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My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 4

When a show is fast, clever, AND heartfelt, I’m owned, heart and soul. What can I say? I’m a sucker for the wimpy hero, and the super-powered girl who turns his life upside-down. There are so many great reversals—the powerful girl looking up at him like a wide-eyed child, her transformation into a monster frightening herself more than anyone. The best part is, the mythology serves the story, and not the other way around, which is how it should be. It’s great to know right from the start that our couple is perfectly matched, and their journeys toward becoming human in various ways are parallel too; it’s just a matter of watching them clash their way towards each other, which means I can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

 
EPISODE 4 RECAP

Mi-ho realizes she’s been left behind on the boat, and cries out to Dae-woong. He runs without looking back, the guilt weighing heavily on every step. Mi-ho crouches down and starts to cry, and as her tears fall, the skies darken and it starts to rain. Dae-woong looks up, remembering what Mi-ho said about her tears causing fox rain. It makes him stop, but then he starts to reason, “That’s ridiculous. Then if she blows her nose, it snows, and when she sneezes, there’s a typhoon?”

He walks ahead, but then he starts remembering her declaration that they’re friends now, and his promise to protect her fox bead. He whines to the heavens why she’s using rain to hold onto him. And then he turns back, and runs to her in the rain.

It’s nice to bookend the two returns—Mi-ho’s return to save Dae-woong when he was dying, and his return to her on the boat—as caused by their own memories of the other’s adorableness. They are equally strange creatures to the other, but they’ve developed a fondness for one another, what in Korean we would call [우정], the love between friends.

On the boat, Mi-ho starts to lose control of her outward appearance, when a few factors are compounded: her fox bead is far away, she’s scared because of the water, and then a dog (ie, a tasty treat?) comes close. Her eyes change to a bright blue, and she hides in the bathroom, as her other fox-features start to come out.

Dae-woong reaches the boat when it docks, and overhears the family with the dog talking about the strange woman who looked like a monster, so he braces himself. He mistakes the dog with a fluffy tail for Mi-ho (HA), and then finds her in the bathroom. She’s happy that he’s returned, but she doesn’t want to open the door because she’s changing. He insists he’s seen her tails enough times to be okay, so she opens the door…

And Dae-woong can’t hide his freakout. He can barely look at her, but he drapes a tablecloth over her, and they get off the boat. Outside, she asks why he left her there. He feels a pang of guilt, but lies that he didn’t leave her; the boat left him. The one thing she picks up on is the fact that he came back because it started to rain. Her fox-blue eyes light up in glee. Aw.

The boat attendant follows them out to get his tablecloth back, and as he pulls it off of Mi-ho, Dae-woong swoops her close, and holds her tight. They spend a moment in a time-suspended mystical hug (I love how this is a metaphor for the way time passes when you’re madly in love), and then he says they’ll be fine if he holds her close the whole way home. Show, I may just die from the cuteness.

Mi-ho pops her head up and beams—she’s returned! They smile at each other (Dimples, Ahoy!) and she says that it’s because he came back for her. He thinks they’re good to go, but Mi-ho grabs his jacket and pulls him in for another hug, wanting to be close to her fox bead for a little longer.

Dae-woong is taken aback, but finds himself tentatively happy, as he gives in holds her for a little longer. He awkwardly asks if that’s long enough, but she’s not done (heh), so he holds on, petting her hair as she sighs blissfully. Seriously, I know they’re supposed to be uber-cute, but they are inhumanly cute. Like a pair of kittens. Wearing bunny outfits. Sitting in a teacup.

Dong-joo the Gumiho Hunter visits the temple, and tells the monk that the fox will be put back in her rightful place. No, Highlander Boy. You stay away!

Grandpa packs up Dae-woong’s things and sends Aunt Min-sook to deliver them, happy to support the new and improved, living-for-others Dae-woong. Min-sook waits outside the action school, falling asleep on the bench. Chow Yun-fat Lite discovers her napping, and the sun about to beat down on her, so he rushes over, and opens up his trenchcoat to shield her from the sun. He stands like that until he’s sweating from head to toe, and she’s none the wiser. I love his off-brand chivalry.

He waits later that night for another glimpse of the mysterious girl who can jump without wires, to no avail.

Mi-ho complains about dinner, “Chicken, again?” But Dae-woong says that in these circumstances, it’s shameless for her to ask for cow. She points out that he’s the one who told her that since she’s not human, she can be as shameless as she wants. Touché.

