Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the Korean drama Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, which has been captivating audiences with its unique blend of time travel, fantasy, and historical drama.
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 premiered on tvN on May 6, 2023, delivering 12 episodes that aired every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 KST until June 11, 2023. This series serves as the second season to the 2020 hit Tale of the Nine Tailed and functions as a prequel to the original storyline. Starring Lee Dong-wook, Kim So-yeon, Kim Bum, and Ryu Kyung-soo, the series is available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and Amazon Prime Video in selected regions.
The story follows Lee Yeon, the nine-tailed fox, who is unexpectedly dragged back in time to the year 1938, an era of chaos during Japanese colonial rule in Korea. What makes this series exceptional is how it combines the beloved characters from the original series with a completely new setting, creating fresh dynamics while maintaining the fantasy elements that made the first season so popular.
Lee Dong-wook: The Nine-Tailed Fox Out of Time
Lee Dong-wook reprises his role as Lee Yeon, the powerful nine-tailed fox who finds himself crash-landing in 1938 Korea. His performance showcases remarkable range as he navigates the challenges of being displaced in time while trying to return to the present. Yeon’s character development in this prequel setting allows viewers to see different facets of his personality and powers.
Dong-wook’s portrayal brings both the familiar charisma of the original character and new vulnerabilities that come with being separated from his modern world. His interactions with the 1938 setting create comedic moments as he adapts to the historical period while maintaining his supernatural abilities and determination to return home.
Kim So-yeon: The Enigmatic Ryu Hong-joo
Kim So-yeon joins the cast as Ryu Hong-joo, a captivating new character who becomes central to the 1938 storyline. Her performance adds layers of mystery and romance to the series, creating compelling chemistry with Lee Dong-wook’s character. Hong-joo’s character is described as cool, pretty, smart, strong, and having a tsundere personality that makes her incredibly engaging to watch.
So-yeon’s portrayal brings sophistication and depth to the historical setting, and her character’s development throughout the series has been praised by viewers. Her relationship dynamics with other characters help drive the emotional core of the series while adding new romantic elements that differ from the original season.
Kim Bum: Lee Rang’s Continued Journey
Kim Bum returns as Lee Rang, Yeon’s younger brother, continuing their complex sibling relationship in the 1938 setting. The brothers continue to have a hot, fierce, and fiery relationship that adds emotional depth to the series. Rang’s character arc in this prequel setting provides important backstory and development for fans of the original series.
Bum’s performance maintains the intensity and emotional complexity that made Lee Rang such a compelling character in the first season. His scenes with Lee Dong-wook showcase their excellent chemistry and the complicated bond between the fox brothers that spans centuries.
The 1938 Setting: Colonial Korea and Historical Drama
The series successfully transports viewers to 1938 Korea during the Japanese colonial period, creating a rich historical backdrop for the fantasy elements. The era of chaos provides an ideal setting for supernatural conflicts while exploring themes of resistance, identity, and survival during a turbulent time in Korean history.
The production values shine in recreating the 1938 atmosphere, from costumes to set design, creating an immersive experience that grounds the fantasy elements in historical reality. The contrast between the supernatural characters and the very real historical struggles creates compelling dramatic tension throughout the series.
Strong Performance and Fan Reception
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from viewers, with many considering it superior to the original season. The series maintained excellent pacing throughout its 12-episode run, with no boring parts and a good balance of action, comedy, and romance. The mountain god trio’s chemistry has been particularly praised, with fans hoping for a potential third season focusing on their storylines.
The series successfully expanded the Tale of the Nine Tailed universe while telling a complete story that works both as a standalone season and as part of the larger mythology. The emotional depth, combined with high production values and strong performances, has made it a standout in the fantasy K-drama genre.
If you love time travel fantasy K-dramas with rich historical settings and supernatural romance, Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The combination of Lee Dong-wook’s charismatic performance, Kim So-yeon’s mysterious Hong-joo, and the fascinating 1938 setting creates a viewing experience that’s both emotionally satisfying and visually stunning.
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 delivers an exceptional blend of fantasy, romance, and historical drama that surpasses its predecessor while creating a compelling standalone story.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes
Platform: Netflix (via Amazon Prime Video and TVING)
Rating: 8.4/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Drama, Romance, Time Travel
Protagonists: Lee Dong-wook (Lee Yeon), Kim So-yeon (Ryu Hong-joo), Kim Bum (Lee Rang), Ryu Kyung-soo
Antagonist: The forces preventing Lee Yeon’s return to the present and the chaos of 1938 colonial Korea