My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 16 (Final)
by girlfriday
Dear Show,
How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways.
1. Your hero is Woongtastic.
2. Your heroine is the cutest thing since cats started having babies.
3. You do crazy things, but then you recover with The Cute.
4. You hurt, but you hurt so good.
5. You speed along like a bullet train, and make me wish time passed more slowly.
6. I find myself flipping through pictures of our time together, remembering you fondly.
7. You break my heart, and then put it back together again.
8. I can’t quit you, even if I tried.
9. You love me…just as I am.
FINAL EPISODE RECAP
After revealing her only remaining tail in the moonlight, Dae-woong asks her with angry tears, “Then…you’re still dying?” The thought that this is only occurring to him now makes me want to smack him with a large encyclopedia. She responds that she couldn’t give up the desire to become human.
Emo Hair is busy staring holes into the sandglass of mystical ki, which he has put upright again. He watches as Mi-ho’s life slowly pours out, leaving very little left. He begs for her to hold on a little longer. Is that the best you can do? Don’t you have any mystical powers other than your glowy knife and milky skin? Now’s the time to break them out, Highlander Boy. We’re in the finale.
Dae-woong can’t believe she’s still dying. After everything he had to do to let her go, she’s STILL dying. Yeah. Hence the moniker Noble Idiot. Don’t you watch dramas? Mi-ho says that it’s not just because of love—she couldn’t give up the desire to become human, and she feared that by his side, she’d have done anything to stay alive, even take the rest of his life if she became desperate.
At that, he gets up and puts her hand on his chest, saying, “Then take it. Take it all.” Ack! Crushing. My. Soul.
She looks down, stricken, pulling away from him. That’s treating her exactly like what she doesn’t ever want to be—a monster. Dae-woong doesn’t care—he’ll do anything to save her life. He says that she’s a scary gumiho, and he’s a human under her spell, so she should play the role and just take his life. He grabs her by the wrist (gah) and yells at her to take it.
Mi-ho can’t even look him in the eye as she steps away. She says he really is an immature human, and that she’ll come back then, and really take his life. She leaves him with a half-hearted death threat.
She returns to Dong-joo and confesses to removing her fox bead. He reels at the realization that since the moment she came to him, she had already given up. She can’t become human, or even half like him, so this is the extent of what she can do, to protect Dae-woong. She asks him to return the bead to Dae-woong, and lie to him so that he’ll take it back. Great. Just what we need. Two Noble Idiots running about.
Dong-joo meets Dae-woong on a rooftop and feeds him the lie—if he takes the bead back, and fills it with the rest of his ki, Dong-joo will kill him at the end of the hundred days and return the bead to Mi-ho, saving her. He starts to say that he understands if he hestitates…
…and Dae-woong downs the bead in one shot. Without so much as an ounce of fear or hesitation, he tells Dong-joo to come to kill him alone, and to make sure that he returns the bead to Mi-ho safely. As if I didn’t already love you enough, you’re going all gallant-knight-in-shining-armor on me now. How’s a recapper to stay focused with all of the swooning?
As Dae-woong leaves, Mi-ho appears around the corner, having witnessed it all. Thank heavens for that. Dong-joo is floored from Dae-woong’s unflinching conviction to give up his life for Mi-ho. I love that wimpy Dae-woong became the kind of person to shake up Dong-joo’s belief that humanity is selfish and weak.
Mi-ho comes up to him, smiling as she gives him a big fat I-told-you-so, about her fantasy-love being the real deal. Aw. But then she continues to be a Noble Idiot, insisting that they go far away, and never appear in front of Dae-woong again.
Show, are you TRYING to kill me?
Dae-woong prepares to give up his life for Mi-ho, as Mi-ho prepares to leave. He cries, as he regrets not being able to be there for her, but is satisfied with being able to protect her with his life. Dong-joo watches him from afar, amazed at his bravery in this act of love.
Dong-joo shows up at the airport to meet Mi-ho, and he asks her one last time if this is what she really wants. He tells her that he thought love was doing what the other person wanted, but then regretted it for a thousand years. He swore to never make that mistake again, but this time, he’s retracing his steps. So he did the only thing he could do to protect her, because even if he gave his own life, it wouldn’t save her. Well, that answers that question.
He told Dae-woong the truth. APPLAUSE for Dog Teacher!
Mi-ho’s eyes fill with tears, as she hears him acknowledge that their love is true. “Why did you do that? You’re cruel. I hate you. But…thank you.” Aw. He tells her that he’s not the one to stay by her side till the end. That person…is right there…
Dae-woong runs into the airport right on cue. Dong-joo tells her to go to him, and leaves them to fate. Well, you didn’t actually turn out to be very useful, mystically, but points for killing the Noble Idiots, anyway.
Mi-ho goes to Dae-woong, who says with tears and trembly lips:
Dae-woong: You’re really…a terrible evil gumiho. You put a human under your spell and took his ki, and now you’re ripping his heart to shreds, you scary gumiho!
Mi-ho: I’m sorry. But even if being with me is scary and painful, can I stay by your side?
He pulls her in for a hug, as Mi-ho finally lets herself cry in his arms. Gawd, these two kill me. I’m such a sucker for the angry blurting of hurtful things to mask true feelings.
At the temple, the monk explains the painting to a group of ladies, as he recounts the promise the Samshin Grandmother made to the gumiho: if she found a husband to give his life for her, she would allow her to live in this world. One of the ladies turns around, musing to herself that a promise is a promise…
Ten points for Team Samshin Grandma! You are free to take your victory lap now.
She appears to Dong-joo first, as she asks him what he thinks is right: “I’m sorry,” (Gil-dal’s last words) or “Thank you,” (Mi-ho’s last words to him). He smiles as he realizes who she is, and says that “Thank you” is the right answer. She smiles as she tells him that he’s fine then. Sad that it took him a thousand years for Mi-ho’s thank-you to heal the wound from Gil-dal’s “I’m sorry,” but it’s a nice bookend for his character.
