Tale of the Nine-Tailed (2020)

There was some curiosity but a romcom.

At the beginning I was curious, and I wanted to watch till the end, but I hate historical parts and as I saw the beginning, I wanted some more thrill and horror. When we think about the acting skills, I can say that there were some highs and lows in each and every character but as a whole I can say that they did a good job, but I will not say that was the best because there were some characters, they were unable to show their feelings according to the scene they were only tough from outside as well as inside. When it's up to the story line I hated the old story which was the base to the present story, but I loved the present story. And also, the villain was really powerful but there was a lot of time that we had to see him through the main characters therefore I think it is a strain for the viewer. Even though he finally appears as a human it really did not give some pleasure because I was already fed up with that character. And there were a lot of coincidence in the historical as well as the present story that the story gets far away from reality and ended up near the fantasy fairy tale. Even though it is a fantasy fairy tale they wanted to connect that with the present. But I really felt that there were a lot of useless scenes that they did not do anything for the end of the story. Ending as usually was a happy ending with some regrets but there were some curious points at the end even. As a whole we can say that was a historical and invincible love story that extended hundreds of years with some up and downs as well as some thrill. I can recommend this as a romantic story with a small flavor of thriller and horror.

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So I'm not really the type to watch Korean dramas. This is the second one I've seen. This show started off really well. Like it was kind of scary, and I get scared really easily. I love the main leads. The plot started going downhill. Like after a few episodes I couldn't keep up with everything. It all happened too fast, and it got really boring. However, the ending was really disappointing yet good at the same time. Lee Yeon reincarnated as a human however in the last episode we see that he brings the red umbrella to the guy with the mask. However, he transforms the umbrella into a sword meaning that he is not human. His eyes also change colors. So did he really get reincarnated as a human. The story ends with a cliffhanger, which I hate when dramas do that. So can someone please answer me was he really reincarnated as a human or a fox?

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Urban fantasy kdrama done right

I didn't expect to enjoy this show so much, even if it's in my fave genre. It does rehash a lot of the Goblin/Vampire Diaries type cliches of fated tragic love between immortal & mortal, past lives, reincarnation, and such. But the show executed it well, and kept the story fascinating with rich folklore.

The show hooked me from the venture into the mysterious island to the interesting Voldemort-esque villain, and these all connect to the main overarching story of the fated OTP. It borrows inspiration from famous horror and fairy tales, but they made it their own. This was what I wanted Joseon Xfiles to be.

The only thing I wished different is the OTP, I like Lee Dong Wook, he committed himself wholeheartedly as the otherworldy fox from the visuals to even acting in some questionable CGI scenes. He and Jo Bo Ah are good in their roles, but the chemistry unfortunately fell short. Yet again another drama where I ship the bromance more than the romance.

I like Kim Yong Ji since 'The King', she tends to go overboard at times, but what if Kim Bum and Kim Yong Ji are the main OTP here? Yes, they're deliciously wicked in their roles, and she has a cute love arc with the vet, but makes you wonder what could have been right? KIM BUM. YUM. The long wait for his drama comeback was so worth it. He made all complicated facets of Rang shine through, and made a crazy villain like him a sympathetic character. We really need to see him in a lead role soon.

Great worldbuilding and supporting cast, from the fascinating otherworldly characters Yeon and Ji Ah meet, to the Underworld immigration system headed by the sister of Hades and her comical husband, to Shin Ju and Rang's adopted 'kids'. It's such a delight. If you love your supernatural kdramas in the vein of Master's Sun, Along with the Gods, Arang, this is worth a try, good full-blown fantasy kdramas do come far in between.

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i love Lee Rang so freaking much and it being played by Kim Bum was a really great choice

I love the overall plot, but for me, the chemistry between the two main leads was kinda off. I cant really feel it, even awkward in certain scene. BUTT dont worry yall they have some side stories that's really interesting to watch especially the story abt the relationship between two brothers. the character development of the two villains was just really great and that made me fell for them more than i should do. Lee Rang was really such a scene stealer and his character development was a really great and heartwarming touch of the drama. He may seem like a jerk but if you see deeper you'll fall for him more than you do to the main leads and that's what happened to me lol.
I cant say it had a happy ending nor sad it really all depends on you but for me it was not a happy ending. I still remember how i cried SO hard throughout the last episode omg even if i rewatched the clip now id still cry TT

p.s. I really wish Kim Bum gets to be the main male lead in another drama. his acting was really amazing it was such a waste of talent that he never be one in any drama so far.

