Bulgasal: Suflete nemuritoare (2021)

Not a 100% perfect but 98% perfect

First of all I have to say that I LOVE THIS KDRAMA's OST, it's simply my favorite one among allll the others. Especially "Leave", this songs always hits me hard in the heart.
Anyway, now about the story. As I said, this kdrama isn't 100% perfect but I'd say it's 98% perfect. This 2% missing is about the "blank spaces" that weren't explained to us. To start with, the ending, I'm pretty happy with how the kdrama ended even though we all know that hwal wouldn't be able to be born again, but he did! And He and Yeon had met again, so why we gonna complain? Ahhaaha I won't, I'm really happy with the ending.
Btw the story itself is all good and beautiful, I love this kdrama. But I have to say now that I'm watching it a second time, now knowing the story I cannot stop laughing at Hwal's anger towards Yeon... I mean? Dude? You're the one who caused everything, you even tried to kill the people she loved and now you're complaining qnd arguing with her? ahahahaha I can't -
Also I love their relationship, while Hwal hates her at the beginning, from the very first moment she cared about him even tho he tried to harm her several times, she (even not remembering the past) deep inside she cared for him and want him the best. I mean, what a pure love ahahah. We can hate Hwal at the beginning but as the story goes and he starts to loving her again, we start to love even more this couple.
Anyway, I wouldn't blame everything on him since 1000 years ago it was also Yeon's fault, she promised she would be back for him once the children have grow but she never did, she basically abandoned him. As his partner and "wife" she should have talked to him. So... To me both of them are to blame.
She for not talked to him and Hwal for not tried to dialogued with her too. But, I understand that he was only trying to save his love. Anyway, deep inside I blame Yeon for everything hahahaha, I mean, I understand she was feeling alone with only both of them, she wanted children, but how can she left him alone like that? Nhe... I pity Hwal.

BTW! I recommend this kdrama to everyone who don't mind violence, bc this kdrama has a lot of it hahahaha. it's a pretty good story with amazing music and a couple that we can't avoid to love 💕

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Watched for the cast and interesting synopsis

About the plot:
This drama has quite a strong start, leaving you looking for answers and that's why I continued anyway. At some point, it just got... boring. I just want to know the history!!!! I was already expecting some deeply inter-woven history where the main cast already knew one another [which is true, as expected of a reincarnation kind of drama]. Over time, I honestly don't know what the scriptwriter was going for. :/ At this point, I just want to complete the drama and find out more about the history and why things are happening. Sometimes Sangun's actions are really ridiculous and questionable (if you think about it). But we know it's only possible/justified because it's a drama in the first place. This drama is action-packed, if you're into that, go ahead. Otherwise, the plot is not very interesting... It gets boring after a while before picking itself up again at the last few episodes.

About the cast:
I watched for the cast so hehe I obviously knew there was gonna be top-notch acting. However, the scriptwriting of each character... I'm not sure if it's just me but I feel like the characters are kinda dumb LOL. Especially Sangun...

About the music/OST:
Reallllyyyyyy beautiful music and cinematography.

Rewatch value:
Not high, honestly doubt I will rewatch this. It is interesting though.

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Bulgasal overated

The first few episodes seemed interesting, but even with the slashing, blood and gore, it wasn't enough to hold my attention. When the ML switches to more of a current time line, the flash backs become redundant. The writers seem to be madking it us as they go. The weird out of focus cinematography gave me a headache and didn't add to the drama at all. The monsters have really crappy makeup and you can even see the contacts for their eyes. Their nails are supposed to be able to slash, but when you get a closeup of those same fingernails, they aren't even sharp. Continuity issues as well.

The actors try their best, I kept watching because of Lee Joon's acting for his character. But the predictable plot and lack of wow moments, didn't help and trying to create romance between certain characters that had no chemistry, seemed just an add on. This drama-thriller seems to borrow concepts from other dramas, but not in a good way.

I dropped it after 7 episodes. Others rave about this new drama, but I'm just disappointed and feel let down by the writing. Overall 5.5/10

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Romance aside, this is quite an enticing drama

Bulgasal has been on my to-watch list even before it aired and I finally finished watching it last week.

