My Roommate Is a Gumiho

PART ONE: This was the story of a nine-tailed fox by the name of Shin Woo Yeo (played by Jang Ki Yong) who is running out of time to become a human. He meets, quite by accident, Lee Dam (played by Hyeri), who ends up swallowing his marble. Woo Yeo and Lee Dam end up living together until the right action is taken to remove the marble from Lee Dam. In the interim, they fall in love with each other. This drama came roaring out of the gates, the chemistry, the emotions, the music from the OST, and the push and pull between these two characters were sizzling and fiery.

PART TWO: Once the marble is removed from Lee Dam there were quite a few episodes of separation, misunderstanding, fighting, tears, sadness, visits from the unseen world, and then reconciliation and a decision made by Lee Dam to try to salvage this union. Equipped with the information given to her from a “Mountain Spirit” Lee Dam feels that she is now armed with enough information that she can help Woo Yeo attain his dream of becoming human. With a heart full of determination and courage, Lee Dam moves forward and to help Woo Yeo become human and obtain their happy ending. She announces at the end of episode 13 that she is moving back in with Woo Yeo.

PART THREE: Woo Yeo thought he might not make it so he created beautiful and perfect days with Lee Dam as moving memories that would sustain her if he had to leave. In those final days, Woo Yeo learns to be patient and kind, to love and sacrifice, and find a reason for wanting to live. The ultimate sacrifice he indeed gives so that he could be reborn, and rebirth came once he heard the voice of Lee Dam calling for him through the portal of time to eternity to return to her side who was desperately wishing for him to live again as she decided she would patiently wait for Woo Yeo’s return no matter how long it would take.

POST FINALE COMMENTS:

Lee Dam was truly the hero in this drama. Lee Dam was not a damsel in distress that needed saving, but she took the initiative to be the savior. This drama rehearsed an important truth and that is love is the necessary ingredient to humanize the inhumane. Lee Dam was the brave heroine and the righteous and sweet lover that tamed the beast and humanized the nine-tail fox.

Hyeri and Jang Ki Yong were MAGIC on screen together. Ki Yong was at his best in the first part of this drama where his handsome looks, deep voice, and eyes that speak, kept Lee Dam swooning 😉 😊 😊!!!! The only thing that I did not like about the drama was that I wish Woo Yeo had done a little more to try to save himself from his pending troubles. It was like he was just going to accept misfortune as fate rather than see if fate could be reversed. I did not mind seeing Lee Dam be the angel of deliverance, but I just wish I saw more of a fight in Woo Yeo than what I did. Other than this one objectionable point, this drama is a very entertaining watch.

On a final note, I would like to say that I have never seen Hyeri in a drama before, but I must say she was a real treat to see on screen; her smile adorns her with an extra beauty element that is hard to compete with because it is God-given and makes her simply radiant. If you look at episode 5 when Woo Yeo and Lee Dam are taking lots of pictures together with their phones, this little photoshoot session will give you a view of Hyeri that makes you shiver that someone could have a smile as beautiful as hers. When she truly flashes that smile your way you feel like you are being showered with rainbows, fairy dust, and candy canes all at the same time.

You will love both leads for different reasons. I believe that you will enjoy this story.

A VERY IMPORTANT POSTSCRIPT MESSAGE (ADDED IN OCTOBER OF 2021)

When I see a drama couple that I really loved on-screen—where their chemistry seemed to cross over into the real, I look up everything I can on that couple to see what they did behind the scenes during filming and what they did together after the drama such as interviews, game shows, award shows, radio shows, photoshoots, etc…..

Hyeri is just captivating to me. Please check out the YouTube video link below which is a compilation of many wonderful moments that this couple had during and after the filming of this drama.

You will witness chemistry and friendship like none other that I have ever seen between any two lead actors in a drama. Their flow and the joy that they have working with each other on and off camera is electric, it was endearing, and their kisses along with the accompanying soundtrack made this little video montage super steamy.

It would be very hard for a man not to fall in love with Hyeri.

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If you love someone, love them the best way you can..

