Soul Fire

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Naryecheong, a national secret agency that protects humans from disasters and misfortunes caused by evil spirits.

In attempting to recruit a successor, Naryecheong’s chief exorcist, Yoon Taehee, searches for a ‘gwijae’, someone who has the ability to see and hear ghosts.

One day, Yoon Taehee, while hiding his identity and going undercover, meets a suspicious boy at a high school in a small town in the province…

“By the way, how old are you, friend?”

Associated Names
One entry per line
Api Jiwa
Honbul: Flame of the Soul
Soul Fire
ฮนบุล เเสงไฟเเห่งดวงวิญญาณ
혼불
Related Series
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Recommendations
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Recommendation Lists
  1. TBR (GL/BL) 7
  2. BL tbr (to be read) as someone who judges hehehe
  3. fav BL's
  4. BL'S I'm in love
  5. Read Soon

Latest Release

Date Group Release
06/22/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c216
06/19/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c215
06/16/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c214
06/13/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c213
06/10/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c212
06/07/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c211
06/04/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c210
06/01/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c209
05/29/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c208
05/26/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c207
05/23/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c206
05/20/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c205
05/17/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c204
05/14/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c203
05/11/25 Chrysanthemum Garden c202
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10 Reviews sorted by


xuexxi
xuexxi rated it
May 21, 2023
Status: Completed
Hello, this is the translator. This is a very popular korean bl so I hope yall enjoy it too ^^ (minor spoilers ahead?)

First, to address the elephant in the room, this is quite a long novel so people who do not enjoy slow developments are not going to find it satisfactory. The second half is pretty action-packed but the first half is relatively slow paced and uneventful, so you're gonna have to stick out to see the fruits. You'd think you'd signed up for a simple action romance... more>> but it's actually somewhat more of a "dog blood" ahem...

The premise revolves around ML trying to find a "successor", but really just a tool for his grand plans. He meets MC, a guy from the Joseon era who's unable to die no matter what, who is extremely reluctant to open up to people. While the romance is indeed slow and not the sole focus, it's not exactly a sideline or b-plot, as in it's not really one of those novels that would have been pretty much the same without the romance. And if you feel daunted by the folklore, don't be because it's really not that complex or boring (and that's coming from a dumbass).

ML is not the typical cold and powerful love interest. While he does things for his own purpose and can be occasionally detached and cold (especially at the beginning, but it's all for the sake of development!!), once he falls for MC, he very earnestly chases after and flirts with him. Honestly, it's quite funny (and a little sad) to see him down bad. This memorable line might sum it up (lol) :

Spoiler

"Yoon Taehee hated them very much, self-help books. But today, the title of a book he was passing by caught his attention.

[You can't have that man]"

[collapse]

He's very devoted, vowing not to give up either MC or his original goals. On the contrary, MC is the more colder person (on the surface, but he's actually sensitive and soft inside), but not in a malicious way. He's understandably hesitant to accept ML's feelings due to various circumstances, and also confusion, having not experienced any sort of romantic feelings at all before. Because of this, the romance progress is far from smooth so yeah be warned. But his innocence is also really amusing and cute. I'd also like to note that he's also not the common helpless 'bottom' protagonist. In fact, he seems to be the more powerful of the two, having to save ML at some significant parts (just fyi the master-disciple relationship tag is not talking about the two leads).

Overall, it's very well-written, I could understand why it's so popular and well-liked. The author articulates the leads' feelings really well and of course comes through with twists and turns regarding their pasts. Speaking of, there are quite a lot of flashbacks scenes so this is not for the folks that require linear storytelling. Anyway, I recommend checking it out but be patient~. <<less
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luathas
luathas rated it
May 30, 2023
Status: c238
An interesting one. With a very refreshing take on the supernatural.

So MC is a 200+ year old being trapped in an 18 or so year old body. He must be a worldly wise, super mature, inert fairy who has experienced everything about everything. Right?