Overall an entertaining watch with layers of mysteries that are worth the wait, some might consider the pacing a tad slow. I enjoy the pacing, as it gives time for the world building and the writers in my opinion are great at saving mysteries as the week goes which helped create anticipation for the next episodes. With a lot of breathtaking cinematography, attention to details for multiple timelines and great introduction to monsters, the drama is pleasing to the eyes and quite insightful into the folklore of Korea.

The romance, however, is not really my cup of tea. While watching, I believe the drama will do equally as well, if not better, had they removed the forced romantic air between Hwal and Sang-un but it was later revealed that it was an important aspect of the final plot, which could have been a better motive. I also think that Sang-un's character seems a little airhead-ish as the story progresses when she was actually depicted as a more independent and strong character in the beginning, most probably to push for her dependent towards Hwal.

The main issue of the drama, later revealed in the last episode, was a bit anticlimactic for me. It feels a little lack of depth considering how well the anticipation was kept.

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A great watch

Overall, I think this drama is a must watch. The story is intriguing, there are plenty of twists and layers in the characters. The pacing sometimes felt a bit slow for my liking, but I still enjoyed the drama on the whole anyway.

Now, some elements of the show felt repetitive, like the monster of the week kind of feel. I personally like the framing of the story, and how the twist came into play. Though gotta say there were quite a few twists and by the end of it you're sort of expecting more twists are just going to come into play.

Anyway, I think the drama is well presented and it was definitely worth watching if you like the genre, though I personally wish there are more action.

My personal favourite is Eul Tae, there are so many layers to this character, which brings me to my next point...

***SPOILER***

I wish there are more build to Eul Tae's backstory, because it felt underplayed and that he didn't get enough build up on why he became the way he was, and why he was so obsessed with Hwal.

The ending was heartwarming, and it ties the big plot points, but I do question why they met again when it was established that Bulgasals don't reincarnate. I know it's nice to have a happy ending, but I feel this invalidate Hwal's sacrifice, and that why this happens requires an explanation. Also, if Hwal reincarnates, does that mean Eul Tae did too? It was Eul Tae's soul to begin with anyway.

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Isso é um desabafo. Não leia se vc amou esse dorama.

Bulgasal tinha uma premissa boa, uma ideia ótima, mas foi muito mal executada.

A ideia de Bulgasal era ser um dorama diferente, ser cativante, mas ficou maçante e chato. Começando com a Hwal Young sendo uma batata, achei que iam desenvolver mais esse lado bulgasal dela, mas deixou a desejar, ela só corre, chora, e é quase morta umas 15 vezes. Hwal era para ser um personagem misterioso, um personagem sério sedento de sangue e movido por vingança, mas acabou ficando desinteressante. A irmã tem uma habilidade importante que só foi usada 2 vezes de forma efetiva no dorama todo.

Achei o vilão principal ruim, por que ele só não manda matar ela logo, ele sabe que ela não tem memórias, era só ele abrir o jogo de uma vez para Hwal, sei lá inventa uma história qualquer ele não tem as memórias de 1000 anos atrás mesmo.

Até agora estou tentando entender se o vilão era apaixonado por Hwal, ou se ele era obcecado, ou se era algo como uma subordinação/admiração.

Não entendo em como Hwal é um bulgasal a 600 anos e o vilão nunca conversou com ele, do tipo chegar nele e dizer "eu estou atrás da Hwa Young, pois a odeio também, vamos formar uma aliança?" pronto, era mais fácil pro vilão, que tem um milhão de subordinados, de matar ela.

O romance de Hwal e Hwa Young é mal desenvolvido e corrido, ele do nada começa a gostar dela e ela dele.

O final é ruim, não só por ser corrido, mas porque não era necessário matar a principal, só fizeram isso pra eles renascerem e ficarem juntos (????????????????????)

Contudo o que mais me irritou foi eles inserirem esse negócio de "ai a mil anos atrás blá blá blá..." nos 3 últimos episódios e só explicam o que rolou no último episódio.

