i found it interesting in the end with the implications and symbolism, with marriage symbolically being the coming together of two opposites (light and shadow and yin and yang)—light embracing the shadow, and shadow embracing the light.
much like in hotel del luna, the act of letting go is seen as something positive—but not in the "letting go of all human connection" sense; in more of the sense that the regrets in the past and the anxiety for the future is let go to welcome in whatever the moment will bring, whether that be fish sauce or honey.
in the way that the old king, too, (and symbolically speaking, old way of living) is let go—as are traditions, in the sense that it is no longer just the rich, powerful and prestigious who get to train in magic any more (which i think is the best, and most perfect place to end seo yul's arc). also in the individual character moments (in park jin and kim do-ju as well as cho yeong and jang uk's respective situations where they each faced that moral choice; to hold on, or to let go and relinquish control), where it was heavily rewarded in outcome.
i do think that it's heavily implied that seo yul and heo yun-ok are seeing each other by the end. with the flowers, the broken limb and the fact that a direct comparison is drawn between their appearances, i think it's pretty safe to assume that they both let go, too, in their own ways—and were also rewarded in that choice.
as much as i, for my own reasons*, did want to see buff, sword-wielding naksu, i think it's completely in-character for her as cho yeong to not want to pick it back up again. she already made the conscious decision to put it down in the first part, and she's stuck by that decision to the best of her ability and autonomy. she's still powerful, and she's out there living her best, most adventurous and magical life with her husband, and honestly? i couldn't wish for a happier ending for them.
tldr; but overall, i was left feeling extraordinarily happy and content with the ending to alchemy of souls. it made me excited to watch it every week, and it has already started inspiring me in my own work. i think i will keep this drama in a little pocket of my heart and memory for a very, very long time.
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