21
35
7
WandereR
Borneo
Immortality
Bulgasal: Immortal Souls was an interesting viewing experience for me. After the initial strong start, the fantasy drama evolved into a slow-burn and sappy tale of supernatural beings engaged in push-pull romantic angst filled with melodrama within a surreal dream-like ambience. Yes, I found myself inexorably drawn to its immersively hypnotic storytelling against the backdrop of two settings - briefly in ancient Goryeo / Joseon but mostly in modern day Seoul - and the rhythmic drum beats of its enthralling sageuk-inspired score.
The closest resemblance that I can think of to compare this drama with would be The Twilight Saga. The Bulgasal, a fearsome immortal well-documented in Korean folklore and not unlike the ancient vampires and werewolves of the West, takes centre stage in a narrative that spans 600 years… no, make that over 1,000 years. This is a complex story of tragic loss, eternal love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. All of these elements intertwine inseparably with one man’s curse of immortality, the titular Bulgasal, amidst the endless cycle of reincarnated lives around him.
Based on the original screenplay by the husband and wife team of Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, who also co-wrote one of my all-time favourite supernatural dramas, The Guest. This was, in fact, another reason for my anticipation of this drama’s release. This TVN production is directed by Jang Young Woo, with the legendary Nam Hye Sung serving as music director. An interesting bit of trivia - despite the numerous outdoor visuals provided in this drama, in actual fact it was completely filmed at CJ ENM Studio Center. Commencing operations recently on 25 January 2021, this facility comes complete with a traditional village setting, modern drama set, virtual reality and augmented reality as well as VFX and SFX studios. It had previously hosted the production process for shows like Voice 4, Yumi's Cells, and Happiness.
What I Liked
As mentioned earlier, this drama had a very strong start with the sageuk setting of late Goryeo / early Joseon that features ancient warriors in suits of armour battling countless mythical monsters. Absolutely gritty, visceral and violent with no lack of blood and gore. The emotive aspects are provided by the portrayal of childhood abandonment and abuse, as well as traumatic loss and tragedy suffered by an entire family.
Once the plot time skipped 600 years into the future, the overall tone of the drama altered significantly. In place of ancient mythical charms, we are now presented with the unfamiliar (and appearing somewhat dystopian, though it actually isn’t) sights of present day South Korea. The deeply convoluted dynamics among the various interrelated characters begin at this point. This is not the type of melodramatic storytelling that I typically relish but there is something oddly comforting and timeless about seeing the fates of immortal beings and mere mortals intersecting emphatically before my very eyes. That said, appreciating the storytelling of this nature requires a particular mindset and I guess I happened to be in the mood for it.
As far as the production quality is concerned, I have to mention 2 aspects - the visuals and original score. Despite being nearly a complete VFX rendering, the “outdoor scenic visuals” are to die for. The many gorgeous panoramic vistas are seamlessly integrated onto the “green screen” in one of the better quality effects editing I’ve seen in recent memory. Granted it’s not flawless by any means, but does come quite close and presents an absolute feast for the eyes. Also worthy of mention would be the makeup effects created for the monsters - for once they do not appear laughably fake or cringeworthy. The original score, personally for me, is truly outstanding. I love gugak music where we have here a fusion of traditional instruments and contemporary elements producing a rhythm so captivating that I find myself completely absorbed into the storytelling.
I enjoyed the performance of the cast more so than the actual characterization, if truth be told. I think the charisma of the main lead carried the drama and, to some extent, enhanced the narrative. Lee Jin Wook as the titular Bulgasal fit the bill in all aspects. Grim, brooding yet not quite cold-hearted or cruel, as told in the folktales. Some might say his expressions are stoic and one-dimensional, but I think there is a profound grief that this man embodies through the nuanced display of his mannerisms and especially the tone of his voice. I think his character makes up for what it lacks in dynamism with emotional tenderness. Interestingly, it had been reported that Won Bin was initially offered the lead role here as his comeback drama after more than 10 years out of the industry. However he eventually declined the offer, which then went to Lee Jin Wook instead.