Enfim, a atuação é boa, mas eles não conseguiram salvar um roteiro fraco desses.

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Prepare to be spellbound by Bulgasal: Immortal Souls – a gripping drama that weaves together elements of fantasy, mystery, and revenge in an epic tale spanning centuries.

At the heart of the story is Bulgasal, a man-turned-immortal who has endured six centuries of torment and anguish. Consumed by bitterness and rage, he sets his sights on a woman with a mysterious past and present, believing her to be the source of his curse and the key to his salvation.

From the very first episode, viewers are drawn into Bulgasal's world of darkness and despair. His quest for revenge is fueled by centuries of pain and suffering, making him a complex and compelling anti-hero.

But it's not just Bulgasal's story that captivates – the woman he targets, with her enigmatic past and present, adds layers of intrigue to the narrative. As their paths intertwine, secrets are revealed, alliances are tested, and the true nature of their connection becomes increasingly clear.

What sets Bulgasal: Immortal Souls apart is its rich tapestry of mythology and lore. Drawing inspiration from ancient legends and folklore, the series creates a mesmerizing world filled with supernatural beings, mystical powers, and ancient prophecies. The production values are top-notch, with stunning visuals and breathtaking cinematography that bring the fantastical elements of the story to life.

But it's the characters that truly shine in Bulgasal: Immortal Soul. Dan Hwal, portrayed with intensity and depth by Lee Jin Wook, is a tragic figure torn between his desire for vengeance and his longing for redemption. And the woman he pursues, with her own secrets and hidden agenda, keeps viewers guessing until the very end

Special mention must be made of Lee Joon's portrayal of the villain. His character, though antagonistic, evokes a sense of pity from me. Lee Joon brings a nuanced performance to the role, making the viewer feel the depths of his character's suffering and despair.

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Wasted potential

What not to expect:
-lotsa action and monster hunting
-revenge story

What to expect:
-Slice of life filler
-Monster of the week filler
-Endless flashback filler, sometimes repeating the same flashbacks or parts of earlier episodes
-Plotholes
-Plastic romance between a woman who can't act and a man who looks 15 years older than her(actually 600)
-Characters making dumb choices then crying about it
-A villain who keeps toying with the mc instead of winning when he had the advantage
-A big reveal, hyped up for 15 episodes, accounting to silly little nothing
-Mc who keeps brooding and reminiscing all the time, even when the situation is urgent
-Awesome music and insert songs
-Good CGI with overused stock groaning sound effect
-Actually good action scenes, too bad they are so few
-Melancholy and melodrama
-Poorly written ending that makes no sense lorewise

Overall, a show with a great premise and a good first episode that was brought down by poor writing and was far too long for its own good. The story could have been told in 4 episodes, didn't need 16.

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It's a MESS

I feel sorry for the antagonist , the male lead took the soul from him, had to live 1000 years with human blood, did what the ML asked him to do, actually protected the ML😂.All he said was I'm going to kill your family but couldn't do a thing until the last episode.
Also I kinda dislike the FL like when she left the ML for the Humans she couldve atleast informed him about their situation. Also when the ML comes looking for the FL in the village and finds her struck down to the ground with a sword piercing her, ofcourse the ML gonna be MAD. But the FL gangs with the villagers to kill the ML like NOOO. I actually empathized with the ML(good acting) and felt his pain.
Also one thing I didnt like about this drama is the makeup. Like they are immortals and all but how come they have such good makeup while living in the cave. I ignored the makeup for a few times but the repetitive mistakes make me lose interset in them. like you could atleast make us believable.
Also this is my first review so keep that in mind. Now then again the SFL is also useless , like she can read the pasts but so can the FL can remember on her own. She always needs to be protected, and she didnt even remember she was the wife of ML in the past life. She only got flashbacks of her blind son dying but it didnt have much impact in the overall series.
Also in the end when the bulgasal(ML) is dying he tells that he is sorry and all that to the FL and he cannot be reincarnated again, but just for the sake of an good ending, we see him again in the next life. Like come on guys, just stick to the plot.
The series is bingeworthy but gets repetitive at times. IMO the FL is too pretty in the series, like she should atleast look haphazard in the series. All in all its good but the series should have been completed within 12 episodes

