Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020) s01e04 Episode Script

1
TALE OF THE NINE TAILED
They're gone.
-What?
-They're all gone!
What do you mean?
It's as if the whole village
disappeared into thin air.
Not a shadow in sight.
EOHWA MINI MAR
What about the bathroom?
-He's not there.
-What?
The corpse from yesterday is gone.
It's become a deserted island overnight.
They weren't taken by force.
There is no sign of resistance
or hesitation.
Maybe they all went on a group tour.
With a corpse?
They didn't take any of their possessions,
such as wallets or bags.
Just their bodies.
Where on Earth did they go?
They're gone?
Yeah.
All 22 households,
a total of 41 villagers?
Okay, I'll request backup,
so call me
if you find anyone dead or injured.
All right.
What?
Those.
How long have they been there?
There's an old myth
that bamboos attract ghosts.
Is it true?
The insides are hollow.
They're perfect homes
for the lost dead ones.
But doesn't it look
like the path has been made here?
-Path of the Dragon King.
-Ah!
I saw one when I shot a folk festival
on Jeju Island.
A path to welcome the Dragon King, no?
It is,
but the direction is wrong.
Speaking of which,
it's made facing southwest.
The Direction of Ghosts.
It's the direction
in which vile beings come and go.
So it means
they were trying to welcome something,
just not the real Dragon King.
This is the Clothes-hanging Old Man
of the Afterlife Immigration Office.
Yes.
How is the King of the Dead doing?
You see, we're running low
on shroud robes for the dead.
Can I have them shipped overnight?
Oh, sure thing.
Okay.
Oh, thank you. Bye.
How did it go?
How could such calamity take place?
Are you sure it's the same imoogi?
And you can't see where it went?
Did it use a paper talisman?
It has completely covered its tracks.
Shouldn't we inform Lee Yeon of this?
Don't make a scene.
-Lee Yeon must never know.
-Oh, but still…
-Shut up.
-Yes, ma'am.
Could it be?
Is this why I couldn't see
into Yeon's future at all?
You know…
I heard a strange sound
in the middle of the night.
What sound?
It sounded like a baby crying.
Tell us more.
It was a little past 2:00 A.M.
I got up to get some water.
I thought it was a stray cat at first,
but it wasn't.
I'm sure it was a baby crying.
But there weren't any pregnant women here.
All the old ladies here are over 70.
-What time was it?
-It was 2:40 A.M.
-Are you sure?
-Yes.
The clocks all stopped at that time.
All the clocks on the wall and my desk.
My watch stopped too.
At 2:40, just like the others.
It's the Hour of the Ox.
FROM 1:00 A.M. to 3:00 A.M.
The time when the door
to the World of the Dead opens.
What was born here overnight?
CHAPTER 4
THE ENERGY OF DEATH
Happy birthday, dear Yoo-ri!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday, Yoo-ri!
Here, this is Dad's present.
And this is Mom's.
Thank you, Mom and Dad.
-Do you like them?
-Of course.
I'm so happy I could cry.
Yoo-ri, when are you going to get married?
Yoo-ri is still young.
-24 isn't that young.
-She's 25.
No, she was 24.
Dad, do you have dementia?
She was 24 at the time of the accident…
A senior in college, no?
What accident?
Yoo-ri went trekking in Nepal.
She fell and died.
My goodness. What is this nonsense?
No, I definitely saw her dead body
at the time.
Dad.
I told you to forget about that.
Who-- Who are you?
Why are you buying me a new phone?
The one who stole your phone
happens to be my brother,
so it's not a favor.
It's a moral responsibility.
Stick to the 48-month contract,
and you pay the penalty
for breach of contract.
I downloaded an app,
so don't answer calls
from unknown numbers or my brother.
Oh, you're the hidden IT master.
It's not easy to keep up with that
old analog sentiment.
What?
Last year, I got a call from the Seoul
Central District Prosecutor's Office.
Some jerk dared to steal my identity!
Was it voice phishing?
I lost $20,000,
and I ripped the ears off
that punk who took my money,
but it's not enough.