He laments that he can’t afford cow since his dreams were shattered. Mi-ho asks what an action star is, and he says it’s what he’s really good at. Mi-ho: “Running away?” Hahaha. Dae-woong insists with his misplaced bravado that although she might see him as a weak human, to other normal girls, he’s totally awesome, no really. Mi-ho adds with a thumbs-up that even she thinks he’s pretty cool.

With that, he gives her a demonstration of his action skills, in an imaginary swordfight. Mi-ho delights in the demonstration, while Dae-woong gets to show off. Imaginary manliner-action-hero Dae-woong is admittedly pretty awesome.

Mi-ho starts copying all of his sayings and gestures, which Dae-woong finds pretty amusing. At one point he kicks a brick wall, and so she follows suit…only she kicks it with so much force that it almost crumbles. The superhero-girl-who-doesn’t-know-her-own-strength trope never gets old for me.

Chow Yun-fat Lite happens to head that way to relieve himself, so they run and hide, and watch in horror (with Dae-woong covering Mi-ho’s eyes) as he starts to urinate on that very spot. Lo and behold, the force is just enough to send the wall crashing down, and on the other side is a very surprised lady. Maybe THIS is why you shouldn’t be wearing trenchcoats, eh?

He gets hauled away to the police station, where the cop (a cameo by Lee Seung-gi’s hyung from 1 Night, 2 Days, Lee Su-geun) accuses him of being a trenchcoat-pervert. Chow Yun-fat Lite insists he’s nothing of the sort, and says he was just urinating: “And it wasn’t even pee that I was holding. It was of the normal variety.” Hahaha.

Dae-woong comes to his defense, showing up at the police station and vouching as an eye-witness that all he did was pee. That gives him an in to introduce himself as Sun-nyeo’s friend, and the director is happy to give him another chance at his audition, as long as the night’s events are kept a secret.

Dae-woong comes out to find Mi-ho digging in the trash, with a rib bone in her mouth. He realizes that she’s looking a bit worse for wear, so he takes her shopping for toiletries and clothes. It’s adorable how he’s buying skincare products and dresses, and she’s picking out meat.

At home, he teaches her how to brush her teeth and wash up, although she mostly eats all of the cleaning products, to his dismay. I sort of love the meta of Lee Seung-gi teaching Shin Mina how to be pretty. Ha. She bathes and changes, leading to a classic “Oooh, purrrty” moment. He muses that she looks like a normal girl this way.

She shouts, “Woong-ah, I’m so happy because of you today!” He breaks her happy reverie by asking when she’s going to take back her fox bead. She immediately starts hemming and hawing, and gives the excuse that she’s too tired to eat and goes to bed. Aw, Mi-ho doesn’t want to leave him and give up being human. He’s too clueless to see that he’s hurt her feelings.

Dong-joo sits in his lair, stroking his magical sword (pffft), saying aloud that he doesn’t want to have to send Mi-ho back. He’d rather she went quietly, but he knows she’s not about to give in so easily.

While Dae-woong sleeps, Mi-ho checks on her fox bead, and realizes that he’s almost healed. She sighs that if she told him the truth, he’d send her away in a heartbeat. She wonders why she can’t just stay by his side, killing the mosquitoes for him while he sleeps, and realizes that it’s because she’s not human.

Grandpa finds Min-sook watching A Better Tomorrow, (tee hee) and catches on that she must be interested in a new guy, so he asks Dae-woong to come by to discuss it. I love that Grandpa is just excited that she’s interested in a new guy.

Today Mi-ho says she’s not going to follow Dae-woong around, so that he can do well on his audition without any trouble. He’s stunned, and she asks if she waits here, then he’ll always return to her, right? He doesn’t quite believe her at first, then keeps coming back to give her money for food, then to tell her not to dig in the trash, and to call him if anything happens. Aw, he’s worried.

Dae-woong finally leaves, but he feels uneasy about her staying behind, and realizes it feels a little strange without her following right behind him. She comes out and waves at him from the rooftop, and he waves back, but stops himself, saying that he has to stop growing attached to her.

From the rooftop, Mi-ho says to herself, “Dae-woong-ah, you’re all healed now. I have to take my bead back. But can I stay here?”