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Great Story, Ambiguity Improves

Min Sang Un (MSU)’s dual suicide attempt should have ended the Bulgasals’ time on Earth. Dan Hwal (DH)’s last second Hail Mary Pass kept them alive but created an unstable unbalanced situation dominated by strong dark emotions among the three Bulgasal demigods and human souls entangled in their karma. DH 1,000 years ago was motivated by love which turned to great anger at her betrayal (in his eyes) which gave rise to mutual curses and DH’s creation of the sub Bulgasal Ok Eel Tae (OET) to evade MSU’s dual suicide attempt. This imbalance generated by hatred remained festering for the 1,000 years until at the end, DH rediscovered his love for MSU, and realizing the harm he had caused in his angry reactions a millennium ago, sacrificed himself to prevent any more harm to his human family. The DH that sacrificed himself for the same humans he had cursed so many years before was a different character from the angry Bulgasal at the beginning. And the loss of memories in her last reincarnation allowed MSU to let go of her dark emotions generated by the past events and become willing to sacrifice herself to save DH, another major character arc growth.

DH accused MSU of trickery in having herself reborn as twins and he didn’t believe, at first, that she couldn’t remember prior life events. OET made the same accusation and also, at first, did not believe MSU could not remember. From the story we know that in fact she could not. The messy bickering continued over 1,000 years until some higher power perhaps decided the suffering punishment for DH and MSU had gone on long enough and motivated by the desire to have them find their original love intervened by having MSU reborn as twins, one with the bitter revenge filled memories against DH and OET, and the second containing the hidden power (see below) but no memories. The first twin is killed as expected as normal, but the second survives to be discovered by DH who keeps her alive to uncover the mystery hidden by her lost memories. The struggle between them eventually turns from adversarial to one of friendship and finally a rediscovered love from when their immortal relationship ended 1,000 years before.

Why did MSU die? She was shown twice to have special non human powers (further below) reflecting an echo of her original Bulgasal form. But she was very much a part of the original web of mutual curses that bound the three’s existence together, and when the two Bulgasals died her emanated special power ended and she was also fated to pass over from her wound (similar to Do Yoon who survived). That she would die was hinted at in Lee Hy Suk(LHS)’s prophecy that spooked OET to kill the shaman when she said, “The soul will go back to its owner.” In other words OET’s soul would be returned to him from MSU or i.e. she will die.

Do these demigods have souls? Probably not human souls but perhaps something else. And whatever higher deity intervened to bring about the end of the Bulgasal feud, when DH sacrificed himself for the human family he cursed 1,000 years before, when MSU returned to confront OET and sacrificed herself, that triggered the final stage. They all three died, and the original two demigods were allowed to be reborn into human reincarnations, find each other, and hopefully make better choices.

Bulgasals are immortal demigods. The concept of a human soul and who has one becomes important because Bulgasals lack them. There is one human soul first transferred from OET to DH 1,000 years before, and later from DH to MSU 600 years ago.

An aspect that is key to understanding the ending and that is included in the story but not highlighted is that humans who used to be Bulgasal have special powers. We see this three times in the story.

The first example is that of the human DH who 600 years before seemed to have super human abilities to kill monsters beyond anything displayed by his peers. In the womb he scared off the corpse eating monsters and then survived a birth from a dead mother. His childhood was difficult. As an adult the soldiers first said he was cursed by Bulgasul then that he was blessed by Bulgasal and that the monsters feared him as much as they fear the Bulgasul itself.

MSU provides two other present day significant examples. One occurred in an early episode (E3 1:05) when DH was rushing back to the laundry factory to stop a human monster from killing MSU with a knife. He was too late. The monster knocked MSU to the ground and we see the monster prep for his attack, only hesitating to gloat. The scene abruptly shifts from her prone on the ground to the monster sitting on the ground bloodied, battered and cut up with MSU standing over him holding his knife. She abruptly returns to her meeker self and drops the knife which the monster picks up for another try. Only then does DH intervene. MSU doesn’t seem aware of what she did.