I still can't sleep at night.
Here.
Your number.
You told me not to answer unknown numbers.
Didn't you already dig into
my personal information?
I couldn't finish our interview
from last night,
and I've already started digging into you.
Might as well dig a little deeper.
Fine.
Your character is consistent.
I hear that a lot.
Well then, see you again.
It's me.
The one you love the most in the world.
What was your wish again?
I wished for my daughter, Yoo-ri,
to come back to life.
And I granted that wish for you.
Who is she?
My daughter, Ki Yoo-ri.
She's 25, and she will inherit
my department store.
Okay, you guys can go now.
Lord Lee Rang, I missed you.
Did you meet that vet guy?
Ah, yes.
How was he?
He's a lot cuter than I thought.
He was terrified when I showed him my gun.
You keep that.
He'll come for it when it's time.
And when he does? Can I kill him?
Yoo-ri.
Do you know when clams taste the best?
-I don't know.
-When peach blossoms bloom.
That's when their shells harden
and their meat becomes juicy.
If you want good ingredients,
you must learn to wait.
Play with him as much as you can. Got it?
Lee Yeon treasures him dearly.
Yes, lord.
Huh? Where are you going?
Lee Yeon must be dying to see me by now.
I should go greet him.
Why here?
I was curious.
Because you're always here.
Give me a bite
of the mint chocolate chip--
Hey, don't you dare!
Gross. It's like eating chocolate
with medicine.
Why would you eat this crap?
That's enough. Now tell me.
-Tell you what?
-Where did everyone on the island go?
What does it matter?
It's not like you care
whether they're dead or alive.
I'm positive one of them wasn't human.
Well, I did hear such rumors.
Something fascinating is asleep
in a well by the mountains.
-What is it?
-Why?
You worried it might be that thing?
The snake that split
you and your woman up.
I killed it with my own hands.
Life doesn't always go according to plan.
-What do you mean?
-Who knows.
But I can tell you one thing for certain.
Your woman…
will die early in this life as well.
Have you heard of
the vanishing phenomenon?
Vanishing? Like, disappearing?
It's a phenomenon in which
people seem to vanish into thin air.
A similar incident occurred
on an island in North Carolina.
In 1590, all the residents
of this island went missing.
All household items and valuables
were left behind.
Just the people.
Why are you so twisted?
You're the one who left the forest
for the romance of the century.
600 years have passed since then.
And I've been cursing you
for all those years.
What do you want me to do?
There's only one way to stop me.
Kill me, right now.
With your own hands.
I said, kill me.
Like the time you came to hunt me down.
Please don't kill me. Please…
Please don't kill me--
Rang.
Yeon.
Is that really you?
It's been so long. You were alive?
I thought you were dead
'cause I haven't heard from you
since you went to the Stream of the Dead.
I missed you. I missed you so much.
I missed you so much that
I thought I was going to die, Yeon.
Why didn't you come get me?
I did.
I went back for you,
but I couldn't find you anywhere.
I… lost you.
After you left,
humans set fire to the mountain.
I was going to wait for you there,
but it was so hot and scary.
Is that why you killed all these people?
Even the innocent ones?
They're guilty just by living
and breathing.
I swept an entire village away just now.
They were on their knees,
begging me to spare their lives.
I see.
My brother, who couldn't even pass by
an injured puppy…
has changed.
Join me, Yeon.
Let's show these humans who we really are.
-Rang.
-Yeah?
Grab…
Grab your sword.
What are you trying to say, Yeon?
It's an order from the Ten Lords
of the World of the Dead.
Lee Rang,
who has taken numerous innocent lives,
will pay for his sins today…
with his own life.
You bastard.
You abandoned your brother for a woman,
yet you betray him again
for a performance evaluation?
Racking up mileage for her reincarnation--
That's all you care about, huh?
I got lucky
because you missed the vital point.
If I died back then, I'd be burning up
in the Boiling Hell by now.
Why? You don't think you can do it again?
I said, kill me.
That's the only way
for your woman to live.
You're right. Dying now might be better
than living a reckless life.
Do it.
Why?
