Dictionary — Entry No. 0589
불
bul · noun
불
bul
[bool]
nounbeginner
Meaning
The Korean word for ‘fire’ or ‘light/flame,’ encompassing both the physical element of fire and its metaphorical uses. In everyday speech, 불 also means a light — as in turning one on or off. Its fiery energy makes it a popular metaphor for passion, intensity, and transformation across Korean culture.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
BTS’s hit ‘Fire’ (불타오르네, Bultaoreuneun) uses 불 to convey burning passion and unstoppable energy, becoming one of their most iconic anthems and a staple of their live performances. In the K-Drama ‘Goblin’ (도깨비), the goblin played by Gong Yoo wields supernatural fire as a core power, with striking 불 imagery woven through pivotal scenes. The duality of 불 — destructive yet life-giving — makes it one of the most symbolically rich words in Korean storytelling.
Example Sentences
불이 났어요!
Buri nasseoyo!
There’s a fire! (used in emergencies; 불이 나다 = a fire breaks out)
불 좀 꺼 줘.
Bul jom kkeo jwo.
Please turn off the light. (불 = light in everyday domestic use — the same word covers fire and electric light)
그의 눈빛이 불처럼 뜨거워.
Geuui nunbichi bulcheoreom tteugeowo.
His gaze burns like fire. (poetic metaphor for passionate intensity — common in K-Drama narration)
⚠️ Don’t use bul when…
Don’t confuse 불 (bul, fire/light) with 풀 (pul, grass or glue) — the vowel difference is subtle but meaningful. Also, 불 as a prefix means ‘un-‘ or ‘dissatisfaction’ (e.g., 불편 = uncomfortable), so context is essential.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Goblin (도깨비) — the immortal goblin Gong Yoo wields fire as a supernatural power, with 불 imagery central to his character and the drama’s most memorable scenes
- K-Pop: BTS — Fire (불타오르네)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.