elegant exterior and childlike innocence that defined Jin Cho Yeon's character. Arin's natural charm and expressive features caught the attention of casting directors who were looking for fresh faces to bring the fictional world of Daeho to life.

What set Arin apart from other candidates was her ability to convey the duality of Jin Cho Yeon's personality—poised and sophisticated in public settings, yet refreshingly innocent in private moments. Furthermore, her previous experience in front of cameras as an idol gave her an advantage in understanding the technical aspects of filming, albeit in a different context than acting.

Initial challenges of playing Jin Cho Yeon

Stepping into the world of historical fantasy presented numerous obstacles for the first-time actress. Arin struggled particularly with the formal language required for the period setting, as the dialogue in Alchemy of Souls features traditional speech patterns unfamiliar to modern speakers.

Portraying Jin Cho Yeon's complex character traits also proved challenging. The character required a delicate balance between appearing confident and somewhat entitled while remaining likable to viewers. Essentially, Arin needed to master portraying someone who was simultaneously privileged yet endearing—a nuanced performance even for experienced actors.

Director's advice: 'Just be yourself'

The turning point in Arin's performance came through simple yet profound guidance from the director. Rather than overwhelming her with technical instructions, he encouraged Arin to "just be yourself" in many scenes where Jin Cho Yeon showed her true personality.

This approach worked remarkably well because certain aspects of Arin's natural personality—her expressiveness and genuine reactions—aligned perfectly with Jin Cho Yeon's character. Consequently, some of the most memorable moments featuring the character came from scenes where Arin was able to incorporate her authentic responses within the framework of her role.

Throughout filming, this philosophy of drawing from her own personality rather than completely transforming helped Arin navigate the challenges of her first major acting project while bringing authenticity to one of the most beloved characters in the Alchemy of Souls universe.

Understanding Jin Cho Yeon: A Character of Contrasts

Jin Cho Yeon emerges as one of the most intriguing characters in the cast of Alchemy of Souls, defined by her fascinating contradictions. As the youngest daughter of the prestigious Jin family, she navigates the fantasy world of Daeho with a complexity that adds depth to the narrative.

Elegant on the outside, innocent on the inside

Beneath her sophisticated exterior, Jin Cho Yeon harbors an unexpected innocence. Though she appears glamorous and dignified in her colorful silk clothing and shiny hair accessories, her true nature reveals a childlike naivete. This striking contrast makes her character particularly memorable among the Alchemy of Souls characters. The production team cleverly highlighted this duality through visual cues—showing her poised under cherry blossoms in one scene, then displaying her unhappy pout in another. Notably, as the character representing spring among the four noble children, Jin Cho Yeon brings a refreshing energy to the fantasy drama.

Why viewers found her lovable despite flaws

Jin Cho Yeon's immaturity might have been annoying in another character, yet audiences found her endearing instead. According to Arin herself, "Cho Yeon's greatest advantage and charm is that even when she whines, you don't dislike her and she appears rather lovable". This quality allowed viewers to forgive her occasional harsh words toward Mu Deok, as they understood these comments came "with an innocent heart and without malice". Surprisingly, her childlike reactions and occasional pouting face only enhanced her charm throughout the series.

How Arin studied to portray her duality

To accurately capture Jin Cho Yeon's complex nature, Arin took a unique approach. Instead of overanalyzing her lines, she attempted to "empty my thoughts and see them as they were". Thereafter, she focused on bringing out the character's innocence above all else. Throughout filming, Arin noticed herself gradually becoming more similar to Jin Cho Yeon, until eventually "it really naturally became Cho Yeon = Arin". Moreover, the production team praised her as a "human vitamin" whose bright energy on set mirrored her character's vibrant personality.

Behind the Scenes: Growth, Mistakes, and Memorable Moments

Filming a year-long fantasy series presented numerous emotional challenges for Arin as she embodied Jin Cho Yeon in The Alchemy of Souls. Her journey behind the camera revealed both vulnerable moments and professional growth that shaped her performance.

