The Tale of the Nine-Tailed Fox Season 1- K-drama summary/review

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• Release Date: October 7, 2020 - December 3, 2020
• Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romance, Action
• Writer: Han Woo-Ri (한우리)
• Director: Kang Shin-Hyo & Jo Nam-Hyeong (강신효 & 조남형)
• Availability: Netflix, Korea TVING, Prime Video

Filled with the thrilling and exciting storyline and plot twists, this drama will bring happiness to all fantasy lovers. Displaying the mythical ghosts of Korea as modernised and relatable characters, this drama was loved by many Korean audiences as well as global. 

 

Introducing the Characters

Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-Wook 이동욱)

Lee Yeon is a Gumiho (a nine tailed fox) of over 1000 years of age who once ruled over the mountain Baekdu-Daegan. After the death of the love of his life (Ah-Eum), he roams around the city like any other human while completing missions to get rid of foxes who have eaten livers of a human. He still misses Ah-EUm, dwelling around the city searching for the fox bead that he had planted inside the girl. 

 

Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah 조보아)

Ji-ah is a PD of a famous program of "Searching for city myths". Having lost her parents in a car crash at a young age, she develops a fierce and fearless personality. Later in the series, she is revealed to be a reincarnation of Ah-Eum, Lee Yeon's only love who died whilst protecting him from Imoogi (an evil earth dragon). 

 

Lee Rang (Kim Bum 김범)

Being born as a mix of human and Gumiho, Lee Rang portrays his sensitive yet brave personality as Lee Yeon's half brother. He has always had respect and love for his older brother Lee Yeon, who took him when his mother abandoned him. But as soon as Lee Yeon leaves his place as a mountain guardian and throws Lee Rang away, he grows an extensive hatred towards his brother. 

 

Storyline Summary:

Leaving his duty as a mountain guard, Lee Yeon continues his countless life as a Gumiho capturing foxes who devour human liver. Whilst he was constantly mourning for the love of his life, Ah-Eum, he comes across a mystery show PD called Ji-Ah, who wanted to investigate Lee Yeon's strange actions. Especially due to the incredibly similar features that Ji-Ah and Ah-Eum shared, Lee Yeon develops a growing attraction to Nam Ji-Ah, although the fox bead was not present. 

 

Meanwhile, Lee Rang, in hatred for his brother, lives only with the aim to disturb and annoy him. Lee Yeon tries to prove his love for Lee Rang, that he had never abandoned him in the first place, and that he was sorry. 

 

Whilst the interactions and relationships between the characters begin to bloom, a major problem appears, putting both characters in danger. Although Lee Yeon had thought he had killed the Imoogi with Ah-Eum sacrifice, he had been reincarnated again as an earth dragon. The Imoogi targets not only to devour Yeon's body but to also take Ji-Ah's heart. This leads to Lee Yeon fighting desperately for his people to insure the safety of what he had finally been able to restore. 

Will Lee Yeon be able to protect everyone from the evil hands of Imoogi? Will Ji-Ah and Lee Yeon's relationship florish? Watch more on Netflix or Prime Video to find out!

 

Honest Review:

I personally would recommend this drama as one of the best to watch if you adore fantasy and romance. The characters being Korea's well-known mythical ghosts, brings thrill and slight horror to the well structured fantasy, constantly developing suspence and excitement. I think the actors all fit their characters extremely well and were able to express the characters exceptionally. The shocking relationships that each of the characters share and their backstory will leave your jaws dropped throughout the entirety of the show. However, due to some areas of violence and horror, I would recommend this drama for people over the age of 15 who enjoy a mixture of action-packed genres.