Everytime I watch a movie or series, I look for something that would struck me big time. I have been watching for ages and it seems that I learn a thing or two in good shows. For this series, I got strucked with the lines from Lee Dam, paraphrase as "when you want to catch a fox, be a fox" and she realised that you can't be cunning to someone you love and goes again paraphrase as "if you love someone, you need to show love". It is very relatable as oftentimes we tend to do an 'eye for an eye' actions but it reminded me that you will just get hurt at the end so if you love someone, instead of giving them their own dose of medicine, give affection, care & understanding. Did I mention that this is a page (series) turner - I can stare at Jang Ki-yong all day hahaha :) :) :)

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MY FAVOURITE K DRAMA OF ALL TIME,MUST WATCH!

Are you hesitant to watch this drama? WELL DON'T BE! It's a true shining gem. 'my roommate is a gumiho' is one of those dramas that are funny from the first episode. I love how this drama values friendship, family and love. The trio is total friendship goals! Unfortunately, you might get a teensy-weensy bit of SLS for this drama :( But that's okay because Shin Woo is absolutely ADORABLE. The chemistry between the ENTIRE cast is on-point and the story is intriguing. It ticks all boxes in my opinion-
Savage and cute female lead
Gentleman male lead
Two adorable friends
An annoying and dumb yet amazing best friend who is more like a sibling
A true display of a younger brother
Adorable couples
Fantasy
Rom-com
University life
I've literally watched it thrice yet didn't get bored,please do watch this!

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Nothing spectacular

There is nothing spectacular about this drama, but at the same time nothing exeptionally bad.
It was a fun premise, cute couple, interesting side characters.
Truth been told regarding the main characters eventhough they were interesting, their story dragged out for no reason.
The drama would have benefited from being 6-7 episodes shorter.
The story would have been concluded beautifully in just 10-11 episodes if they compacted some scenes... there were too many boring unessesary scenes but the drama was saved from being overall boring since each single episode had it's funny sweet and endearing moments.

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LOVED IT

This drama was my favorite drama of 2021, coming from a rom-com lover. The chemistry is a chef's kiss like go watch their behind the scenes right now! But anyways, second lead syndrome was pretty bad but as someone who is always falling more for the second lead, I actually really liked the main leads' relationship. I absolutely love the FL because she's so straightforward that there's rarely miscommunication in their relationship. The ML is Jang Ki Yong so you already know he's about to make me fall for him again. Overall, I highly recommend if you just want to watch a cute rom-com!

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I almost did not watch this one as my run-ins with dramas with Gumiho's were mostly forgettable but good thing I did. Though I doubt that Jang Ki Yong and Lee Hye Ri will be winning any Oscars anytime soon, for this drama, their acting chops were enough to convey the aloof writer/professor and the eager student. Putting aside that one is a mythical fox and the other is the host of its magical bead, this drama mainly imparts what it is to be a human: a complex entity that can't be entirely understood despite centuries of learning and studying human behavior. Because what it means to be human, is not being perfect, not having all the answers in the universe, and though there are many that are bad, there's also many that are good. That suffering through life isn't necessarily a bad thing, but we just learn to adapt and know when to make sacrifices, and hopefully still have the desire to live despite failures.

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Why I Love My Roommate is a Gumiho

This is not an ordinary love story. It is between the love of a human and fox against all odds, against nature, against time, against destiny & fate, to have what we humans take for granted, an ordinary future together.

I love Dam (Hyeri Lee) and I love Fox's (Jang Ki Yong) each individual characters. But together, together it's so so so much more. I think, right now, for me at least, it is one of the most epic love stories in kdramaland. I love the philosophical and human struggle that is beautifully told here.

A loner 999 years old humane fox, who didn't care much to be human. This premise, pulled me to this show. I care if he wants to be human, I care why he wants to be human. I care how did he want to be human. I care when he wanted to be human.

A young woman who is inexperienced in love but so full of life, maturity, fiercely independent, true to herself, heart on her sleeve, genuine, courageous and spunky. I care whether or not she would be the one to change the fox. I care how she would be the one to make fox see what it is like to be human.