She spends the day digging through trash cans to find chicken coupons (hilariously believing that if you collect ten they turn into a chicken) and even fights with the neighborhood ajumma for the last one. Dong-joo finds her, and takes her for a drive.

Mi-ho is amazed to find that he’s got an ID, a social security number, and a cell phone—all very human, even though he’s not.

Dae-woong does well on his audition, and gets cast right away. He says to himself, “Tonight it’s cow and soda, Gu Mi-ho. No every week….but wait, then will your tails come out?” Heh.

Hye-in runs into him, and asks to have a congratulatory dinner together. He promised Mi-ho he’d return and treat her to cow, so he uses Grandpa as an excuse. She concedes that family is a good enough excuse (oh, okay, Princess) and lets him go.

Dong-joo takes Mi-ho to his apartment, where she marvels at his living like a human. He tells her that he moves from place to place every few years, changing his name and never getting too close to anyone, and that he’s been living this way far longer than she’s been trapped in that painting. She wants him to teach her how to pass for human too.

But Dong-joo tells her that by living his way, she can’t actually be close to humans in the way she wants—she’ll never have friends, or family, or love. She thinks that in the very least she’d get to be near somebody, but he shuts her down. “An immortal being like you can’t be with a human. Ever.”

He continues, “The way I’m living…it’s not that different from being trapped in that painting. You should return.” She hangs her head in disappointment, saying that she really, really doesn’t want to go back. Dong-joo throws down the gauntlet: “Then are you willing to die?”

Dae-woong, on the other hand, tells his friend Byung-soo that his days with Mi-ho are numbered. He goes on about E.T. having to return home, and says that they’re essentially from different worlds. Byung-soo hilariously misinterprets this as Mi-ho being a chaebol (rich heiress).

Dong-joo tells Mi-ho that there’s a way for her to become human, but in order to do so, her gumiho self must die. She needs two things: someone (or something) that can kill her, and someone who will share their humanness—ki, or life force–with her. Hm…last time, Mi-ho told Dae-woong that sharing ki was equal to mating…heh (pitter-patter).


With that, Dong-joo takes out his magical knife, and cuts his hand. His blood drips into a glass, and he tells her that this knife can kill her, and so can his blood. If she drinks it, and has her fox bead which has collected the ki of a human being for one hundred days, she’ll become human. She asks why he’s telling her all this. He says that it’s because of another girl who looked like her, and wanted the same thing. He’ll help her die, but wonders if Cha Dae-woong can be trusted to protect her fox bead for a hundred days.

He tells her again that humans can’t be trusted, and insists she forget it all and go back. What? You just told her all of the mystical ingredients for her to make Human Soup, and now you’re expecting her to forget it all? Are you taunting her, or just naïve?

Mi-ho leaves, the question hanging over her. She holds a vial of Dong-joo’s blood in her hand, as she watches people on the street below her. “Does dying mean disappearing? I just want to live down there.”

She walks home, and gets recognized by Chow Yun-fat Lite, who chases her down but can’t catch up. Hye-in sees this from afar, and puts the pieces together, pouting. Not only does Mi-ho have Dae-woong’s affections, but now she’s got the Director’s too, for that coveted lead role.

Hye-in decides to call Dae-woong to discuss it, and catches him in a lie (that he was eating with Grandpa) as he nears home with a bundle of meat in his hands. They sit down to talk, and Hye-in asks if he likes her, and says in a roundabout way that she’s been waiting for him to declare his feelings, and preparing her answer. Prepare? It’s not the LSATs—it’s a yes or no question, lady. She tells him that she’s losing her faith in him, and wavering in her feelings, and not to make her wait too long.

Dae-woong drowns his angst in soju, while Mi-ho eagerly awaits his return. She leaves him a voicemail, telling him that she has something important to ask him, and she asks if she can stay by his side longer. She smells his scent as he approaches (funny and gross), and runs to find him in the gym.

She comes upon him slumped over in the dark. He announces that he’s drunk, and slurs out, “The moon is out. Do you want to spread your tails and do a round of ‘hoi-hoi’?” Hahaha.

Dae-woong: “Mi-ho-ya, we’re friends, right? Then will you do me favor?” She looks up at him sweetly. “Will you…disappear?” Oof. Just carve out my heart, why don’t you. He drunkenly pleads with her to go away and stop making his life so difficult, as he slumps to the ground and passes out.

