Gumiho Fox Child attracts foreign interest
by girlfriday
KBS2’s Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child is fielding offers from foreign broadcasters interested in buying the rights to the supernatural-fusion-sageuk, that puts a new spin on the mythology of the gumiho. They’re throwing around that hot-ticket word, Hallyu, as hopes ride high on this drama becoming the next international hit.
According to KBS, they’re looking to broadcast the show in Japan, all over Southeast Asia, and even reach Europe and the States. They’re currently looking into broadcasters and service areas to plan for the worldwide release.
The series started at an 8.7 rating, but steadily grew each week, now pulling in a 15.3 rating (at Episode 12), essentially doubling viewership over the course of its run. It’s become a runaway cult hit, as the show’s homepage exploded with fan support and interest. There’s something so great about a show that starts small, but becomes a fan favorite and grows its own audience.
Praise abounds for the actors, especially for Kim Yoo-jung and Seo Shin-ae (above), who seem born to play these roles. The young girls are stealing the show, as well they should; their supernatural transformations and the ensuing struggles are the most interesting storylines, as well as requiring an acting range that goes beyond cute and innocent. They stand toe-to-toe with adult actors, even with their complex characters, and people are taking notice.
In a saturated market full of trendies, action-adventures, and traditional sageuks, Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child is standing out precisely because of its unique genre and distinct Koreanness, in its mythology.
It’s interesting that the old-school horror genre is getting a revival in series like this one, and that such a mythology-heavy show is garnering interest from foreign distributors. I generally like the feel of a low-budget horror or supernatural show, because there’s a certain nostalgic charm about it, and there’s something more interesting to me about an engaging story and mythos that can transcend the lack of glossy, high-budget sheen.
Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child isn’t one that I’ve kept up with once other series took up my attention, but it’s definitely one I want to go back to, as it’s got a stellar cast and an interesting take on the lore.
Via HeraldM
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1 otk
August 15, 2010 at 10:36 AM
It is honestly a really good series, but I had a big issue when one of the episodes was ALL ABOUT Finding Yeon Yi in ONE DAY....All you could see was everyone running to places ....screaming..."Yeon-ah! Yeon-ah! Yeon yi-ah!" For 64 mins!!!!!
But I'm still watching it though. Just that...that was the shittest episode ever.
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therainhouse
August 15, 2010 at 11:02 AM
It has its flaws. Before they killed her, it was really draggy.
But, the latest episodes have really picked up speed.
Ever since Yeon Yi possessed Cho Ok, ever since Gu San Daek came back. But then, I wonder if Yeon Yi's spirit is in Cho Ok, where's Cho Ok?
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Buki
August 15, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I sooo agree. That episode killed me. Especially since we, as the viewer, have no sense of space or distance from one local to the other, it made the chase scenes seem extremely long and drawn out.
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danni
August 15, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Yeah, that was the longest, most boring episode ever. I kept thinking, "SOMETHING has to happen," but it just dragged on.
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irugnotmis
August 15, 2010 at 12:34 PM
haha yeah, at the end of that episode, i was thinking, "you've gotta be kidding me!" but the subsequent episodes offered so many twists, so that one drawn out looking-for-the-missing-child is ultimately forgiven in my book.
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qldgal
August 15, 2010 at 1:38 PM
i cant agree with you more!
im getting tired the the chases in the forest. & i felt like the episode was kinda sloppy too. like a really weird dream where not a whole lot of it made sense. lol.
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Pully
August 15, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Good lord, you nailed it. I was almost about to give up this entire series. I really wanted the fox(es) to get bloody and play dirty. They had been acting as angels with big teeth, furry face, pointing ears and tails.
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2 Nancy
August 15, 2010 at 10:37 AM
I just started this drama and I'm loving it! Praise to the two child actors coz they are both so cute and wow what great acting at such a young age.
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3 Purpleclouds
August 15, 2010 at 10:51 AM
I love this show, the acting superb...the storyline is very scary/sad in that it brought out the very ugliness of human nature. It was very hard to watch the suffering of children.
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4 corndodger
August 15, 2010 at 11:01 AM
My prediction is that Kim Yoo-jung (Yeon Yi) will soon become the nation's sweetheart and will go on to become a heartthrob in dramas for years to come and that Seo Shin Ae will follow a course that make her the top actress in the business. This kid has stolen scenes from her adult contemporaries (and not just through cuteness, but with amazing array of acting chops) since she was six years old and continues to get better. Her little co-star has the natural prettiness that makes everyone wish they had a kid as cute as her, but Shin Ae is like a grown up in a kid's body. When the camera stops and they show behind the scenes footage, her spirit and magnetism continue to eat up the camera's focus. The popularity of this series nearly defies description, but as 'girlfriday' has pointed out, it the tiny co-stars who are clearly in command the ship...
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hitsugaya
August 15, 2010 at 2:51 PM
i agree with kim yoo jung being the next nation's sweetheart..she's an awesome actrees..and seo shin ae too~
i'm currently watching this drama and baker king, can't seem to wait for each episode..i watched some episodes without the subs..i dont understand anything but just watching it makes me happy~ hahaha
gumiho fox child does not appeal to some, but it's definitely worth a shot..so try watching it, the kids are awesome!
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5 KDR
August 15, 2010 at 11:12 AM
I just watched all the episodes this past week and I must agree that this show deserves it!
