Bulgasal: Immortal Souls

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls[9] (Korean불가살) 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.[3][10] It aired on tvN from December 18, 2021 to February 6, 2022.[7] It is also available for streaming on Netflix.[11]

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls
Promotional poster
Hangul
불가살
Hanja
不可殺
Literal meaningImmortal
Revised RomanizationBulgasal
Genre
Created by
Written by
Directed byJang Young-woo[3]
Creative directorKim Jae-eun
Starring
Music byNam Hye-seung[4]
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16[5]
Production
Executive producers
  • Joo Jae-hyun
  • Kang Hee-wook
Producers
  • Kim Min-jeong
  • Jo Yeon-soo
  • Park Joo-yeon
Cinematography
  • Park Se-hee
  • Kang Yoon-soon
Editors
  • Kim Jin-oh
  • Kim Hye-jin
Running time60 minutes[6]
Production companies
  • Studio Dragon[7]
  • Show Runners[7]
Budget₩40 billion[5][8]
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseDecember 18, 2021 (2021-12-18) –
February 6, 2022 (2022-02-06)

Synopsis

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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.[7][12][13]

Cast

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Main

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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.[15]
  • Kwon Nara as Min Sang-woon / Kim Hwa-yeon[16]
    • Han Seo-jin as young Min Sang-woon / Min Sang-yeon[17]
A woman who used to be an immortal, but goes through a tragic event that turns her into a human.[3]
Another immortal, commonly known as the "Dark Hole", living in secrecy who enjoys his eternal life, as well as his wealth and power.[15]
  1. Dan Sol: Dan Hwal's past wife who is the daughter of a powerful family.[15]
  2. Min Si-ho: Dan Sol's reincarnation who is Min Sang-woon's younger sister.[18]
  1. Dan Geuk: Dan Sol's father who is a powerful general.[19]
  2. Kwon Ho-yeol: Dan Geuk's reincarnation who is a former detective.[20]
  1. A shaman who lived 600 years ago.[19]
  2. Hye-suk: the shaman's reincarnation who always helps Dan Hwal.[21]
A high school student who follows Dan Hwal around like a puppy.[19] He works for Ok Eul-tae.[22] He is later revealed to be the reincarnation of Dan Hwal's son.[23]

Supporting

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  • Han Dong-kyu as Goo-bong, a resident of a village who lives a rough life due to bulgasal.[24]
  • Park Joo-hwan as Dan Ah-chan, Dan Hwal and Dan Sol's son.[14]
  • Han Seong-soo as Jo Ma-gu, a ghost with a strong appetite who even devours human corpses.[14]
  • Lee Kyu-ho as Du Eok-si-ni[14]
  • Oh Yu-jin as Kim Go-bun, Kim Hwa-yeon's younger sister.[16]

Special appearances

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  • Lee Jin-hee as Sang Un-mo, Min Sang-woon's mother.[25]
  • Kim Tae-baek as Kim Sang-hui's husband[26]

Production

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Casting

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The lead role was first offered to Won Bin, but the actor ultimately refused.[8]

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.[27] In February 2021, actors Lee Joon, Kwon Nara and Jung Jin-young also received casting offer.[12][28][29] 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.[15]

Release

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Bulgasal: Immortal Souls was initially scheduled for release in 2022.[10] In November 2021, it was confirmed that the series would premiere on December 18.[7]

Original soundtrack

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Part 1

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Released on December 26, 2021 (2021-12-26)[30][31]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Leave" (하루)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
4Men4:51
2."Leave" (하루; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 4:51
Total length:9:42

Part 2

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Released on January 9, 2022 (2022-01-09)[32][33]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Tunnel (with Kardi)" (터널 (with Kardi))
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Janet Suhh
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyuk
Kim Yeji3:59
2."Tunnel (with Kardi)" (터널 (with Kardi); Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyuk
 3:59
Total length:7:58

Part 3

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Released on January 23, 2022 (2022-01-23)[34][35]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Can't Forget You" (잊을 수 없다면))
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Minseo3:59
2."Can't Forget You" (잊을 수 없다면; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 3:59
Total length:7:58