Her reaction is heartbreaking. She looks down at him, saying, “Dae-woong-ah, the truth is, you’re all better now. I’ll go, so you stop hurting.” She lets go of his hand.

The next morning Dae-woong wakes up in his bed, not knowing how he got there. He calls out to Mi-ho, but she’s nowhere to be found. He looks and looks, and then it dawns on him: she’s gone!

COMMENTS

I like how the main relationship is progressing, which is to say, fast in terms of adorable moments, and mutual attraction, but slow in their understanding of each other and how to be together. The gumiho-human hiccups are not only hilariously comical, but also insightful little beats that shed light on human desires and the things we take for granted.

As for the mythology, I don’t like that the mystical way out is given so early in the story; I’d rather they have to work a little harder to find a way for her to become human. But I do like that so far, we have no reason to trust Dong-joo, so this could all be an elaborate web of lies in order to trap her. If it’s not, and he’s just giving up the information for nostalgia’s sake, that’s a little lame, plot-wise.

So far Dong-joo’s pretty ineffectual at being scary or a real threat, so I hope there’s more to come from his character than emo hair and looking pretty, because if he’s just going to be her fairy godmother, then there’s no point in having a gumiho hunter with an elaborate backstory. Crossing my fingers for more on that score.

I can’t get enough of adorable-pants Seung-gi, who is showing great range so far. But Shin Mina is the real scene-stealer of this show, as she alternately makes me die of laughter, squeal from cuteness, and well up with sympathy. She is A-maz-ing.

Can’t wait to see Dae-woong missing Mi-ho while she’s gone. You deserve a little penance, my friend.

Until next time, hoi-hoi!

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Yehey....nice recap.... do you think there will be a piggyback ride in this drama????

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most probably mi ho giving dae woong a ride. heh!

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Haha I second this!

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it wouldnt be a korea drama if there wasnt a piggyback ride

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Damn, i'm on the fifth!
What you think would be granted.. ^_^, perhaps! Plus, there would be close-up long-scene on the bus-stop.. I believe, those scene what make a k-drama, a k-drama.. i love those scene, so much emotion in a silence..

Btw, JB i like the OST song from the previous post (Eps 3), i wonder if you could tell me what's the pronounce? I kinda far from knowing a hanja words, the fox rain single...

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Who piggybacking who? lol

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Hey all~! I'm trying to search for the korean Hanguel charcters of Its OST :
Losing My Mind". Anyone know where to find it?

:) Thanks!

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it's called "정신이 나갔었나봐" in Korean.

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My favorite thing One of my favorite things (too many to choose just one) is badass ninja Lee Seung-gi looking EXACTLY LIKE Jang Geun-seok in Hong Gil Dong! Like, dead ringer. Oh, Hong Sisters.

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hahaha! Nice pic, totally reminded me of JGS too!!! Hong Sisters are just plain GENIUSES!! BRILLIANT!!

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So true and love how they incorporate the wong fei hung song during the scene, just crack me up!

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I second that. When the song came up, I almost fell from my chair. Gosh! This drama is just brilliant!!!

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oh my gosh! i did think the pretty long 'saeguk' hair looked familiar but uve completely placed it! hahahaha, i thot JGS looks so prty like tht while LSG looks so funny. well, it is the circumstances so...

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LOL!! Didn't notice that until you pointed it out! Oh the Hong Sisters and their references to previous dramas.

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Haha...I thought the same thing when he did his action sequence. It prompted me to reread some of the HGD recaps.

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dude! i totally was thinking the same thing!

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I also got reminded of YAB with the thumbs-up scene XD Just like how Mi Nam gave a thumbs-up to Tae Kyung saying he's cool.

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OH HO HO...I loved Jang Geun Seuk in Hong Gil Dong. I know some people didn't but I digged him - looks, acting, voice (ahahaha). I wish he'd do another saguek so he can look like this... haha

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Thanks for the recap! AHHHHHH I'm dying right now. I just watched the 3rd and 4th episode :o They're so cuteee<3 Btw, how do you add photos in the commenting? That's so cool.

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Wow. That was fast!
Thank you for the insight and the recap.

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shin mina steals every scene!! she's great.

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i totally agree!

i saw her in 'naked kitchen' and, for some reason, I really really didn't like her character, which made me really really not like her.

but now, i can see she's really awesome. and so adorable too.

which is kind of like what happened with park shi-yeon. i disliked her in 'my girl' but now i think she's so great after 'coffee house.'

