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
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 15
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 14
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 13
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 12
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 11
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 10
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 9
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 8
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- Who will cameo next on Gumiho Girlfriend?
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 6
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- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 4
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 3
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 2
- My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Episode 1
- Pop Culture: Gumiho
Tags: featured, Lee Seung-gi, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, Shin Mina
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201 weissman
October 1, 2010 at 1:01 PM
WOW again
There are stories that stay with you long after they are finsihed and an impression that effects the way you look at things from there on out. I wold say that this is one of those stories.
Amazing story one of the all time best Hooah! Thsi story will be so missed. I want more...
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202 Ceresase
October 1, 2010 at 1:26 PM
I lovvee this drama and the ending! This is a close second to my face hong Gil dong. Btw maybe it's just me but I saw that the scene when daewoong cries and miho covers his face reminds me when yinok covers Gil dong's face so she won't see him cry. Except miho does this so he won't see her disappear. Nevertheless, the emotion behind both are so deep that I cried. I love how Jeremy came back but I miss his blonde hair. At first, I thought it was hong ki but it's actually Jeremy. Either way, I loved the final episode. Thanks girlfriday and javabeans!
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203 Vico
October 1, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Thanks for the recaps. Really enjoyed this show.
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204 xiaoSxin
October 1, 2010 at 1:30 PM
I just watched the final episode (again!) and I am really really really sad MGIAG is over!!
I already watched a marathon of Shining Inheritance last weekend to pass time while waiting for the new episodes this week. I am also watching reruns of 2 days 1 night.. and watching Strong Heart. Lee Seung Gi's Shadow Album is playing in a loop on ipod.
And I am watching also MGIAG every week on channel 35 (I have COX cable). Last thursday was episode 8.. At least I have a month more to go before it ends here in the States..
Thanks JB, GF for recapping this series. I am sorry I won't see you guys next week in NYC Comic Con.. I'm a big fan.
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205 mgig4ever
October 1, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Thank you GF and JB for 16 wonderful recaps.
I laughed and cried my hearts out while reading them.
I preferred a sad ending initially but then my life would have been hell of a miserable one so I'm very happy that DW and MH ended up together.
SMA was the cuttest fox that I've ever seen.
And Lee Seung Gi....he is just amazing.
I watch Dae Woong cry 100 times and I cry with him 100th time. His acting is so pure and sincere.
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206 kc
October 1, 2010 at 2:04 PM
I almost cried while reading! Thank you JB and Girlfriday! Ive learned my lesson not getting too attached to a kdrama. So I am completely fine, Im not happy nor sad that MGiaG has ended! I liked the ending.
The Hong sisters and their trademark are so cute! Hoi Hoi!
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207 kacy
October 1, 2010 at 2:20 PM
java....u always have something to criticise...-.- jeez, enjoy something for once.
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Ace
October 1, 2010 at 8:11 PM
it's her blog...
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208 MeIGuess
October 1, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Man I loved LOVED loved this. Gosh, I always wondered if i'd ever find another drama that I could Love and enjoy after "The 1st Shop of coffee prince" and what do you know, here comes MGIAG. Gosh I loved it. I cried so much my mother was about to pull her bible out and pray for me--but she settled for telling me I was crazy in the head. Hehehe but I dont mind, since sh'e going to get me cable with korean channels. hehehe
Thanks for the recap, waited for it all night last night...but when I got to reading I fell asleep. heheh I enjoyed it immensely. Good Job!! Thanks Javabeans and Girlfriday--I shall miss this bonding we had. *^_^*
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Tato
October 1, 2010 at 7:32 PM
Yea after coffe Prince i was like...this is it? and the came MIHOO oh my good, now what am i going to do? i justo cry and cry and in my imagination they have babies and one of them felt in love with emo boy, that way everyone is happy
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209 ^_^
October 1, 2010 at 4:20 PM
haha i didnt look at the recap yet/comments ( dont want it spoiled) , ep 16 is trafficked on viikii! but on an early note, this entire cast, n plotline, i luved =) kept me on my toes!
thru MGIAG, i got 2 see a better view of seungis acting as well as shin minahs, caz frankly, in a love to kill it waz ..meh...
