Bulgasal: Immortal Souls Explained
| Native Name: | | Hangul: | 불가살 | | Hanja: | 不可殺 | | Rr: | Bulgasal | | Lk: | Immortal |
|
| Director: | Jang Young-woo |
| Creative Director: | Kim Jae-eun |
| Music: | Nam Hye-seung[1] |
| Country: | South Korea |
| Language: | Korean |
| Num Episodes: | 16[2] |
| Runtime: | 60 minutes[3] |
| Budget: | [4] |
| Network: | tvN |
Bulgasal: Immortal Souls[5] is a South Korean television series starring Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Nara, Lee Joon, Gong Seung-yeon, Jung Jin-young, Park Myung-shin, and Kim Woo-seok. It is led by director Jang Young-woo, and the screenplay is written by husband-and-wife team Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won.[6] It aired on tvN from December 18, 2021 to February 6, 2022. It is also available for streaming on Netflix.[7]
Synopsis
The series tells the story of a woman who remembers her past lives by repeating death and reincarnation for 600 years, and a man who cannot kill nor be killed and has lived for the past 600 years as a Bulgasal—a mythical creature that feeds off human blood and is cursed with immortality.[8] [9]
Cast
Main
A man who used to be a human, but becomes an immortal during the Joseon dynasty while working as a military official and carrying out a task to erase the remnants of the previous dynasty.[11]
- Kwon Nara as Min Sang-woon / Kim Hwa-yeon[12]
- Han Seo-jin as young Min Sang-woon / Min Sang-yeon[13]
A woman who used to be an immortal, but goes through a tragic event that turns her into a human.
Another immortal, commonly known as the "Dark Hole", living in secrecy who enjoys his eternal life, as well as his wealth and power.[11]
- Dan Sol: Dan Hwal's past wife who is the daughter of a powerful family.[11]
- Min Si-ho: Dan Sol's reincarnation who is Min Sang-woon's younger sister.[14]
- Dan Geuk: Dan Sol's father who is a powerful general.[15]
- Kwon Ho-yeol: Dan Geuk's reincarnation who is a former detective.[16]
- A shaman who lived 600 years ago.
- Hye-suk: the shaman's reincarnation who always helps Dan Hwal.[17]
A high school student who follows Dan Hwal around like a puppy.[15] He works for Ok Eul-tae.[18] He is later revealed to be the reincarnation of Dan Hwal's son.[19]
Supporting
- Han Dong-kyu as Goo-bong, a resident of a village who lives a rough life due to bulgasal.[20]
- Park Joo-hwan as Dan Ah-chan, Dan Hwal and Dan Sol's son.
- Han Seong-soo as Jo Ma-gu, a ghost with a strong appetite who even devours human corpses.
- Lee Kyu-ho as Du Eok-si-ni
- Oh Yu-jin as Kim Go-bun, Kim Hwa-yeon's younger sister.[12]
Special appearances
- Lee Jin-hee as Sang Un-mo, Min Sang-woon's mother.[21]
- Kim Tae-baek as Kim Sang-hui's husband[22]
Production
Casting
The lead role was first offered to Won Bin, but the actor ultimately refused.[4]
On December 17, 2020, it was reported that Lee Jin-wook was being cast for the series and was positively considering his appearance. The actor and director Jang Young-woo previously worked together in the 2020 series Sweet Home.[23] In February 2021, actors Lee Joon, Kwon Nara and Jung Jin-young also received casting offer.[8] [24] [25] Line-up for the lead stars consisting of Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Nara, Lee Joon, Gong Seung-yeon, Jung Jin-young, Park Myung-shin and Kim Woo-seok was finally confirmed on March 17.[11]
Release
Bulgasal: Immortal Souls was initially scheduled for release in 2022.[6] In November 2021, it was confirmed that the series would premiere on December 18.
