Do-Yun’s Torment
Episode 9 of Bulgasal: Immortal Souls picks up where we left off before. Yeon-Su confronts Eul-Tae, pointing out his secret to Hwal. This serves as a nice distraction for our antagonist to turn his back to Hwal. In doing so, he sneaks up behind him and injects the syringe into Dark Hole’s neck. ..
Detective Kwon arrives on the scene and helps Hwal back to his car. Kwon is conflicted, as he wants to help Hwal but also feels like he needs to protect himself.
King learns son Eul-Soo has fallen after hunting in the mountains. Of course, Eul-Tae is the one to break the news that Bulgasal is responsible but he refuses to accept it. The thing is, it was actually Eul-Tae who shot and killed Bulgasal. ..
Yeon-Su looked upon Eul-Soo with a look of hate.
Meanwhile, Bulgasal is in no position to retaliate against Hwal. Instead, they are forced to hold tight for the time being. When Yeon-Su offers her blood, Bulgasal refuses, pointing out that they made a promise long enough ago that they would never do this. ..
Kwon contemplates his life choices as he reflects on the news that Hwal is Bulgasal. He regrets not being more careful and aware of who he was fighting against this whole time.
Kwon was there for his sister, being sure to protect her from their insane father. In fact, he even tries to poison the poor girl. The maniacal look in his eyes seem to hint that he’s a monster.
That much is almost confirmed when Hwal, as Bulgasal, kills their father out in the open. Kwon’s sister dies in his arms right there and then. If the flashbacks that follow are anything to go by, it appears that one of the two Bulgasals actually bit the poor girl’s neck after, but Kwon is conflicted over which one it was.
Kwon has carried this painful memory for years, and when Hwal shows up at his door, the two hash out their differences. There’s still animosity between them but Hwal does try his best to help, apologizing for not telling him the truth. ..
Do-Yun visits Eul-Tae, who doesn’t even disguise his disdain anymore. Instead, he tasks Do-Yun with bringing Yeon-Su to him. Do-Yun isn’t sure this is a good idea and is quick to point out, but Eul-Tae urges him to follow through so they can separate her from Hwal.
Yeon-Su and Hwal head to the dark side of the moon to visit Go-Bun. They want to know more about Dark Hole. Unfortunately, when Yeon-Su sees Hwal, and the scar on his hand, she becomes animated and pleads with Yeon-Su to leave.
The Go-Bun of the future is a powerful and determined being, determined to stop Dark Hole and save the world. Seeing him like this sends both of them back home, determined to try and formulate another plan to stop Dark Hole – and convince Go-Bun to help.
Hwal reflects on Yeon-Su’s ability to see her past life. He learns she’s unable to use this on herself. When she speaks to Si-Ho, she suddenly feels the need to vomit. This is, of course, a direct result of Si-Ho’s pregnancy. When Hwal finds out, he’s silent and shocked by the news.
Lee Hye-Suk eventually catches up with him later that night. Hwal is troubled by what she originally told him about entwined lives. Specifically, how once people are entwined, the ties can never be broken.
With that in mind, Hwal deduces that Si-Ho could well be born again with A-Chan. While this would ordinarily be good news, the fact that he wouldn’t technically be Hwal’s son doesn’t sit well with him.
Do-Yun’s decision is made much more difficult that night when he has a one on one with Hwal. The latter shows affection to the boy, touching his head and reminding him that his brother’s illness isn’t his fault. ..
When Do-Yun mentions a supporter, Hwal speaks to the detectives in confidence, determined to know who this person may be.
After Si-Ho’s pregnancy, the gang gathers together and celebrates. As they look set to eat cake, Yeon-Su reminds them all that they’re family. They may not be blood-bound but they’re a family all the same.
This night was perfect for Do-Yun to tell Eul-Tae that he can’t follow through with his plan.
Eul-Tae recalls a particular memory from 10 years ago. At the orphanage, Eul-Tae held his hand tightly with Do-Yun. He still remembers how he helped Do-Yun at the moment he needed him. ..
Eul-Tae is using this moment to compare it to the way he needs help. It’s shady but it’s enough for Do-Yun to reluctantly follow through with leading Yeon-Su to Eul-Tae. ..
Yeon-Su shows up at the bus stop with Do-Yun the next day. When Do-Yun learns that Yeon-Su hasn’t told Si-Ho where she’s going, he is nervous. ..
Eventually, he breaks the news that he’s bringing her to Eul-Tae. Do-Yun tries to apologize and asks whether she wants to go home. Do-Yun eventually stops her from getting on the bus, just as Hwal shows up. ..
Do-Yun tells Yeon-Su that he is not the one who committed the crime. Yeon-Su covers for Do-Yun, but Hwal knows the truth. He speaks to Do-Yun in private and demands to know how deeply this deception goes.
Eventually, Hwal has had enough and tells Do-Yun to leave the group. Kicking him out is the worst thing that could happen to Do-Yun, but unfortunately the damage has been done. ..
Do-Yun rings Hwal to tell him that his brother, Eul-Tae, has been lying to him all this time and that he is actually the one who wants to kill him. Hwal is conflicted but decides to go along with Do-Yun’s plan in order to protect himself.
Eul-Tae has been using Do-Yun to get through to Hwal for years, but he recently died. Do-Yun is now stringing him along, hoping he’ll finally tell Hwal the truth.
Do-Yun hangs up on the guy and gets on the bus to parts unknown. Just before he leaves, he rings Yeon-Su and admits the truth about his deceased brother. Do-Yun is struggling to hold back tears, and admits that his brother died in a car accident.
Yeon-Su tries to talk Hwal around but he’s having none of it. He refuses to listen to her. He does however, listen to Si-Ho. Si-Ho tells her story of how Do-Yun was actually born blind and how he was manipulated by his father into becoming a criminal.
Eul-Tae helped him get an eye transplant, which confirms what many fans have been thinking for a while. Do-Yun is back, but he’s actually Eul-Tae.
The Episode Review
This week’s episode of Bulgasal focuses more on Do-Yun, with a more in-depth look at his past and how it relates to Hwal’s struggle. This is definitely welcome news, as it provides a better understanding of the character and his struggles.
Eul-tae doesn’t seem to care that he’s revealing Do-Yun’s brother is actually dead. This moment shows how far Eul-tae will go to manipulate those around him. ..
Do-Yun is the reincarnated version of A-Chan.
Many fans have speculated this over the weeks, but it’s still good to see it confirmed. This whole group has become a family, and although they’re dysfunctional, that’s what they are. ..
This episode feels reflective and slow-paced as a result of its focus on Do-Yun. After a breathless few episodes and lots of drama, that’s certainly welcome. The ending definitely hints that Do-Yun’s part in this story isn’t finished just yet!