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What do you do when you really, but really do not like an actor but would love to see the drama because the theme is supernatural and you love it? So you try watching it, even finish it! But you hate every second of it! Even though you tried liking it. Well, that's me with this drama!!!

So, I am really biased here, but I cannot stand the sight of Lee Dong Wook. He may be a very nice person but his acting is not! He ruined the whole drama for me! He always sports a sinister smirk, a cary half smile which is permanently glued to his face and is immuable like the universe. His only moments of grace, in my eyes, were when he slayed the bad supernaturals. But the rest of the series which he spent pining and swooning and crying ... it was just awful! The only moment I really liked the drama was the very last MINUTE of the very LAST episode. Up to that point, it was draggy and messy. Characters strutting around, being cooly dangerous. Or the main couple being all lovey dovey in the midst of all the chaos! Nice! Major events were being planned and plotted leaving tha main baddie enough time to figure them out and come with a counter attack plan! The main couple seriously lacked chemistry in my book and they were so evidently unhappy when they saw each other again but could not say anything because they spent 16 episodes pining for each other, and offering to die for each other frequently. When the banality set in, they were bored and not interested in each other any more. All those scenes of domestic bliss following the cringy nature wedding (rings made of grass! Original! What else?) felt so false, wrong. Which was proven in the last minute of the drama. Domesticity kills the romance. And the romance was high when they were risking their lives every day but not anymore....

I liked seeing the actor from To My Star being all young and eager: I almost did not recognize him, he was so different here! Well done!
I usually like Kim Bom but here his character felt off, his acting was all over the place.
I liked that grim reaper couple: the husband was so funny with his wife and their banter was great.

What else did I like? The money they obviously spent on sets, cinematography, costumes shows clearly which was nice! And that's it!

And the final remark about Lee Dong Wook: he should be in a vampire themed drama or a movie, as a vampire obviously! That I would watch!

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An Okay Watch

To be honest.. I really did not like the way the drama turned .. While the starting few episodes were really good but then there were lot amount of plot-holes in the story.. Kim bum acting really stood out in the drama and Lee dong wook too but other than that.. It was just one time watch , The chemistry between the leads really did not contribute, the longing love between them could not be felt anywhere.. The plot twists were the main reason making this drama somewhat better, The villain was strong, All side characters acting were notable. But other than this do not expect anything else. Anyways, It's just a one time watch

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Fit my drama taste perfectly.

This drama was even better than I expected.
I usually like when there is romance in a drama. There are very few times I would hate it and find it disturbing. It's just my preference. I don't like it when romance takes a long time to develop and then suddenly everything speeds up because the drama ends. So that's already one of the advantages of this drama.
Another thing I liked was the fairly quick reconciliation between the brothers. We were given hints from the beginning that they didn't completely hate each other, so it was a good choice to pursue this subplot this way.
The third thing I liked was that the creators showed from the beginning that they took a specific direction, but at the same time there were also several plot twists.
The side characters also contributed a lot to this drama. The whole thing just fit my drama taste perfectly.

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Confusing Story, Great Acting

The premise of this story excited me and I went all in, hoping for a better-than-Goblin experience with fantastic actors. While I wasn't completely let down, it was apparent that the writers struggled through the story, and come up with new concepts each week just to keep the story going -- whether it made sense or not.

I enjoyed the stories of the secondary characters far more than the two main. Kim Bum was fantastic throughout the series and expertly portrayed his dynamic character. Don't know if I would watch this series again, save for fast forwarding just to see the Kim Bum scenes XD.

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Kinda confusing but hella satisfying!

I did not understand the ending where Yeon was reborn (as a human) in less than six months time! It kinda felt unreal and unconvincing. But the rest of the story was awesome and I liked every bit. Rang dying was probably the stupidest decision ever made by the storywriters and his sacrifice was not felt by his people as much as Yeon's did. It was like Rang's life was not even important for them. He was in fact my favorite character and it broke my heart to end it without him. The last part where Yeon slices his umbrella again and goldens his eyes was so damn satisfying! I watched that scene over a million times! I'm totally waiting for the second season. And I hope I won't be disappointed again!