... more>>
Spoiler

Wrong! And let me tell you why. Our MC a.k.a Kim Jaegyeom, due to his ability to see & hear supernatural stuff was inadvertently labelled as a weirdo by society. Yeah, talking about 200 years in the past, that is tada~~ ancient bullying. Anyhow, that led to his socially withdrawn, introverted, tsundere-like personality.

This is important as it leads to my second point, that is - though Jaegyeom is 200+ year old, he has hardly had any experience and interactions with anyone (except his Master, which ended in tragedy and led to the MC living in seclusion while he was still a teen) so that is why it is safe to assume that he is still a teenager at heart!

Like he still binges on video games, and would still (unconsciously) get excited over stickers and surprises, conversations would often get awkward for him, would bicker with a teacher on his second day of school lol

And this leads to my third point. I see people commenting on CG that he has a bad personality and is selfish when he fails to understand where the ML is coming from. And he should act his actual age for once etc etc.

That wont happen. Because the author designed his personality so. Add to this fact that he has major trust issues and a tragic past sigh.

[collapse]

Looks like the ML would have to do some leg work if he wants the MC as his successor. And.. *Gong roll* *Drum roll*

Spoiler

Looking at the tags, it is clear that Jaegyeom's Master was Yoon Taehee's - i.e the ML's- past life or something like that. That is why the plot cant escape from the clutches of angst and tragedy. So good haha

[collapse]

The plot at nearly 40 chapters is still at a mellow pace. This gives space for more characters' interactions i.e. Character building. I guess it will pick up pace when the questions and mysteries like the history of gwijae and the exorcists and why they had to let go of the organisation, and the reason behind the Master's "betrayal" and how and why he made Jaegyeom turn into an immortal and the various conspirations at the court would be answered via flashbacks? Maybe.

Cant wait! So excited!. Jpg

P.S Mesan-i is cuteness overload! Like his Lord- awkward and cute haha

Edit: The chapters are shorter than your typical web novel. So people who are skeptical whether to pick Soul Fire or not, fret not. I'd say its like 350/2 i.e almost 175 Chapters. <<less
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Thebookery
Thebookery rated it
December 9, 2024
Status: Completed
After finishing this novel, it feels like I’ve been left by someone I loved, but not in a negative way. It’s just that I became so immersed in this story. It feels like Jaegyeom, Taehee, Jeongju, and Mesan are people I’ve known for a long time, and by the end of the story, I have to part with them ㅠㅠ.

From beginning to end, there wasn’t a single boring scene; everything was enjoyable to read. 348 chapters flew by so quickly. The writing is excellent—straight to the point, without unnecessary details—and... more>> the emotions of the MC, ML, and even the other characters are so well portrayed that they truly reach the reader. Sadness, joy, embarrassment, heartbreak, disappointment, and falling in love—all of these emotions are perfectly conveyed. The choice of words used to describe the MC's and ML's feelings is particularly beautiful. It’s been a long time since I’ve read something like this.

The non-linear structure of the story keeps readers curious, pushing them to quickly move to the next chapter. It’s as if you’re hypnotized into the story. That’s why I say the writing is so well done—because as readers, we can easily picture everything in the book without feeling any difficulty.

The characters created by the author each have their own charm, making us as readers love them all (except for the villains, of course).

This is a story that should be read at least once in a lifetime, and I’m really looking forward to more projects from the author! <<less
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amnesiatemporary
amnesiatemporary rated it
February 8, 2025
Status: Completed
It is not your typical BL with your typical MC and ML. These two guys, well, they are very much GUYS. Something which you rarely can find among BL novels with you men divided into the more masculine one and the more feminine one. These two are as men as men can be; men often really find it difficult to share their troubles and express their feelings, and they move faster than they can speak.

The romance is very important to the development of the story. It is sometimes painful... more>> and embarrassing, just like the awkwardness of our first crush can be. It is irrational and self-destructive, just like love can be. Moreover, these are two people who do not understand romantic love at all, so they behave like two rowdy boys who keep testing their boundaries with each other, and the writer explains why and how they are this kind of character through flashback and their history.

