5 Reasons to Binge-Watch Fantasy K-Drama 'Bulgasal: Immortal Souls'
Still on the fence about streaming this creature feature? Here’s why this Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Na-ra starrer is well worth your time!
It’s been a few weeks since historical fantasy drama Bulgasal: Immortal Souls aired its final episode, cementing its status as a sleeper hit with an average nationwide rating of 5.2 per cent as per Nielsen Korea. Far from your average K-drama creature feature, Bulgasal is a story of revenge and reincarnation, of fate and free will, of vicious cycles spanning over 600 years.
Dan Hwal (Lee Jin-wook), a boy born with a curse from Bulgasal—a soulless being that can neither die nor kill that depends on the blood of living things as sustenance—is adopted by the general of Goryeo and grows up to become a warrior that kills monsters. All that’s left for him to go up against is the legendary Bulgasal, who, at this point, is still more myth than reality. She is, indeed, real and ends up killing his family, turning him into a Bulgasal by stealing his soul. He then dedicates his existence to searching for her, finally finding her years later reincarnated as Min Sang-un (Kwon Na-ra), a woman who believes he killed her family.
There’s plenty of heft to the material, and the stellar visuals and breathtaking cinematography do more than just add to the appeal. While you may have glossed over it while browsing Netflix—understandably so, because there’s a buffet of dramas to choose from—Bulgasal really is worth the watch given what it brings to the table.
Here are five reasons for you to steam the full season!
5 Reasons to Binge-Watch 'Bulgasal: Immortal Souls'
5 Reasons to Binge-Watch 'Bulgasal: Immortal Souls'
The Folklore
Bulgasal isn’t the first drama to touch on aspects of Korean folklore—fellow Goblin fans in the house, hi—but it does feature quite a plethora of creatures that appear in traditional tales. There’s the Dueoksini, a being that bothers and poses harm to humans, but is said to give you treasures if you treat them well.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
The Folklore
There’s also the Gapsangoe, a pyromaniac; and the Geuseunsae, who kills people on rainy days and keeps their umbrellas as souvenirs. Over time, they shed their original appearance and assume the guise of ordinary human beings, making it easier for people to fall prey to them.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
The Folklore
Major props to the show runners for deciding to do away with excessive CGI, opting instead to bring on immensely skilled make-up artists to create truly horrifying monstrous looks.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Na-ra’s Chemistry
Our tall, dark, and handsome leading man is no stranger to fantasy thrillers, what with him having played the mysterious Pyeon Sang-work in Sweet Home. He’s best known for his roles in the highly successful crime dramas Return and Voice. Here, he takes on the mantle of the anguished drifter Dan Hwal, who is scouring the earth for the reincarnation of the female Bulgasal who killed his family 600 years ago.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Na-ra’s Chemistry
The Bulgasal, now reincarnated as Min Sang-un, is portrayed by the pretty singer turned actress Kwon Na-ra. A founding member of girl group Hello Venus, she started acting in 2017, breaking out into the small screen scene in romantic comedy Suspicious Partner. Fans know her best as Jangga group strategic planning head Oh Soo-ah in Itaewon Class.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Na-ra’s Chemistry
These two leads showcase great chemistry throughout the 16-episode series, successfully portraying the complex dynamics of each of their reincarnations from the Bulgasals down to present-day Hwal and Sang-un. Despite having scoured the earth to hunt her down, the reticent Hwal finds himself drawn to Sang-un’s kind heart, untainted by the memories of all her past lives.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Na-ra’s Chemistry
You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for both their intense and swoon-worthy moments onscreen!
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Joon
What’s a hero without his villain, right? Former MBLAQ member Lee Joon has been acting since 2008, but it was only late last year that we got a taste of what he is truly capable of through his riveting turn as Ryu Tae-seok in The Silent Sea. Clearly one who enjoys challenging himself, Joon takes on another villain role in Bulgasal, this time as the eccentric and power-hungry Ok Eul-tae.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Joon
A truly nuanced character, Eul-tae is saddled with his own tragic backstory, and Joon’s masterful acting has us despising him while sympathizing with him in the same vein.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Lee Joon
He effectively chews the scenery whenever the spotlight is on him, successfully able to convey rage, anguish, and loneliness all at once.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Fate and Found Family
There’s a saying in Bulgasal that you’re bound to cross paths with people you’ve met in previous lifetimes. As Hwal and Sang-un find their fates intertwined once more, it is inevitable that their friends and families—all of whom are also present-day reincarnations of people from their past lives—come together as well. As you wait with bated breath for the complex relationship webs to unravel, you’ll find yourself drawn to how they all meet each other again in this lifetime.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Fate and Found Family
We have Hwal’s stepfather, who is now living as former detective Kwon Ho-yeol (Jung Jin-young). We have his former wife Dan Sol, reborn as Min Si-ho (Gong Seung-yeon), Sang-un’s younger sister. There are others, too, but to say too much would be to spoil the surprises. The concept of found family is the heart of this show, and you’re going to find yourself shedding one too many tears and melting into a puddle of happiness just watching how they interact with each other in both the past and the present.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Stellar Cinematography
Bulgasal is, to put it simply, beautiful: beautiful to look at and beautiful to experience. It’s clear that this is a big-budget production, and the show runners were willing to give as much as they got. The cinematography—framing, color grading, lighting, and editing, among others—always works in favor of the narrative.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
Stellar Cinematography
Though scenes shift from the past to the present quite often, Bulgasal keeps a hand on the reins, allowing for significant differentiation, but never the sort that would let the narrative splinter at its seams. There’s nothing clumsy in the execution; only careful, masterful techniques at work.
Photo Credit: tvN, Netflix
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