The second performance that I enjoyed would be Lee Joon’s portrayal of the somewhat unbalanced but rather entertaining Ok Eul Tae. The most colourful character in the show and, unsurprisingly, the fan favourite of many viewers. It certainly helps when he possesses the most outrageous taste in fashion compared to every other character. My second time seeing him in immediate succession after his equally strong performance in The Silent Sea, this man is immensely talented and utterly versatile. I have a feeling he’s one who can effortlessly take on many diverse roles and impress us each time.
The other main cast comprises Kwon Na Ra and Gong Seung Yeon. I think in terms of appearance, Kwon Na Ra is perfect as the enigmatic female figure within the historical setting. Likewise Gong Seung Yeon’s depiction of Dan Sol in the first couple of episodes comes across as dramatically evocative. Once they reappear as their modern selves, however, the aura of mystery dissipates, revealing only the characterization of the typical girl-next-door. That said, I appreciated the efforts by both in conveying their interpretation of the respective dual roles. If anything, they are both equally adept at shedding much tears.
What I Liked Less
To be honest, I would have preferred this drama to be set entirely in Goryeo or Joseon. That would have enabled the story to retain a certain level of charm and enigma, as well as to induce a more compelling approach to the storytelling. I thought the modern-day setting was rather bland and, ironically, soulless.
While I enjoyed the action sequences in the historical setting, the fight scenes in the present felt somewhat lacking. There is too much posturing for my liking and even when the monsters, in their reincarnated forms as well as the immortal ones, finally get on with the action, the choreography isn’t anything to write home about..
The characterization leaves much to be desired, particularly pertaining to the female leads as well as certain side characters. They lacked the sufficient depth that would have elevated the production but instead merely served to move the plot along towards its inevitable conclusion. I think this lack of dimension and growth perhaps hampered the development of any meaningful organic chemistry in the romance department.
Final Thoughts
Well, for all the positive aspects I would recommend the production but as mentioned earlier, the key to watching, let alone enjoying, this drama is a particular mindset for fantasy-themed melodrama. It has its moments but there is much room for improvement. In acknowledgment of the intrigue and relative entertainment value served, I’ll be generous with my rating.
The closest resemblance that I can think of to compare this drama with would be The Twilight Saga. The Bulgasal, a fearsome immortal well-documented in Korean folklore and not unlike the ancient vampires and werewolves of the West, takes centre stage in a narrative that spans 600 years… no, make that over 1,000 years. This is a complex story of tragic loss, eternal love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. All of these elements intertwine inseparably with one man’s curse of immortality, the titular Bulgasal, amidst the endless cycle of reincarnated lives around him.
Based on the original screenplay by the husband and wife team of Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, who also co-wrote one of my all-time favourite supernatural dramas, The Guest. This was, in fact, another reason for my anticipation of this drama’s release. This TVN production is directed by Jang Young Woo, with the legendary Nam Hye Sung serving as music director. An interesting bit of trivia - despite the numerous outdoor visuals provided in this drama, in actual fact it was completely filmed at CJ ENM Studio Center. Commencing operations recently on 25 January 2021, this facility comes complete with a traditional village setting, modern drama set, virtual reality and augmented reality as well as VFX and SFX studios. It had previously hosted the production process for shows like Voice 4, Yumi's Cells, and Happiness.
What I Liked
As mentioned earlier, this drama had a very strong start with the sageuk setting of late Goryeo / early Joseon that features ancient warriors in suits of armour battling countless mythical monsters. Absolutely gritty, visceral and violent with no lack of blood and gore. The emotive aspects are provided by the portrayal of childhood abandonment and abuse, as well as traumatic loss and tragedy suffered by an entire family.
