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

No one can return once they've fallen...

into the Samdocheon River.

No.

I love you.

No!

No!

Yeon.

Don't leave me.

Yeon!

I can hear her crying.

Yeon!

I have to tell her...

that she doesn't have to be so sad.

That a love story between a human and a gumiho...

is bound to end like this.

We belonged to different worlds from the beginning.

I wanted to use the word "love" as a stepping stone...

to cross over to the world she lived in.

I wanted to walk with her a little longer.

I wanted to become a human.

My dream...

never came true in the end.

But my death...

is the most passionate love letter...

I've ever written to a human, my first and last love.

I hope she doesn't wait for me.

I hope she won't cry too much because of me.

I want to see her just one more time.

But I can no longer see her face.

Chapter 16 The Rewritten Tale of the Nine-Tailed

Jae-hwan.

Ms. Kim.

Ms. Kim!

- Goodness. - Are you okay?

Yes, Hye-ja.

Do miracles really exist?

The mysterious disease that terrorized our people...

suddenly disappeared overnight.

The patients and their families who suffered helplessly...

from the disease with no apparent cause...

are hugging each other with tears of joy.

Everything is finally back to normal.

I couldn't...

protect Yeon.

I lost my dear child once again.

No, you've done...

the best you could for his sake.

That's why I came back to be with you.

Do you think he passed away in peace?

I'd think so.

He protected that girl just as he wanted.

Lord Hyeonuiong.

Lord Hyeonuiong!

It's me, Ji-a.

Please open the door.

What now?

Don't let her in.

But still.

She needs to move on,

and live with ordinary people.

Please tell me.

What do I have to do to save Yeon?

What can I do?

Please.

Could you just tell me a way?

Lord Hyeonuiong.

Open the door, please.

Please.

Rang!

Mr. Lee, would you like some naengmyeon?

Get out.

You haven't had anything but alcohol for the past three days.

I said to get out.

It wasn't your fault.

Lee Yeon made you do it.

If you say one more word, I'll kill you.

Do you want a sticker?

I have a really cool car, too.

Get lost, both of you! Or get out of my apartment.

Thank you for letting me in.

I don't have time to console your broken heart.

I'll cut to the chase.

Yeon is dead.

There's no way for him to return.

I can't do it, but you can.

You're in charge of life and death, so you...

There are rules in this world, too.

What's impossible is impossible.

Then at least let him be reincarnated.

It's okay if he doesn't recognize me,

or forget all about me, so...

He's the one who jumped into Samdocheon.

He chose to do this, knowing he wouldn't be reborn.

So you need to stop your protest at my office.

This can't be undone by your throwing a fit.

No.

There must be a way,

a way for him to return.

Something like that...

won't happen.

I let you in to tell you that.

Ma'am.

Ma'am. Ma'am!

It's awfully dark.

The street lights are all out.

It'd be amazing if you could fix those with your powers.

Go ask for road management at city hall.

Are you all right?

The lights are back on.

I called city hall.

Why would you do that?

I'd get in huge trouble with Mr. Lee...

if you get hurt.

Are you doing all right?

I have to be okay, even if I'm not.

I have a lot to do.

I went to see the lady of Samdocheon.

She said there's no way to save him.

He knew everything all along.

Even so, he hoped the one he loved would live.

What should I do?

Live like nothing happened.

Forget you met him.

Forget that you peeked into our world, and live like a human.

That's what Mr. Lee wanted.

Sin-ju.

Is he still...?

He won't budge.

I'm worried to death he might collapse.

I'll see him.

Why are you like this?

Don't ask the obvious.

Doing this won't bring him back.

Listen to this jerk talk.

You seem to be doing just fine.

Weren't you willing to live and die for him?

You ungrateful scumbag.

You can call me whatever you want,

but I must say this.

Stop lecturing me, and give me the wine.

Get a grip!

Have you gone insane?

Don't be so immature, and come to your senses!

- Do you wish to die? - That's...

what Mr. Lee wanted me to tell you.

Do you want to hear the rest in his own words?

This is... Okay. Right.

It's me.

We just had naengmyeon together.