but shes proved herself alot! n finally....NO MInWOo! ^^
thru dis, i now am a abolute fan of him :)
will hav 2 wait n see for da finale! GOod Ending! *cross fingers*
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210 krine
October 1, 2010 at 4:43 PM
*sigh* it really ended, thanx for all your wonderful recaps!
sidenote: I never knew seung gi until I watched this drama and I must say he played his role pretty darn well (compared to others *cough* *cough* *LHJ* *cough*)
sure there were flaws but calling someone "horrible" in my opinion sounds like soysauce, strawberry jam, peanuts, syrup all mixed together.
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211 CPW
October 1, 2010 at 4:46 PM
Great insightful comments! Thank you!
Yes, I love Hong sisters. And DCGH will always be the special/favorite drama in my book as well because it's my first Kdrama. Boy, it sure has turned my world upside down! Hard to believe that I can actually become so addictive to something. 0) BTW, where is Jae Hee, my first K-actor crush? Isn't he back from the army?
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212 alexthegirl
October 1, 2010 at 5:28 PM
JB and girlfriday:
Thank you so so so so so much (channeling some Mi-Ho right now..너무 너무 너무 너무 고마워요) for the recaps! I've been following your blog for years and every time you recap a drama I'm watching, I have to come read your commentary after watching that particular episode or it just doesn't feel complete. Thanks for choosing to do 내 여자친구는 구미호 and for all the "awww" moments we've had with Dae-woong and Mi-ho along the way. This might have to be my 2010 favorite. haha
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213 kendy
October 1, 2010 at 5:54 PM
just watching the engl. sub right now.. and i cried... like a river..waaaahhhhhh.....
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214 Icestreak
October 1, 2010 at 5:58 PM
I usually read your recap before watching the drama to see if its worth watching or not. But this drama totally broke my heart enough to make me cry while reading the RECAP.
:( So MGIAG is finally over. I'm going to miss you soo much Show. You and your cuteness. Thanks for the recap JB and GF!
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215 gumihoismyname
October 1, 2010 at 6:24 PM
i cried a lot. omg ! i love this movie. sad yet fascinating. the best old story-teller ever. i love you, cha dae-woong and gu mi-ho! hoi hoi ~
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216 red
October 1, 2010 at 6:48 PM
thanku so much for the recap...loved this show and the ending....their last day when woong tries not to cry in front of miho was heartbreaking...loved this whole episode....ok im someone who cries buckets in these angsty scenes but it was just a couple of tears....i dnt knw why...i love this show and this couple....maybe all the sad kdrama endings have steeled my heart....
when woong just stood there as the truck came and hit him...i thought they were trying to parallel autumns tale...but sadly no...
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red
October 1, 2010 at 6:50 PM
i mean parody autumns tale ending
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217 anonymous
October 1, 2010 at 7:18 PM
is it just me or GF posted additional screen caps?
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218 rimiheun
October 1, 2010 at 7:18 PM
I have never cried so much for a drama or any other story! My Girlfriend is a Gumiho 대박!!!
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219 kopi_adik
October 1, 2010 at 7:20 PM
i wanted to see gumiho babies!!! LOL love love love this drama!
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220 Ammy
October 1, 2010 at 7:24 PM
I loved this drama! It was cute and really fun to watch. The actors were increeeedibly adorable as well! I honestly had low expectations of this drama when I read the synopsis and started watching. After I finished the first episode, I was hooked!
I love all the little memories attatched with this drama. (hoi hoi, cow-colored, 'i really really really really like you'!!)
I loved Lee Hong Gi's cameo in the final episode too, although I was sad that he was there alone. :( I'm a huge fan of Jang Keun Suk, and wanted to see him in it!!
This drama was wonderful. I had a lot of laughs! Watch it if you haven't already!!
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221 Annie
October 1, 2010 at 7:54 PM
I just finished this... And I have to say... it's been quite a while since I've fallen in love with a drama. I'm gonna be sad that I won't be able to see Mi Ho and Dae Woong moments anymore. But you know what would make up for it? If Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah hooked up in real life. What? A girl can't dream?
