Bulgasal: Immortal Souls

The future circumstances brought by past

First of all i want to say a small disclaimer lol I do believe in past lives so the concept of this drama was close to the reality i imagine to be. I will try to be as objective as possible but we are all people and have our preferences so all the reviews will always be subjective based on our own likes and dislikes. So if i liked this or disliked this doesn't mean you will too :) I had a drama slump and took a break from dramas for many months :) (i thought this is important). I binged (slowly) this drama in 4 days.

Overall i liked this drama :) and recommend it to the ones who like fantasy genre. Just try not to expect much. Expectations might ruin it a lot. Also try to go passed the first 3 eps. :) Oh and i think this is more suited for binge watching rather than ongoing. Shorter review at the end.

Story:
If i were to give different rating to story/plot and the concept i would give the concept 10 and the plot 7. The concept is great! past lives, reincarnations, and how people connected in the past lives will always be connected again, that is karma, and until it is fulfilled even enemies can become relatives. (i do think this is what happens in rl too, so that might have kinda influenced the way i saw this drama) I do like that this also is taking a big span, so not just one past life, but many. On the other hand the plot that was based on this concept was sometimes inconsistent. By inconsistency i mean they waited a very very very long time to reveal us the real truth but they left out some of the big questions. I would have liked to know the answers to some but as the drama didn't give any answers i just theories my own. This is another thing, Theorizing of who is who and what is what was fun. Most of the stuff i was thinking turned out to be true (which i don't really like) but it's okay xD The real big big truth might have been underwhelming because of how "simple" it was, It was kinda the misunderstanding type of thing, i did wish for a bigger and more impactful thing, but this truth was relatable and kinda what happens all the time in our lives every second. The envy, rage, miserableness, being left behind, loving someone, wishing power, revenge... all that is something we have seen countless times, but it is what is always moving this world. Also as everything was revealed at the very end it might have felt rushed for many people. I binged this so that didn't feel rushed, it felt a little bit dragged even.
I didn't like how bloody it was. especially the start! i was going to drop it after the first ep, and then after the second too. But then it got interesting for me (and my mom). I have seen people for whom it was the other way around so i guess it is the matter of preference. The first two eps were about the past, and there was lots of blood. Then there was more blood near the end.
I liked the incorporation of the folklore demons. Though it felt like huge anime arcs squished into one ep each. The way they were introducing the demons/monsters was really anime like, it made me remember all those hyakunin ikki and stuff. Would have been better to elaborate more on them, but it might have become more draggy for a drama. If so they could have squished it more and removed some of the demons making less episodes, as they were not the main plot.
The concept of bulgasal was also nice (something like an immortal being) but they kinda merged it with vampires/zombies. which is okay i guess as there seem to be a zombie craze.
I didn't look at the actors list so i was surprised when they revealed the villain.
More weird things were when the house was suddenly a super lived in house, hurt person suddenly appearing lying outside when he was in car just now, how did he fly there remains a mystery! and some other small inconsistencies.
revenge all around, makes me remember naruto as that was the one of the best explanations of the endless revenge circle i have seen lol but still it was okay. Also the sacrifice talks also were okay for me, as that was what i thought would have been right to do too.
I think they could have dome much more and explained more in the story. But it was still okay and good for me as i fully theorized the rest. I really liked some parts of the real truth as it was indeed resonating with my own beliefs about family and enemies and karma. I would have liked if they elaborated more on the villain and the brother (i won't tell what brother) but still it was alright! so thank you for the story!
Characters/Acting:
There were few characters but they were all interesting. The ml was a bit plain for me, though the rough look, the size and everything suited the role i guess. This is purely personal preference and doesn't mean that the actor didn't do a great job. I did like the fl though. I only remembered that actress from iteawon class and couldn't imagine her as main, but i was pleasantly surprised! Min Sang Un for us is a start of everything and our hatred goes to her from the first ep. The second ep focuses more on her reincarnation "asking for sympathy towards the villain" which was really weird! Later we see her grown up, being a lovely bubbly girl, which made me feel proud of her as it is extremely hard to maintain a good personality in such circumstances. I love that kind of characters. But at the corner of our minds we keep thinking that she is bad, we mustn't like her, just like some of the side characters think. But as the story progresses we learn more and more, slowly we start to see her in different light. She was strong despite everything and followed her beliefs no matter what to protect her family.
the ml on the other hand is consistent but then slowly also changes near the end.
The villain was amazing. Acting was top notch, i remembered the gap dong days! Anyway we were slowly starting to feel sympathy for him. It was very well done, but at the end his story was a little bit underwhelming, so don't expect anything grand. It was something i would come up with if i was a writer, but i would wish something greater from a professional. But! at the same time it was very normal, i mean something like that happiness all the time and the feelings he got and the acts he did happened a lot back then. Which is just simply sad.
The side characters like mr. detective, heeseok aunty, doyoon, and shiho each of them had their story and it was interesting to see all the connections in the end. I loved it. The actors also did a great job! Shi ho is the best i love her and she is gorgeous! Though I was really frustrated at them a lot because as usual, like in any drama the side characters get always in the way and get used. So if you are weak please, just please, stay at home and don't try to act! let the strong people do stuff! that is called helping!
Addressing romance: if you plan to see romance here it's better not, but if you plan not to feel any romance here you better not as well lol. I knew there will be romance, because how can they do it without romance? XD they just neeeed it! (sarcasm) but if in all honesty, was it forced? Anyone will fall in love with a person who saves them, especially if they didn't talk with anyone before, and no one saved them before. I would too. But the love that was there did feel forced sometimes when it was too strong, though at the same time after everything was revealed i started understand why. The past connections have their influence, and the connection we see at the first two eps is like a drop in the ocean, and not the whole truth. But the overall romance is mostly around, taking care of wounds, a piggyback ride, couple of looks, and being sad of the thought of the other one dying. That's all, and i'm happy with it.