And you ate my egg.

If you're watching this message,

it means I'm probably gone.

Darn it.

This is so cheesy.

It was cool in the movies.

But it'll seem cool later in retrospect.

Just say it is.

How ridiculous.

My dear Rang,

are you chugging on booze, by any chance?

And you're drinking wine.

Is he psychic?

Soju suits you better than wine.

And you're better suited to be a volunteer than a villain.

My brother,

who could never pass on a wounded dog,

I wondered where he went.

But you haven't changed.

You haven't changed at all.

So I'm sure you'll do fine without me.

You jerk. How could I do just fine?

Live a good life.

Protect everyone.

You have a family now.

I don't need any of them.

Your brother is talking. Don't argue with me.

I can still hear you.

I said this in the Forest of Agwi.

That I...

I...

I've never abandoned you.

So don't...

abandon yourself recklessly.

Be good for my sake.

This is my last request.

Bye.

This message will self-destruct in ten seconds.

I'm kidding.

I've always wanted to do that.

Yeon.

You told me to forget everything,

but I'll wait for you.

If I long to see you again and again,

I might be able to see you again someday.

Maybe in our next life...

No, even the one after that is fine.

That's why...

I've decided to remember you and leave records of you.

It's what I do for a living.

You haven't come for a while, but you're here often lately.

I read on the internet that haircuts are the best way to get over a farewell.

Was it a breakup?

You should try listening to sad music.

I've tried everything.

I listened to ballad music, binge-watched dramas, and had spicy food.

Should I dye my hair?

It's been a while.

I don't want to know how you are.

Get to the point.

What are you making?

Tale of the Nine-Tailed.

"Tale of the Nine-Tailed"?

That title stinks.

How about "Tale of the Nine-Tailed Brothers?"

No, thanks.

Are you going to air this?

It's for me.

I'm going to start meeting all of Yeon's acquaintances.

You're the first.

Well, no one knew him more than I did.

Then starting now, tell me everything you know about him.

Did you know he was a narcissist?

What?

All kinds of random beings...

flocked to our forest just to get a look at his face.

He was already proud of his looks.

How bad do you think it got?

He'd always stare at his reflection in the stream and say...

If you could give form to the word "beauty,"

it'd be this face.

I can't imagine him saying that.

It's as shocking as the time he fell for voice phishing.

Was he scammed?

$20,000.

I can't believe a gumiho fell for that.

Did you know he's scared of spiders? The leg hairs creep him out.

He loved playing Go with me,

although he always lost.

I won!

I won again.

You two used to be very close back then.

Of course.

He spent more time with me than you.

Did he ever cook for you?

He didn't know how.

He wasn't a good cook, but he made good rice. Just the rice.

He gave me a video message.

He got me these shoes.

He even carried me on his back.

He always waited for me.

I hate you.

Come to think about it, we both received so much from him.

Do you know what his wish was?

A human.

He wanted to become a human.

My brother, aren't there always some exceptions to the rules?

No, he didn't commit suicide.

He saved tens of millions of lives and sacrificed himself.

There are ten kings down there! Can't you do this one thing?

Is the king of the underworld a puppet?

Hello? Brother?

Brother!

Hey!!!

Darn it.

You've done enough.

You did everything you could.

Darn it. I'd rather talk to a brick wall.

He keeps parroting the same thing...

about the interpretation of the rules or whatever.

You might be punished.

How can he be so inflexible?

What was that?

I mean, you just used the word "flexible."

It's a bit strange.

Don't joke with me. I've been lenient lately.

Let's eat some tteokbokki first!

It's a combination of spicy and mild flavors.

Here.

Goodness, they threw in some dumplings on the house!

♫ When I look at you like this ♫

♫ I want to kiss you ♫

♫ When I'm alone with you ♫

♫ I want to hold you in my arms ♫

♫ I love you, I love you ♫

♫ I love you so much ♫

♫ I love you, I love you ♫

♫ I love you more than I love myself ♫

Are you crying?

It's embarrassing. Don't act like you know me.

Yu-ri.

Will you marry me?

A fox loves one mate for life.