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6 danni
August 15, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Yeah, the kids make this show as they should. I'm not usually interested in horror/mystical dramas, but they really sell this show as I'm interested in what will happen to Yeon Yi and Cho Ok. Everyone is doing pretty well too, but I'm not as invested in them as in everyone else. Hope the show does well overseas.
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7 langdon813
August 15, 2010 at 11:33 AM
The show suffers from a serious lack of quality makeup/special effects, but you don't even care because the acting is so solid. The cast is treating this as if they're performing Shakespeare, and it shows. The child actors are particularly wonderful.
But as someone commented above, there is WAY too much time wasted yelling out names. One episode it might be "Yeon Yi!" about 1000 times, next episode it'll be "Cho Ok!" as people wander the woods screaming. And this is pretty much the entire cast at once! It's lazy writing; they should have just made the drama shorter.
The good far outweighs the bad though, in my opinion.
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8
August 15, 2010 at 11:47 AM
The "kiss" between 10 yo Yeon Yi and the teenaged Young Master was really really really wrong.
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qldgal
August 15, 2010 at 1:43 PM
& their real ages are 11 & 17. X(
but, this is in the olden days,
so i try to think of it like that.
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jubilantia
August 15, 2010 at 6:26 PM
Dude seriously! I was sitting there thinking, " I am so not buying this."
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9
August 15, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Ok, this is the show that I really want to see because it is something different , horror and very Korean. But the video didn't load properly, will try again. Thanks for the warning of running and screaming scenes, so I could be more patient!
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10 ntxoo
August 15, 2010 at 3:47 PM
Movie is great. Agree with everyone about that long, dragging episode when mom and everyone was looking for yeon yi....mom could have transformed and fly/run much faster. really annoys me that mom doesn't transform when the situation calls for it.
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11 Jo
August 15, 2010 at 4:41 PM
There is definately some cheesy factors to it. Cringe-worthy scenes....almost to the point of throwup. BUT once you get beyond that, its easy to get hooked into the story. Its interesting, if anything.
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12 tildy
August 15, 2010 at 6:47 PM
The drama has its flaws, but hey, I'm still watching.
It's definitely interesting to see Seo Shin Ae now acting as Yeon Yi.
The actress who plays Cho Ok's mother is phenomenal. Chills.
Also, I didn't recognize Han Eun Jung from her role as Song Hye Kyo's love rival in Full House at first! Even her voice is completely different.
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13 Ani
August 15, 2010 at 7:22 PM
I have developed a love/hate relationship with this show. I loved it in the beginning, but man did they make me hate it so when they did what they did to Yeon Yi. And who else thinks the Shaman needs to die? Or at least reveal who's side he's on. I mean, he creates an awesome Mystery Character in which we don't really know who's side he's on. One minute he's on Cho-ok's dad's side, and the next he's spouting things about Yeon-yi (although it does look as if he's not on Yeon-yi and her mom's side). But what is he ultimate motive behind his actions? What the HECK is he up to? And Chun Woo? One minute he's awesome and the next he gets a bit too dramatic for me, but then he's cool again. Geez, I don't know how this show will end, I mean I seriously don't know where it's going or how far, but damn if i miss a second of it, cheesy wire works (and moments) and all.
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Ani
August 16, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Oh dude, never mind about Mr. Shaman, I just saw episode 12.
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14 weissman
August 15, 2010 at 8:10 PM
I agree too many chase scenes, and they go on for ever, its like find the person already and get on with the story. Getting past that, what a story about what it means tp be human and what it means to love your child.
Also how can you not totally fall in love with Seo Shin-ae , she is ao amazing!
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mskololia
August 16, 2010 at 4:28 AM
Agreed about this little tycoon of an actress....both little ladies are superb, but she has someone phenom. I hope she learns English.
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15 imbestigador
August 16, 2010 at 1:31 AM
It's a very rare moment that a Monday-Tuesday Drama of KBS2 enters Top 20,It's usually dominated by MBC.
And with strong viewership from Baker King on Wednesday-Thrusday that was dominated by SBS before....
KBS is getting it right. ;)
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16 kopi_adik
August 16, 2010 at 6:46 AM
just started watching this and can i just say, those 2 child actresses are WOW! sorry Han Eun Jung, but i think she'll agree that those 2 girls totally own this show!
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17 Nicole
August 16, 2010 at 12:11 PM
I really enjoy this show. I kinda feel bad it's not being recapped by anyone, but I still manage to catch it and stay up to date, subs or not. The yeonyi character is played so well, I kind of miss the actress (not seeing her as much in the episodes). Although the Cho Ok actress steps up her game as the yeonyi incarnate. Its a really good show, with really well played child characters.
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18 hjkomo
August 16, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Has Seo Shin Ae improved in the later episodes? Because she was really terrible in the first three eps - cringeworthy terrible. O_o
Kim Yoo Jeong, on the other hand, is outstanding.
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19 chichaloca
August 19, 2010 at 9:15 AM
i just watch episode one and episode 2 .this series catches my eyes. can't wait for the next episode :)
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20 vic
January 25, 2011 at 5:02 AM
haha am i the only one who really loves the scenes where they have to find eachother and call each other one million times? they are well made and the background music make these scenes so tense
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vic
January 26, 2011 at 4:16 AM
*you can feel the tension* ,이말이오
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