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anonymous
October 1, 2010 at 8:06 PM
* my fingers are crossed
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222 v
October 1, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Thank you both for your recaps. I will never ceased to be amazed at the Hong sisters intelligence, which especially shone in MGiaG. How amazing is it that they never disappoint. And the last episode was really a good finale which avoided the danger of falling flat as an epilogue like so many other finales did. I can't believe I cried AGAIN, reading the recap... Man, that was something.
That said, I agree with JB more on this one... It's undeniably a good drama and it would not be surprising if it was my favorite. However, for some reason, it's not my favorite (although still in the top). I could recognize all the good things but I rarely became crazy about them like I felt I should. Still, I had so many aws, lols, tears and squealing from this drama so big props to the Hong sis. Shin Minah is the cutest most awesome gumiho/heroine EVER, next to Hani. Lee seungi... haha, i might develop a crush on you if you continue this way. Everyone else, even Hye in, love you too.
Anyways, lovely recaps, awesome drama.... and looking forward to the next one from the Hong Sis!
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223 Julianna
October 1, 2010 at 9:25 PM
I absolutely loved the ending. I personally think it is perfect in a sense that it wraps up the drama nicely, without loose ends. I preferred endings that give us clear answers than leave us to our guesses. So, thumbs up to the Hong sisters for that. And the cuteness! I think I had an overdosed of cuteness when I was watching it!
Plot wise, there are flaws. But to me, they are not such big loop holes that disturb me too much. As for the acting, I have to say that our fox hunter Dong Joo deserved a bit more screen time! His acting is so, so, so, so good! I enjoy all of his scenes. Plus, it is hard to hate him when he's such an eye-candy! Shin Min-Ah is WONDERFUL beyond words with her portrayal of Minho. I didn't like her as much in her drama with Rain (can't recall the name). Lee Seung Gi is equally AMAZING! Although I think he did overact at certain scenes, it was not a big deal that prevents me from loving him.
I'm so sad this drama has come to an end. *sigh* What am I going to watch now? Playful Kiss lost me at ep. 7. Any suggestions?
THANK YOU Javabeans and Girlfriday for your recaps! I really enjoy your insights and comments! ^_^ Thank you so, so, so, so much!
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vieny
October 2, 2010 at 8:34 AM
same as me..now i've been thinking what i should watch after this..in my head keep calling mi ho- dae woong ^^ and sad that lee sung gi said goodbye on twitter TT
may be i'm glad when mary stayed all night come out later XD
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Julianna
October 2, 2010 at 9:07 AM
I can't wait for Mary stayed out all night! JGS = Love!!! XD
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224 Cecelia N
October 1, 2010 at 9:48 PM
i wanted to see them old. with like fifty million kids XD other than that, this episode made me cry like a baby, and smiling and crying at the end because it was sad and happy too. lol
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225 GuMiHo
October 1, 2010 at 9:52 PM
~sighs~ what's left to do in life now that the show is over?
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226 Bess
October 1, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Thanks so much for the wonderful recaps. Who cares ifLSG is not the best actor in the world, he has totally captured my heart !! Love the chemistry between him and SMA.
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227 nom_kitteh
October 1, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Finally got a chance to watch the final two episodes (Damn you, work). I really enjoyed this drama--it was a good, solid, fun, sweet piece with two excellent central actors that made it even more enjoyable. It's super awesome that the final episode got such high ratings.
I also liked that the universe had to decide if the two could be together.
Overall though, My Girl and YAB will continue to remain my Hong Sisters faves because the element of something larger and really inherently tragic within the lives of the leads in My Girl and YAB made the romantic levity that much more urgent to me. Lee Da-hae's and Jang Keun Suk's lives are really, truly sad: both have such miserable family lives.
In Gumiho, there was nothing much at stake except the loss of love. That is, there was really one conflict for 16 episodes. My Girl and YAB had several competing tragedies/conflicts/things to root for.
All that said. I love that Gumiho did not have a devoted sidekick. I wish the sidekick was made evil, or at least more bad than he was.
I feel like I am complaining--but that's not my intention. I really enjoyed Gumiho.