I love how we as an audience get to see how he falls for her. And her for him. I love how we as an audience get to see all the failings and trappings of an intimate relationship, of human love and all that it entails - the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. All the mistakes he would make, all the struggles they would face together and apart, how deep her love must be to love a fox, how his centuries-lived life was turned on its head by a spunky young woman. I love that both are inexperienced in love. How pure their love is.  

Some love this drama for its comedy, some for its light and easy enjoyment, some for it's fantasy, some for it's story, some for the lead couple's characters, some for the second lead couple's characters , some for the side characters and some for the second lead male character and that is the charm of this drama. That is a testament to the cast and crew that they truly care for all the characters in this story. The perfect cast shows it and the powerful performances of the actors elevates it. This drama weaves effortlessly with thoughtful pacing - the funny with the sad, the sweet with the heavy. This can't be overstated that the comedy and sweetness elements when done right, as it does so brilliantly in this drama gives audiences a chance to breathe, to smile, to swoon, to laugh, to feel happiness in the simplest nuances of human nature and culture. Thus, it has launched iconic moments, philosopical moments, meme moments and viral moments of this drama.

It would be a travesty to not mention the dynamic between the male and female in this drama. Eventhough Fox has teleportation powers, can easily accumulate wealth, never ages, forever tall and handsome. However it is Dam, a young woman in university that is all powerful. Time and time again it is Dam who steps up, courageously, who leads the way, who inspires and fights just as hard as a hero in a drama. She is the White Knight that saves the prince and not a damsel in distress. The same can be said about Hye Sun. They both know what they want and have no trouble in bringing it out from their leading men or their friends.

I didn't expect to be given important lessons of human vulnerabilities. It's a thoughtful drama. It also makes this drama so special and different from other dramas of it's kind.  Fantasy is just a plot mechanism to show the power of humanity. It has renewed my passion and appreciation to belong to the human race. This drama has inspired me how special it is to be humane, reminds me being a human doesn't mean one is humane, the importance of communication and human connection, the valuable lessons that the ordinary can be extraordinary, the the meaningless can be meaningful and we, humans, unlike animals, are the captains of our destiny. I feel I need this in my life - to realise how important it is to be alive, how special it is to be human. And that we never stop learning to live a well lived-life.

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Two years later, still one of the best dramas.

It's been over 2 years since I've first watched this drama and I've rewatched it a few times as well. I was never a fan of FANTASY dramas so I was skeptical at first... very skeptical.

But yes, I was clearly wrong. The first episode was a breath of fresh air. Impeccable acting with a lot of comedy. The drama was greatly written and really captivating from the first minutes.
Later on, it showed a beautiful story that made me feel many emotions at once. It was funny, beautiful, sad... all you could think of.

STORYLINE : a fantasy romance not overdone, easy to watch even for non-fantasy fans who find mystical stuff a little too much like me.

ACTING : perfect, both main leads and supporting cast. but huge appreciation towards HYERI, she is one of the BEST ACTRESSes I've ever seen. She has an amazing charm and beautiful acting skills. I highly recommend checking other dramas with her.

OST : quite nice, but tbh I don't remember any that really stayed in my mind.

I can't wait to see both leads in new projects!

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Well written drama

This is my third drama talking about gomiho and this was the best. At first i found oreshin hh a little cold and with no expressions but it was a gumiho role and by time the actor got more different interactions and feelings to express. I loved hye sun, her presence made shin woo yeo's world more interesting, loved their bickering hh. Hye Ri was stunning, lee dam seemed true, funny, honest.. Finally loved that red thread but it took me a while hhh Ah and the final, thank you for giving us an after he become a human scenes, cause most of the dramas cut and let you wanting more.
A really warm good made fantasy rom com...

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This one is a fun watch

I really enjoyed this drama.
The characters were fun, the story was fun, the romance was cute!
The scary moments were just my speed - not really scary at all but leaned much more toward humorous.
I enjoyed the chemistry between the ML and FL.
I enjoyed the FL’s characters personality and how she was absolutely not having any shenanigans from any other boy 🤣
I didn’t love her in Reply, but rather grew to appreciate her.
She’s not your typical demure damsel in distress. 🤪
She definitely gave that fox 🦊 a run for his money ✨✨✨

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