Original subtitles

Lee Dong-wook

Jo Bo-ah

Kim Beom

Kim Jeong-nan Ahn Kil-kang

Hwang Hui Kim Yong-ji

Tale of the Nine-Tailed

Where did you go? I looked everywhere for you.

Who was the woman you just kissed?

Was it me?

Or was it your dead first love?

So it wasn't me.

- I'm... - I'm not a shadow of your past.

So make your decision right here and now.

You can go on living in the past, or...

"Or"?

Look at me for who I am.

I'm not that bad-looking, if I say so myself.

Chapter 6 Four Pillars of Destiny

Nam Ji-a

How did you meet him?

What does he do? How old is he?

Where are you? Aren't you going to tell me?

So who is that guy?

She's totally ignoring me.

He's probably just an interviewee.

No, it's not possible.

It's the way that guy looked at Ji-a.

It almost made my heart race to death.

Ms. Kim, please relay a word to your heart.

"Stop acting out."

But this is unexpected.

What is?

Ji-a, I mean.

She's never dated anyone.

It's hot, isn't it?

I like summer.

Don't gumihos get hot?

It's the season when the forest is filled with life.

I don't have to check in with everyone.

Every single flower and tree gets fair amounts of sunlight, rain, and wind,

to live simply and steadily.

It's impossible to get a fair share of sunlight in the city.

The amount of sunlight you get differs depending on your housing situation.

For both people and plants,

those who get more sunlight will always grow taller.

I didn't realize you heeded so many things.

But why do you keep avoiding eye contact?

Did I?

Even now, you're looking past my right shoulder.

Look at that carp.

Wow. It's really cute.

It is, isn't it?

- It's cute. - Yes.

- What are you looking at? - You.

I'm looking at you for who you are.

Don't look. Stop staring.

My face will wear out.

Darn it. I shouldn't have said that.

Wait for me.

Anyway, Ms. Kim.

That guy. Didn't he look familiar?

He did.

Right? Where have I seen him?

On the list of my ideal men.

If you combine them, you'll get him.

I mean one of our episodes...

No way. I couldn't have missed him.

He definitely looked familiar.

Are you two still talking about him?

If you don't feel like working,

at least pretend like you are.

This is embarrassing.

Ms. Kim said we need to investigate...

everything that seems suspicious as journalists.

- I can't believe you told on me. - Darn you.

Oh, right. So who is that guy?

Did she reply?

Not yet. This is driving us crazy, too.

He had this look on his face, like a gold-digger.

- You want to believe that. - What?

That the world...

couldn't be this unfair.

- Hey! - My goodness.

Get back to work!

Don't just pretend, but work!

Who've you been looking for?

- The district magistrate. - "Magistrate"?

He knows the guy who took your parents.

Really?

So who is this district magistrate?

He's disguised as a human, but he isn't.

One of the four mountain deities who once ruled over Korea.

Wow.

Mountain deity?

Don't forget, one of them is in front of you.

You're right. A former mountain deity.

Did you say you were fired?

I quit on my own!

Not to boast or anything,

but the rest were lightweights,

while I was the heavyweight of Baekdudaegan.

But why is a mountain deity at a folk village?

It's not just him.

All kinds of legendary figures gather here.

There's no better place to hide.

Call it a sort of retro fad.

It's nostalgic.

Then are there any legendary figures here?

It's possible.

Really?

They mingled with tourists so much, they lost their scent.

Then how do we find them?

We don't.

We just enjoy our time and they'll come looking for us.

There's a fortune-teller. Let's go.

All right.

Goodness.

- Goodness, you're here! - Hello.

You're finally here.

All right, then.

I can read your destiny, physiognomy, compatibility, and past life.

So which one is it?

If you could do all that, why work here part-time?

It's for fun.

Here you are.

Read me my past life.

Your past life it is.

Past life.

Yes. Young people these days tend to ignore their past lives.

But your past life is very important.

Don't move.

- Let's see. - Are you using an app?

I have the results.

I knew you two looked extraordinary as you walked in.

What was I?

You were part of the royal family.

You were a princess.

What? You can catch that?

What about me?

You were...

So you were... Goodness.

You were a diligent worker of our country's industry.

You died building the Hangang Bridge.

If you're going to say anything, why don't you stick to good fortunes?

You should get a talisman.

Talisman, my foot.

You two shouldn't stick around one another,

unless you want one of you to die.

What?

You two should never have met.

- Hello. Hello. - You're pretty.

- You're very pretty. - I know I am.