Why won't you do it!
Stop acting like an abandoned kid.
You're not a child anymore.
I can do it!
But do you know why I'm not?
Because I want to see
your face when that woman dies
in front of you, once again.
Even if you act evil,
I know this isn't who you really are.
What?
I'm leaving.
Anyway, please make sure
it's not leaked to the press for now.
I can just keep my mouth shut,
but I'm sure their families
won't keep quiet.
There are none.
What?
They don't have any relatives or friends.
-All 41 of them?
-Yeah.
What's more bizarre is that
they weren't even natives to the island.
-Then?
-They moved as a group in the '50s.
On the same day, same boat.
Do you know what it's like
to live with your boss?
Shin-ju, don't ever get married.
I don't even have a mate yet.
For a man, marriage is like
a suicide goal. Keep that in mind.
Your brother-in-law is
the King of the Dead,
so it's more like a winning goal.
Who made you referee?
Who are you to judge my life, you brat?
Come on.
Why are you picking on innocent Shin-ju?
Water Snail Bride,
you should not get remarried, either.
Just keep living as a widow.
-Why would you say such a terrible thing?
-You little…
I would've struck first if you weren't the
brother-in-law of the King of the Dead.
By the way, how did you meet your wife?
It was a kind of a crime.
Huh?
A long time ago,
I was bathing in a valley,
and I found her peeping.
So it was love at first sight?
Correct. With my clothes off,
I have a nice figure.
Wait, hold on.
So your wife asked you out first?
I got kidnapped that night.
She covered my head with a sack
and carried me on her back.
-Really?
-She sat me down and said…
"Want to live with me, or go to hell?"
"Want to sleep with me, or go to hell?"
So I slept with her.
You bastard!
How dare you disregard the rules
and murder a human?
Oh, that shaman?
She looked like
she was going to die any day now.
Regardless, she was not
on the List of the Dead!
It was clearly an emergency.
They've already called
for your punishment.
What were you thinking?
I'm willing to accept
any form of punishment.
So stop making it so obvious
you're worried about me.
Is it because of that girl?
You finally found her?
But she didn't have
the Fox Marble I gave her.
You must've been mistaken.
But they're far too similar
to say I was mistaken.
That face.
I'll protect you.
That voice.
It's burning hot.
And the skin of that thing covering Ah-eum
just before her death.
You should let her go now.
-Why?
-Humans and foxes cannot be together.
Your obsession will lead to disaster.
Both to you and that girl
who's been reborn.
I'm not asking for much.
Then?
Even if we live for hundreds
and thousands of years,
we each have our own season of good rain.
The brightest, most joyful time.
I remember you liked the '80s.
Because you found your hobby then.
THE PHANTOM LOVER
TEENAGER DREAMERS
KNIGHTS ERRAN
When Leslie Cheung died,
you drank rice wine day and night
for three days in a row.
So what?
That time was everything for me too.
That short period of time
when she was alive.
Even if she was reincarnated,
she is no longer the same girl
from the past.
It doesn't matter.
I just want her to experience all of
life's ups and downs, like everyone else.
And watch her grow old peacefully.
And in order to do so,
there's something I must do.
Hello?
What are you doing?
Well, I'm about to eat.
-Is the food served?
-It is. Why?
Send it back.
What are you saying?
I'm saying you should come eat with me.
-Old hag, I'm going to go eat.
-Hey!
Think the laws
of the World of the Dead are a joke?
I didn't even have a sip of water today!
This is the last extenuation
you will receive.
Be back before midnight.
By the way, did you see anyone
suspicious leaving that island?
My thousand-mile eyes aren't your dashcam!
I knew you'd say that.
How can you not tell me, just once?
-You're here.
-Yeah.
-Come in.
-Okay.
-Should I close the gate--?
-Yeah, close it.
All right.
Wow.
-No way…
-Yes way, I did some cooking.
Well, I'm pretty much good at everything.
You're not good at
the most important thing.
Modesty doesn't put food
on the table. I do.
But what are you hiding behind you?
It looks like a bouquet.
No.
Hand it over.