Music:
what can i say! music was great! <3 i loved some of the songs!

Rewatch value:
I never rewatch dramas so there is a random number there.

Overall!!
i liked it a lot :) I had a break from dramas for many months so maybe it played a huge role but i really enjoyed this one with my mom, very interesting, was something to look forward to everyday! :)

Short review:
Liked:
-her hair! <3 xD
-concept of past lives and how it was handled (for me it was much better than other dramas who did this before, if you know anything better let me know, I'd like to see more :D )
-all the connections
-monsters (nice idea but maybe not necessary here, idk)
-the fast pace

Disliked:
-a lot of driving around
-house suddenly filled with flower pots lol
-suddenly flying out of the car (idk how)
-twins (would go to likes if explained)
-ml
-too much blood!!! why >< they try to copy western shows but i hope they don't
-monsters( nice idea but maybe not necessary here, idk)
-weaklings not staying out of the way but trying to help.
-unanswered questions! too many lol i didn't think of them when i just finished as those questions were kinda active at the very start but i forgot about them later. Now when i look back, there were too many, and all left unanswered. But it's okay as the after taste was still good! i mean bittersweet.
-brother at the very start, was important as it's the start but this was left out completely.

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Bulgasal is a unique and thrilling fantasy story. I enjoy watching this drama. Lee Jinwook and Lee Joon's acting is really cool. Especially Lee Joon. As a villain he is so sexy. In each episode, I feel like I always get a twist so I'm curious about the continuation and story behind the relationship between 2 bulgasal and Ok Eul Tae. chemistry displayed by the actors in this drama successfully creates an emotional side that is felt by the audience. Starting from happiness, fear, anger, to sadness because of a separation. I love the visuals and the make-up of the monsters in this drama, it gives a real feel and makes goosebumps. Even though Min Sangwoon's character sometimes very troublesome because she often doesn't follow Dan Hwal's orders, which ends Danhwal having to fight to save her

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the best fantasy drama i have ever seen

so mindblowing....so wonderful.....
the best part of this drama was it's storyline....
it was like it always had something new for us....not only it didn't go boring but also it became more and more interesting episode by episode.....the actors did their job so good and so acceptable.....loved it

believe me ....after watching this you'll be so grateful...
i am a very fantasy genre lover and i watched a lot of movies of this genre but watching this felt like i have done my job so right.....i never ever regret watching this and i hope you'll all enjoy it too.....