Will you be my love until the day I die?

Do you think a measly ring is enough?

I have an apartment.

It's brand-new.

Let's share the title...

No, you can have it under your name.

Forget the title.

I might come with someone else.

Well, if you're okay with that.

Is that a "yes"?

I was going to propose if you didn't.

Congratulations!

As you know, the day you make her cry is your funeral day.

Mr. Lee.

Go. You've lived a luxurious life with me to this day,

so try living a tough life with him.

I've sorted out your parents. They won't wait.

I'll be happy.

Congratulations, Dr. Gu.

What's this?

It's my treat today.

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Yu-ri.

And although he's not here,

our dear Mr. Lee Yeon.

Thank you, and I miss you.

He should've officiated our wedding.

It would've been wonderful to have him here.

Mr. Lee...

Sir.

Please say something to Yeon.

Hey, Yeon.

My old woman finally quit smoking.

It's mostly thanks to you.

I wish she'd stop nagging me too,

but that doesn't seem likely.

Gosh, you're telling on her?

Ma'am, you too.

Goodness, Mr. Lee.

When I fell in love with a human farmer,

you were the only one in this world who cheered for me.

You said you had the same love story.

And that young lady...

is staying strong and waiting for you like this.

I hope the two of you can meet again,

just like my husband and me.

You're here.

- Yes. - Come this way.

- Wait, Hye-ja. - What?

Please have this.

What is it?

It's honey rice cake!

I mean, you said you liked it.

- Isn't he handsome? - Sure.

Have a seat.

- Okay. - Have you eaten?

It's delicious.

Sir, try this one.

Thank you.

Thank you!

Even on days that my heart broke at his absence,

I didn't cry anymore.

If I cried, this story might...

really turn into a tragedy.

6 Months Later

And on the day when I finally finished "Tale of the Nine-Tailed"...

Tale of the Nine-Tailed

...like a miracle, I heard from Yeon.

The end.

- Yes? - Ji-a, come downstairs.

Why?

Hurry. It's urgent.

- Ta-da. - Ta-da.

Happy birthday, my daughter!

Is it my birthday today?

I completely forgot.

Happy birthday.

And this is from me. I made it myself.

It's so pretty.

- It's pretty. - It's pretty.

Mine is from a factory.

Thank you.

- How did you know my watch strap broke? - I saw it.

You're so considerate.

Thank you.

Who's that from?

Open it.

And on my birthday...

What do you want?

Buy me something I've never had before.

Like a proposal gift.

Okay, I'll buy it for you.

It's Yeon, right?

Was he here?

It was delivered.

He also sent you a letter.

When I had a tough time, they'd come by,

and tell me that we should talk it out to relieve the stress together.

You know, they'd suggest we should all go out together.

They'll try to make me laugh, too.

So it's a blessing that I've met them...

I told you not to eat snacks on the sofa.

Give me food.

The least you can do is use a tray.

Move. I can't see.

Honey. Didn't I ask you to put the socks in the hamper?

I forgot.

Here's the other one.

I can't believe Su-o...

is the only one here who cleans up after himself!

The soup is a bit salty today.

Mr. Lee.

How long are you going to crash here?

How can you say that?

We're a package deal.

It's all fine,

but why do I have to feel like I live with my in-laws in my apartment?!

I ordered a kimchi refrigerator.

Really?

The one from the department store?

He bought it for us. It'll come this afternoon.

I love you, Rang!

"Rang"?

I'll call you by your name now, Rang!

I'm so happy.

I feel like we're a real family now.

Don't you?

Dear my beloved Ji-a

Do you like your present?

I hope you like it.

I'm sure you look stunning in a dress.

Who would be there...

standing beside you?

"Whoever he may be,"

"I hope he's a good person."

...is what I'd like to say,

but I can't.

I don't even know the guy, and I already hate him.

I liked you.

I loved the way you faced the world.

I loved how you never fell into despair,

even with that dreadful destiny on your shoulders.

I loved having coffee with you.

I loved watching you sleep.

I loved every single road I walked with you,

and even the time I waited for you.

I loved it to death.