Once the plot time skipped 600 years into the future, the overall tone of the drama altered significantly. In place of ancient mythical charms, we are now presented with the unfamiliar (and appearing somewhat dystopian, though it actually isn’t) sights of present day South Korea. The deeply convoluted dynamics among the various interrelated characters begin at this point. This is not the type of melodramatic storytelling that I typically relish but there is something oddly comforting and timeless about seeing the fates of immortal beings and mere mortals intersecting emphatically before my very eyes. That said, appreciating the storytelling of this nature requires a particular mindset and I guess I happened to be in the mood for it.
As far as the production quality is concerned, I have to mention 2 aspects - the visuals and original score. Despite being nearly a complete VFX rendering, the “outdoor scenic visuals” are to die for. The many gorgeous panoramic vistas are seamlessly integrated onto the “green screen” in one of the better quality effects editing I’ve seen in recent memory. Granted it’s not flawless by any means, but does come quite close and presents an absolute feast for the eyes. Also worthy of mention would be the makeup effects created for the monsters - for once they do not appear laughably fake or cringeworthy. The original score, personally for me, is truly outstanding. I love gugak music where we have here a fusion of traditional instruments and contemporary elements producing a rhythm so captivating that I find myself completely absorbed into the storytelling.
I enjoyed the performance of the cast more so than the actual characterization, if truth be told. I think the charisma of the main lead carried the drama and, to some extent, enhanced the narrative. Lee Jin Wook as the titular Bulgasal fit the bill in all aspects. Grim, brooding yet not quite cold-hearted or cruel, as told in the folktales. Some might say his expressions are stoic and one-dimensional, but I think there is a profound grief that this man embodies through the nuanced display of his mannerisms and especially the tone of his voice. I think his character makes up for what it lacks in dynamism with emotional tenderness. Interestingly, it had been reported that Won Bin was initially offered the lead role here as his comeback drama after more than 10 years out of the industry. However he eventually declined the offer, which then went to Lee Jin Wook instead.
The second performance that I enjoyed would be Lee Joon’s portrayal of the somewhat unbalanced but rather entertaining Ok Eul Tae. The most colourful character in the show and, unsurprisingly, the fan favourite of many viewers. It certainly helps when he possesses the most outrageous taste in fashion compared to every other character. My second time seeing him in immediate succession after his equally strong performance in The Silent Sea, this man is immensely talented and utterly versatile. I have a feeling he’s one who can effortlessly take on many diverse roles and impress us each time.
The other main cast comprises Kwon Na Ra and Gong Seung Yeon. I think in terms of appearance, Kwon Na Ra is perfect as the enigmatic female figure within the historical setting. Likewise Gong Seung Yeon’s depiction of Dan Sol in the first couple of episodes comes across as dramatically evocative. Once they reappear as their modern selves, however, the aura of mystery dissipates, revealing only the characterization of the typical girl-next-door. That said, I appreciated the efforts by both in conveying their interpretation of the respective dual roles. If anything, they are both equally adept at shedding much tears.
What I Liked Less
To be honest, I would have preferred this drama to be set entirely in Goryeo or Joseon. That would have enabled the story to retain a certain level of charm and enigma, as well as to induce a more compelling approach to the storytelling. I thought the modern-day setting was rather bland and, ironically, soulless.
While I enjoyed the action sequences in the historical setting, the fight scenes in the present felt somewhat lacking. There is too much posturing for my liking and even when the monsters, in their reincarnated forms as well as the immortal ones, finally get on with the action, the choreography isn’t anything to write home about..
The characterization leaves much to be desired, particularly pertaining to the female leads as well as certain side characters. They lacked the sufficient depth that would have elevated the production but instead merely served to move the plot along towards its inevitable conclusion. I think this lack of dimension and growth perhaps hampered the development of any meaningful organic chemistry in the romance department.
Final Thoughts
Well, for all the positive aspects I would recommend the production but as mentioned earlier, the key to watching, let alone enjoying, this drama is a particular mindset for fantasy-themed melodrama. It has its moments but there is much room for improvement. In acknowledgment of the intrigue and relative entertainment value served, I’ll be generous with my rating.
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