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same feelings here about shin mina in naked kitchen that's why i wasnt sure if im going to watch MGiaG or not, well im glad i did..she is amazin'.

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I never like Shiminah too before but I guess it's because she always accepted serious roles while this role need her to show her cuteness and comedy type^^

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Love it! Thanks for the quick re-cap. I never thought I'd enjoy this series as much as I do but there's just a freshness to it that keeps me coming back. My new favorite couple has arrived :)

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literally just finished watching Episode 4... first half or so was freakin HILARIOUS.. i almost chocked on the PEE scene.. LMFAO! and the covering the sun part.. OMG, what a twist.. in every drama the guy who does that seems like he isnt warm at all, oh no im fine, but Hong Sisters TOTALLY made all those dramas laugh with this one!!! hahaha.. And i just love the 2 leads.. they are PERFECT!! This is my first drama to see both of them act (yup! havent watched any dramas of the 2 leads) but wow, arent they just PERFECT for the roles!!!

THanks for the recap GF!

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This drama is soooo cute! Love Love Love the main couple!!!! Can't wait for next week! <3

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HOI HOI... yes yes.. hoi..hoi.. I love this drama sooooo much. Thanks for the nice recap.

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thanks for the recap
i love everything about this drama
i acyually love it more than YAB :D

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i am saving this drama for summer holiday (down under). will dl every episode and sub lovingly. will try very hard to stop reading recaps.... not! thanks for all your effort!! i am already in love although i haven't watched anything more than the teaser / trailer!

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"Seriously, I know they’re supposed to be uber-cute, but they are inhumanly cute. Like a pair of kittens. Wearing bunny outfits. Sitting in a teacup."

hahahhahahaahahahahahahaha!

I love everything about this drama thus far. They are a dynamic main couple!!!!!!!

Thanks for recapping!

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i know, this commentary of yours is fricken hilarious. i almost choked on my spit.

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perfect summation!!!

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awwww, poor lil fox :(
can't wait for next week!
thanks girlfriday! fast as always :)

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Hoi-hoi!..

Tnank you ..you're so fast!!!!!!! I love the hugging moments and when he teaches her how to be human. THey are reeks uber cuteness........

Damn I have to wait another week. School is starting soon! reality sucks!

Seung gi is awesome! I love him more. He's so talented. He fits the character perfectly!
I only saw one movie of SHin Mina before and i was amazed at her beauty. Though here i'm amazed at her acting. The main couple is great. I have doubts about the supporting cast. But i quess Seung gi and Shin Mina awesomeness can make it up.

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I am addicted t0 this drama.....Ur recaps are deeply appreciated!thank y0u = )

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THANK YOU!!

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[b]"But Shin Mina is the real scene-stealer of this show, as she alternately makes me die of laughter, squeal from cuteness, and well up with sympathy. She is A-maz-ing."[/b]

EXACTLY!! I LOVE HER!!

[b]"Can’t wait to see Dae-woong missing Mi-ho while she’s gone. You deserve a little penance, my friend.

Until next time, hoi-hoi!"[/b]

He does need it!!!! Till next time as well, hoi-hoi!!!! =)

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When you're trying to do html on this site, instead of [ and ] , use and that'll do it for ya. :-)

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What in the world? Now I'm failing at my own advice. OK, instead of brackets, use the greater-than and less-than signs on your keyboard. I can't even type them here without them disappearing all HTML-like.

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Thank you for posting the recap! Love Shin Mina and she's looking so cute in the vid caps! I can't wait to catch this drama now! :D

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Thank you girlfriday for another great recap!

I totally agree. Like kittens in bunny suits! In a tea cup! :)

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looks like girl friday isn't taken in by our fox hunter :P

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Hoi.. Hoi.. girlfriday

Hoi.. Hoi.. JB

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Wow that was really fast! Thanks! I really can't wait for Ep 5 now! Tae-woong ah, pls chase after her. Hoi hoi!!

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This show is AWE-SOME!! >.< hoi hoi~~ Thank you for the recaps girlfriday

"Seriously, I know they’re supposed to be uber-cute, but they are inhumanly cute. Like a pair of kittens. Wearing bunny outfits. Sitting in a teacup. " - AGREE!!