Dae-woong and Mi-ho walk hand-in-hand, but their happiness takes a dip as they walk past an elderly couple, knowing that they’ll never make it that far. They tell each other, “Right now, being with you—is the greatest happiness.”
They return to their loft and eat together. Dae-woong tries to get her to eat kimchi, which she doesn’t like, but he insists that she’s got to, if she’s Korean. Yeah, that’s what my parents used to tell me when I was a kid and didn’t like kimchi. It’s cultural identity peer pressure! She asks for a kiss on the cheek if she eats it, and he offers her one on the lips, so she plans to eat up all the kimchi on the table. Yay, Cute, you’re back! We’ve missed you!
Mi-ho shows him the tea set that she bought for Aunt Min-sook’s wedding gift, and he praises her for knowing his aunt’s taste. She wonders if it’s not right for Director Ban, but Dae-woong tells her that it’s better for the man to match his tastes to his wife’s. Okay, can I marry you now?
They wonder if they should’ve bought a set for themselves, but then realize the heartbreaking fact that they’ll never be married and picking out china. Mi-ho makes an excuse about them being too breakable, and decides that they should buy ones that don’t break so easily. Dae-woong agrees: “Let’s get ones that never ever break.”
It’s Min-sook’s wedding day, and while the bride worries about her nervous farting habit, Director Ban shows up in his usual trenchcoat-and-sunglasses garb. Really, Chow Yun-fat Lite to your own wedding, huh? But thankfully Dae-woong intervenes and helps him out of his nervousness, calling him Uncle.
The wedding commences, where of course the point is not so much the bride and groom, as it is the best man and maid of honor, making moon eyes at each other. Samshin Grandma makes an appearance in the crowd, eyeing the pair with an air of disapproval and worry.
As Grandpa gives Min-sook away, she trips and Director Ban catches her, asking if the baby is okay. Whoops. Egg’s out of the bag. Grandpa rejoices, and everyone cheers.
After the wedding, Mi-ho walks around and stops when she sees a bride and groom dressed in traditional hanboks, and remembers her own lonely wait as a bride five hundred years ago. Dae-woong asks if she regrets not meeting her match then, but she of course doesn’t regret a thing, since she had to be trapped in that painting to meet Dae-woong now.
Knowing how much she’s always wanted to be a bride, he takes her by the hand and gets her some red dots for her cheeks, and they take a picture to commemorate it. Adorable.
Later, Mi-ho puts the picture in her album, as she declares to the universe, “In five hundred years, I’ve finally found my groom. Because he loves me so so so so so much, he can give me everything. I’ve found him.”
The fateful hundredth day arrives, and Dae-woong tells himself that he won’t count the time, or cry, and that he’ll spend this last day with her in happiness. He swallows back his tears and puts on a brave face. There’s…something…in my…eye.
He comes out and asks if there’s anywhere she wants to go. She asks if he isn’t tired, since they haven’t slept for days. (From wanting to spend every waking moment together? That’s so cute!) She takes out the lotion that Dae-woong bought her, and puts some on his face, and the look in his eyes…Oh my god, now I’m really crying. Gah! People crying buckets of tears does not move me as much as someone trying their damnedest NOT to cry…it crushes my heart into pulp.
They wonder what they should do, thinking that maybe they should replay their first date and go see a movie…except the only passes Dae-woong has are all for future days. They decide to go see the chicken shop ajumma, but then she’s away in the country, so she won’t be back till tomorrow. Ack, their struggle to find something to do on their last day without acknowledging the pain is so heartbreaking.
Dae-woong wonders why everyone, even Aunt Min-sook and Grandpa, are away until tomorrow. Mi-ho then finally says the words out loud: “Tomorrow…I won’t be here.”
They decide to go to the fountain that Mi-ho likes, except when they show up, it’s off for repairs, until…yup, you guessed it…TOMORROW. Mi-ho says it’s okay, but it’s enough to put Dae-woong over the edge. He starts shaking as he says it has to be today, and walks off, angry.
With his back turned so that Mi-ho can’t see, he cries. She watches him, knowing what a brave face he’s putting on for her benefit. He pushes his tears back, and then turns around, smiling as he reaches out his hand to her. I swear, I’m not crying. I’m NOT!
They go home and light some fireworks, and Mi-ho lights up in glee. They spend the rest of their night in the gym, because that’s the place where Dae-woong saw her true nature, for the first time.
Mi-ho: Were you really that scared, back then?
Dae-woong: Yes. But as scared as I was then, I’m a hundred times more…right now.
He clutches her hand. She covers his eyes as he starts to cry. Tears streaming down her face, she tells him to think of it all as a dream, from the moment she appeared. That way, when he opens his eyes, it won’t hurt. They cry, with her covering his eyes to keep him from having to watch her disappear.
Dae-woong: Don’t go.
Mi-ho: Forget all the scary stuff. And remember me as a really really really really good dream.
With that, she gives him a kiss, and her tail comes out in the moonlight. It fades away, as the last grains of sand trickle down in the hourglass, and just like that, Mi-ho disappears.
Dae-woong uncovers his eyes to see that she’s gone, and his sad tears turn to angry ones, as he says to himself, “A dream? When I open my eyes, it won’t hurt?! It hurts this much…how can you be a dream?”
He slumps to the ground, sobbing. If there’s any more sadness to be had, I’m going to have to borrow someone else’s tears, because I’m fresh out of my own.
Back at the temple, Samshin Grandma has returned to the painting.
Dae-woong wakes up the next morning in the gym, having cried himself to sleep in that position. He realizes that she’s gone and left him there all alone, and he refuses to let it go that way. He runs, as he says in voiceover:
Dae-woong: Mi-ho-ya, you must be crying, but it doesn’t rain anymore when you cry. No matter how sad you are, I have no way of knowing…because you’re not here anymore. Mi-ho is gone. Mi-ho is gone. Mi-ho…is gone.