Ji-a.

Whenever I said your name,

only made up of the softest syllables,

it always made my heart flutter.

Although you'll have to take the path alone now, that we took together,

you'll get used to it.

You're going to do well.

So it's time to let me go.

You have to.

No.

I can't let you go.

Come back, please.

I miss you so much.

Sir.

Are you looking for the gumiho again?

Hey, I told you to stop saying "gumiho."

Is there any news?

I just find the ones who aren't human and beat them up.

Someone may know how to bring him back.

I'll give you a ride.

No, it's snowy and cold.

Come early, then.

Let's all have pork belly.

Drive safely.

What?

My doll.

Why are you here?

What about you?

I heard a rumor, so I came to see that old man.

Fate, Physiognomy, Naming, Compatibility

Come in and have your fortune read

Is it true?

Are you one of the ten kings of the afterlife?

The king of Five Rotating Worlds.

The tenth king who reigns over the Hell of Darkness,

and the final judge.

That's me.

I decide what happens in your next life.

You'd better fix your posture.

By deciding what happens in our next life, do you mean...?

Correct. I'm in charge of reincarnation.

Reincarnation?

Then are you here because of Yeon?

It depends on how we interpret the rules.

But I do have...

something that belongs to him.

You have the Fox Marble. Give me the marble.

The Fox Marble.

Can we save him with this?

Don't get too excited.

The king of the underworld's sister...

kept pestering the ten kings over the phone, so I came.

But we don't do charity work.

You both know the rules.

I have to exchange it with the most valuable thing to me, right?

I'll do it. I can do it...

if this can bring Yeon back.

What if you may not see him, even if he comes back?

- What? - Reincarnation is a random event.

You might miss each other.

He might be born after you both die,

and he may not look the way you remember.

I don't care.

Let's get down to business.

Now.

Bring me something I'll absolutely love...

before this hourglass runs out.

What's wrong?

It's the king of Five Rotating Worlds.

I was wondering why it snowed in April. He's finally here.

Is that a crow?

Three times.

The guest will be in mourning clothes.

We're about to see another death.

I'll do it.

Tell me.

Yeon is the most precious one in my life,

but he's gone now, and all I'm left with is our memories,

my memories of him.

I'll sell you that memory.

I don't buy memories.

What else do you have?

Don't you have anything valuable that he gave you?

I'll give you anything. Just tell me.

For example,

the rest of your life.

If I give you my life,

can he be reincarnated?

Hey.

A life for a life.

There's no question about that.

You can have it.

Hey.

Do you think he saved your life only to have you throw it away?

Did he die a meaningless death?

You pathetic fool.

Then...

will you give up your life?

Fine.

I already stole it from someone else. I'm not losing anything.

- Hey. - Stay out of this.

But I thought you never had anything to live for.

Is your life really worth it?

Let's do an appraisal.

What?

You have...

a family now.

Life began to matter to you.

Approved.

Your offer stands.

Deal.

- No! - Wait a minute.

There's still time.

Can you tell them to come?

At least let me say goodbye.

This way.

Mr. Lee!

Mr. Lee!

Mr. Lee!

Oh, no. No.

Here Lies Lee Rang

Here Lies Lee Rang

Ms. Nam.

- Yes? - Take this.

Where did you get this?

I don't know. Someone left it with our team.

- He said it's for you. - When?

It was before my shift,

so five minutes ago.

Wait, I...

Yeon.

I'm sorry.

I told you not to walk in the rain.

Yeon.

Is it really you?

So no one is disguised as you, and this isn't a dream.

Is it really you?

Why are you just standing there?

Why don't you come to me?

I'm not who I used to be.

What do you mean?

I can't fly.

I can't catch you, even if you fall from a great height.

No matter how dark your path is, I can't even light a firefly.

It hurts when I get hit.

I get hurt when I'm stabbed.

There's nothing I can do for you.

It doesn't matter. None of that matters.

I've become human.

Human?

You're in big trouble now.

I won't let you go until the day I die.

I missed you so much.

I missed you to death.

I was so scared I'd never you again.

How did you do it?