I gotta say, though: Coffee House still remains my fav. for the year so far. That drama was so, so, so well-written, hip, real, painful but in a recognizable familiar way, and totally sweet.
I hope at the end of the year recap Coffee House finds a top ten spot on Dramabeans' list.
THANK YOU, JB and GF, for your amazing hard work, excellent recaps, commentary, explanations, and energy. You guys are the best.
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228 Adeline
October 1, 2010 at 10:29 PM
My fav korean drama of all time ! Totally addicted and in love with the show ! Thanks for all the awesome recaps.
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229 =_=
October 1, 2010 at 10:35 PM
this drama is awesome till the end...
episode 16 = tears
the whole starting of epi 16 is so sad and i almost cried for every scene...
but the ending i shed tears of joy...
oh my what an awesome drama the Hong sisters had brought us....
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230 Lilian
October 1, 2010 at 11:50 PM
I totally agree with the Woong-tastic part. He is so so good.....Now listening to his albums because I'm already missing him. Faster, get him another drama to act in!!!
And the soundtrack is playing continuously in my mind esp LSG's song =) T_T I will miss you show....
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231 bd
October 2, 2010 at 12:55 AM
The ending/finale was predictable (Mi ho dying and coming back) and it was mostly a recap of the "hoi hoi" couple's time together, but I didn't mind.
After the somewhat disappointing past 1.5 episodes, this was a nice ending - not exactly breaking any new ground, but nice in a comforting way.
While a part of me is glad that the hoi hoi couple ended up together, the other part kinda wishes that the story ended w/ Mi ho "disappearing", but w/ a piece of her remaining w/ DW (yeah, I know it wouldn't be the "Hollywood ending", but it would've had a greater emotional impact).
Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable drama (despite being a bit disappointing during ep. 14 and 15) and as romantic comedies go, the best since Coffee Prince (MGIAG edges Coffee House slightly based purely on the magnetism of SMA).
CP is still, overall, the better romantic comedy b/c it had the better, more sensible wrap-up of the romance, better secondary story-lines and characters (unlike in MGIAG, the secondary characters in CP were fully developed and not one-dimensional as many characters in MGIAG were), didn't resort to slap-stick for humor and a better soundtrack.
Also, there were just too many things that happened in MGIAG that just didn't make sense, which kinda really bugged me.
Nonetheless, the best part of this drama was the relationship btwn Mi ho and DW, how it changed and developed over the eps. and SMA's performance (I thought she would be perfect for the role, but she even surpassed my high expectations).
Speaking of SMA, I highly recommend watching her in the films "Madeleine" and "Sad Movie", as well as the drama "Punch" (where I think she has even more chemistry w/ Joo Jin mo).
Being the 1st time seeing LSG in a drama, I have to say, I'm quite impressed by his acting, even if he did tend to over do it a bit.
The biggest problem I had w/ his character tho, was believing in the notion that he was some guy that many girls were crushing on, as well as being some great skilled action hero guy; since LSG fits the wimpy, nice-guy mold so well.
And sorry (fangirls), NMW didn't bring much to the table as the vet/gumiho hunter; yeah, I know he didn't have much to work w/, but everytime his character appeared on screen, I felt myself losing interest (and that smirk was beginning to really annoy me).
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missjb
October 3, 2010 at 1:02 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 don't appealing. It's because his char under develop.
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232 bd
October 2, 2010 at 1:03 AM
The 1 other actress (who comes to mind) who would have been a good fit for the role is Jeon Ji hyun (tho, I can't quite see her surpassing SMA's performance).
If the report is true that JJH passed over it (probably b/c she just doesn't want to work the hours that filming a weekly drama entails), she really missed out b/c that girl needs a hit stat.
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233 yellowmum
October 2, 2010 at 1:55 AM
For Friday night date, I compelled hubby to read with me episode 16 recap. I think he enjoyed it. I enjoyed it even more this time.