He cries her name out one last time, and then…stands in the path of an oncoming truck. WHAT? WTF Dae-woong?! Aaaaaaaargh!
He lies there in the street, still conscious, as he cries a tear. It starts to rain, and he clutches his heart, happy that she’s still here, somewhere in the universe. Can you please be happy AFTER you attend to your gaping head wound?! Show, you’ve been itching to pull some crazy stunt like this, haven’t you? Are you testing me?
I suppose since he has the friggin’ fox bead, he’s not going to die or anything. But still. Reckless, party of one?
Dong-joo and Samshin Grandma sit in the park, and Dong-joo asks what she’ll do with Mi-ho. She says that she can’t return a gumiho who’s lost her nine tails and given her ki to a human, but says that if they wait, perhaps the heavens will intervene.
Some months later, Dae-woong’s movie comes out and it’s a big hit, making him and Hye-in stars. Aunt Min-sook has her baby, Byung-soo and Sun-nyeo are dating. Dae-woong lands on the cover of magazines, and Hye-in shoots a CF with…Hong-ki? Hong-ki! We’ve missed you! What’re you doing here, puppy? He’s here as Jeremy, of course, although it’s unfortunate that he’s here alone to represent A.N.Jell. Well, you were my favorite anyway, so I’m pleased as punch.
Sun-nyeo knows that Hye-in has a crush on him, so she tells her to get off her high horse and do something about it…otherwise she’ll end up like she did with Dae-woong. That’s enough to scare her, so she swallows her pride and practices Mi-ho’s tactic: “I really, really, really, really like you.” Complete with finger guns. Ha.
Byung-soo has come up in the world too, making his own movies. He shows Dae-woong the script he wrote, using his idea—a love story between a human and a ghost. Dae-woong tells him it’s supposed to be a gumiho, but Byung-soo balks that a gumiho requires too much CG, for nine tails. He went with ghost instead. HA. I love the meta.
Dong-joo appears on the set, and Dae-woong is pleased to see him. He’s still posturing, of course, because he’s Dae-woong, but they’re friendly as they catch up. Dong-joo is a professor now, having decided to live amongst people. He asks if Dae-woong is still waiting. He clutches his heart, saying of course he’s waiting…because she’s not gone yet.
Dong-joo tells him that today there will be an eclipse. “The sun and the moon—they can’t exist in the same space. But they break that rule, and come together, in the eclipse.” Nice imagery.
He tells Dae-woong that it’ll come today, the day when the heavens go crazy. Sure enough, as the eclipse begins, Dae-woong’s phone starts ringing. Only he realizes it’s not his phone, but Mi-ho’s. He answers it, and it’s Mi-ho, using the eclipse to speak to him.
He runs around looking for her, asking her where she is, but she just answers that she’s watching him, and that she’s close to him. The eclipse passes, and their connection is lost. Dae-woong and I both curse the heavens for their cheap trick, and he sheds a tear, asking angrily if that was it.
He cries in disbelief. And then, from a distance, he hears her voice. “Woong-ah!” He looks up, and Mi-ho stands there, calling his name. Hooray~!
He walks over to her, not knowing if he’s hallucinating, and pokes her face, just to be sure. She cries a tear at his touch. He asks if she’s a ghost, and she’s about to answer, but he hugs her, saying it doesn’t matter.
Dae-woong: It doesn’t matter if you’re a ghost, or a gumiho, or a person. It doesn’t matter. It’s enough that you’re in front of me. If you’re back, that’s enough.
Gah, it rivals: “Whether you’re a man or an alien.” Really. Such a perfect thing to say to her.
That night, they return to the loft and sit together in the moonlight. She asks if he isn’t curious whether she’s returned as a human or a gumiho. He says it doesn’t matter, but he is curious. Mi-ho: “The moon is out and everything. Should we do a round of hoi-hoi and find out?” YES PLEASE.
Dae-woong’s pleased to see that she’s tail-less, which makes Mi-ho upset that he’s not actually fine if she’s still a gumiho. She confesses to having one tail left, as she wraps it around his waist, with her best come-hither look in her eyes.
Now THAT’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout.
They get snuggly, as Dae-woong says in voiceover, “As always, my girlfriend, she’s still…a fox.” Haha. Cute!
GIRLFRIDAY’S COMMENTS
What a great resolution. It would have left me unsatisfied, if she just became human, and didn’t retain any of her gumiho-ness. I love that Dae-woong’s ultimate confession of love is that it doesn’t matter what supernatural creature she is—he just loves her, for being her. It’s the best kind of declaration in my book, because he adores her exactly as she is, no more, no less.
I honestly wasn’t expecting this much angst in the finale, because I thought the mystical whozit would get resolved earlier, but I don’t mind it at all, because the angst actually played out so beautifully, and moved my ice-encased heart to tears. I thought that knowing they’d get a happy ending would have lessened my reaction to their last day, but it turned out not to matter—what moved me was the fact that they didn’t know it wouldn’t be their last day. So their brave front in the face of such crushing loss was epic, and romantic.
What I love about a story like this (and why my heart belongs to Buffy) is that the mystical mumbo jumbo is just a device—it’s a metaphor on a large scale that allows the high-concept life-or-death choices to drive the story, while forcing characters to face basic questions about mortality, self, sacrifice, and love. Their epic love story can have the dramatic tension found in all dramas, but the supernatural element provides a framework to justify the angst—it’s story-driven, and calls out Fate as the main operator in the universe, whereas other dramas use the same elements without giving the same level of narrative justification.
It’s my own bias, for sure, since this kind of story isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But for me? This show owns me, heart and soul. I may have found a new favorite. Of. All. Time.