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I enjoyed the drama a lot because of the various folkfore included. It makes me curious since these folkfore differs from one country to another. The acting was good, I especially love the two brothers and Lee Rang with the kid, he's super cute. imo, the storyline was rather plain and common for a fantasy drama, kinda predictable in some way. at some point, it was really interesting and i want to know happen next, but then it went back to its plain plot. that being said, this is one of the dramas that the cast had to lead and really 'push' the drama. even so, i still enjoy the drama a lot, it was a fun ride. if you enjoy fantasy drama, give this a watch, it was good for me.

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Oh thank you Kim Bum for giving us the best character

Gonna use this review to adress things on a trope regularly used in dramas and series that is starting to get on my nerves. I named it the unnecessary brother sacrifice.

I need to say i often side with the "bad guy". First, because antagonists or second lead characters are usually the most interesting ones in term of development and psychology. Then, because i relate a lot with their emotional struggles, backstory and complexed feelings.

I'll take Rang character as an example. He has everything that i love in a fiction: charisma, sarcasm, deep and difficult feelings and a solid traumatic backstory. He's a character "forced" to be the villain but actually so soft he would cry for an animal or would save anyone too weak to fight for himself . His anger towards human and feelings come from the fact he was wronged and failed by the closest persons he had.

On the contrary, we have tragic lead characters who only exist through unnecessary melodrama. they lack nuances and are quite bland to me. I don't really like romance and every time i kinda root for the other characters and doesn't care much on the main storyline. It's also a reason why i mainly watch thrillers or dramas with no relationships. Still, as fans root for the romance, writers have to make everything to please them.

The role of the bad guy becomes some kind of redemption journey where the final act of service will be his death (or close). I hate that Rang has to sacrifice himself for the main couple to have a happy ending.
It doesn't make sense at all and it is in my opinion super cruel. Why bother give him a family , salvation and peace just to make him face death ? I always suffer a lot with those closures because it doesn't serve their evolution, especially when the character starts to live his own life, free from traumatic bounds.

I also find lead characters (not only in this drama) super self centred when it comes to their lovestory. They don't care much about other people life's and feelings. Here, Yeon expected Rang to be his "final weapon" to serve the purpose of his live story. I feel like the male lead often uses the love and dependency of the other character for his own sake. (Another example is in my Dearest)

And you'll tell me yes but he made mistakes, this way he can repair it. But i disagree. I think they bare and suffered enough. And i'd rather have a tragic sad ending for the couple than another sacrifice that the lead won't bother to stop. Why no one tries to bring him back ? Why writers consider the story ends once the lovers have reunited? I hate this one side thing so much.

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A good drama, but only if it's your cup of tea

A lot of people seem to hate this drama, but I'm here to give a very neutral opinion of it. I neither LOVED it, nor HATED it.
I feel like this drama will really appeal to some, and others might not like it at all. It's basically all about your preferences.
What I liked about this drama? The characters from Korean folk tales. As a person interested and fascinated by the Korean culture and folklore, this was a treat for sure! Various mythical characters were lifted right off the folk tales and these stories were spun around to suit the story in a modern setting and incorporated beautifully in the plot. I also loved the cinematography, the food shots, the friendship between the different characters. Loved the relationship dynamics between the side characters, and the relationship shared by them with the main character. And Lee Rang, Sin Ju. That sweet baby. Aah, basically all the characters.
What I wasn't a fan of all that much? I personally felt like the main leads could have made better choices, that could have prevented a lot of trouble from happening, but hey. There will be no drama without that I guess. Also, certain sub-plots were under explained, like what happened to Ji Ah's parents in the end? The mystery of the island was not really fully, properly explained. How did the Imoogi get all those people to come there at the same time?
All in all, an enjoyable watch. I kinda felt like it was a bit draggy in the middle, but episode 15 and 16 were a total rollercoaster. They did end with a bang!
Would recommend watching this drama if you're interested in fantasy and folklore. If you're looking for too much logic and less sap, this is not for you.

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