Come and take a look.

Come out with me to the pond for a bath sometime.

- Greetings. - You haven't found the woodsman yet?

- Hello. - Why, hello. Hey.

- Welcome. - Come and take a look.

- Where's the fortune-teller? - The fortune-teller?

You have to walk that way for a while.

A while? In this heat?

Aren't there any taxis here?

There aren't any taxis. We do have that.

Taxi

What a waste of money.

That creep doesn't know what he's talking about.

A colleague of mine went to see his compatibility with his wife-to-be.

The fortune-teller said they should've met sooner,

saying they're perfect together.

And?

He said they'll be happy forever, but in less than a year...

- ...they divorced? - Yes.

I never believed in these compatibility readings.

If it's true, how does it explain the divorce rate...

Who shot that?

Who else would ask me out in such an old-fashioned way?

- "Meet me at the office." - The magistrate?

Let's go.

One, two.

Shoot.

Yes, good.

Yes. That's it!

Who are you?

- Are you here for a reading? - No, something else.

Do you need a talisman?

That's enough.

I already know who you are.

Is there a get-together for foxes today?

- What? - If not, forget it.

Yeon must be here.

Cut to the chase. I have to take my clients.

You have the thing that can look into our past lives.

Let's see.

Tiger's Brows.

This obviously isn't it.

Where is it?

Gosh, the Goblin Hat.

Come out, gold

Let's see. Where is it?

Ta-da.

Everything that disappeared from this world is in here.

Give it to me.

Not for free.

So? What do you think?

Goodness, you fool.

- What? - If you could buy this with money,

why do you they went missing in the first place?

It's gone again.

This place hasn't changed.

Seondeokdang

Come out, magistrate!

It's been a while.

Yeon.

You don't look as well as you did when we last met.

Why are you here?

I'm looking for someone.

Fox Hill is your turf, right?

Do you do things like that for humans?

I plan on doing much more than this for a human.

I heard Fox Sister was killed,

and it was a former mountain deity who killed her right before her wedding.

I heard it was also a former mountain deity...

who helped her hide after she ate her brothers' liver.

The human world is already as tough as it can be.

How dare you do that to these poor ancient beings...?

Those who disturb the world,

and can't live harmoniously with people,

are the only ones I hunt.

We're just on different paths.

In that case, I have nothing to tell you.

I still want to hear it.

You should be more concerned with your survival.

You can't put a price on my things.

What if I take it by force?

Then you'll be sucked into this sack.

Try it, if you're curious.

Then what?

Barter.

I'll trade it with something most precious of yours.

Something that's...

most precious to me?

You can wait here for a bit.

Give me about five minutes.

Don't get hurt.

It's hard fighting in "PG-15."

Let's make it rated "R."

I won't let you kill.

I won't let anyone be that rude to me.

Agreed.

Don't turn this into a dirty fight.

This way, ma'am.

- Why? - I'm not weak enough to need a hostage.

It's fine. He's the type who always has to look cool.

- You can relax. - I take pride in what I do, that's all.

Did you give your heart to that fox?

Or did he simply bewitch you?

I...

What does Yeon mean to me?

I'm using him.

I made a deal with him to find my family.

And I put him in danger to get information from you.

I like your honesty.

But I don't need all that now.

I hope he'll just beat everyone up, so we can go home.

He always ends up getting hurt...

because of me.

It seems your future won't be roses and sunshine.

I don't care.

If it's rough, I can always sow rose seeds as I go.

You really are an interesting girl, as the rumors say.

"Rumors"?

But you'll regret that you came to see me.

Who dared to do that?!

Which idiot let someone bring a phone...

into the Hell of Darkness?!

Hell of Eternal Darkness Without Day or Night

Here's your tteokbokki.

Darn it, you idiot!

You're a grim reaper!

Shut up and do your job properly!

Darn it.

There's zero discipline around here.

What is this? It's not spicy at all.

Honey!

Honey!

Where did he go at this busy hour?

That's the Moon Mirror.

Did you just try to use one of the four divine artifacts...

to kill someone?

Then did you use your Fox Marble to protect the world,

or to protect a single person?

Let's lose our gear and powers to fight one-on-one.

Sounds great.

It seems her heart breaks to see you get hurt.

What does she mean to you?

You should only ask that after at least two bottles of soju.

It's common sense!

You must be serious to be this agitated.

- Shut up. - How naïve, Yeon.

You're in love with a human again.

Stop talking like you're in a period piece.

You always take things so far.