JAVABEANS’ COMMENTS
I agree with everything Girlfriday just said, but still, I must offer a slightly different take on the ending and the drama as a whole. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed so much about this drama. But I think my reaction to the wrap-up is a bit less enthused.
A few criticisms:
As you well know, I’m a big fan of the Hong sisters. I’ve seen all their dramas, I’ve enjoyed all their pairings, and laughed at their jokes. They have a way of telling fun, funny stories in an accessible way that doesn’t talk down to you or try to be what it was never meant to be. Their style can dip into slapstick or hammy humor, but it never gets pretentious. Major kudos for that.
That said, there is a difference between a trademark and a crutch. The Hongs do both, and while I love the former, the latter can suck the zest out of a show.
Hong sisters trademarks: Pop culture parodies. A middle-aged couple finding love. Tongue-in-cheek references to famous dramas and/or movies. Cute catchphrases (“Bassha,” ‘I lub you,” “hoi-hoi,” “kkoraji hagoneun,” “You will be blessed”) and quirky-cute terms for things (“cow” rather than beef, “bubble-fizz water” instead of soda).
Crutches, on the other hand, are what you get when writers fall back on certain plot devices, conflicts, or resolutions, which feels more like a lack of creativity than an intentional callback. That’s why in my book, Delightful Girl Chun-hyang will always be my favorite Hong sisters drama, because everything was fresh, fun, and new back then. My Girl was super-peppy and entertaining, but it doesn’t rank as high in my book because there were certain recycled elements from DGCH that lacked the fresh factor. They broke with those patterns, thankfully, for Fantasy Couple — which is why I have a lot of respect for that drama even if it’s my least favorite of theirs. Hong Gil Dong took them further from their stable of favorite cliches and setups, but then You’re Beautiful brought a portion of them right back. (As in, extended separations, overhyped melodrama forcing the couple apart, dastardly meddlers, toxic parents, hapless second leads who never get the girl.)
What worked marvelously the first time doesn’t hold up as well the fourth time around, which is what I felt with the past few episodes. Like with Dae-woong following Mi-ho around (which we saw in DGCH and My Girl) and one character telling a huge lie to spare the other pain, which ends up keeping them apart (also from both DCGH and My Girl). I adore these writers, but for their next drama they’re really going to have to explore some untrod territory.
THAT SAID, I actually think Gumiho works despite those recycled elements because its fantasy angle is SO interesting and clever. By giving the conflict a true life-or-death gravitas, these elements are given a bit of a twist, so ultimately I accept them. I just can’t feel excited about them.
Regarding the ending: I’m generally satisfied, or at least as satisfied as I can be with a huge deus ex machina swooping in to save the day. As far as deus ex machinas go, it was done pretty well — I’m glad that they didn’t have Samshin Grandma merely wave a mystical wand and bring Mi-ho back, as I feared about halfway through this episode. If she did that, all the angst and conflict of the previous several episodes would have been moot, and that would have made me bitter. No, we are told that even in this fantasy world, there are supernatural laws, and Mi-ho cannot come back since she has given literally everything of herself. So only in this freak occurrence when “heaven goes crazy,” when the sun meets the moon, does she have a chance of crossing the cosmic divide and rejoining Dae-woong. But he has to earn it by waiting for her steadfastly, and it appears that a few years have passed since she disappeared.
I appreciate that the angsting had a narrative purpose (other than to keep them apart), because both had to prove that they would give up their lives for each other in a real, tangible way rather than just saying that they would in hypothetical scenarios (as Mi-ho tried to get Dae-woong to do). The lore says that only when the gumiho meets a man who is willing to give up everything can she step into the human world. They had to go through that trial by fire so that in the end, there is not a shadow of a doubt that they earned their happily ever after.
RELATED POSTS
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- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 12
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- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 10
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- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 6
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Tags: featured, Lee Seung-gi, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, Shin Mina
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251 jandoe
October 2, 2010 at 11:05 PM
JB, you totally said what's been on my mind about the Hong sisters' recycled elements. while i appreciate this drama for its strong sides, halfway through i kind of lost interest for a lil bit. im glad i finished it though!
but all the comments aside, thanks to both of you for dedicating yourselves to he recaps!
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252 Rosy
October 2, 2010 at 11:42 PM
Even so there were many recycled elements, the drama nonetheless is very entertaining and fun to watch. Actually there are many kdramas based on these recycled elements.
I will definitely going to watch this drama again and again.
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253 missjb
October 3, 2010 at 1:03 AM
yess no min woo is not good actor yet. But he can improve.
But i think it's not his fault if his char is not appealing. It's because his char under develop.
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254 Beng
October 3, 2010 at 1:28 AM
thanks for the recap. for some reason i don't know, but i preferred reading your recaps first then watch the drama after. Your recaps' (JB & GF) comments and opinion gave me additional fun vs. just watching it. This is how i watched Coffee Prince. I read first your recaps, then i watch the episode. Somehow, the fun lessens when i watch first before reading your recaps.
Again thank you and may you continue doing this till you're a thousand years old =)
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255 jude
October 3, 2010 at 3:05 AM
Daewoong & Minah makes a new history for kdrama..Thanks for the blast ending... Seung Gi & SMA you never failed us & to the Hong sister's one of the best drama you ever wrote..I never regretted of knowing you Seung Gi & for going crazy for the last 2 years... Congratulations to you & to all the production staff of MGIG.. Now, it'll be Strong Heart & 1n2d for Seung Gi..
thans for the recap!!!
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256 chim
October 3, 2010 at 3:31 AM
is it just me, or the preview for ep 16 and the actual ep is different?!!
