I totally forgot how much tvN Sat-Sun fantasy drama Bulgasal cost to make because it just seemed rather low key since it premiered that I put it with other regular fantasy dramas like Tale of the Nine Tales and the like. But it’s not, it’s a $40 billion won drama that is second in price tag to the ambitious Arthdal Chronicles which used its $54 billion won budget to actually shoot two seasons worth of episodes. Putting it in perspective, last year’s biggest hyped Jirisan had a budget of $32 billion won and was considered a disappointment with ratings between 7%-9% (average 8.385%) on cable network tvN. That puts Bulgasal at a massive epic fail as it’s ratings are between 3%-4% range and other than the first episode bringing in 6.346% it’s just fallen less than half what Jirisan brought in. I still don’t know who would hand a $40 BILLION WON drama to the likes of Lee Jin Wook (B-list and with a scandal-tinged past) and Kwon Nara (precariously perched in recent leading lady land but nothing impressive to speak of in achievement). I’ve watched scenes and the two are alternating between torture stoicism (him) and bland befuddlement (her), with the only decent acting and characters and interesting anything coming from second leads Lee Joon and Gong Seung Yeon. You can even tell from stills alone! If this drama cost $10 billion won that would be fine but at one of the most expensive K-dramas ever produced this is a travesty of wasted money all around.
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I remember watching Interview with a Vampire and being way more entranced with the evil Lestat than the emo with human regret Louis. When one is the undead it’s more fun to just embrace it, at least cinematically. The tvN … Continue reading
The hullabaloo around jTBC Sat-Sun drama Snowdrop and its highly controversial premiere last weekend overshadowed the same time arrival of new tvN Sat-Sun drama Bulgasal (Immortal Souls). Starring Lee Jin Woo, Kwon Nara, Lee Joon, and Gong Seung Yeon, I … Continue reading
When I first saw the previews for Squid Game I totally went “Huh, I’ve gone on this rodeo before”, but of course doing a same concept doesn’t mean there isn’t an appetite for it in the here and now so … Continue reading
Currently airing Jirisan continues to get plenty of media coverage and is still another month from finishing but it’s time for tvN to start promos for the next drama in that time slot which is Bulgasal (Immortal Souls). Starring Lee … Continue reading
Well this certainly seems like a really random combo that I never thought of before. K-ent is reporting that the casting for upcoming fantasy drama The Immortal (Korean title Bulgalsal which could refer to the mythical creature Bulgasalri as well) … Continue reading