Ajooma Reviews: Tale of the Nine Tailed Gumiho Episodes 11-12

This took me a while to write. Busy. Busy. Busy. Let's cut to the chase.

Episode 11-12 hits the ground running with Yeon and Imoogi sparring and testing each other's strengths and weaknesses. Yeon definitely knows this Imoogi has evolved somewhat and he needs more than brawn to defeat his brand of evil. Ji Ah has not given up on her hopes of finding her parents so Yeon made it possible. Rang seemed to have turned for the good by working with Yeon weaken Imoogi through depriving the CEO of ground cherries. Shin Hoo and Yu Ri's relationship is a promising story waiting to bloom but the cracks in Granny and Granpa's relationship is falling through the cracks.

Well. Well. Well.

Three things I liked about these episodes are the Rang-Yeon team up, the Shin Ju-Yu Ri dynamic and the Yeon-Imoogi preview of a fight. Two things I am confused of though are Ji Ah's parents being brought back to life and Granny's game.

The gumiho brothers are exciting to watch. I don't know if its LDW or Kim Bim, but their personalities, though different fit each other's. It would be a shame to see which of them die in the end. As for Shin Ju and Yu Ri, I find them on opposite ends that pull each other like a game of tug of war. I wonder if Shin Ju can bring any sense of maturity out of Yu Ri. And then, there is the awakening of Ji Ah's parents. Why can't I suspend my disbelief in their resurgence? As for Granny, I am awaiting the sacrifice she will have to make for Yeon. It seems that she loves him like her own son, a replacement for the one she lost to suicide.

Now after 14 days of no new episodes, I look forward to seeing how Yeon will defeat Imoogi knowing the possible demise of Ji Ah since her blood spilt on the well in the earlier episode. Their romance is already at the heart of the series and everything seem to coalesce towards them be it a brush with danger or an act of salvation from one of their friends and allies. Needless to say, as many people are dying, (Imoogi, you evil brat!), Yeon and Ji Ah carve moments to share with each other as normal couples do. The meeting with the parents, the couple rings, the shoes all point to an impending doom or separation.

As I said, I am ready for whatever will happen in the end. I just hope that if any of my favorite characters die, it is justified.

Ajooma Reviews: Tale of the Nine Tailed Episodes 7 - 10

Tale of the Nine Tailed

Studio Dragon, 2020

Written by Han Woo Ri

Directed by Kang Shin Hyo

Tale of the Nine Tailed has six more episodes to go. The series will fold up by the end of the month, more or less. Many fans of LDW and loyal viewers of the series are excited to see how every pieces of the puzzle will all fit together. Questions that sprang up at the beginning of the series are constantly being asked on socmed. Will there be a happily ever after for Yeon and Ji Ah? Is death the ultimate redemption of Rang? Will Granny ever show tenderness to Yeon? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice to defeat the Imoogi? Where are Ji Ah’s parents and how will they factor in the resurgence of the Imoogi if they are ever found?

I would rather take things in stride by watching episode per episode for the next remaining weeks. Like eating my favorite dish, I will enjoy this ever so slowly until the last morsel because LDW’s next drama will probably be in the middle of 2021. A long wait.

So, here are the things I relish from the last four episodes.

The honesty is evident in the dialogues and scenes between the casts of the drama. At times witty, but often straightforward. Shin Ju does not deny his feelings for Yu Ri nor his displeasure for Rang. When he loves, he loves. When he is annoyed, he is annoyed. It is the same with Yeon and Ji Ah. This is a pairing that does not beat around the bush.

By episode 5, they already recognized their feelings for each other. They do not play around or explode into useless drama. There is a bigger force at work and they both know it has to be dealt with. This connection and dynamic were established early on that is why, Yeon was able to reach her in her subconscious when they were both in the realm of darkness. I particularly liked this episode. It is the 9^th episode and I think the writer made use of the folkloric and mythic elements (the red string of destiny, the shadow self, the underworld) quite effectively to show that destiny entails commitment and devotion. The universe has something to do with this, yes, but loving is a lot of hard work. Pinaghihirapan ang forever. Yeon and Ji Ah had to wait for each other.

“I waited for you” is a line that has been repeated three times in the drama. Waiting is no joke. Waiting is a test of character. Waiting requires restraint and self-sacrifice. If that is not romantic tell me what is.

