You know that we here at DWASOK love a good fantasy fusion drama. So we, of course, needed to check out the new drama, Tale of the Nine-Tailed. Sexy Gumihos, reincarnated soul mates, and crazy nemesis brothers — this show looks like it has it all. Come find out if it all actually works as we share our unfiltered thoughts!

Sexy redheaded gumihos

Kmuse: Lee Dong Wook is really looking good with that red hair. Let me clarify that he is looking good with the modern hairstyle. I can’t say the same for his historic mountain god visuals.

MiataMama: I love the red hair! Don’t come for me, but when this drama was cast, I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about Lee Dong Wook as the lead for this role. But fear not, he is owning this foxy character (pun totally intended) quite well!

Karie the Maknae: Honestly, this man is a work of art. Also, he’s funny and stubborn and mischievous and everything a gumiho should be. I’m intrigued.

Kdrama Jen: I love Lee Dong Wook in this role. For some reason, I feel like he is getting younger with each passing year. I think this red-headed Gumiho character is a really great fit for him.

Smart and aggressive heroine

Kmuse: I loved that our leading lady does not get tricked by all the magical crazy. I knew that she was bad donkey when, as a child, she went and stabbed the gumiho who was pretending to be her mother. Stabbing your mother’s lookalike is hardcore.

MiataMama: OH MY GOODNESS!!! I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about a female character. . . ever?? Seriously, she is one smart and fearless cookie!!

Karie the Maknae: I love that I don’t have to sit around and wait for her to figure things out! She’s assertive and independent and full of surprises.

Kdrama Jen: I must admit I was actually shocked by some of the things she did—just risk-taking that was completely unexpected. She is a really interesting female lead because she looks so doe-eyed and innocent and then she does something like stab her fake mom or maybe jump without hesitation. I love that she will keep our gumiho and the audience guessing!

OTP sizzling or meh?

Kmuse: I’m still getting a feel for these two as a couple. I really enjoy their banter, and I feel that she is totally equal in intelligence to our old Gumiho. I will admit that I have always found falling for doppelganger, even if it is the original love reincarnated, a little icky. But so far, they haven’t really had him connect in with her on a visual level since he thinks she is not his past love.

MiataMama: There’s definitely chemistry there! Not entirely sure how they’re going to connect the two just yet – is she really his past love reincarnated or just another look alike? Either way, they are a lot of fun to watch when they’re together!

Karie the Maknae: I think a large part of their chemistry comes from the fact that she keeps him on his toes. And he LIKES it! I mean, who could be more capricious and clever than a fox?? They’re definitely well matched, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops.

Kdrama Jen: I am a little further along with my watching, so I would say there is definitely chemistry!

Fantasy for the win

Kmuse: I am always a fan of a well-done fantasy drama, and so far, this is hit all the right buttons. My only complaint is that the historic wigs are just a tragedy that didn’t have to happen. Just say no to bad hair.

MiataMama: Ageless love, mystical characters, and swords disguised as umbrellas? Yes, yes, and yes – I love this modern-fantasy fusion!!

Karie the Maknae: This is giving me Goblin vibes in all the best ways, but with hilarious interactions with the divine-level beings. I love every aspect of the gumiho’s life that we’ve been shown so far.

Kdrama Jen: I always enjoy a good fantasy drama. I have to second Kmuse’s opinion on the historical wig, though. Maybe I am spoiled by some of the manes of glory from Chinese historicals, but this one is just…distracting. Putting aside a few bad hair centuries, though, I am certainly enjoying the kind of dark fantasy elements we are getting with this show.

Kim Bum is back!

Kmuse: I AM SO HAPPY! I am a huge Kim Bum fan and am thrilled to see him back on my tv screen. I was really concerned that he would not be able to make a comeback after his stint in the military and am thrilled to be proven wrong. He really brings this character to life, and the manic energy he brings as the show’s antagonist is one of my favorite things so far.

MiataMama: I’m kind of scared to admit this, but the only other drama I’ve ever seen Kim Bum in is Boys Over Flowers. . . so I’m really excited to see his acting chops here! Thus far, he has been fantastic – is it wrong to fall for the ‘bad guy’??

Karie the Maknae: My maknae state is showing through again — I haven’t seen Kim Bum in anything that I remember, mostly because I dropped Boys Over Flowers like a hot potato just two episodes in. HOWEVER, he is fascinating and compelling as the gumiho’s nemesis brother, and I could watch him for DAYS.

Kdrama Jen: Another Kim Bum fan, here. He is deliciously diabolical in this one, but there is also a part of me that kind of aches for him too. He is making me feel very conflicted. I think he is showing incredible acting ability because he is able to show the pain that haunts him, but at the same time do terrible things without apparent remorse or feelings. I am completely drawn into his character! I will admit that some of his actions are making me squirm a bit.

Will we continue?

Kmuse: I am in! I love the fantasy element and the storyline so far. I have high hopes that the romance will click as the story continues, and I look forward to finding out what happens next.

MiataMama: HECK YES! This drama rocks and I am totally here for ALL of it – this is one of those stories I wish I could binge-watch, but I’m not nearly patient enough to wait for all the episodes to air!

Karie the Maknae: I am in until the bitter end, horrible god hair aside. The banter, the world building, the way the lighting director sometimes makes Lee Dong Wook look like he just stepped out of a renaissance-era painting — I am here for it ALL.

Kdrama Jen: Oh, yes. How can I turn away from fantasy-fusion, bad donkey female characters (we haven’t even mentioned Kim Bum’s sidekick), and a creepy mystery to be solved? I am in!

Til the next unfiltered thought,

The Fangirls

Dramas With a Side of Kimchi