Oh. It's not a bouquet of flowers,
but a bouquet of mugwort.
I have to repay kindness
if I get free food,
but that's too bothersome.
Well? Do you like it?
Okay, then. I'll just sit here.
-Wow.
-Huh?
That reaction-- You sound like a robot.
What an interesting housewarming gift.
Do I put it in a vase, or eat it?
Mugwort was the first plant to grow
on land destroyed by a nuclear bomb,
where not a single blade
of grass could be found.
It's just like you.
I love it.
-What are you doing?
-Animals like being pet on the head, no?
My Sapsal dog loves it when I do this.
Here.
It's delicious!
Eat your fill.
Why did you suddenly change
your character?
You know, humans tend to
feed someone they want to thank.
You saved my life twice,
but the only way I could think of
to repay you was this ordinary meal.
It's special enough.
To me. At least today.
Come to think of it,
you didn't move, either.
That's how most of the families
of missing people are.
They can't bring themselves to move.
So they don't forget their way back home.
And to tell them that I'm still waiting.
You must've felt lonely
in this big house by yourself.
Why are you laughing?
Because I don't want to cry.
When you said I must've felt lonely,
I just realized… that I was.
They must've been good people.
Yeah.
I wish they were a little mean.
If they were,
would I have forgotten about them
and lived a normal life,
like everyone else?
This can stop the tears from coming out.
It's a magic spell I learned
when I was nine, after I lost my parents.
You will find your parents.
I'll make sure you do.
Live the rest of your life properly.
In the same boring
yet heartwarming way as the others.
By any chance,
that first love you mentioned…
In your dreams.
My first love was like a lotus blossom.
Fine! And I'm just a garden weed!
I'm a mugwort that survived
a nuclear bombing! You happy?
You grew up well for a garden weed.
Thank you for your help on Eohwa Island.
You're welcome.
The one who saved me
when I was stabbed by Lee Yeon…
was you, after all.
That, too, must be fate.
How's the baby doing?
He's asleep.
You're also quite amazing.
How did you stay so dedicated
to serving that thing for 600 years?
Because I'm human.
A normal human,
who can't live for over 100 years,
but struggles to avoid death.
Not many of those who gained longevity
through the power of this world…
had a happy ending.
What will you do now?
I must feed him, put him to sleep,
and wait for him to grow.
I'll be looking forward to it.
Right when the main character finds
his woman and falls in love,
the tragedy of the past
will repeat itself.
Geez, a funeral?
-Do you have to go?
-Why?
It's not a good time to visit such places.
What do you mean?
Why do you think your ancestors
washed themselves
and threw salt after attending a funeral?
Because all vile things
come and attach themselves to you.
Thanks for your concern, but I have to go.
You've already
become involved in this world.
You afraid some
evil ghosts may latch on to me?
Whatever it may be, if you can see it,
that means it can see you too.
Plus, I won't be in Seoul for a few days.
Are you going on a trip?
Well, something like that.
-So…
-I'm not going to avoid it.
Especially if that's the world
I'll be seeing from now on.
Gosh.
Wait right here.
Huh?
Here.
This bag contains the same number
of red beans as your age.
Don't lose it.
Keep it with you at all times.
Is it like a talisman?
It's a classic, but I made it,
so you'll be fine for a day or two.
Thanks.
I'll get going now. Enjoy your trip.
All right.
For some reason, I can't
bring myself to leave.
Is now the time for me to leave her side?
What's your favorite movie?
"Toy Story 3." Why?
Because I'd like to get
to know you better, Lee Yeon.
The red bean bag?
Here!
You bitch.
I thought you weren't coming.
I heard you didn't cry once.
You heartless witch.
I'm sorry I came so late.
My mom said
making a shroud robe in a leap month
will help her live a long life,
so she begged me to go
to a hanbok shop with her.
But I kept putting it off
until I couldn't.
Whenever she called me,
I always hung up first, saying I was busy.
Last week, she made
my favorite, dongchimi,
but I overslept, so I couldn't go get it.
You're a terrible daughter.
I am, aren't I?