Original soundtrack
Part 4
Viewership
| + Average TV viewership ratings |
| Original broadcast date | Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea) |
|---|
| Nationwide[26] | Seoul[27] |
|---|
| 1 | December 18, 2021 | | |
|---|
| 2 | December 19, 2021 | 5.826% | 6.036% |
|---|
| 3 | December 25, 2021 | 4.775% | 4.413% |
|---|
| 4 | December 26, 2021 | 4.128% | 4.301% |
|---|
| 5 | January 1, 2022 | 3.415% | 3.622% |
|---|
| 6 | January 2, 2022 | 4.077% | 4.374% |
|---|
| 7 | January 8, 2022 | 4.455% | 5.062% |
|---|
| 8 | January 9, 2022 | 4.166% | 4.520% |
|---|
| 9 | January 15, 2022 | | |
|---|
| 10 | January 16, 2022 | 4.272% | 4.893% |
|---|
| 11 | January 22, 2022 | 3.679% | 4.073% |
|---|
| 12 | January 23, 2022 | 4.460% | 5.034% |
|---|
| 13 | January 29, 2022 | 3.593% | 3.594% |
|---|
| 14 | January 30, 2022 | 3.664% | 3.825% |
|---|
| 15 | February 5, 2022 | 3.660% | 3.936% |
|---|
| 16 | February 6, 2022 | 5.050% | 5.019% |
|---|
| Average | | |
|---|
- In the table above, the represent the lowest ratings and the represent the highest ratings.
- This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).
| |
Notes and References
- Web site: Kim Bo-ra. February 5, 2022. 자넷서, 오늘(5일) '불가살' OST 'Beyond The Time' 발매. February 8, 2022. OSEN. Naver. ko. February 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208044332/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004551607. live.
- News: 원빈, 400억 대작 '불가살' 출연 거절…연기 복귀 부담 컸. Han Min-sun. Money Today. Nate. June 23, 2020. October 28, 2021. ko. October 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029221010/https://news.nate.com/view/20200623n24162. live.
- Web site: Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021). CJ ENM. https://web.archive.org/web/20220622115023/https://watch.cjenm.com/broadcast/sub/view?contentsId=B120213057. June 22, 2022. live. June 22, 2022.
- News: 원빈, 400억 드라마 '불가살' 거절…'언제쯤 복귀하려나'. Jung Eun-hee. Sports World. Naver. June 23, 2020. October 28, 2021. ko. October 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225412/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=396&aid=0000553523. live.
- Web site: Bulgasal: Immortal Souls. Netflix. November 9, 2021. November 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211109112849/https://www.netflix.com/title/81483462. live.
- News: Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Nara to lead in tvN's "Bulgasal". Yonhap News Agency. HanCinema. March 17, 2021. October 26, 2021. October 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028053623/https://www.hancinema.net/lee-jin-wook-and-kwon-nara-to-lead-in-tvn-s-bulgasal-149877.html. live.
- News: Sang-hun. Choe. November 3, 2021. From BTS to 'Squid Game': How South Korea Became a Cultural Juggernaut. The New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104021439/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/world/asia/squid-game-korea-bts.html. November 4, 2021. July 18, 2022. live. limited.
- News: [단독] '암행어사' 찍은 권나라, 대작 '불가살' 주인공 된다]. Moon Ji-yeon. Sports Chosun. Naver. February 15, 2021. October 26, 2021. ko. October 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026055649/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003693135. live.
- News: Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Na-ra confirmed for upcoming tvN drama. Asia Today. March 18, 2021. October 31, 2021. November 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104123406/http://en.asiatoday.co.kr/view.php?key=20210318000932557. live.
- Web site: '불가살' 이주원→이규호, 아역부터 새 얼굴까지 이유 있는 웰메이드. Kim Yu-jin. Xports News. Naver. December 24, 2021. December 24, 2021. ko. December 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226104926/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001389020. live.
- News: '불가살' 이진욱·권나라·이준·공승연·정진영·박명신·김우석, 캐스팅 확정 [공식]]. Choi Na-young. OSEN. Naver. March 17, 2021. October 26, 2021. ko. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027173503/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004370426. live.
- Web site: 신예 오유진, WNY에 새 둥지…'불가살' 권나라 동생 역 출연. Hyun Jung-min. Sports World. Naver. January 7, 2022. January 7, 2022. ko. January 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108224936/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=396&aid=0000601535. live.
- Web site: 한서진, '불가살' 캐스팅…권나라 아역. Lee Da-won. Sports Kyunghyang. Naver. December 17, 2021. December 17, 2021. ko. December 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217095504/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000781604. live.
- Web site: Yoon Hyo-jung. '불가살' 이진욱·공승연 위태로운 상황…본격 운명의 소용돌이. News1 Korea. Naver. December 26, 2021. December 26, 2021. ko. December 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226104925/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0005805996. live.
- News: '불가살' 이진욱→권나라, 극에 흠뻑 빠진 대본리딩 현장..12월 18일 첫 방송. Kim Na-yul. Herald Pop. Naver. November 5, 2021. November 5, 2021. ko. November 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211106094817/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003494829. live.