I squeal at all of their cute moments, it was truly inhumanly cute. LSG height is so fitting for SMN to snuggle up and rest her head. adorable to the M.A.X!!!

Can't wait for the next Wednesday & Thursday. My life is blissful once again. ^^

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OMG i sooo needed this fix! After the crack that was YB, i needed another drama to satisfy my addiction. i was such at a loss after it ended and the other dramas were just not cutting it for me til the cute Gumiho came along. Thanks JB and GF!

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you speak my mind, girlfriday. I think Minah is perfectly casted for this drama. I seriously can't imagine another actress as Gumiho... :)

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thanks for the recap!

the part where she keeps on eating the tolietries is super hilarious.

i like this drama v much ^-^

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wow. so fast!! thanks GF and JB. i am loving the recaps. can't wait to watch the actual eps tomorrow! i feel like i'be already watched them thru the recaps.

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lol.. loved the recaps! im in the midst of finals here but cant resist hong sisters~
btw, anyone think lee seungi action scene was a reference to the fact that he was almost casted as iljimae in ROI instead of Ilwoo?

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that's what I had in mind too when I was watching it!

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yea, but wasnt there a rumour that he didnt accept it because MBC wanted him to quit 1 Night 2 Days (which is on KBS)? and then he was banned from MBC after that?

afterwards, didnt he accept Brilliant Legacy/Shining Inheritance on SBS since he gets to keep 1 Night 2 Days? luckily, that drama got a 47% rating so he got Strong Heart (talk show) and now this Gumiho gig. wow. and now MBC has what? Road No. 1 which doesn't even register in the Top 20. too bad.

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aw, what a cliff hanger! lolol, i can't wait until next week~ i'm totally loving miho! :D

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DIMPLES!!!!!!!! AIEEEEEEEE!!!!

i have this weird feeling that dong joo isn't lying - he's really telling mi ho how to become a human. instead i don't trust Dae Woong enough to protect her fox bead, and that's where the obstacle and difficulties will come in.

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I agree, I think he's telling the truth.

Also, a speculation: I wonder if the earlier gumiho that he was in love with wanted to be human too, and failed because she trusted a human to keep her bead for 100 days - but he/she didn't and so she didn't survive being killed as a gumiho. Maybe that's why he keeps warning her not to trust humans.

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that's what I believe too. so sad =( I'm surprised that Mi Ho can even trust at all. Didn't she get jilted 500 years ago? And what about all those bad rumors about her? I guess she really is a purehearted girl to not let that sort of stuff change her.

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wow..that's really good insight and totally makes sense now that i think about it!! that would be both really interesting and heartbreaking at the same time!

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Oh I agree, I think dong joo was the human. Maybe he wanted to keep her bead for the 101 day. Then the earlier gumiho got old because he didn't give the gumiho her fox bead back on time so she actually dies instead of becoming human.

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My thought is that he was the keeper of the gumiho's bead, and he failed to protect it, or fooler her into giving it to him in order to kill her, and that's why he's cursed to live forever. Maybe the way to become a gumiho is kill the gumiho whose bead you have. Or she may have given it to him without his knowledge, like Miho and DaeWoong. I think this would be a reason to not like himself, and would explain the sloe-eyed angst. On the ep 3 post, I thought maybe he is Miho's human father, by the gumiho mom that he is sworn to kill, and somebody else thought he might be the other gumiho's son. With several dhampir (half-vampire) stories, like the Barb and JC Hendee books, the offspring become the hunters.

I am excited to find out. But I agree that he better start adding suspense soon, and not just looking pretty.

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yeah i think so too... maybe he wants to bring his old love back using her

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"sloe-eyed angst" I LOVE that phrase! It's such a perfect description.

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squeeee!!!!!!!!!!! thanks GF!!

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woaaahhh!!!

youre so fast!!

i love this episode...

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1) noh min woo is hot
2) shin min ah and her dimples are the cutest thing ever ^^
3) LOL lee su guen cameo

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Aside from saying I'm enjoying the series a lot, there are two notes I want to mention:

- This is my first time watching Shin Min-ah act, and wow - Shin Min-ah has just been ridiculously cute in the past few episodes..kind of like a cute fox? haha

- Lee Seung-gi seems to finally be able to put some of his "Return of Iljimae" training haha!