The second is much later (E12 minute 43) when MSU is waiting alone in a car in a remote woods for DH to find OET and return. OET managed to phone one of his police henchmen who shows up and attacks MSU stabbing her in the exact place of her twin’s birth scar on her shoulder. (This initiates incremental memory recalls.) DH shows up but again he’s too late. MSU has been stabbed but she fought off the policemen and stabbed him badly. The henchman later says to OET, “She suddenly became strong. She wasn’t herself.”

These three examples point to humans who used to be Bulgasal having unusual latent powers. The incidents involving MSU could have been written around easily. In MSU’s first incident DH could have arrived early enough to intervene. In the second DH could have arrived again soon enough to save her after the first stab wound. This aspect implies that although MSU isn’t Bulgasal now that she once was leaves her more than an ordinary human and very much a part of the Bulgasal triad.

A review of key events at 1,000 years and again at 600 years before.

The first key event occurs 1,000 years ago when a series of misunderstandings between the two Bulgasals - DH and MSU - result in both near death with wounds to their hearts. MSU’s was self inflicted and DH’s brought about by three humans. DH curses all three humans - one to be reborn and suffer the loss of his arm, the woman to never be able to give birth to healthy children, and the boy to always be reborn into blindness. OET, whose machinations brought about the violent clash, the deaths of many people and the looming end of the two Bulgasals, shows up and leads the dying DH away. A desperate DH takes OET’s soul making OET a Bulgasal (whose heart is unwounded). Before DH dies he orders OET to find him when DH is reborn as a human and make him a Bulgasal again, and to ensure he complies he puts a curse on him leaving him with the dark bleeding hole in his chest and in constant pain.

Another 400 years goes by. We do not know how many times DH is reborn during these four centuries. However, rewatching the events in E1 with the knowledge gained in the E16’s flashbacks an ongoing 400 year struggle between MSU and OET is hinted at. DH was reborn repeatedly. While OET probably did not dare attempt to directly kill DH at any age because he feared triggering another switch back into his original mortal form, he seems to have searched for, found, and then begun murdering the people around the young DH to induce the humans to kill him. MSU, as reluctant to kill humans as she was 1,000 years before, acted to protect DH when she could up to taking a knife in the back and feigning death. This repeated cycle probably angered MSU. She would likely direct her anger at OET for all the killing of humans and at DH for the starting the whole mess to begin with. During DH’s last human life MSU saves him at least twice until this cycle is broken and he is rescued by a passing general (one of three cursed by DH 400 years prior). DH grows up and marries the general’s daughter (the second human cursed by DH) and she bears a son who is blind (the third cursed).

The adult DH, as the adopted son of the general, undertakes a campaign to kill any and all monsters around. Initially his men see him as an evil spirit cursed by Bulgasal and then as he kills many monsters they see him as an evil spirit blessed by Bulgasal. For reasons unclear all of these monsters will only be reborn as humans (and lean toward serial murdering) and hold a grudge to kill anyone carrying DH’s soul (i.e. MSU).

To kill the Bulgasal (DH only knows about one) and remove the curse from himself, his wife, and his son, DH leads a troop to the mountain where the Bulgasal is rumored to reside. This does not go well and most of his troops are murdered by OET along with his wife and son. While grieving over the corpse of his son, MSU approaches from behind and stabs him fatally in the back. While MSU holds the sword in his back we are shown the soul transferring from DH to MSU. DH becomes a Bulgasal and MSU a human. DH in turn stabs MSU twice and there are some more harsh words exchanged (with no explanation as to why she stabbed him, or her connection to the murder and mayhem all about). MSU dies as a human but in the same way that DH did 1,000 years prior when he became human just before his death.

Why she stabs him is the weakest link of the overall series plotting. This weak link is also the main driver for much of the later plot twists. The few words exchanged in the moments before MSU dissolved don’t explain why she protected him before this but tries to kill him now. How did she miss the presence of OET accomplishing all the slaughter finished just moments before?