- It's who I am. - You're so stubborn.

Let me see you.

I told you not to get hurt.

It's fine. It's just a scratch.

One second.

Get up. Let's grab a cup of iced Americano.

- I don't drink iced beverages. - Gosh.

- What's with you two? - Let me introduce him.

As I said, he's a mountain deity and my old bestie.

He's originally a black bear.

My Old Woman

Just pick up, will you?

- I can't live like this anymore. - That again?

I've been getting startled and waking up in my sleep.

My heart pounds when I think of her,

and it makes me want to pee.

Goodness, that's enough information on your prostate condition.

It's natural to face ennui after a couple is...

- married for thousands of years. - Ennui?

Gyeon-u and Jik-nyeo were once inseparable,

but they've been talking about separating.

I knew it.

That's why it hasn't rained on July 7 for so long.

You should be honest with her.

No way! I'm scared.

What was I thinking...

when I married the sister of the king of the underworld?

Why should I eat this?

It's samgyetang. It's good for you and delicious.

So why are you treating me?

Because I think I had a misconception about you.

What if it wasn't a misconception?

From my experience, no one who pities weak animals are ever villains.

I hate you.

Didn't you hear me? I hate you.

You might hate me, but not samgyetang.

Try some.

Don't smile like an idiot after what I said.

I heard I can be cruel to anyone...

who won't scream in pain when I bite them.

You're like those stray dogs I've met.

- What? - Those who've been abused and abandoned...

bite the hands that feed them.

They never learned how to be loved.

Shut up.

"Something that's precious to me."

What the heck is that?

Lee Rang

Your call cannot be connected.

- Is he ignoring me? - Leave a message after the tone.

He eats macaroons?

This western snack is both crunchy like gangjeong and soft like yakgwa.

Sure. How are you doing these days?

You have many mouths to feed.

The minimum wage went up.

I bought a house on mortgage.

A few lead characters of folktales have panic disorders, but other than that,

I'm doing fine.

It must've been pretty tough.

I must head over to perform at the magistrate's birthday party.

Say,

have you seen these people?

They went missing 21 years ago.

Anything trivial you remember is fine.

- So whatever you know... - I think it was March 3.

You're right. The car accident was on March 3, 1999.

On the first of that year, a man in a navy suit came to see me.

He said there'd be an accident on March 3...

- at Fox Hill. - A navy suit?

Are you saying he planned the accident?

So?

I don't take part in hurting people,

so I didn't let him take my subordinates.

Who was that man?

At first, I figured he was disguised as a human.

- But no. - Then?

He was a human.

- Are you sure? - He definitely smelled human.

Tell me more details. Everything you remember about him.

He didn't seem very memorable. I don't think I'd recognize him.

He was just an ordinary middle-aged man.

But his forehead.

- Forehead? - It was very faint,

but there was a trace of a mukhyeong on his forehead.

"Mukhyeong"?

The tattoo that marks criminals?

- What did it say? - "Seo" as in "west,"

and "gyeong" as in "capital."

"Seogyeong."

If he was forced to get a facial tattoo,

that means he's been alive since the Joseon era.

Where could he be right now?

I'm sure...

he isn't too far away.

What do you mean?

Your parents weren't the target to begin with.

- What? - He was always after the daughter.

If you don't want to do anything, then what's your plan?

My Old Woman

Honey! I'm busy to death. You need to run over right now!

Yes, Honey. I'm on my way. Give me just a moment. Okay.

- I want a divorce. - What?

Okay.

I'm going to get divorced!

Hey, over there!

"Over there"?

- Me? - You look like you can die any moment.

I don't care if you get divorced or remarried,

so will you please shut up?

That little...!

Have some manners.

I can end that thing's life right here and now.

Calm down. She's from abroad.

What's the world come to?

Where did he bring such an impudent young lady?

Don't bow to me, you punk.

My lord.

- Do you know who that is? - I really don't care.

He's the king of the underworld's brother-in-law,

and Samdocheon's keeper.

Is he allowed to be loud in a public place if he knows the king of the underworld?

Eat up.

That's hot.

Give me your hand.

Let go.

The shelter and the food for the dog...

I can't take it.

Then?

You raise it.

If you euthanize that dog,

you'll die a painful death.

Does your family hate dogs?

He's not family. He saved me from the zoo.

- So he's your savior. - Precisely.

He tore the zookeeper in half.

Did he kill a human?

Who is this savior?

He's some guy.

You'll meet him soon enough.

Don't keep her close to you.