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whoops meant to say "use" instead of "put" =D when talking about Lee Seung-gi's training haha

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mmm...I'm not really feeling the character that seung gi carry in this episode, feels like its been put together too hastily..he should've taken the BL director to do this one...he kinda understand lee seung gi more...*sigh*

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LOVE it!

Awesomely fast recap, Girlfriday.

I can't remember the last time I loved a lead couple this much. They're not only incredibly cute together, they are natural and SO funny.

I like that the Hong Sisters are exploring what it means to be human and what exactly makes one human - and as Grandpa keeps reminding him, Dae Woong has a bit of a ways to go before he becomes a "real" human too, so the development is not only on Miho's side. It's a lighthearted trendy drama, but it has its serious moments, and they're more profound than I expected. I found the scene where Miho is looking down at the crowds of people passing by, holding hands and talking normally, especially moving.

Also, how much do I love how they've turned the disapproving-elder-trying-to-reform-the-grandchild trope on its head by having him give in all the time because he's actually a big softy. It's like he's forcing himself to be strict, but then he gets so excited for his daughter and grandson. He's so cute! I'm sick of the tyrannical grandparent who tries to force a match/force the lovers apart.

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This is by far the most fulfilling Kdrama I have spent procrastinating school for. I agree with everyone else: the main leads are perfectly cast. They fit their characters so well; I lack the moments of extreme annoyance/puzzled expressions that I have with most other K RomComs. Although I will disagree with GF about LSG being...attractive in that way. Although his charm is not lost on me. Him And Shin Min Ah have lovely chemistry though. I feel that warm pitter patter feeling in my chest every time they share those blissful moments of romantic tension.

As for Noh Min Woo, well, I can't even concentrate when his glorious face fills my computer screen. I sit in awe of such a pretty man. And let me instigate -- I think the Gumiho and the Gumiho Hunter have great chemistry too, possibly enough to have a compelling and convincing love story that makes my heart sway from the given main coupling. There. I said it.

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I like that there is chemistry with the third leg of the triangle (but then, how could there not be?) but it's not enough to sway me away. Dae-Woong is too adorable-pants, as girlfriday puts it. No Min (W)Hot is so pretty that you can barely look at him, and too haughty-seeming.

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Yes, he does have this haughty petting his magical dagger sword thing going on. True true. But the potential is untapped! The whole idea of a love triangle involving two men that are essentially opposites; one being immortal with the power to kill the Gumiho, the other being mortal but with the power to give Gumiho mortality, the drama could go in so many interesting directions.

I like that he isn't some ominous, all powerful hunter dude. He acts as a good counterfoil to DW's character.

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ahhh love this show already!

So Mi Ho left?
Awww..

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Hoi hoi ~

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i am truly bummed out each time this show ends. i feel like shin mi na's star is about to blow up from this show. what a charismatic, funny, sweet performance. she is both subtle and totally over the top at the same time, which is lovely to watch. there is a nice Shibasaki Kou/Ayase Haruka vibe that i get from her(strong and weak at the same time). the casting director should get a HUGE bonus!
though i generally prefer jdoramas to most kdrama, i am really looking forward to how this show plays out. i do think it funny that they cast a skinny, kinda bug-eyed girl as the other love interest even though she hasn't 1/2 the presence onscreen, though that may also be how she was written. director ban's daughter is far prettier, and funnier, though even she falls short; which is how it should be in the grand scheme of things.

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/there is a nice Shibasaki Kou/Ayase Haruka vibe that i get from her(strong and weak at the same time)/

I agree! I didn't notice it until you pointed it out, but that's so true. She's fierce but vulnerable. SMA seems born to play this role. This is my first time seeing her in anything, but I love her.

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i've never seen any of her previous work, either, but i am definitely a fan now and will try to look some up this weekend. sma has made such an impression that her's is one of the few korean names i seem to be able to remember! :P so many of them sound so close that it's hard to tell them apart, esp when i don't speak a lick of korean. also, as far as i can tell, there doesn't seem to be any recognizable m/f differentiation in names, which makes it even more difficult for me.

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i'm so loving this drama!!!:D and it's hard when most of my time is being taken by my work!!!! i barely have enough time to visit your site nowadays and it's killing me it's like my alone time for myself. thanks gf and jb for the ever wonderful recaps!!!!:D

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i love love this episode. when watching dramas and i feel that little tug in my heart then i know it's a drama that i'll love & watch over and over again. thanks jb and gf for the recaps!