The scene that made Arin cry

Among the most emotionally demanding moments for Arin came during the final episodes of Part 1. "I remember the scene where Cho-yeon and Dang-gu fought with Mu-deok and mourned the death of their father in episode 20 the most," Arin shared. "I cried a lot while filming it." This pivotal sequence demonstrated a turning point for both character and actress. "It left a deeper impression on me since it was the scene where Cho-yeon showed deeper and more detailed emotions than her normal appearance," she reflected. Undoubtedly, this moment showcased Jin Cho Yeon's character development, displaying emotional complexity previously unseen in her portrayal.

Support from senior actors on set

Throughout filming, Arin received invaluable guidance from her experienced co-stars. "Thankfully, Yoo Joon Sang sunbaenim and Park Eun-hye sunbaenim, who played my mother, gave me a lot of advice on the set," Arin recalled with gratitude. "Thanks to them, I was able to relax and focus on the filming." This mentorship proved crucial for the newcomer actress. In fact, Park Eun-hye later praised Arin publicly, stating, "Our sincere Arin, who will do 100 things if you tell her one thing." Park Eun-hye's Instagram post highlighted how Arin "proved the power of effort in Alchemy of Souls," acknowledging the young actress's dedication to her craft.

Learning to act in ensemble scenes

One of the most significant hurdles Arin faced involved scenes with multiple cast members. "At the beginning, I had a scene with a lot of lines," she explained. "Since it was a scene with a lot of actors, I was that much more nervous." The pressure of working alongside established performers initially affected her confidence. "I even messed up a few times so I was more nervous," she admitted. Nevertheless, this challenging experience became a valuable learning opportunity. Through perseverance and support from her colleagues, Arin gradually mastered the art of ensemble acting, contributing to the chemistry that made The Alchemy of Souls cast so compelling to viewers.

From Part 1 to Part 2: How Jin Cho Yeon and Arin Matured

The three-year time jump between Parts 1 and 2 of The Alchemy of Souls marked a significant transformation for both Jin Cho Yeon and her portrayer. This dramatic shift in timeline allowed viewers to witness remarkable character growth while Arin herself evolved as an actress throughout the year-long filming process.

Three years later: a more composed Cho Yeon

Following the time skip, Jin Cho Yeon emerged as a more mature individual, shedding much of her previous immaturity. Viewers who initially disliked her self-centered attitude were pleasantly surprised by her development. As one reviewer noted, "Seeing Cho Yeon mature in this drama makes me so proud of her. She has the softest heart after all, but never EVER mess with her loved ones". Indeed, her growth earned her the unofficial "Best in Character Development Award" among the alchemy of souls characters. This evolution reflected the broader themes of personal transformation central to the series' narrative.

The complicated love story with Park Dang Gu

The relationship between Jin Cho Yeon and Park Dang Gu underwent significant changes following the three-year gap. Park Dang Gu ascended to become the leader of Songrim, with their engagement subsequently broken off. Their romance took unexpected turns as "in the beginning it seems like Park Dang Gu and Jin Cho Yeon's relationship is broken and that she resents him for not saving her father three years ago, but then a few episodes later it seems like they are back to being in love". This whiplash in their relationship dynamic confused some viewers, yet ultimately showcased how their bond had matured alongside their individual characters.

How Arin's real-life growth mirrored her character

Clearly, Arin's personal journey paralleled her character's development. "It was my first leading role project so I felt a lot of affection for it," she revealed about her experience. Throughout filming, she noticed herself becoming increasingly similar to Jin Cho Yeon, until "it really naturally became Cho Yeon = Arin". This year-long immersion in the role profoundly impacted her: "It was a valuable time for me to see, feel, and learn a lot of things". The experience taught her that romantic comedy was "much harder than I thought," yet inspired her to "challenge myself to grow further"—reflecting the same determination to improve that characterized Jin Cho Yeon's arc.