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jenknight18
October 3, 2010 at 5:27 AM
yes i agree.. i'm about to say that too.. where is the scene where Hye-in's doctor father told her that her friend is in an accident.. I was searching for that,,
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Namispop
October 3, 2010 at 10:32 AM
I didn't see that preview, but my guess is that they shot that scene and included a bit of it in the preview clip...then that scene was edited out(probably due to time constraints), and they forgot to cut it from the preview clip.
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Hdbeanie
October 3, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Maybe they intended to make it different. You know, to add to surprise.
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257 Hdbeanie
October 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM
The Hong Sisters not only made adorable characters out of this show. They made it not only three, but four-dimensional. So real that I feel like I was with them all through out the 16 episodes. I LOVED THEM SO MUCH and attached to them that I don't even know how to let go.
Whenever I dry my hair in front of the fan, I remember Miho playing with it with her adorable "wooooong-aaaaah"..
Whenever I eat beef, I eat with glee and hear Miho say "MASHTA!"
Whenever I see an action film and hear oldies song, I remember the auntie and the director.
Whenever it rains I remember Miho. And wait for a call from Woong ah for him to say "bogoshipo."
I will never forget them. Hoi hoi! =(
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hana
May 13, 2011 at 6:27 AM
well said
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258 Hdbeanie
October 3, 2010 at 9:37 AM
Having noticed that it did not rain when Miho cried when she met woong ah after the eclipse, I think Miho became human. Human with one tail. Just a tail and no more traces of other supernatural powers. And the phrase "my girlfriend is still a fox" is to be taken more of a metaphor. You can't take the fox out of that girl! :)
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259 vavalerie
October 3, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I didn't watch the series at all (fangirl of Baker King =) ), and besides we don't have SBS and it'll be easier (though more painful) to wait for DVD. I started reading reviews out of curiosity and I have to say, I LOVE THIS AWESOME SHOW! Thanks Dramabeans & javabeans.
And thank YOU, girlfriday! You're the perfect recapper for this show, lol. I think we're gonna have a new channel (S1) here in Malaysia, and the previews included MGIAG. I almost died & killed my sister by clutching her hand too tight when I saw Miho's glowy tails on my TV screen.
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260 Namispop
October 3, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Many thanks to JB and girlfriday for these great(as always) recaps!
I finally got to watch episodes 15 and 16, and felt that they were very well done for a Hong Sisters drama. I got the Happy Ending that I really, really wanted...and, though I didn't think the last two episodes were perfect, they certainly hit all the emotional beats, got our Woong-ah and Mi-ho together, and made us feel that the two really earned their happily ever after. I'm glad that neither Dong-joo nor the mystical grandmother were able to quickly and easily fix the situation(of Mi-ho's dying) with some magic mojo. That would have diminished the happy payoff that we got in the end.
As much as I love Hong Sisters dramas, I've always felt that their concluding episodes were weak, especially when compared to how strong their openings are. For me, MGIAG had probably the best conclusion of all the Hong Sisters works. And now I'm not quite so certain that You're Beautiful is still my hands down favorite drama of all time. Like girlfriday, I'm a big Buffy fan. And MGIAG clicked for me for all the same reasons that Buffy does(and for the same reasons that girlfriday mentioned). For me, that puts MGIAG into a very special category.
Finally, I can't speak highly enough of how amazing Shin Min-ah was in her portrayal of Mi-ho. I never grew even a bit tired of her adorableness, cuteness, freshness, and straight forwardness. But she wasn't only about the cuteness. When things became difficult, we could feel her anxiety, her sadness, and her struggles with dealing with the idea of either her or Dae-woong dying. Her pain was real and palpable. And I totally bought into her character.
Kudos also to Lee Seung-gi, who gave us a Dae-woong with more depth and complexity than I anticipated. He also made me laugh and cry at times when I didn't think I would. He was the perfect match to Shin Min-ah's Mi-ho, and together they were very easy for us to get emotionally invested into as the OTP.
Thanks, again, JB and girlfriday!!
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AnnMichelle
October 5, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Totally agree with you.
DW and MH bring out the best in each other. Their heart-felt acting made me suspend my skepticism toward cheesy premises and improbable plots.
They inspire the Hongs to come up with their best work!
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261 IdunCryOK?
October 3, 2010 at 7:17 PM
I hate this show, for bringing out the emotional side of me. I had to gulp down so many times just to hold back my my tears from my silly eyes. I'm at work now, have to focus on my work!!
Thank god i watched the whole drama alone! I'm a guy for god sake. this show is definately bad for my health.
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rant
October 3, 2010 at 8:08 PM
the truth will set us free my friend.
So you, my friend, need to come out in the open.
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Wesley
April 9, 2012 at 10:37 AM
It's okay to cry as a guy. There are some emotional Kdrama's.
I think the only one i ever QQ is for
Secret Garden
My Fair Lady
My girlfriend is a Gumiho
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262 PLEASE mee
October 3, 2010 at 8:11 PM
Dear Show,
its been days since u left...
Im missing u so bad
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263 Rizzy
October 4, 2010 at 6:06 AM
I adore this drama. Just like GF, MGIAG ia now my all time fave drama. :) Thanks for the recaps JB and GF.
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264 f0a0t
October 6, 2010 at 2:26 AM
What I'm dying to know is, Dong joo is half human half what?? >< :(
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finerprint
October 7, 2010 at 12:26 AM
DAMN! it never occurred to me until u mentioned it.
is he half-gumiho or half gumiho hunter? Isnt a gumiho hunter human too.
This is crazy, now that its over.
Calling out GF!!!!!
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f0a0t
October 7, 2010 at 4:24 AM
I was thinking the same thing as you- half gumiho maybe? ahhh I wanna know so bad. haha
yes, please help us Girlfriday :)
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Sylvia
October 9, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Maybe his mother was a gumiho. After all, Miho is still a fox - if she and Woong have kids, they won't be all human either...