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i really love it...and i love the song can you download it please JB... especially the chorus and when it will played when the characters are being so cute ahhh...it melts my heart....i really had a good laugh with this episode...

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the song is in the episode 3 recap. it is a lovely tune.

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SHIN MINA IS SO ADORABLE! I JUST LOVE LOOKING AT HER FACES IN THE SCREENCAPS!

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Thank you for the recap, girlfriday. You and javabeans sure are fast!!

I am glad the show finally gave Mi Ho a bath (though she had returned to trash-digging right after)! She was like wearing the same clothes for 3.5 episodes/4 (?) days straight.

The aunt and Director Ban scenes are so freaking hilarious! The Hong sisters really outdid themselves with coming up with such crazy situations and whoever chose the music for their scenes really knows how to enhance the mood! I wonder if there really is an action director somewhere in korea like Director Ban!

I actually like how they gave away the mystical answer so early in the drama. I was afraid they will throw it in at the end of the drama as some sort of deus ex machina to resolve everything. Now the work is all in making Daewoong as guy who can be loyal and trustworthy enough to make Mi Ho's dream come true.

"The gumiho-human hiccups are not only hilariously comical, but also insightful little beats that shed light on human desires and the things we take for granted."--> I agree. This is what makes this drama so amazing! It's a fantasy story but the way it explores humanity makes the story more real than a story about mortals.

If only the 2nd leads were more interesting. Hye-In reminds me of a mix of the 2nd lead from DGCH and Jaeyoung from Wish Upon a Star. For Jaeyoung, as least she felt something for Kim Ji Hoon's character. Hye-In just wants to monopolize Daewoong. How is it that Seon-Nyun, who likes Daewoong, doesn't HATE her? She should be making voodoo dolls of that future-homewrecker!

And Gumiho-hunter is definitely hot and I can't take my eyes off him (and giggle like crazy when he's on screen), but his only purpose seems to be to move the fantasy aspect of the story along. He doesn't seem to have any problem with living the way he does.

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I don't know, I think there is plenty of suppressed angst in those sloe-eyes. I'm sure more will be revealed.

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I love how Miho is normally a pretty benign person, but when it comes to her food, she gets crazy fierce. The scene where she and the ajumma fight over the chicken coupon was hilarious.

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awwwwww..Jb ..cannot wait to see the 2 eps..haven watched yet !!!!!!!!!!!!

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Dong-joo sits in his lair, stroking his magical sword (pffft)....
Hah! Oh, Girlfriday, you are filthy. I think this drama is going to create an entire Dramabeans lexicon for carnal activities. Stroking the magical sword, spreading tails and doing a round of hoi-hoi, and other assorted PG-13 naughtiness. I lurves eet!

This drama has reduced to me uselessness. Our lead pair is cute as kittens dressed in bunny suits, sitting in a teacup, and sprinkled with magical rainbow sparkles. Lee Seung-gi is far too adorable, and Show has done a wonderful job showing Woong-ah's progression toward sincerely caring for his little fox, even if he's a bit of a twerp. And that action scene was awesome. But Shin Mina ... le sigh. Oh, Mina. She is breaking my heart and putting it back together in every single episode. Pure, unadulterated adoration. I could watch her and Dae-woong skinshipping forever; I am that far gone. I think I watched Mi-ho eat all the toiletries five times because it was so precious. Ah, mashtaaaaa!

More to say, but I'll say it later when it's not frickin' 2AM my time (yes, I stayed up for ViiKii and for the recap because I'm insane). Besides, I'm sure someone will say whatever it is I want to say since by the time I check this site at work tomorrow, there will be about 200 comments. Woo-hoo!

Girlfriday, the usual. Muchas thankias! You should bottle up your awesomesauce and sell it!

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Wooow! Thanks a lot Girlfriday! Your very quick good recap keeps this drama lingering around my head. The two leads are acting very well and the story is so lovingly cute. The Hong Sisters have made me longed to see more of it so soon.

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l love Mi Ho new dress. where can i find it ?

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i am so loving Shin Minah now! and Sung Dong-il! you are so much fun to watch! sunglasses during the night & trench coat during summer LOL!

once again i'm hooked on a drama that i'll be watching raw, then wait for JB recaps so i can at least understand some of the lines, then wait for the subbed version, and then re-watch the whole thing LOL!

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oopps forgot to mention girlfriday too! thanks to both of you!

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