Yeah.
My mom's dongchimi is really delicious,
but I won't be able to eat it anymore.
Cry your heart out.
If you hold it in,
it'll only leave a scar on your heart.
So, where will I be going?
Send me to a warm place if you can.
I'm getting old now,
so I can't stand the cold.
I really can't stand the cold.
This is the order from the Ten Lords.
Lee Yeon, the former mountain god
of the Baekdudaegan Mountains.
You killed a human, so according to
Article 24 of the Criminal Act,
you should be sent to Hell Number 1.
However, in light of your
acts of kindness in saving many lives,
we sentence you to a seven-day suspension.
W-- Wait. A week? That's too long.
During this time, you will experience the
pain of life, aging, illness, and death
in a human body, rather than
the body of a sacred spirit of the forest.
What the…
MANAGEMENT BY A THIRD-GENERATION
CONGLOMERATE IS ACCELERATING
DIRECTOR KI YOO-RI
OF MOZE DEPARTMENT STORE
Ki Yoo-ri.
SHIN-JU'S ANIMAL HOSPITAL
-The necklace thief?
-Hi.
How did you find out about this place?
I thought you'd come back for it,
but you didn't.
-Because you're carrying a gun…
-Don't worry.
I'm not armed today.
What do you want?
Play with me.
How's Ms. Kim doing?
She had a good cry,
so she's feeling dizzy now.
-Make sure you feed her.
-Yes, ma'am.
The spicy beef soup here is quite good.
-What are you doing here?
-Don't be so dramatic. Come sit.
For the record,
I gave more condolence money than you did.
I said, sit.
Unless you want the daughter
to die at her mother's funeral.
What do you want?
How's it going with Lee Yeon?
It's going really well.
Seeing that his brother
is coming to visit us so often.
Aren't you scared of me?
I am.
I heard a male full of complexes
is like a timed bomb.
You heard right.
Why do you hate your brother so much?
Well, because my life is boring.
You liar.
You actually liked your brother, no?
And that's why you're doing this.
-So it is true. The Russian smuggler--
-What are you doing?
I'm a vet.
That scar on your body…
I saw something similar
on some animals at the zoo.
You were abused by a human, right?
Don't look at me like that.
It's annoying.
-Sorry.
-Don't apologize, either.
I will never return this necklace to you.
It's special to me.
-That's why you had it stolen.
-Who is it?
Who's ordering you to do this?
If you can get this necklace back
with your own hands,
I'll tell you then.
Once upon a time, there was a mountain god
who abandoned the mountains.
When he left, humans who used to come
and beg for this and that,
set fire to the mountains,
to kill all the foxes.
Everything that was alive was burned.
A puppy I raised as my family
turned into ashes.
Is it because of his first love?
Lee Yeon believes
you are her reincarnation.
That's why he killed the shaman,
knowing he'd have to pay the price.
The price?
Where's Lee Yeon right now?
I'm sure he's someplace
with no phone service.
THE PRISON OF SNOWY MOUNTAINS
Where is he?
That's none of your business.
If you want to live,
don't go to sleep tonight.
Why is Room 6 so crowded at this hour?
They all look like little kids.
Why are you so interested
in other people's lives?
The time in hell moves at a different rate
than in the human world.
Seven days in the real world
are seven years in hell.
You don't eat.
You don't sleep.
You can't die either.
KNIGHTS ERRAN
That time was everything for me too.
That short period of time
when she was alive.
I'm willing to accept
any form of punishment.
I just want her to experience all of
life's ups and downs, like everyone else.
And watch her grow old peacefully.
What a fool.
The number you have dialed
is not in service.
Please leave a message after the tone.
Huh?
Is it a blackout?
Hi.
You two must be sisters.
How old are you guys?
But what are you doing out here?
-Miss.
-Miss.
Have you seen our dad?
Did you lose your dad?
What room is he in?
Want me to help you look for him?
What's this?
But why are your shoes mix matching?
Producer Nam!
Yeah?
-Ms. Kim ate all the rice cakes.
-Great work.
She told us to go home.
She wants to get some rest too.