Now he teases me everytime with "Lee seung gi". I just smile. He knows the fangirl in me is blushing. yay for hubbies like mine:)
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234 Gumiho
October 2, 2010 at 2:00 AM
I already watched a lot of Korean dramas (but of course not as much as javabeans' or girlfriday's) and Goong struck me the most. (I wasn't able to watch Coffee Prince or Kim Sam Soon, that's why I do not have an idea how awesome, as what you've commented, they were. ) Goong became No. 1 in my list for 3 years and Personal Taste, My Fair Lady, You're Beautiful, Boys Over Flowers and the like weren't able to dethrone it.. but August 11 came and when I watched the first episode of My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, I knew that it has the potential to topple Goong in my list. At first, I don't want to watch this since I have no idea what a Gumiho is. I might not be able to relate since I don't know the myth about it. But thank goodness, I still watched it!
Sept 30 came and I bawled and cried buckets! The acting was superb and the story was good. Yes, it might copy some scenes in My Girl but I didn't mind, since the approach was different. It wasn't Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae who acted on this but it was Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah. So it was okay for me.
As for the characters, I don't know if I would love this drama if it wasn't portrayed by LSG and SMA. I knew Lee Seung Gi as a singer and this was my first time to see him in a drama (I wasn't able to watch Brilliant Legacy). I knew SMA because I watched A Love to Kill and bits of The Devil and I was shocked because her role here in MGIAG was totally different from her roles in the past. I was actually worried if the couple won't have chemistry since SMA is 3 years older than LSG. I got worried that she might look like as LSG's noona, but I was wrong.
THEY CLICKED TOGETHER! THEY REALLY HAVE THIS SUPERB CHEMISTRY! I didn't get bored in all of the episodes and maybe it was one of the reasons why it became the new No. 1 in my list. I got bored at some scenes of Goong, but in MGIAG, never.
It took years for me to get attached to a drama again. I still find it hard to accept that it has ended already. I want to see LSG and SMA together in a drama again.
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vieny
October 2, 2010 at 8:38 AM
i love your comment..XD
i have falling in love for lee seung gi because of shining inheritance/brilliant legacy.u should've watch it on viikii. but i guess i like seung gi acting the most in MGIG.he's such a wonderful actor and the chemistry..i won't deny that shin min ah-lee seung gi should be award as the best couple of k dram this year ^^
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235 Gumiho
October 2, 2010 at 2:03 AM
And also, before I forget... I want to thank Javabeans and Girlfriday for the recaps. I've been reading your blog for years already. Thanks for everything!
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236 tachan
October 2, 2010 at 2:56 AM
thanks very much for the recaps.
This episode took so much of my tears.....
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237 sakki
October 2, 2010 at 4:31 AM
Wongaahh... mihooo-aahhh.... I´ll miss you guys nomu nomu nomu nomu nomu nomu nomu nomu!!!!!!
Nomu nomu...... T___T ( sobing...) someone pass me the tissue....
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238 Em
October 2, 2010 at 4:34 AM
Great recap of the last episode. i actually read your recap first before watching the episode. I cried buckets reading when Miho dissappeared and Daewoong was crying.. OMg i can just imagine how much more i'll be crying when watching it.. great drama.. loving the ending...
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239 the don
October 2, 2010 at 5:11 AM
thx for the recap!!!
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240 jen
October 2, 2010 at 6:39 AM
i should really watch this dramaa when i have time...
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241 ka-min
October 2, 2010 at 7:38 AM
TQ SO MUCH JB FOR MGIG!!!~
*너무 너무 너무 좋아*.....
*너무 너무 너무 좋아*.....
*너무 너무 너무 좋아*.....
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242 Meosles
October 2, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Thank you JB and GF - great job!!
The show lost me somewhere in ep 14 and the only 'saving grace' was that I then start crying buckets which shows that I'm still engaged although I have stopped buying the plot until the very end. Still, it cannot be easy thinking of fresh jokes, scenarios, dialogues, and so .. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK HONG SISTERS, and take a break if there is burnout. Sometimes, a trip to japan or maldives does wonders.
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243 asiangirl
October 2, 2010 at 12:36 PM
this was such an amazing drama but it kinda left me wondering at the end what really happened to that grandma and the doctor guy? i kinda wish they told us
but other than that everything else was great haha im off to watch playfull kiss
byee:)
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244 asianchicka
October 2, 2010 at 12:36 PM
this was such an amazing drama but it kinda left me wondering at the end what really happened to that grandma and the doctor guy? i kinda wish they told us
but other than that everything else was great haha im off to watch playfull kiss
byee:)
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245 Jin Ari
October 2, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Thanks for your nicely written recaps.