- Why not? - The man who came to see me said,

"The girl has..."

"the king's scales."

"The king's energy is in her."

It's been a while, Lee Yeon.

It's me. The thing you've been waiting for.

Our cursed relationship should've ended.

Only if you didn't hold back that boat...

crossing the Samdocheon River.

Was that A-eum?

Or...

Who do you think that man is?

If he's close by,

he might be someone I know.

Someone with a scar on his forehead.

I don't know anyone like that.

I'll look into it. So...

I don't get it.

Why did that man come for my life,

and why did my family suffer because of me?

I'm nobody special.

Yeon, why do you always protect me,

but never tell me anything?

I don't want you...

to get hurt.

I don't want you to do anything for my sake.

I want your life to end happily.

And...

I want you to trust me.

Let's catch that man first.

How?

We have...

a pretty obvious connection to him.

Why do you keep calling me?

Did you see your 22 missed calls?

I'm not your boyfriend.

If I can't pick up, you should take a hint...

Let's meet right now.

What are you scheming now?

I just want to see you.

This is 99.9% a scheme. I'm busy. Bye.

Why are you so busy?

Where are you?

Do you think your brother will tell us?

- No way. - Then?

We'll...

make Rang go find him.

How?

Hey, Calligrapher.

Let me borrow this.

Bang

"Bang" means "to find."

Find who has the mark of the criminal on his forehead.

Bang

What did you just do?

It's a sort of talisman.

These shoes will take Rang to that man.

We only have one chance.

Don't lose him today, no matter what happens.

Okay. I won't lose him.

Go inside.

You're here.

Why do you ignore me?

Did you forget what happened at the funeral?

Yeon came back a mess because of you.

Brothers bicker and fight as they grow up.

You look great in hanbok.

That suit doesn't fit you at all.

You're overly sensitive today. I'm getting excited.

You look high whenever I see you.

It's unsettling.

What are you doing here?

It doesn't look like I'm on a field trip, does it?

- If you were, you'd get zero points. - Old man!

I had to check something.

What? You're back.

What are you up to?

I wonder if you actually knew he's a real fortune-teller.

This fraud is even wearing a fake mustache...

It's real.

But he kept talking nonsense.

That's his act, you idiot.

Appraise him.

This thing can't be the most precious to me.

So it is. He's the most precious thing to you.

Your brother.

Seriously.

Here.

I'm off.

What is this?

How do I put it? It's a sort of human trafficking.

Unbelievable.

He'll explain. You have all the time in this world.

See you around.

Where are my shoes?

I don't know!

What's up with him? He's like a little kid sometimes.

You can't go.

Go ahead.

Okay.

- Let go. - You're mine.

- Who says so? - A deal is a deal.

It's a dirty deal.

Yeon, hurry.

If you wanted to trick me, at least explain...

Run along. I'm closed now.

Where is Yeon?

He's now a part of my collection.

Will you be here tomorrow?

I only show up whenever I want,

wherever I want.

We only have one chance.

Don't lose him today, no matter what happens.

On the first of that year, a man in a navy suit came to see me.

These shoes will take Rang to that man.

Did you give your heart to that fox?

I want your life to end happily.

I want you to trust me.

Let him go.

I can't.

There are rules.

Please, sir.

What's that?

- Wait. - It's no use.

Tell me how I can get him back.

The same rule applies to everyone.

Give me whatever is the most valuable to you.

I'll buy him.

I'll buy Lee Yeon.

What will you give up?

If you don't return until 9 o'clock,

I'll call off this deal.

I have an hour and 40 minutes.

What's the most precious to me?

Think.

Let's think of something.

♫ People get off work when the sun sets ♫

♫ But why am I still working? ♫

Daegwanmun Korean Folk Village

Excuse me! Open the gates, please.

Excuse me!

Excuse me!

Open the gates, please!

Is anybody there?

Over here! Sir!

- Magistrate? - I heard a familiar voice.

It must be an emergency.

Thank you.

Thank you!

Wait!

All right.

So what's the most precious to you?

This.

A broken music box?

It still works.

It was the last birthday present I got from my parents.

That's all?

It's been exactly 21 years...

since they went missing.

To be frank, my memory gets fainter by the year.

I'm not sure if what happened to me was real life or a dream.

There's blood on it.

That's what kept me going.

It's the proof that shows what I saw that day wasn't a dream.

So that's why...

they might be alive.

This is the last bit of connection you have with your parents.

Let me appraise this.

What brings you here at this hour?

I'm not sure.