- News: 이진욱·권나라·공승연, 충격 삼자대면 엔딩 [불가살]]. Kim Soo-jin. Star News. Naver. December 26, 2021. December 26, 2021. ko. December 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226054100/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003015875. live.
- News: 이진욱, 권나라에 벽 허물기 시작…이준, '고통공유' 비밀('불가살'). Baek Ji-eun. Sports Chosun. Naver. January 9, 2022. January 10, 2022. ko. August 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808101759/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003820365. live.
- News: Yoo. Kyung-sang. '불가살' 김우석 반전 정체, 이준이 심어둔 첩자였다 '소름' [결정적장면]]. Newsen. December 26, 2021. January 9, 2022. ko. January 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091707/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202201090336361710. live.
- News: Yoo. Kyung-sang. '불가살' 공승연, 600년 전 아들=김우석 살리려 희생하나 [결정적장면]]. Newsen. January 30, 2022. January 30, 2022. ko. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130050803/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=202201300611051710. live.
- News: 한동규 '불가살' 구봉 역 캐스팅 [공식]]. Ahn Byung-gil. Sports Kyunghyang. Naver. November 11, 2021. November 11, 2021. ko. November 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211111115438/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000773559. live.
- Web site: '불가살' 이진희, 어린 권나라 母로 특별출연‥목숨 건 눈물 열연. Park Soo-in. Newsen. Naver. December 20, 2021. December 20, 2021. ko. December 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220083046/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000524335. live.
- Web site: '트레이서' '불가살' 김태백, 짧은 등장 강한 눈도장. Ahn Byung-gil. Sports Kyunghyang. Naver. January 17, 2022. January 18, 2022. ko. January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183147/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000787613. live.
- News: 이진욱 측 "'불가살' 출연 긍정 검토 중" [공식입장]]. Shin Young-eun. Maeil Business Newspaper. Naver. December 17, 2020. November 4, 2021. ko. August 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808101801/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0004718442. live.
- News: 이준 측 "'불가살' 제안 받고 긍정 검토 중"… 이진욱 만나나(공식). Kim Seong-hyun. YTN. Naver. February 3, 2021. November 4, 2021. ko. November 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104064011/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0001546760. live.
- News: 정진영 측 "'불가살' 출연 긍정 검토중"(공식). Han Jeong-won. Newsen. Naver. February 15, 2021. November 4, 2021. ko. November 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104064012/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000400856. live.
- Nielsen Korea nationwide ratings:
- Web site: Ep. 1 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221042212/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20211218. December 21, 2021. live. December 21, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 2 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221043047/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20211219. December 21, 2021. live. December 21, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 3 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226111841/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20211225. December 26, 2021. live. December 26, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 4 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211227045217/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20211226. December 27, 2021. live. December 27, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 5 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220105063201/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220101. January 5, 2022. live. January 5, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 6 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104045807/http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220102. January 4, 2022. live. January 5, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 7 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110074711/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220108. January 10, 2022. live. January 10, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 8 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110075104/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220109. January 10, 2022. live. January 10, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 9 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116135133/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220115. January 16, 2022. live. January 16, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 10 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117064138/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220116. January 17, 2022. live. January 17, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 11 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123151102/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220122. January 23, 2022. live. January 23, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 12 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124044000/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220123. January 24, 2022. live. January 24, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 13 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208044520/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220129. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 14 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051234/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220130. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 15 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051357/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220205. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 16 (Nationwide). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051457/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20220206. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Nielsen Korea metropolitan ratings:
- Web site: Ep. 1 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221042532/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20211218. December 21, 2021. live. December 21, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 2 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221043202/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20211219. December 21, 2021. live. December 21, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 3 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226111937/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20211225. December 26, 2021. live. December 26, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 4 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211227045334/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20211226. December 27, 2021. live. December 27, 2021.
- Web site: Ep. 5 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220105063416/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220101. January 5, 2022. live. January 5, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 6 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220102225800/http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220102. January 2, 2022. live. January 5, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 7 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110074930/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220108. January 10, 2022. live. January 10, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 8 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110075210/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220109. January 10, 2022. live. January 10, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 9 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116135721/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220115. January 16, 2022. live. January 16, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 10 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220117064350/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220116. January 17, 2022. live. January 17, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 11 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123151347/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220122. January 23, 2022. live. January 23, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 12 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124044156/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220123. January 24, 2022. live. January 24, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 13 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051652/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220129. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 14 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051803/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220130. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 15 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051842/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220205. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
- Web site: Ep. 16 (Seoul). Nielsen Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208051915/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=01&begin_date=20220206. February 8, 2022. live. February 8, 2022.