My fav character among the three main ones was DJ, althought I loved MH and DW as well.
I would have loved it if DJ could have sacrificed himself to help MH become human. I think he still has GD's bead and could have given it to MH.
But this ending was nice too.
Thanks again.
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246 deeps
October 2, 2010 at 1:21 PM
This episode was magical (I strongly suspect that these writers have a touch of the otherworldly 'bout them ;-) I couldn't believe that I sobbed through most of this ep... I rarely even tear up at the super-angsty parts of other (and much more melodramatic) dramas... It has touched me more than I can even fully comprehend...
Well, for the series as a whole, this one knocked off all the other Hong Sisters' dramas (and those are really 90% of my fav drama list) becoming one of my all-time favs! What a great fantastic resolution to the series! Loved the fact that both DW and MH have a bit of the supernatural in 'em at the end, hehe... it left me wanting for more!
I cannot wait for what these sisters conjure up next!
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247 sheilapiglet
October 2, 2010 at 6:03 PM
until now I still don't understand Dong Joo's past...like what happened to the other gumiho and why he had to kill her...anyone care to explain?..thanks.
I think the ending was angsty and they lived happily ever after which is my favourite type of ending to a drama, but the part where DW got hit by a truck was totally unnecessary..like what?..haha...other than that, I thot the 2 lead actors did a good job in portraying their characters...especially the girl=)
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karen
October 2, 2010 at 7:49 PM
that scene is necessary..
because Daewoong doesn't know if Mi Ho is still around and he wants to verify that... more of that, if Mi Ho is not around, i think he wants to go with her as well.(i.e. do not want to live), otherwise he could avoid it but you saw his face was like, 'yes, hit me...' (haha) .. when he was hit, it started raining.. which means to him is Mi Ho is around and she is crying because Daewoong was injured... this give hope to Daewoong that she is still around and that's how he still continue to wait for Mi Ho...
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sheilapiglet
October 3, 2010 at 1:31 PM
well then it should have been portrayed alot better in my opinion....like the hit was so fake and the way he was falling was almost comical....lol....and I don't know, but most people that get hit by a truck die at impact=P but i guess this is a drama and weirder things have happened in this show...hehe...it just ruined the "sad/angsty" vibe I was having into a "wtf?" moment...lol...but maybe that's just me=P
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liion
October 5, 2010 at 10:10 PM
you're not alone. i couldn't help but laugh when they slo mo'd daewoong falling. lol. everything else was good though. it ruined the sad vibe for me too.
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Gumiho
October 6, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Hahaha. " but most people that get hit by a truck die at impact" That's my first comment too, but I remembered that DW has the bead... :)
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248 meve
October 2, 2010 at 7:12 PM
i really has so so so much to stay, esp after eberything that happened, but this is a way to alleviate the pain
hope dae woong-ah remakes the song "fox rain"...
nomu nomu nomu nomu nomu like
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249 weissman
October 2, 2010 at 8:44 PM
Theory
Bacuse DW restored DJ faith in both love and humanity he goes back to leaving with people (i.e, he is not a VET but a collage prof)
Granney is a mystical being (Demil-God) isi it really doesn't matter
Mi Ho and DW get married (she has one tail she probably pretty close to human) and have little foxes (smile)
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weissman
October 2, 2010 at 8:45 PM
I meant living (smile)
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250 Kira.~
October 2, 2010 at 10:53 PM
The best drama, like ever. I was hoping for a good ending and God, Hong Sisters did it. This is my cup of tea, really, there is no other way to end this drama. I cry, smile, die, laugh, die again... and smile crying. And reading the recap made me cry again.
You two are awesome. I read all your recaps of gumiho and now I need to say thank you, because I enjoyed the show x2 thanks to you two.
I´m so happy~
Gumiho is my new number 1 (together with Coffee Prince, I can´t choose just one)
Thank you again~
Hoi Hoi!
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