What?

I spent the last six months like it was six years.

How did you wait for 600 years?

If you wait long enough,

do you find new ways of waiting and get used to it?

It's not that I got used to waiting.

It's just that I couldn't get used to staying away from you.

I wanted to wait patiently, like you.

But little things got in the way and knocked me down.

What? What made you suffer so much?

For example,

the night air I smelled one day when you walked me home.

The alarm from my rice cooker.

When I remember how warm your hands were when we went for a walk.

Little things like that.

That's why you came for me this time.

You came for me.

These are real human hands now.

Yes.

And a human body.

And human lips.

Don't tell me he's going to sing there.

He... ♫ When I look at you like this ♫

♫ I want to kiss you ♫

♫ When I'm alone with you ♫

Sir. Please say something to Yeon.

My old woman finally quit smoking.

It's mostly thanks to you.

Ma'am, you too.

When I fell in love with a human farmer,

you were the only one in this world who cheered for me.

You said you had the same love story.

And that young lady is staying strong and waiting for you like this.

I hope the two of you can meet again.

Sir, try this one.

No, I want some fish!

I'll get you one more.

- Give it to me. - This one is...

Let's eat some chicken soup after we take a walk.

Are you excited?

Sin-ju's Animal Hospital

Mr. Lee!

Mr. Lee!

Mr. Lee!

Mr. Lee!

How's the apartment? Is it nice?

It's wonderful. There's everything in the complex.

There's a sauna, a gym.

It's been completely undervalued.

There are even two subway lines.

What kind of fox are you?

I'm the general manager of the resident council.

I see. So Mr. General Manager,

did you realize my significance while I was gone?

I was so happily married, I never noticed.

I shouldn't have come.

I'm kidding.

I've been very emotional ever since I became human.

Can you be more careful?

I'm feeling inferior for the first time in my life.

Don't say that, with your looks.

People will throw rocks at you.

Welcome back.

We all coped in our own ways...

to deal with your death as we waited for you.

At times, we whined, then we'd lean on each other, too.

What about Rang?

He was a mess after you passed away.

Sometimes he'd cry all night. He got better after moving in with us.

He kept looking for you.

Did you see his last moment?

He must've been scared, all alone.

He's a scaredy-cat despite how he looks.

This is his phone.

Take a look.

It's me.

I'm about to die.

If you were here, you'd come and save me.

But no one would help me now. I'm finished.

So you get to see how it feels to watch someone...

state their will in real time.

I thought I'd feel quite profound right before my death,

but just as you said, maybe it's because I give up easily.

It's just bittersweet.

So...

don't weep or cry like a fool.

I didn't cry once after you were gone.

I just had a few drinks.

You liar.

I tormented you for a long time,

but I'm not going to apologize, because you're worse.

When we'd share a piece of fruit, you always gave me the big piece.

I know you're obsessed with eggs, but you always let me have them.

Then you chose your love after taming me like that.

Why wouldn't I go astray?

I'll be reborn as a Dokdo shrimp.

You never know, so don't eat shrimp.

I hope...

you'll be reborn, too.

I hope you come back with a very ugly face.

But...

But...

if we can,

let's meet again.

My brother.

Hey, Su-o.

You don't have any parents, do you?

I heard your mom ran away.

No, she didn't.

He also lives like a homeless person.

I saw it back when we were in the same class.

♫ You're homeless, you're homeless ♫

♫ You're homeless ♫

Su-o.

Let's go home.

We're not homeless.

Let's go.

How was my timing?

Rang's unintentional charity...

unintentionally became a tradition.

It continues in its slightly-twisted way,

as love is passed on.

Here Lies Lee Rang

My hands are on a roll today.

Yeon!

I missed you, Granny.

Don't be so emotional. It's tacky.

You used your connections to save me.

Me?

She probably made at least 200 calls.

Her brother even blocked her number.

You couldn't live without me, right?

Get lost.

I'll get lost soon enough.

This is the last time you'll see me.

Why?

I can't come here anymore.

I'm a human. I should live with them.

Then you'll only see him again after he dies.

Goodness! Don't bring up his death.