And finally, that kiss they shared in the rain. Slow and tender at first. Then it deepens until Yeon and Ji Ah break for air. Eyes closed and lips partly open, Yeon waits (again!) for her to reach up to him. She does so with eagerness that Yeon meets her passion and reciprocates it with his own. The song reaches the refrain while rain softly falls all around. A fitting closure to the second act.

Episode 10 begins with the Imoogi making a move on Ji Ah. Rang is faced with a difficult choice. Yeon confronts his nemesis. I am hoping it will not take the route that TKEM did. No fan service, please.

Ajooma Reviews: Tale of the Nine Tailed Episodes 1 and 2

Tale of the Nine Tailed, Studio Dragon 2020 

Written  by Han Woo-ri                        Directed by Kang Shin-hyo

• One of the Kdramas that my daughter and I have been waiting for this month of October is Lee Dong Wook's Tale of the Nine Tailed (TOTNT). When the first two episodes aired last week, we were both in awe. She has her reasons and I have mine. Let me break it down to you, my dear reader.

For starters, know that I am a Lee Dong Wook (LDW)fan. I first saw him in essay the role of the Grim Reaper in Goblin and to this day, in my doble vista eyes, he is the most enigmatic and sexy Angel of Death I had ever seen on Kdrama land. We can argue, but let us save our energies for that on another day.

When LDW appeared in the rain with a red umbrella, my heart leapt for joy. It reminded me of Gong Yoo's umbrella scene in Goblin. While other viewers take it as imitation, for me it is an homage. Midway in episode 1, LDW referenced the Grim Reaper since he knows how he is dressed well compared to Granny, the Grim Reaper in the drama. That was a laugh out loud moment. Intentionally done or not, the writer and the director of TOTNT has shown respect for LDW's previous work. The specific scene and dialogue is a recognition of his acting chops and the role that defined his career at the ripe old age of 35. They sure know how to treat and appreciate a senior actor like Wookie.

I promise, I will not leave out elements in my reviews of TOTNT that I find a bit off or downright lame. 

So here we go. What worked for me in episodes 1 and 2?

1. Lee Dong Wook and Jo Bo Ah. 

Who are solid shippers of LDW and Yoo Inna? I am one of the many. But yeodongsaeng, the LDW and JBA ship has sailed. They look good together. JBA looks smart and spunky. It is a good match to LDW's deadpan humor and down to earth personality. The characters they play are even more interesting. Let us see how things go from here, but I am rooting for them already.

2. The depth of the acting of all the characters I have seen so far is superb. There are two scenes that are evidence of the acting chops of the cast. In episode 2, when Lee Yeon freezes the river Sando to bid goodbye to Ae Rum, there was only one dialogue from him. It was a killer. Only their eyes speak of their grief. The camera pans to the Grim Reaper Lady who only closed her eyes feeling their pain. That scene speaks volumes. It ushered in so many questions from their past and countless predictions for their future. 

The second scene is best shown through these stills.

How can these good looking men appear so vulnerable? There is a deep sadness in Lee Rang's eyes. No need for words. The look on his face says it all. Lee Yeon, on the one hand is a deity but he is helpless and at a loss at the forces of the universe. There are rules that even gods and deities could not bend or break. Deals and bets can be made but at a terrible price or consequence. Lee Yeon know this too well.

3. The presentation and discussion of love is nuanced, sensitive and complex. Lee Yeon is weary of the world and yet, he speaks of integrity and keeping his word. He hangs on to finding his one true love but believes in letting go of things that cannot be controlled. His friend could not fathom his old fashioned belief in romance. the happily ever after and respect for rules. Despite it all, he is sticking by him through and through. The owner of the The Snail Bride reminded him that even his show of loyalty to Lee Yeon is called love.

It was a promising premiere, chingu. I cannot wait for the next episode because I look forward to the unfolding of Lee Yeon's intense and complicated relationship, past and present, with Lee Rang. There are many layers to uncover from their conversion by the fishing dock and it would be an interesting to know how TONT delivers the concept of family conflict and the inevitable healing that follows. This is something present in all Kdramas I have watched. Looking back, many of my favorites follow this structure. 

And yes, the ending of Lee Yeon and Ji Ah's romance, be it a happy one or negotiable is worth the ride.

It is still a long way from there, I know. I am keeping my hopes up!