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Sylvia
October 9, 2010 at 2:35 PM
OTOH, it just occured to me that he said he wasn't a predator (didn't eat meat). He's probably half cow (buffalo). :-)
265 mhayology
October 8, 2010 at 12:46 AM
Absolutely the Best! <3
Hands Down.
This levels w/ You'r Beautiful!
Hong Sister are truely the BEST!
Greath Description guys!
I totally agree w/ both of you.
^_^
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266 quinceberrylady
October 8, 2010 at 9:03 AM
all i can say is ..Great Show!
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267 Sylvia
October 9, 2010 at 2:33 PM
I loved that she's still a fox at the end. :-)
This is a lovely, lovely drama. I think it may be one of my fave romantic comedies ever! The gumiho is adorable, the romance is lovely, and the main characters both grow and change through the relationship. It's wonderful. :-)
The deus ex machina came from a slightly unexpected corner; I really was expecting gumiho hunter to give up his life for his love this time around. But I'm glad he didn't!
To tell the truth, it was his plight that moved me most in the last ep, since the tragedy of the main couple had been done before in many many other eps. It was still moving, yes, but the hunter's fate of always standing on the sidelines, unloved and unable to save the one he loves even by the greatest sacrifice (that he is inevitably willing to make)... awwwww.
I am, sadly, uncertain of the hunter's actors ability to act - anyone know if he can? Because if he CAN, then I would SO love a sequel to this drama with the hunter as the male lead. Maybe a female goblin escapes from somewhere, and he has to hunt her down in his usual cold-hearted, ruthless, deadly way? *g*
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Kitsune
October 20, 2010 at 5:36 AM
I don't know why people seem to think he can't, I thought his acting was well-suited to the character. Just look at his eyes as he talks to Miho and see how his emotions change as the scene calls for it...he's very intense. From anguish to cool amusement or sorrow it was all there. The character didn't seem to be the emotionally expressive type (his theme says he has an "icy heart") so I thought how he acted was perfect for the role. You could almost see him choking back his tears when he was struggling with Miho's impending death.
If he couldn't act he'd just be another pretty face...but he could so :)
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missjb
October 22, 2010 at 9:33 AM
you're right, I love his acting as dong joo... Eventhough he lack certain parts... But overall he impressed me. i love his angst scene... Really well done. And better than sueng gi angst scene if i must say... I love how he expressed his feeling with his eyes... :)
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268 Sara
October 10, 2010 at 4:57 AM
OMG ....it's been taking me so long to finish up the last episodes and I am very happy I avoid reading any spoiler....enjoy episode 15 & 16 very much......been crying non stop since episode 15...I know it will end happily somewhat since no one is cursing MGIaG ending but can't help feeling very moved till the end.... very satisfying ending indeed....though I cringe a bit on Seung Gi's acting in a few key moments but overall our Hoi couple has an amazing chemistry
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269 jay
October 12, 2010 at 7:50 PM
wow, what a crappy drama, k dramas start so well, then fizzle with no cohesive story.
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270 soorin
October 13, 2010 at 4:57 PM
rewatched the drama over the weekend... still in love with the Hoi-Hoi couple ^^
so adorably cute, these two... I really miss them, still!
this is my most favorite drama of these writers yet... they just get better n better!
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271 nina
October 16, 2010 at 3:53 PM
oh, this is a fantastic drama! Woong-ah has my heart forever! and Miho has spoiled me for all the other drama heroines I've seen so far, hee!
this is absolutely a 10/10 drama for me...
now if only I could've seen some mutant-gumiho-human babies ;-)
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272 genybabes
October 20, 2010 at 2:35 AM
Thanks for the transcript.
This drama has become my favorite k-drama of all time.
I so love the Hoi-hoi couple.
Watching episodes 14-16 makes me cry buckets of tears.
I was hoping that the ending will be Miho asking Woong to mate. hehe
Now I'm having a bad MGIG withdawal syndrome. awts
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273 jzlsg
October 25, 2010 at 2:59 AM
i think LSG and SMA are the best in this drama! i loved everthing about LSG and i love woong-ah... LSG i love u forever! My Girlfriend is a Gumiho- hwaiting! great drama- i laughed, i cried, my emotions were always changing. I simply loved it!
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274 jzlsg
October 25, 2010 at 3:00 AM
i think LSG and SMA are the best in this drama! i love everthing about LSG and i love woong-ah... LSG i love u forever! My Girlfriend is a Gumiho- hwaiting! great drama- i laughed, i cried, my emotions were always changing. I simply loved it!
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275 Sweet
October 25, 2010 at 8:29 PM
I still remeber waiting for this to come out and was like Shin MInah?
BORING>
But then this is currently my favorite,
and the the one that makes me talk to dramas again
.
LOl.
The one the one and was the only one was AIMH!
This totally did steal my heart.
Ughhh/
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276 SadieStarr
October 28, 2010 at 11:40 PM
im a huge mess..didnt wnt to read the last review..cuz i didnt wnt it to end..but now im a mess
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277 Diane
October 29, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Thanks for the recap :)
This is by so far the BEST DRAMA EVER for me :)
Enough said :D
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278 gumiho lover
October 31, 2010 at 3:22 AM
wahhhhhhh!!!! so sad this drama finish already!! very sweet korean drama i ever seen.. i love u CHA DAE WONG!! i love u GU MI HO ~!!! ^________^
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279 mari
November 9, 2010 at 6:09 PM
I cried again reading this!
This drama brings out the softie in me ;)
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280 Miyoko Nakamura
November 10, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Oh my GOSH! even through people says;they are not satisfied at the finale episode of my girlfriend is a fox..well for me I enjoyed it,I'm satisfy because it's okay to be one tailed half fox and half human than to be a gumiho that still vanish. it's better this way. she really has a real tail! because she can't leave him anymore. and through she is not a pure human,she will definitely EXIST in human world. she is like cat lady.LoL (^^) "It's better to have something, than nothing".