Oh, really?
Hold on.
Huh? Where did those girls go?
-Girls?
-Yeah.
-They were just here.
-I'm sure they left with their parents.
-Let's get going.
-All right.
Are you going to take a taxi?
I'll see you off.
No.
I'm so exhausted,
but my mom told me to stop by
the store and get some gum.
So I can get rid of evil ghosts.
To drive away evil?
She's Christian, yet so superstitious.
-See you tomorrow.
-Get home safe.
Huh?
When did this…
Producer Nam! Producer Nam! Producer Nam!
The talisman I gave her
has escaped from her grasp.
Was it Lee Rang? Or…
Old hag! Old hag!
I have something to say.
I know you can hear me!
Untie me.
Old hag! Please?
Untie me!
Untie me! Now!
I said untie me! Now!
Damn.
Damn it!
What's all the fuss about?
Old hag.
I have to get out of here. Untie me, now.
How dare you!
Don't you know where you are?
I'll go to that place. The Hell of Blades.
It was either a commutation
or the Hell of Blades anyway.
Then I'll be able to leave today.
Or you may never get out.
With that body.
I don't care.
Oh.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
What happened to me?
You fainted in front of the funeral hall.
-Oh, I'm so cold.
-You're cold?
Did something happen earlier?
I saw these little kids, twice.
What did they look like?
They were sisters.
They were wearing pretty dresses
and mismatching shoes.
Do you think they're ghosts?
-What?
-When ghosts pretend to be humans,
they do certain things the opposite way.
You said you don't believe in ghosts.
Hold on.
SCARY SHORT LEGENDS OF JOSEON
I looked into it, and that funeral hall
was originally a burial ground for kids.
BURIAL GROUND TO BURY DEAD
BODIES OF CHILDREN IN THE PAS
A burial ground for kids?
Where they used to bury
dead kids back then?
Yes. They tore it down
to build a funeral hall.
-But Jae-hwan.
-Yes?
Why are you…
holding the book upside down?
We got caught.
THE HELL OF BLADES
Cross the bridge.
After you've taken a step,
you can never turn around and come back.
Can I do it?
With this body?
Whatever it may be, if you can see it,
that means it can see you too.
This bag contains the same number
of red beans as your age.
Don't lose it.
Keep it with you at all times.
Lee Yeon.
Old hag, I'll be back soon.
A sinner is crossing the Hell of Blades!
My phone…
Who's there?
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
What do you want from me?
Give us your body. We want your body.
Give us your body. We want your body.
Give us your body. We want your body.
Give us your body. We want your body.
Give us your body. We want your body.
Give us your body. Give us your body.
Give us your body.
Give us your body. Give us your body.
Give us your body. Give us your body.
Thank you, Lee Yeon.
Both the nine-year-old me
and the 30-year-old me
survived, thanks to you.
You know,
I can't fight like you,
or control the rain and wind,
but I promise to protect you someday.
I promised you, didn't I?
I promised I'll protect you.
Your woman will die early
in this life as well.
Whoever she may be,
if she's the one I'm looking for…
It doesn't matter to me anymore.
There is only one thing I am certain of.
That rather than the pain from the blades
cutting into my skin this very moment,
the death of the woman with her face
will cut me even deeper.
Because I'd like to get to
know you better, Lee Yeon.
So don't die.
Please stay alive.
Until I can go to you. Please.
I would have nightmares
every now and then.
But no one was ever there
for me when it happened.
I was used to it.
But now…
Live the rest of your life properly.
I'll make sure you do.
Why am I looking for you?
Lee Yeon. Lee Yeon!
Give us your body. Give us your body.
Please don't die.
Don't die because of me.
I found you.
Be born again.
I promise to find you, no matter what.
I…
I've been waiting for you, too.
TALE OF THE NINE TAILED
I am Lord Lee Yeon's loyal right-hand fox
since he was the lord of Baekdudaegan
Mountains and his housekeeper.
What was your first love like?
At times, knowing something
can be harmful.
I'm looking for someone.
The way you look at me. Those scars.
I can't forget it.