Bulgasal: Immortal Souls

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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Has left me broken to pieces

Speechless. To me, this was absolutely devastating and kind of life-altering.


The acting is stellar, complemented by beautiful plotlines and scenery, culminating in the most satisfying ending. I felt both empty and incredibly fulfilled at the same time.


I loved every second of it and almost wish I could erase it from my memory just to experience it all over again from the beginning. I cried, laughed, and screamed, as I was left on the edge of my seat at the end of every episode.


Bulgasal, an impossible-to-kill creature, is a mythical immortal monster that feeds on human blood. Based on Korean folklore, this drama beautifully intertwines a mix of emotions: hate, resentment, revenge, love – both familial and romantic – and obsession.


The storyline is quite convoluted and weaves together the characters throughout, which might seem confusing until the end. That didn’t deter me; I was very invested in uncovering the origins of the Bulgasal curse, and the revelation exceeded my expectations. Although some may consider the romance aspect unnecessary, I thought it was essential to the story and wouldn’t want it to be omitted.


Lee Jin Wook and Kwon Na Ra did an amazing job, embodying their characters with depth and authenticity, which was evident to the viewers. The supporting characters were also incredible; I don’t think the drama would have been complete without them.


Given that this is a supernatural drama about a monster that eats humans, it’s important to note that it is very gory and bloody. At times, it can be painful to watch, as it depicts self-harm, death, murder, and suspenseful scenes with shocking outcomes.


Overall, I thought this was a masterpiece. While the plot can be confusing, it is well-crafted, and the conclusion effectively ties up all loose ends.


Side note --> those OSTs! Immediately added to my playlist, they were so good!

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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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OVERALL I LIKED THE DRAMA BECAUSE I WAS CURIOUS AND THE MYSTERY KEPT ME GOING.

Acting, Cinematography, production I liked everything except the script. It was lacking.

But I was really hooked from the 1st episode because I wanted to know what happened.
It would've been more interesting if they showed us the past lives more.
I really liked the last episode. In the last episode I saw leads chemistry and felt their pain. If only 16th episode was the 1st episode this drama could've been one of the biggest hit of the year but poor writing made it somewhat average drama.
In the end I wanted to see more of them together, it was just 5 minutes of the ending. We got a happy ending and that's all I'm happy about.

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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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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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Just get past episode 10!!

This show is genuinely one of my favorite shows I've ever watched. I love dramas/movies that make absolutely ZERO sense until the very end when it all clicks together. I can understand why some people wouldn't like a show like that, so I'm not saying this is a must-watch for everyone; HOWEVER, I have NO regrets from watching this. I actually think I'm gonna rewatch it again soon.

The ONLY complaint I have about this show is it's ending. I think this show would gain quite a bit if it added a second season. A little bit of explanation or a little more romance is what I'd ask for. 100% recommend!

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The Ending Lost the Stories Purpose

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls is a dark, slow-burn fantasy drama that aims much higher than most genre shows, and for the majority of its runtime, it succeeds. Drawing heavily from Korean folklore, the series builds a grim, moody world centered on immortality, reincarnation, vengeance, and the emotional cost of carrying memory across lifetimes. It’s patient, often intentionally restrained, and clearly more interested in themes and atmosphere than quick payoff.

One of the show’s biggest strengths is its sense of purpose. For most of the series, it knows exactly what it wants to say. Immortality is framed as a curse rather than a gift. Reincarnation is exhausting rather than romantic. The story repeatedly emphasizes cycles; of violence, guilt, and obsession, and how difficult it is to escape them. There’s a heaviness to the show that feels earned, not performative.

Visually, Bulgasal is inconsistent but often effective. The special effects go through noticeable ebbs and flows. Some sequences are haunting and cinematic, especially those tied to folklore and past lives. Others feel undercooked, briefly breaking immersion. That said, the overall aesthetic; dark palettes, slow pacing, and eerie framing, does a lot of the heavy lifting and keeps the tone cohesive even when the effects falter.

The performances are a major asset. The leads carry the emotional weight with restraint, selling centuries of pain and fatigue without excessive exposition. Supporting characters add moments of grounding and humanity that prevent the show from becoming emotionally monotonous, even when the story gets bleak.

Where Bulgasal ultimately stumbles is the ending. It comes incredibly close to being amazing, close enough that the disappointment stings. Rather than concluding in a way that reinforces the themes and lessons the show has been building from the beginning, the finale pivots toward a romance-focused payoff that felt like it never truly got started. The emotional groundwork for that shift simply isn’t there.

The problem isn’t romance itself. It’s that the show spends so long prioritizing ideas about consequence, loss, cyclical suffering, family, and forgiveness, only to set those aside at the finish line in favor of a relationship that was never meaningfully developed and was only hinted at. The result is an ending that feels smaller than the story it’s trying to conclude; less thoughtful, less earned, and oddly disconnected from the show’s own strengths. It’s so close but ends up just unsatisfying.

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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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-_-

We focused on the "600 years ago" storyline for literally 80% of the series, when really the "1,000 years ago" story was all of the issue, which we crammed into the last two episodes. Also, I was *invested* in Sang Un and Hwal's relationship and it all amounted to a 30 second scene of reincarnated them some 50+ years later, where they have no memory of each other or the past 1,000 years that they just went through...-_- I understand that that was kinda their goal in the first place-- to break the chain of reincarnated agony and live as humans-- but BOI. I'm here for the fanservice...and I got nothing. :')

Also (and I literally complain about this every time I see it so I apologize in advance).....I have never seen an instance of time gap that I thought was necessary or even good. This was not an exception. I just feel so cheated after building up all this energy and emotion in a series and then having all that dissipate in one "50 years later" scene. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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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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