Han Eun-jung upgrades her image in Fox's Child » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

11 August 24, 2010

Han Eun-jung upgrades her image in Fox’s Child

by javabeans

Today saw the finale episode for the KBS series Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child, which took a new spin on the gumiho myth. The drama was never able to be a serious ratings contender going up against bigger competitors like MBC’s Dong Yi and SBS’s Giant, but overall I’d characterize Fox Child as having a pretty satisfactory run.

Fox Child started with single-digit ratings that crept up week after week, and the last two episodes logged a 11.3% and 12.9%, according to AGB numbers, or a 13.9% and 16.1% via TNS. (The Tuesday numbers for its competition were 26.8% for Dong Yi and 21.6% for Giant.) From the outset, I’d expected this show to be a mania drama at best (rather than a mainstream hit) due to its horror-niche bent, and for a mania series those numbers are quite solid.

The series showcased strong performances from its two young actresses, Kim Yoo-jung and Seo Shin-ae, who played a budding young gumiho child and a human girl, respectively. But if you had to name the one cast member who was best served by this drama, it would have to be Han Eun-jung, who earned audience praise for her portrayal of a reluctant gumiho and mother. Han has acted in numerous dramas in the past — Full House, The Person I Love, Cinderella Man — but she’s never really broken out of the standard pretty-but-mediocre-actress label. This role has given her the chance to upgrade her image and prove she has more than just a pretty face.

She’s not quite ready to be called a serious actor yet, but this puts her a step in that direction, and she acknowledged that she feels she’ll be able to show “real acting” from here on out. Filming on the drama wrapped as late as the day of the finale (August 24), leaving just 10 hours between wrap time and the episode’s airtime. Han said on her way back up to Seoul after finishing the last shoot, “I enjoyed filming through the end, and hardly feel tired. I’ll have to rest starting now.” She added, “I loved every single script, all the way through the last one. It was truly sad and entertaining, and my co-stars were such good actors that we hardly had any NGs.”

As we’ve mentioned previously, the standard image of the gumiho in popular consciousness is the man-eating (literally!) seductress who entices men and then eats their livers. This drama took the lore in a new spin by making her a mother who raises a daughter with her human husband for ten years. Han said, “It wasn’t easy to act as a mother, but I didn’t feel particularly burdened, possibly because I’ll be a mother someday. I worked hard to immerse myself 100% into character, and through that process I started to feel that my drama daughter [Kim Yoo-jung] was my real daughter. I didn’t know I’d develop this feeling of love, and I really adored her.”

Han’s character was fiercely protective over her daughter, [SPOILER?] and in the course of vowing revenge when she loses her,[END SPOILER] Han ended up shedding a lot of tears. She said, “I cried so much. I expected it, but even so there were a lot of emotional and teary scenes. Some people said the gumiho seemed weak, but I liked seeing her motherly and human-like side. But my heart ached for the pitiful gumiho. She was knocked down here and there and her heart was torn to pieces. She wanted to become a human so much, but in the end she was disillusioned about them. While filming this drama, I thought a lot about what it is to be human.”

Next week, replacing Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child is the highly anticipated Sungkyunkwan Scandal.

Via TV Report, Yonhap News

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1 Smars

August 24, 2010 at 3:50 PM

I never thought myself to be the kind that would take a dip into K-drama horror or myths. But really this drama was very interesting. I started watching it late at night (perfect time for horror, huh?) And ended up not sleeping the rest of the night ^_^. At first I wasn't quite sure what it was that appealed to me. I couldn't name it. I just knew I had to see what happened next. But at the end, now I think it was the new and dark atmosphere that this drama brought on in my watch of kdramas, that made it so interesting.

I have yet to see the finale, but thus far it has been pretty good. The two kids are super duper cute and awesome, awesome actors. I can't wait to see what they will do next. ;)

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2 hitsugaya

August 24, 2010 at 4:51 PM

i loved this series! the gumiho makeup was weak but the acting is superb! especially the 2 girls~

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3 theedie

August 24, 2010 at 5:02 PM

I have major drama overload going on right now that it's overwhelming so I haven't had a chance to pick this one up. I intend to though once I have some downtime in December (oy, such a long ways away). I'm glad this drama ended strongly for itself and I've always liked Han Eun-jung even if she always had to play that b*tchy second fiddle character for a long time. Good for her.

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4 Cam

August 24, 2010 at 5:42 PM

Wooooaaahhhh................O_o

Is that final episode of Fox's Child? Woooow, it's so......

......fasssstt! Lolz, Bravo! ^_^

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5 weissman

August 24, 2010 at 5:54 PM

I love this drama , as I do any story that examines what it means to be human and the meaning of love and this one surly does. I haven't seen the end yet butI hope its somewhat happy for the two lead characters.

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6 Ani

August 24, 2010 at 7:52 PM

Okay, so I haven't seen episode 13-16 yet (was visiting family for a week, so no computers allowed) and man I can't wit to see what happens. For the first time in a long time, I actually don't want to see the spoilers. XD

I hope this drama ends in a way that I like. Man, I hope I'm not setting myself up for heartache. XP

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7 koreandramasrock

August 24, 2010 at 7:56 PM

This is a phenomenal drama. I am a scaredy-cat so you would think I would stay away from it.. but in reality this drama isn't scary at all and I'm really glad I have been watching it as the cinematography, script, and acting are beautiful!!! The child actors are especially great!!

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8 hobbestweedle

August 25, 2010 at 8:42 AM

I've always found Han Eun Jung to be captivating on screen (I guess maybe her looks are 99% of the reason for this!) Hopefully those who are expecting more of her will be happy with her turn here as beautiful gumiho who wanted only to protect her daughter and be accepted by a demonic race of "humans." The two little girls, of course, will deservedly win the most accolades and pick up the hardware for their performances, but it will be nice if Miss Han is able to reap the spoils of her performance as well. Among the adult set, I was most impressed by the work of Kim Jung Nan who played 'Lady Yang' (Seo Shin Ae'a mother) with cool meaness who's tender side only showed in matters regarded her onscreen daughter. Having only seen Miss Kim playing sweet, "Donna Reed-type" characters (in 'Creating Destiny' and in her award-winning role in 'You Are My Destiny') she, along with little Seo Shin Ae, showed a completely different side of any character I've seen her portray. As for Shin Ae, this is one actress who will never have her abilities to create a character called in to question. That kid is simply amazing! The casting decision to have her play the duel role calling for her to pull off so many personalty changes was purely brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed this series from start to finish and I've yet to see any one episode with subtitles. The second time around should be even better still...

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9 Dara

August 25, 2010 at 9:16 PM

Darn it, I tried twice already for this drama but the video was so slow I couldn't finish ep1, will try again. I think I tend to love not-so-strong rating drama more.

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10 Ari

September 6, 2010 at 6:46 AM

I shed tears because of this finale. For the most stupid reason, too, being as how I just wanted one more scene with Yeon Yi and the little master. It was such a cute "romance"... right after you forgot about the age gap.
(how do you spell what she calls him, anyways? 'toraenim'? 더램님?)

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11 Annster

September 8, 2010 at 3:30 AM

I've never like Han Eun Jung as as an actor even though I've seen many dramas with her in it. This drama was definitely her breaking out drama and the two young girls were awesome. I thought the love story between the girl and boy was cute, but the real age gap and kiss on the lips kind of shocked me (even tho in the drama they are only suppose to be several years apart). Overall, this drama was awesome and I definitely cried in the end!