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281 kdj
November 13, 2010 at 9:42 PM
I just finished watching MGIAG and boy do I cried like a baby! But I gotta say, the biggest reason I cried was because I was reading your recap while watching it.
That said, I need to say this. I'm not a big fan of Lee Seung Ki acting. I'm not gonna use the word horrible, but maybe just a simple "bad". I felt he lack the ability to act out the sad part. He looked a bit off with his crying. What made me cry was not his acting, but the whole atmosphere of the scenes. But I adore him when he acted the fun, comedic part. He needs a lot of improvement, but I'm sure he'll get to be a great actor soon.
Min Ah.. What can I say. She's the most adorable, lovable, Guminho I've ever seen! Well, she's the 1st Guminho I saw, but still. She was perfect from the beginning till the end. Amazing. I have no other words to describe her...
But now, as much as I love the chemistry between the 2 leads, I hated the adult love story between the director & the aunt. I didn't watch their scenes at all. I fast forward them. And though the EmoHair guy was hot, but his face is waaaay to plastic (double meaning, as in his acting and his "too much nip tuck" face). I fast forward a lot on his scenes as well, except for the last few episodes.
Overall, it was a great journey. MGIAG might be one of my fav drama. But Pasta stole my heart completely. Hehehe
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282 Nikki
November 21, 2010 at 8:03 PM
I LOVE THIS SHOW. I sobbed so much my face is dry from all the tears stains. And I didn't even cry when I saw Million Dollar Baby! Now a list of thanks.
Thank you SHOW for...
1. Being so awesome
2. Making me love a scary gumiho
3. Lee Seung Gi
4. Lee Seung Gi's dimple
5. Making me a fool over all the cute stuff
6. Being strong from start to finish
7. Being the first KDRAMA I may actually pay a ridiculous price to own.
And thanks Javabeans and Girlfriday for your recaps. And a special thanks to Girlfriday for not hiding your nomo-nomo-love for this show!
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283 Justin
December 1, 2010 at 6:59 PM
what is the melody played right after they take the wedding picture when dae woong asks miho to come up with them for the picture?
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284 f1yh1gh10
December 12, 2010 at 12:25 PM
i honestly think lee seung gi is a heck of a good actor for a singer..but maybe that was just me? he was pretty much 3/4 of the reason i cried.. just seeing him cry made me cry..and then miho was the cutest girl ever! it made me so sad when dongju said, "so you gave up everything before he even really knew you".. sob.
HOI HOI!!!
<3 <3 <3
my girlfriend is a gumiho.
i'm so glad this ending was happy..i probably would have died from lack of body water if it hadn't.
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285 visualbeans
January 6, 2011 at 6:58 AM
TT am I the only one who likes Dong Joo more and wished he was with Miho instead? ^^"
Though he didn't seem that great of an actor/character...
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286 vhalerie
February 22, 2011 at 5:31 AM
oh.i watch this 3 times!!!..gosh the ending is soo great, that i wanted to cry my heart out!.:((.though it ended happily..i can't erase their sad faces from my mind plus the twists though its alreadythe last episode..the Hong sisters are wildly awesome...that in this movie I can't help myself from crying..huhu..especially when my Seung Gi does the scene..oohh..as then this movie has an open ending.i still hpo and really really wish for Part 2!Part 2!Part 2!!!..hha LOL..
If not this movie,hope another movie with them together and still from the Hong Sisters..oh I would really be soo happy..
Love in watching it over n over again..<3
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287 Tatl
February 23, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Love this drama!!!
Does anyone know what the song is during the wedding ceremony?
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288 amexx
February 25, 2011 at 9:19 AM
OMG!!
firstly i downloaded all the episode, and watch them for two days! heh.
i cried! and i'm a guy! my god!
my tears started to drop at ep 14.
then i found this web/recap, and decided to watch it again briefly while reading the recap.
and then, i watched again at the last episode! dang!
i must say, this is the best drama ever!! used to think that Chun Hyang was the best, but MGIAG beats it al!!
loved Mi-ho!!
hoi-hoi!!
kdrama fans, Malaysia
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289 Violet
March 14, 2011 at 3:13 AM
I cried a lot while watching the finale, and almost cry again while reading your recap!.. :) but i can't do that as i'm in office right now.. haha.. Love your precise recap dear.. i can imagine every scene that you describe vividly..
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290 9dragonkings
March 27, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Hello, everyone. I'm just pointing out something.
It's a ironic happy ending with a deeper meaning. It has two meanings.
SPOILER WARNING:
1)Will Chae-Woong love Mi Ho even though she's a Gumiho? Yes, that is certain at the ending. They will be together regardless if she's a monster, human or etc.... He even said it as he hugged her, near the end. (She's still a Youkai/ Monster/ Magical Creature at the end) The whole love regardless is there. =)
2)Mi Ho wasn't human at the end, but neither was Dae-Woong. If viewers pay attention. All we have to do is check into the back story of Park Dong Ju, who's half human and half Yao-Kai. It basically the same scenario. Only difference was that Mi Oh came back to Daw Woong because of the eclipse/ Grandmother God's aid.
Example: Remember Daw-Woong had the bead within him til the very end. He was fine/ alive after being hit head on by a truck. That's not humanly possible any way you look at it.
At the end of the story it implies Dae Woong's body ended up like Park Dong Ju. So in theory Dae Woong's a half breed. Taking that into the consideration, it would make sense that Mi Oh came back as a You kai instead of a human. Since taking the bead out of Dae Woong will most likely kill him, the better option will be living together as immortals.
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bananabreyn
April 25, 2011 at 1:25 AM
Ah, thanks for that.
I had been thinking(well bothered is a more accurate word) of Dae-woong's mortality vs. Mi ho's immortality. Like, it would be really sad if HE grows old and die and SHE doesn't.
