There we have it, ladies and gentlemen, foxes and snakes, deities and humans; we have reached the end of this journey into the supernatural world of the nine-tailed fox. It’s been a journey filled with joy, suspense, and fright. It’s been a journey of love- familial, spiritual, and romantic.
But most of all, it’s been a journey of resilience and fighting until your last breath. And what a journey it’s been. But like all things, this, too, must end.
1. Did the Tale of the Nine-Tailed have a happy ending?
The season finale gave the audience a much-awaited happy ending to the show. Three important things happen in the end:
One, Ji-ah and Lee Yeon reunite with each other after Yeon reincarnates into the mortal world.
Second, Lee Rang sacrifices his life to bring his brother Yeon back.
Third, the finale strongly hints that Yeon still has his magical gumiho powers. We see him in a face-off with The Spirit of Misfortune. Yeon uses his trusted sword, and his eyes also light up in the dark. Clear hints that he didn’t lose his gumiho powers.
Later, Yeon has trouble coming to terms with his brother’s sacrifice. However, Yeon meets a young boy who resembles Rang, indicating that Rang has successfully reincarnated.
Even though Lee Rang dies to bring his brother back to life, he successfully reincarnates as a young boy, as discovered by Lee Yeon in the finale.
This signifies that everything comes to a full circle: losing something also means gaining something.
The drama ends with Lee Yeon in the year 2023 when he is in the heart of Seoul. Nam Ji A runs away from the rain as it begins to pour, and Lee Yeon arrives with an umbrella. Lee Yeon says he missed her, and Ji A says she always knew he’d return as he always has.
2. Did Ji-ah discover that Yeon is still a gumiho?
Ji-ah never really discovers that Yeon is still a gumiho. This was probably Lee Yeon’s motive all along.
Or else, there is no other reason why he would keep his truth from his dear ones, including Shin-Ju. Yeon wanted Ji-ah to have her mental peace, thinking that Yeon was completely human now.
3. Did Lang Ree Die in the End?
Lee Rang did die in the end. When Rang discovers he can bring Yeon back by sacrificing his own life, he decides to do so.
As a result, Yeon successfully reincarnates, and Rang sacrifices his life.
If you look at it, everything in Tale of the Nine-Tailed comes full circle. Firstly, Ah Eum dies to save Lee Yeon. Yeon sacrifices his life to save Ji-ah, and finally, Lee Rang sacrifices his life to bring Yeon back.
In each stage, someone sacrifices their life to save their loved one. In its crux, Tale of the Nine-Tailed is a story of love. So, it makes sense that Rang sacrificed his life for the one he loves: his brother Lee Yeon.
4. Is Yeon A Human or a fox?
We discover that Yeon still has his gumiho powers. Yeon’s eyes light up in the face-off with the Spirit of Misfortune at night, and his trusted umbrella turns into a sword. These signify that Yeon has not lost his powers as a fox.
Considering that Yeon still has the magical powers of a gumiho, it is safe to assume that Yeon is still a fox.
Now, whether or not Yeon has another motive in mind or is in his transitional phase of becoming a human is unclear. It could also mean that if he is once a gumiho, he would always remain one.
But it would not be easy to keep this a secret from Ji-ah and everyone around him for so long, considering that Yeon will be spending the rest of his life with Ji-ah.
5. Did Moon Young die?
It turns out that Moon Young did not die and was saved by the fortune god. Lee Yeon took the risk and saved his life despite knowing the risks.
A happy ending of all sorts!
6. What happens to Hong-Joo?
She’s doing well, reuniting with her two best friends, Yeon and Moo Young, from different years (1938 and the future 2023). They continue to fight together as a team, and despite Lee Yeon returning home on his own time, she remains strong and determined.
Ending for other minor characters explained
- Shin Joo
After the heart-wrenching loss of beloved friend Rang, who was like family to him, he bravely decides to honor Rang’s desires.
Putting his grief aside, he stands by Yeon and Ji-Ah, sharing their joy and finding solace in their happiness.
- Imoogi: Despite being weakened by Yeon and Ji-Ah, their adversary was not definitively defeated. The possibility of his return looms, constantly threatening their future.
- Ah-Eum (Ji-Ah’s past life): Finds peace and closure through their reincarnation and reunion with Yeon.
- Yeo-hee: After breaking free from the Imoogi’s grasp, she could finally return to the spirit realm and be reunited with Rang, feeling a sense of relief and wholeness.
7. About Tale of the Nine-Tailed
Tale of the Nine-Tailed (Korean: 구미호뎐) is a 2020 South Korean television drama starring Lee Dong-wook, Jo Bo-ah, and Kim Bum. It aired on tvN from October 7 to December 3, 2020, every Wednesday and Thursday at 22:30 (KST) with 16 episodes.
A second season, titled Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938, premieres on May 6, 2023. with Lee Dong-Wook and Kim Bum reprising their roles and the female lead set to be portrayed by Kim So-yeon, as well as several new cast members like Ryu Kyung-soo
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