The development of their romance, the push and pull, the progress and setback is very important to the story, because their actions is motivated by their feelings to each other. When things are good between them, they feel like they can fly. When there is heartbreak, they get depressed and it affects their works and their plans. But everytime, they just want to protect each other earnestly. So this is really not your standard harem-shounen plot like one reviewer is saying. They trade kisses and fists (or more like ML kisses and MC slaps and punches him). Yeah just like SasuNaru but if Sasuke is the one who obsessively chase after Naruto romantically lmaoo.

Anyway, easy comparison to make you understand how frustrating these guys can be:
Spoiler

MC is Naruto but with even bleaker childhood and hence very ignorant to relationship with humans. He was a total outcast, abandoned by his parents, the society, and everyone, until he met the master that ended up cursing him for immortality and he killed in return. Despite that, he can be very innocent and gullible, because his master sealed all of his negative energy within him. He also fervently wishes to die. He is also from Joseon dynasty, unfamiliar with romance and erotica between men so he is really against it (but also a bit curious) at the beginning.

ML is kiiinda a bit like Sasuke (complete with revenge-motivated actions, at least at first) who is more in touch and honest with his feelings and rather than obsessed with revenge, he is obsessed with MC, a legit simp. When he wants something, he pursues it relentlessly, sacrificing everything else. This is the type of ML who can beg and cry and show desperation for MC's love. He is the type who is unable to let go, who thinks that even if MC is unhappy and hates him, it will be okay if MC is still there. But he will learn to, and he grows tremendously from there.

So Naruto reader might understand how turbulent and violent this relationship can be.

[collapse]

ML is very audacious. But the MC is also very violent. And they both are self-destructive. So they kinda fit each other well. At some point you can actually hate ML very much, but then you may hate MC very much. They are really hurtful to each other at times, and sometimes it takes tears and blood to forgive each other. So you can say they are destructive for each other, even the gods say so. But it is love that is against fate, so...

Anyway, beside the romance, there are also very lovely parts about familial love, both blood-family and found-family, and the meaning of life and death. The themes of family, the meaning of life and death, becomes more and more important as their relationship grow and things culminate to the end. So, I really end up crying by the time I finish it (in Ridi).

I recommend this very much, and maybe the first half of the novel is painful because MC and ML are very humane. Throughout reading, they can be very frustrating. And you want to shake them both. And you want to yell at them. But by the end, you will embrace their weaknesses too, because of how much they are able to successfully break through and become a man who can live for himself and love himself, through the relationship that they build with each other and with people around them. <<less
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jojojojo04
jojojojo04 rated it
February 22, 2025
Status: c175
This is such a good read. I enjoyed it.

I first read the manhwa and it made me curious so I looked for spoilers and I saw that there is in fact a novel. And fast forward - I read the translated chapters in 2 days because I was so hooked. Lol.

What I really like about this is that it has an actual plot that you would want to unravel. Plus it incorporated the supernatural and lore to the good story telling which made the visualization of what's happening more engaging.... more>> The MC and ML are both complex characters. They are both annoying and frustrating at first but as the story progress you will begin to understand how their past affected the way the are now. And tbh I did ended up symphatizing with them because as a reader seeing both of their perspective, it is rather sad and hopeful at the same time. And yes, the story is told on MC and ML's POV.

Spoiler

I wanted to give props to the author for making such good but flawed characters with almost real and reasonable emotions. Their emotions is what makes this story after all. The lines are so good and it is especially true for Yoon Taehee's monologue. I can't help but love him. The way he is battling with himself and finally acknowledging that he likes the MC made me swoon fr. The way he said he is ready to be ruined is like chef's kiss. And girl, don't get me started with his flirting skills. I had a lot of giggling while reading this.

[collapse]

Spoiler

The MC Jaegyum, is a sad character given his past. His immortality made him apathetic to everything. He is living a mundane life not until he met Taehee. All he wants is death. So when he found a way to finally die, he reluctantly joined hands with him to get it over with. And you see, even if the premise like this they established the fact that they are using each other and they keep on reminding each other that fact.