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291 cireria
March 29, 2011 at 6:01 AM
wonderful recap that makes everything so much clearer for those like me who enjoy watching in korean but have to rely on the sometimes less than complete or accurate english subbing to follow the show.
also very insightful comments. many thanks
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292 Isha Maini
March 29, 2011 at 5:37 PM
I remember a couple of months ago browsing through dramas looking for something interesting to watch, and unfortunately I judged a book by its cover and pushed off the whole girlfriend with 9 tails thing in the back because I thought it was weird, but one day I was super bored and decided to finally check it out....and I fell in love with this drama. I cried my heart out in the 16th episode cause for awhile I though mi-ho was actually going to die, anyways point of this long story is I'm glad I watched it, and I agree with you definitely an all time new favourite :)
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293 kim
April 27, 2011 at 7:56 AM
='( happy ending ..
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294 divyrus
May 2, 2011 at 11:07 AM
AH.. AM MISSING THIS SHOW ALREADY!
MY 9TH KOREAN SERIAL AND THE ONLY ONE WHICH I NEVER WANTED TO END!!!!
Hong Sisters, with you are beautiful you interested me and with this, you have completely captivated me!
Am yours, truly!
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295 immabewithjeremy
May 3, 2011 at 6:26 PM
thanks sooo much!! I understood almost everything after reading this!! but! :D but one thing's left uncertain.
Why did she had to protect Dae-woong using the bead? I mean, nothing was wrong with him! He wasn't dying or sumthin, was he? That's the only question in my mind.. BEEN THINKING BOUT THAT FOR DAYS, REALLY! I'll truly appreciate it if someone would make it clear for me. :)
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296 iris
May 12, 2011 at 12:07 PM
So I loved this show, I thought it was completely amazing but I'm just kind of confused...if she's still a gumiho, then doesn't that mean she can't age? so are they still going to be together when he's old and she looks exactly the same? Hopefully I'm just missing something but I sort of don't get how this is a happy ending if she can't actually age with him or anything
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iris
May 12, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Oh I just read like 3 comments above me....never mind then whoops
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297 hana
May 13, 2011 at 6:15 AM
the best story ever, but as jb said, I put chun hyang in the first place for its fresh feelings.
Nevertheless, hoi2 couple stays in my heart in the same place as chun hyang-mong ryong, gong chan-yoo rin and tsukasa-tsukushi. Best chemistry ever.
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298 Woong'ssharedkiwithme
May 17, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Mayn! That was so far the best drama I have ever seen. It was so different from the dramas I watched and it was not as predictable as I thought. Twas A-MA-ZIN! Twas sooo woongtastic. I love it!
I watched the subbed episode and I just bawled all over my bed. Our nanny went up to check on me cuz I was being noisy at 4 in the morning HAHA. Yes im THAT addicted. I slept and dreamt bout it then woke up again and read your recaps. DAMN! Made me bawl again but this time on the floor and with my sister HAHA. I must have seemed crazy to our nanny cuz she keeps seeing me crying and then suddenly laughing XD thats what good drama does to you. I watched again today and well.....my mom called me on the phone asking if I needed to go to the doctor XD YES MOM I HAVE THE MGIAG FEVER SO GIVE ME A FOX BEAD. Sheez Haha movin on. Thank you to the Hong sisters for making such an epic drama and thank you for Girlfriday and Javabeans for all your witty comments that never fail to make me laugh...*remembers the sausage joke* pfffft! Thank you to the cast for being so wonderful.
WAHH! I just love Lee Seung Gi. He is amazing. Never seen an actor cry so realistically. It was not too much to make me vomit and it wasnt too lil to make me curse at him for not being more emotional. It was PERFECT. As for Shin Min Ah...wow you are just amazing. If I were a boy *sings it for a while* I would totally want to marry you HAHAHA youre too woongtastic and just oh so cute. Since Ived watch you throughout the series, im starting to smile more haha and youre smile at that. Thank you so much! I love you guys...now Ill go back to my empty gumiho-less life again
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299 ninya
May 18, 2011 at 8:20 AM
you have a very good blog.. :)
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300 Deazralei
May 21, 2011 at 5:26 AM
I have to say. I'm not a fan of K-Dramas, but my love of fantasy, romance, and comedy totally got me to watch this.
At first I was like, "Oh. Just another K-Drama." I watched it all the way for 3-4 days, slept at dawn for the first time, cried because of a drama when I never did that before, and laughed my ass off like never before.
I felt sad during the last 2 episodes. Seeing as DW gave up almost everything just to save Mi Ho, and the final day when they couldn't even go anywhere. But when the part when Mi Ho covered DW's eyes so he won't see her disappear, that was the part where my tears started to really fall one by one.
Mi-ho: Forget all the scary stuff. And remember me as a really really really really good dream.
Dae Woong: A dream? When I open my eyes, it won’t hurt?! It hurts this much…how can you be a dream?
I wish I had a Gumiho girlfriend. I realized just now how joyous it is to take care of someone like how DW did with Mi Ho. How joyous it would be for someone to stick by your side whatever happens and long for the day when you two would be together. Lastly, someone who'll accept you for who you are, regardless of what you are. :)
I stumbled across this review when I was looking for similar dramas to MGIAG. The recap made me feel sad, but happy again because of the happy ending. The ending could've used more screentime for DW and Mi Ho though. Thank you Javabeans and Girlfriday. You did a good job of reviewing and recapping the last episode. SALUTE!
I hope they would consider making a Season 2, where the Samshin Grandma would enter into DW and Mi Ho's lives. How I wish this series would've lasted longer.
Btw, I'm a guy. Don't judge me. :O
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Deazralei
May 21, 2011 at 5:35 AM
Plus the soundtracks were so awesome, after finishing the series, I'm still listening to them and still adjusting to the moods of the situations whenever I hear them.
THANK YOU HONG SISTERS.
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