Part 4

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Released on February 5, 2022 (2022-02-05)[36][37]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Beyond the Time"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Janet Suhh
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyeok
  • Heoseok
Janet Suhh3:14
2."Beyond the Time" (Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Jeon Jong-hyeok
  • Heoseok
 3:14
Total length:6:28

Viewership

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Bulgasal: Immortal Souls : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
11.6091.4811.2921.0920.8831.0631.1991.1420.8271.1911.0361.1330.9940.9690.9781.4501.146
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[38]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)
Nationwide[38] Seoul[39]
1 December 18, 2021 6.346% (1st) 7.390% (1st)
2 December 19, 2021 5.826% (1st) 6.036% (1st)
3 December 25, 2021 4.775% (1st) 4.413% (1st)
4 December 26, 2021 4.128% (1st) 4.301% (1st)
5 January 1, 2022 3.415% (1st) 3.622% (1st)
6 January 2, 2022 4.077% (1st) 4.374% (1st)
7 January 8, 2022 4.455% (1st) 5.062% (1st)
8 January 9, 2022 4.166% (1st) 4.520% (1st)
9 January 15, 2022[a] 3.043% (2nd) 3.383% (2nd)
10 January 16, 2022 4.272% (1st) 4.893% (1st)
11 January 22, 2022 3.679% (1st) 4.073% (1st)
12 January 23, 2022 4.460% (1st) 5.034% (1st)
13 January 29, 2022 3.593% (1st) 3.594% (1st)
14 January 30, 2022 3.664% (1st) 3.825% (1st)
15 February 5, 2022 3.660% (1st) 3.936% (1st)
16 February 6, 2022 5.050% (1st) 5.019% (1st)
Average 4.288% 4.592%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers 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