[collapse]

Both of them are powerful on their own way so the power dynamics is almost balanced. It's not like your usual BL stories where the ML always have the upper hand and the MC always tend to be inferior be it about money, power, social standing, influence, or even who likes more. I agree to the other reviewer here that on this BL story, they are men. I don't know how to explain it but their characters is not your typical gay men. For me, the way I see them is that they happen to like each other as a person not because they are men or they define themselves as gay. I am rooting for them because I find their emotions genuine.

Omg this is too long already. Lol. All in all I really like this. I really hope people will like it and I hope that the manhwa will give this story justice.

PS: This is slow burn. Very slow burn. So if you are impatient or just looking for smut then I don't think you will like this. So please just skip and do not hate this because of it. ;) <<less
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plaiie
plaiie rated it
July 8, 2024
Status: c108
Mediocre plot with overpower couple.

The thing I have complaint about is that this story coated with an angst backstory or whatever dark theme fantasy. But in reality, it's just a self-service danmei.

Up untill c100+. MC hasn't improve anything yet except his relationship with peoples around him. I understand if he act childish because of past experience and trauma. But despite going out and communicate with people. He still the same.

What I don't like the most is how this story handle it's problem. MC and ML bickering each other to the... more>> point of going for each other's throats yet when ML ask MC something. He said "mmhm" like wtf?

And the fact that they get to the point of breaking up with each other. You might wonder how it got solved? ML just kisses MC and then MC said like "you're strange". !!?! Sound familiar right? If you add "baka" afterwards. It would be perfectly fit the third rate harem-shounen manga.

Though it's story and plot is interesting. Sadly it can't keep me hooked. Solid 3.7⭐-4.1⭐ <<less
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bitchlovescrying rated it
October 14, 2023
Status: c81
I am loving each and every part of this book. The romance hasn't even started, not even a bit honestly but this novel is making me swoonnnn~ AND ITS TORTURE TO WAIT FOR EVERY CHAPTER NOW. Why did I started an ongoing translated novel T_T.

But MC - chefs kissssss, badassssssss, let me bow to youuuuuuuuuu.

ML - okay till now, I kinda like him. Bro got sweet mouth.

... more>> the fox guy - kiss kiss

baby ginseng - ill eat him up honestly. He is the most adorableeeeeeee in this novel and id pay to just squeeze him. <<less
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Gabysssss
Gabysssss rated it
March 6, 2025
Status: Completed
I didn't think I would love both an MC and ML as much as I love this two. They are such great characters with an amazing growth throughout the story. Yoon Taehee and Jaegyom my beloveds.

The world building is amazing and the plot... oh god it was so immersive. It's really slow, but when it does pick up, I wasn't able to put it down.

PLEASE. Read this novel at your own discretion, because you WILL be crying at the end of it.
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Shay134340
Shay134340
February 19, 2025
Status: c320
I love everything about this. The world building is amazing and there's great attention to details!

... more>>
Spoiler

The main couple is very toxic to each other, each one destructive in his own way and there's SO MUCH angst

[collapse]

there's a bit of comedy and very attaching characters (from Mesan-i to Jeongju or Hyomoom, Yibinie, the spirits (Heukjae blushing? Paehyeon and Gyeomie bonding? The other prickly ones? OMG) and even Seok Juryeong!).

The best is probably the world building. If you like Korean / east asian culture and lore, this is definitely for you

I still have a few chapters and, as usual with stories I've adored and lived through with the characters, it's giving me anxiety because I don't want it to end... 😭 hoping for a happy ending 🙏 <<less
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spamlie
spamlie rated it
July 9, 2023
Status: c60
I came in excepting this story to be more on the outer conflict than in comparison to the inner, but I couldn't have asked for a better start to this novel. The author pulls the reader in with intriguing and mysterious character pasts, plot line, and angst. Throughout the novel thus far, the reader learns more about the MC, his personality, and his personality, which shines amidst conflict. If you are looking for a story which deals a lot with the inner conflict of the MC, I def recommend. If... more>> I'm totally honest, it took me a while to get into this novel, but once I became attached to the characters I couldn't drop the book; PS, a few tears will be shed if reading 😭 <<less
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