He just managed to return.

Thank you for adoring a rascal like me for such a long time.

You made me work so hard until Ji-a came back,

I had no time to go crazy.

It's thanks to you and Lord Hyeonuiong.

That's how I got this far.

Live a happy life.

Your life as a human won't be as easy as you expect,

but you'll do well, Yeon.

Yes.

I wish the two of you a long and healthy life.

Bye.

Hey!

Since you're here,

have some tteokbokki.

And do I have to get it?

- Isn't that obvious? - Yes.

Gosh, it's so spicy.

This isn't spicy at all. You're such a big baby.

It's medium, but it's still spicy.

I like the sundae here.

I heard Granny...

still lives her life as a workaholic.

I want fish cake.

But if one thing has changed,

This fish cake is delicious.

...sometimes the couple stays up all night...

talking about their late son.

Right, and they say they enjoy their medium-spicy tteokbokki.

It's so spicy.

Well,

I don't know much...

about eternal love or whatnot,

but you like drumsticks, and I like chicken breasts.

You like egg yolks, I like egg whites.

That means we're perfect for each other.

You're probably the first woman to confess her love...

with fried chicken and eggs.

I can't believe we're getting married.

And you've finally become human.

"Human," written in Korean,

is an interesting word.

If you change just one letter,

it becomes "love."

I have a pretty awful personality,

and I'm not sure how good I'll be...

as a human.

But I'm confident in love.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Why is it raining flowers in autumn?

They're celebrating.

It's the flowers, trees, and wind who love the old lord of their forest,

bidding him farewell,

and thanking him for his great work.

The very handsome gumiho...

lived happily ever after.

Hey, don't throw in weird narration.

As the husband of a journalist, I only speak the truth.

Rewind it.

Okay.

Should we have a baby?

I'm all for it,

but I have one concern.

What is it?

What if our daughter gets embarrassed that I never went to college?

Then let's tell her you did something much better than going to college.

What's that?

"Your dad saved your mom,"

"and even though no one knows, he also saved the world."

Well, that's true.

But why did you decide we'll have a daughter?

- Did I just say that? - Yes.

What? There's no way.

Sin-ju's Animal Hospital

Be honest. What's it like to be human? Is it better than a gumiho?

I thought it'd all be wonderful, but it's not.

How do I put it? There are just so many variables.

Variables?

I'm astigmatic.

And only on one side.

Look.

You'll see me...

looking magically less handsome in a flash.

If we took a photo now,

I think I'd look better.

- That's not true. - You're right.

That's not the only problem.

How could you deceive me? You said we were going for ice cream!

I didn't deceive you.

I said we had to go somewhere before we eat.

I'd rather be stabbed...

than get another shot.

Good boy.

Let go of me!

How can your love change?

What are you talking about?

The root-canal treatment was literally a living hell.

Living as a human was a struggle against unexpected pain.

Ta-da!

How is it? Is it good?

Your ramen has to be the best in the world.

Honey, soju.

Of course. I got it.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Great work today.

You too.

Ramen and soju. This is the life.

Next time you fall, try to stand up on your own, okay?

All right.

Thank you.

Seung-beom, did you fall?

- Yes. - Are you okay?

Yes, I'm fine.

Be careful.

- Did it hurt? - No, some man helped me.

You never became a Dokdo shrimp.

How was your day?

It was the same as usual.

I saw a strange man at the police station today.

Who?

He's an old man in a hahoe mask.

But he couldn't take the mask off,

like it was glued to his face.

A hahoe mask?

Did you step on bird poop or something today?

No, it wasn't bird poop.

I did step on some gum.

- Darn it. - Why?

That's Samjae.

Samjae?

Bad luck every 9 years

This world may be...

full of creatures we're oblivious to,

and these creatures may be living among us.

The countless urban legends we hear about...

may be another name for these creatures.

I've peeped into the secrets of the world.

Living as a human means...

life will be full of things that are the first and the last.

First snow, first step,

first picnic,

and first root canal.

And...

my eternal first love.

Hey.

Are you Samjae?

Tale of the Nine-Tailed

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