DH: Why did you do it?
Why did you have to kill my innocent wife and son?
Tell me why.
Tell me why!
MSU: telepathically (This was all your doing.)
(What have you done?)
(You have created more bad karma.)
(And you have brought upon < > another retribution.)
(I despise you.)
(I truly despise you.)
DH: What do you mean?
MSU: (I will be born again with this scar that you have given me.)

Many questions could have been answered in this exchange but the writers (deliberately) left things vague. To begin with DH’s question - Why did she do it?

She clearly states she despises DH which may explain why she blamed him for the murder and mayhem and stabbed him in the back. Perhaps she saved him when he was a child because she has a soft spot for kids who have not yet made bad choices in life - the potential for good. When she encountered him in this situation she concluded he made bad choices and decided to end his human life to be reborn and try again. Much of the later story hinges on this deliberate ambiguity, but the overall story framework would have worked better if at the end we were provided a clear motivation for her decision at that moment to plunge the sword into DH’s back.

Why does she believe this was all his doing? And what is this ‘this’ that he did? The current killing? Or all the bad for the last 400 years? Perhaps she is aware of all the effects on the humans his curses have had for the last 400 years? Did MSU believe that DH killed all those people - his own soldiers and family?

Perhaps the three - DH, MSU, and OET - became bound in a web of curses tying their destinies together such that the only solution to end the bad karma was for all three to die. Humans who were once a Bulgasal retain some shadow of the power and also remain in the web of curses. The human MSU was tied to OET because she had his original soul which was further tied to DH’s original curse on OET (i.e. his dark hole) and when the two of them died any protection that had been extending to her failed making her succumbing to her wound inevitable.

There was an imbalance created by DH’s taking of OET’s soul to evade the end of the two Bulgasals. That was further complicated by OET’s attempts to evade taking back his soul and even more so when MSU (either by accident or design) stepped in to switch with DH turning him back into a Bulgasal.

If she reincarnated eight times in 600 years then it is likely that the human DH over his 400 years would have reincarnated several times also, but OET failed to seek him out and change him back into Bulgasal probably because he did not want to become a sickly mortal human again. Instead he seems to have deliberately sought DH out and induced humans to kill him. DH seems to have foreseen this reluctance and layered his curse so that OET could not relieve his suffering by retaking his soul back from anyone other than DH. This is the likely reason that whenever OET tries to crush/break MSU’s (OET’s) soul he feels crushing pain. However, he can kill her which does nothing to relieve his suffering and she just reincarnates.

There’s lots of sand in the destiny gears. Over a 400 year period OET failed to restore DH. It’s possible that MSU deliberately (or accidentally?) stepped into the stalemate between OET and DH by taking DH’s OET soul herself. Once this happened OET needed (or eventually ((600 years)) came to believe he needed) the renewed DH Bulgasal to intervene somehow. OET believed that if DH killed MSU then that would somehow remove his dark hole and allow him to attain his goal of remaining as Bulgasal with DH as Bulgasal. More likely DH’s original curse prevented OET from ever resolving his dark hole problem even if DH had cooperated.

In E13 the shaman LHS delivers a prophesy to OET which triggers him to kill her. This prophecy ties together elements from E1 through events in E16. She said,
1) An evil spirit will come from the dark hole.
2) The evil spirit that fed off its father’s blood will rise up from the dark hole.
3) The evil spirit opened the dark hole.
4) And now, it is coming to close it.
5) The soul will go back to its owner. x 2

OET only knows and is obsessed with the dark hole that DH gave him 1,000 years ago. But we having seen the final episodes know that the line #1 dark hole is probably the well that DH will be thrown into. DH is the evil spirit (in E1 600 years ago his soldiers called him the evil spirit who kills monsters) that will feed off his father's blood and then rise up from the dark hole i.e. the well. DH is the evil spirit that opened the dark hole in OET's chest 1,000 years ago and whose actions will soon close it. The soul that will go back to its owner is OET's soul currently residing in MSU. This line prophesies her death so that OET's soul can return to OET in the afterlife.

Weak points aside I have no complaint about the overall story in part because the deliberate ambiguities make it more interesting.

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