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I must watch shows wrong

I loved this from start to finish. I read some of the other reviews and just don't see where they are coming from. Admittedly anything I watch is for entertainment I do not and cannot pick things apart unless they are blatantly bad. Having said that, yes at times it was slow but I'm use to that as most Korean shows seem to be like that. The ending could have gone many different directions and I can get behind the one that was chosen. It made perfect sense to me. I won't say anymore as I do not want to give any spoilers. Be sure to have your box of kleenex ready though.

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I can't say enough how much i love this drama.

This drama has been under my radar for a while now, but because of the negative reviews i felt unmotivated to watch it.
I decided to give it a chance anyways because it sounded interesting and i was curious about it.
I'm so glad i didn't listen to the reviews and gave it a shot.

STORY - In my opinion the story was very well written and paced. There was never a boring moment. Nothing was rushed nor it was dragging too much. It was engaging from start to finish.

CHARACTERS - Both the main and support characters have a special place in my heart. I got so attached to them and i miss them so much already. The actors did an amazing job at bringing their characters to life and made me feel every single emotion together with them.

MUSIC - This drama by far holds my most favorite soundtrack. I love every single song and every song makes me feel so many emotions. Especially the song 'Leave' by 4men. Whenever i listen to it and think abut Hwal and Sang Un i tear up.

OVERALL - A MASTERPIECE. Truly. This drama is by far one of my all time favorites. I don't think i wil ever move on from it. It made me laugh, cry, happy, angry. I felt so many different emotions while watching it. I'm so deeply attached to it now.

Please, if you're hesitant on whether too watch it or not, just give it a try, you might regret not watching it sooner.
I know that sounds really dramatic but this drama will forever hold a special place in my heart and i will never forget it.

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Delicate and Raw

When I randomly started this, I didn't think I would finish it so fast. But here I am two weeks later, giving this one a full 10.

If I had to describe this drama with one word, it would probably be: ~"delicate"... and every other attribute you would associate with it. While watching I always felt like intruding some kind of intimate privacy. I know that sounds weird but I just don't know how to describe it otherwise. The music fits so well and adds enough sorrow and longing to the story, to make it even more perfect.

The cast did a fantastic job in portraying their different roles, be it in the past or the present. They did well in showing that even though some of them were reincarneted, they still got different personalities and therefore acted to their experiences, not their past selves. As for the immortal main lead, he went through some dreadful ordeals that explain his 600 years lasting urge for revenge. Even more remarkable was how he faced the new trials that arose after circumstances changed. Lee Jin Wook did an unbelievably awesome job in displaying the subliminal evolution and growth of his character during and after overcoming those challenges and still keeping them locked up to the very last minute until they finally erupted.

The "other" villain was a fascinating individual himself. He was multi-layered and yet he always seemed as if something was missing. Considering his body condition that part was quite accurate and well played. He managed to make me care for him enough to feel somewhat sad at how it all played out in the end.

I'm impressed how well the writers managed to keep me in the dark about the overall story. Whenever I thought I knew what was going on, they added another angle to the story and threw me back to the start. They sit through that way till the end without losing its original tension which many other dramas fail to accomplish, and I'm so glad about that because it gave the story some constancy.

Every part of this drama interwines so well with the other ones, whether it be the cinematography, the music, the cast or the script. Putting everything together creates a great watch, I didn't expect to love so much. And I'm so glad that there's no cheesy "I love you" line. That would have ruined the whole thing.

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Beautiful drama

The plot is beautiful, sad and intriguing all at one and it is beautifully executed. There is reincarnation, romance, immortality, lost souls, suspense, tears, laughter, mystery, and excellent acting.
I'd rate this a 20/20 for my personal opinion to be honest and loved the background music for each theme. I cried like a baby all the way through, so many plot twists and darn right emotional moments. The ending I did not expect but it left me crying for at least an hour straight.
I really love it and highly recommend it.
It's so sad when such a good series ends

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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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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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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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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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