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  1. ^ The airing of episode 9 was delayed by 70 minutes due to the live broadcast of a men's football friendly match between South Korea and Iceland.[40]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lim Yian Lu (December 28, 2021). "4 things to know about Bulgasal: Immortal Souls". Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "대표 이미지". tvN (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e Lee Gyu-lee (March 18, 2021). "Kwon Na-ra to join Lee Jin-wook and Lee Joon in fantasy series 'The Immortal'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Kim Bo-ra (February 5, 2022). "자넷서, 오늘(5일) '불가살' OST 'Beyond The Time' 발매" (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  5. ^ a b Han Min-sun (June 23, 2020). "원빈, 400억 대작 '불가살' 출연 거절…연기 복귀 부담 컸" (in Korean). Money Today. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021 – via Nate.
  6. ^ "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021)". CJ ENM. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e Bae Hyo-joo (November 1, 2021). "600년 못 죽은 이진욱 '불가살' 12월18일 첫방송‥한국형 판타지[공식]" (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  8. ^ a b Jung Eun-hee (June 23, 2020). "원빈, 400억 드라마 '불가살' 거절…'언제쯤 복귀하려나'" (in Korean). Sports World. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021 – via Naver.
  9. ^ "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls". Netflix. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Lee Jin-wook and Kwon Nara to lead in tvN's "Bulgasal"". HanCinema. Yonhap News Agency. March 17, 2021. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Choe, Sang-hun (November 3, 2021). "From BTS to 'Squid Game': How South Korea Became a Cultural Juggernaut". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Moon Ji-yeon (February 15, 2021). "[단독] '암행어사' 찍은 권나라, 대작 '불가살' 주인공 된다" (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021 – via Naver.
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  14. ^ a b c d Kim Yu-jin (December 24, 2021). "'불가살' 이주원→이규호, 아역부터 새 얼굴까지 이유 있는 웰메이드" (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021 – via Naver.
  15. ^ a b c d Choi Na-young (March 17, 2021). "'불가살' 이진욱·권나라·이준·공승연·정진영·박명신·김우석, 캐스팅 확정 [공식]" (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021 – via Naver.
  16. ^ a b Hyun Jung-min (January 7, 2022). "신예 오유진, WNY에 새 둥지…'불가살' 권나라 동생 역 출연" (in Korean). Sports World. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Lee Da-won (December 17, 2021). "한서진, '불가살' 캐스팅…권나라 아역" (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Yoon Hyo-jung (December 26, 2021). "'불가살' 이진욱·공승연 위태로운 상황…본격 운명의 소용돌이" (in Korean). News1 Korea. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Naver.
  19. ^ a b c Kim Na-yul (November 5, 2021). "'불가살' 이진욱→권나라, 극에 흠뻑 빠진 대본리딩 현장..12월 18일 첫 방송" (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Kim Soo-jin (December 26, 2021). "이진욱·권나라·공승연, 충격 삼자대면 엔딩 [불가살]" (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Baek Ji-eun (January 9, 2022). "이진욱, 권나라에 벽 허물기 시작…이준, '고통공유' 비밀('불가살')" (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Naver.
  22. ^ Yoo, Kyung-sang (December 26, 2021). "'불가살' 김우석 반전 정체, 이준이 심어둔 첩자였다 '소름' [결정적장면]". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  23. ^ Yoo, Kyung-sang (January 30, 2022). "'불가살' 공승연, 600년 전 아들=김우석 살리려 희생하나 [결정적장면]". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  24. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (November 11, 2021). "한동규 '불가살' 구봉 역 캐스팅 [공식]" (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Park Soo-in (December 20, 2021). "'불가살' 이진희, 어린 권나라 母로 특별출연‥목숨 건 눈물 열연" (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (January 17, 2022). "'트레이서' '불가살' 김태백, 짧은 등장 강한 눈도장" (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Shin Young-eun (December 17, 2020). "이진욱 측 "'불가살' 출연 긍정 검토 중" [공식입장]" (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2021 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Kim Seong-hyun (February 3, 2021). "이준 측 "'불가살' 제안 받고 긍정 검토 중"… 이진욱 만나나(공식)" (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Han Jeong-won (February 15, 2021). "정진영 측 "'불가살' 출연 긍정 검토중"(공식)" (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021 – via Naver.
  30. ^ "불가살 OST Part.1" [Bulgasal: Immortal Souls OST Part.1] (in Korean). NHN Bugs. Most Contents. December 26, 2021. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Melon.
  31. ^ "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt. 1 - Single". Most Contents. December 26, 2021. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  32. ^ "불가살 OST Part.2" [Bulgasal: Immortal Souls OST Part.2] (in Korean). NHN Bugs. Most Contents. January 9, 2022. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Melon.
  33. ^ "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt. 2 [with KARDI] - Single". Most Contents. January 9, 2022. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  34. ^ "불가살 OST Part.3" [Bulgasal: Immortal Souls OST Part.3] (in Korean). NHN Bugs. Most Contents. January 23, 2022. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022 – via Melon.
  35. ^ "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt. 3 - Single". Most Contents. January 23, 2022. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  36. ^ "불가살 OST Part.4" [Bulgasal: Immortal Souls OST Part.4] (in Korean). NHN Bugs. Most Contents. February 5, 2022. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022 – via Melon.
  37. ^ "Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt. 4 - Single". Most Contents. February 5, 2022. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  38. ^ a b Nielsen Korea nationwide ratings:
  39. ^ Nielsen Korea metropolitan ratings:
    • "Ep. 1 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
    • "Ep. 2 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
    • "Ep. 3 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
    • "Ep. 4 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
    • "Ep. 5 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
    • "Ep. 6 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
    • "Ep. 7 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
    • "Ep. 8 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
    • "Ep. 9 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
    • "Ep. 10 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
    • "Ep. 11 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
    • "Ep. 12 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
    • "Ep. 13 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
    • "Ep. 14 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
    • "Ep. 15 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
    • "Ep. 16 (Seoul)". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  40. ^ Lee Seong-mi (January 15, 2022). "tvN 편성표 대한민국vs아이슬란드 축구 국가대표팀 중계…'놀토'&'불가살' 변경ㆍ'배드 앤 크레이지' 결방" (in Korean). BizEnter. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
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