Dan Hwal (Lee Jin-wook) is born a human during the Joseon dynasty. He is said to be cursed by Bulgasal, an unspeakable monster. Because of this, he is shunned by his fellow villagers and abandoned by his father. After experiencing incomparable loss, he becomes a Bulgasal himself, setting out on a 600-year quest for revenge.
Meanwhile in present day, Min Sang-Un is on her own quest for revenge, whilst living a cautious and wary life. Danger lurks around every corner but Min Sang-Un is determined to find the Bulgasal who tore her life apart fifteen years prior. When Hwal and Sang-Un collide, it's a fated meeting.
Whether they like it or not, their pasts and their destinies are intertwined. How are Hwal and Min Sang-Un connected? Will either of them get the revenge they've longed for? What does destiny have in store for these two? You'll just have to watch Bulgasal: Immortal Souls to find out.
Experienced director and producer Jang Young-woo, whose list of works includes superhits such as 'Mr Sunshine', 'Sweet Home', and 'Crash Landing On You' among others, truly brought this piece to life, directing in a way that accentuated the stunning visuals portrayed in the drama.
And with the budget set at an astounding forty billion won (₩ 40 billion), which translates to around $32,479,396, it would have been a tragedy if their was any other outcome. While the drama was pleasing on the eye, even in the most gruesome of moments, the true star was the writing. The script made one want to keep coming back to find out what happened next. The plot was filled with turmoil, angst and mystery. In the midst of this, there were flickers of light-heartedness, romance and a sense of togetherness that softened the atmosphere.
This was due, in large part, to the actors and actresses who played their parts to a tee. Viewers may see Bulgasal: Immortal Souls as a show about pain, death, reincarnation and revenge. Upon deeper inspection, we see that it is also a story about love, longing and hope. Some of the shows' highlights include Lee Joon's passionate portrayal of Ok Eul Tae, and the evident camaraderie between the Bulgasal-house group (i.e. Sang-woon, Si-ho, Do-yoon, Hye-suk imo and Ho-yeol ajhussi).
Lee Jin-wook's portrayal of Dan Hwal received some criticism for being 'robotic' and 'expressionless'. Did he really not do the character justice? When analysing Dan Hwal as a character, one comes to the realisation that he is a broken man who has experienced much loss. He's had to live with pain and anger as his companions for hundreds of years. It goes without saying that a level of stoicism and mystery can be expected. His portrayal of a grief-stricken man desperately seeking the truth, who even while travelling a road to revenge tries to protect those who he's come to care about is incredible *chef's kiss*.
If you're looking for a supernatural, fantasy series full of mystery, action and intrigue to binge-watched, then you should give Bulgasal: Immortal Souls a shot.
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