Why did I come here?

What do you mean?

No, it's nothing. Sorry about that.

Wait, did that scumbag...?

Bang

The trade is...

impossible.

- What? - This isn't enough.

Why not? Why can't I trade this?

I'm not the one who puts a price...

on these things.

Then please tell me, sir.

What do I have to do, and what...

can I do?

You're one nuisance of a customer!

I'll do everything I can to pay you back for your kindness.

Please?

Okay, fine!

You were a princess before, not now.

You think throwing a fit will always get your way.

Hand.

Give me your hand.

- Your left hand. - Left hand.

You were born with a special destiny.

Water and fire fight against one another.

Everything is covered with earth, but metal rules over them.

Even when surrounded by darkness,

the moon will always rise.

What do you mean?

You have the Fox Marble.

That's your moon.

Sorry?

Give me the marble.

Your destiny already holds greatness without the moon.

- So... - I'll give it to you.

I don't believe in destinies.

The trade...

has been made.

What? Already?

Your palm lines.

Your palm lines have changed.

The Fox Marble is gone.

How can you beat him up that badly?

He deserved it. How dare he treat me like that?

He's a total brat. I'm much older than him.

How did you get me free?

How else?

I bought you back.

What did you give him?

Wait, did you give him ten years of your life or something?

No. It was cheaper than I expected.

So you're mine now.

I'm pretty materialistic,

so I won't give you freedom too easily, as Aladdin did.

You're more cruel of a villain than Jafar.

But why didn't you run after Rang?

It was a good chance for you to find your parents.

To be honest, I hesitated,

thinking it might be my final chance.

I wondered if I wouldn't regret my decision.

But why did you choose me?

I was confident...

that you were a guy I could trust,

who could give me a happy ending.

What's on your mind?

In life,

there are many moments when a kid needs his parents,

more often than I realized.

For example, when you take your first steps.

There's no one other than your parents who'd be thrilled...

to see you get up and walk a few steps.

When was it for you?

Let's see.

When I was the only one who didn't bring gimbap to a picnic.

After a fight, when my friend said,

"I'm going to tell on you to my mom!"

I could never win against anyone who had a mom.

What a shame. I could've beaten them up.

I blamed them a lot, too.

"Why did you leave me all alone?"

"Why won't you come for me?"

Then I heard it's my fault.

That accident broke out because of me,

and my mom and dad's lives are ruined because of me.

If you want to cry, you can.

No.

I'll eat chicken feet.

Are you okay?

I'm not.

So I'll eat this spicy food and bawl.

I want to confuse myself into thinking I'm crying...

over spicy food, and not over my weary life.

You're cool.

What?

I was worried you might pretend you were fine.

I'm glad.

I wanted to look cool, so I got worried...

I might come off as cute.

- Try some. - Is it any good?

It's not as spicy as I thought.

Is it spicy?

No.

Something just got in my eyes.

You can't eat spicy food.

No way.

I'm not a spicy-food rookie.

Stay out of it.

This is between the chicken feet and me.

Where are you going this late?

It's nothing.

I have to stop by somewhere.

Then... sleep well.

Hey, Yeon.

Don't be so nice to me.

I'm really scared.

If you treat me nicely, I'll want to depend on you.

Once I begin to do that,

I think I'll end up becoming too weak.

So that's how you lived your life.

I promise.

Just find your family,

and live an ordinary life.

When that day comes,

you can forget ever meeting me,

and what you've seen of this world.

Live an ordinary life,

like an ordinary human.

You startled me. Make your presence known.

Granny, you know everything, don't you?

What do you mean?

The serpent.

It's not dead.

There's always a cause when something happens.

I don't want that nonsense.

That girl woke it up from its long sleep.

And you found her, when I clearly told you not to.

You're saying it's alive.

It is.

Then...

what did I fight for back in those days?

And why did A-eum risk her life?

That's the path you and the child chose.

Where is it?

I warned you time and time again.

A human and a fox can't be together.

Tell me.

Your obsession will bring disaster!

Tell me now!

Hi.

The one from the well...

disappeared as soon as he came out.

I found a piece of him...

just now.

What?

Tale of the Nine-Tailed

I made her a promise. I'll protect her with my life.

Love is something...

that can devour you.

Yeon has also become very dear to me.

There must be a connection between the serpent and Rang.

If you lay a finger on her, I'll really kill you this time.

Don't get too caught up. Do you wish to relive that tragedy?

She'll get hurt if I don't go.

It's either you or her. One of you will die.