Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020) s01e06 Episode Script

1
TALE OF THE NINE TAILED
Where have you been?
I've been looking for you.
The girl you just kissed…
Was it me?
Or your deceased first love?
It wasn't me, was it?
-I--
-I…
I am not a shadow of your past.
So make up your mind right now.
Either continue holding on to
your past, or…
Or?
Look me in the eye.
I'm pretty enough to turn heads
wherever I go, you know.
CHAPTER 6: FATE AND DESTINY
IN SEARCH OF SCARY URBAN LEGENDS
NAM JI-AH
What's your relationship with him?
What does he do for work? How old is he?
Where are you right now? Answer me!
Gosh. Who was that guy?
She's totally ignoring me.
Maybe he's just a source.
Not a chance.
The way that he was looking at
Nam Ji-ah was like…
Like my heart was going to melt.
Ms. Kim, why don't you tell your heart
to take it easy?
By the way, isn't she terrible?
You know, Nam Ji-ah.
She's terrible at dating.
Isn't it hot?
I like summer.
So nine-tailed foxes
aren't sensitive to heat?
It's the time of year when the forest
is the most active.
Even if I don't ask how they're doing,
each flower and tree receives equal
amounts of sunshine, rain, and wind.
And they stand on their own,
humble yet confident.
In the city, even sunlight
doesn't reach us equally.
The amount of sunlight you get
depends on whether
you live in a semi-basement
or a penthouse.
For both humans and plants,
the higher ranks get to intake vitamin D.
Your eyes see more than I imagined.
But why aren't you looking me
in the eyes since earlier?
-What do you mean?
-Even now. You're looking that way,
past my right shoulder.
Wow, look here. Carp.
Wow. How cute.
I know, right?
-They're cute.
-Sure.
-What are you looking at?
-You.
You told me to look you in the eye.
Stop it. Quit staring at me.
My face will get worn out.
Gosh. I shouldn't have said that line.
Wait up.
By the way, Ms. Kim.
Doesn't that man look familiar?
He does.
Right? Where did we see him?
In my daydream of ideal men.
If you mix them all up,
it'll look like him.
-No. I mean, was he ever on our show?
-No, no.
There's no way I would've
missed that face.
But he definitely looks familiar.
Geez. Are you still talking about him?
Even if you don't want to work,
at least pretend to be working.
You guys are so embarrassing.
Ms. Kim said a journalist
must investigate a mystery until the end.
-You're going to rat me out?
-Geez.
By the way, what did Nam Ji-ah say?
-Let me see. Did she reply?
-Not yet. We're going crazy too.
Good grief.
He's not even that good-looking.
He looks like a gold digger.
That's what you want to think, no?
That the world couldn't be this unfair.
Hey! Get back to work!
Don't act like you're working!
Do some actual work!
Who are you looking for?
-The magistrate.
-The magistrate?
I heard that he knows
who took your parents.
Really? Who is the magistrate?
He's disguised as a human, but he's not.
He's one of the four mountain gods
who once ruled the Korean Peninsula.
Wow. A mountain god.
Don't forget that one of them
is standing in front of you.
Right. You're a former mountain god.
-You said you got sacked, no?
-I quit on my own! Okay?
It's a bit arrogant to say so myself,
but the other three are minor.
Me? I'm the major
of the Baekdudaegan Mountains, okay?
Okay.
But what is a mountain god
doing in the Folk Village?
Not just the mountain gods but all kinds
of legendary beings come to this place.
After all, it's the perfect place to hide.
Like a sort of retro fever.
It's nostalgic.
Then are the real ones here too?
They could be.
Really?
They've been blending in with tourists
for so long that their scents have faded.
Then how do we find them?
We don't need to find them.
We just need to enjoy our time here.
They'll come find us on their own.
The fortune teller's shop is that way.
Let's go.
-Hello.
-Oh, my. You're here! At last!
You're finally here.
Let's see.
Fate and destiny, face reading,
marital fortune, past life…
What will it be?
You know all that,
and you're working here for $20?
It's just for fun.
Here.
Please tell me about my past life.
Your past life, huh?
Where was it?
Now-- your past life.
Yes, young people nowadays
tend to overlook their past lives.
But it's quite important.
Don't move.
-All right.
-Are you using an app?
I got it.
From the moment I saw you, I knew
you'd have unique face-reading results…
Well then?
Young lady, you were royalty
in your past life.
You were a princess.
What? The app tells you all that?
Then what what about me?
Well, you were…
Oh, dear. In your past life,
you worked as an industrial laborer.
You died while building
the Han River Bridge.
If you're going to say whatever you want,
why don't you just tell me something nice?
-You need a talisman.
-Talisman my foot.
You two shouldn't be together.
Unless one of you wants to die.
What?
You two shouldn't have met
in the first place.
-Oh, how pretty.
-I know I'm pretty.
Welcome.
You should go to the Heavenly Maiden Bath
with me sometime, kid.
-How have you been?
-Have you found the woodcutter yet?
-Hello, sir!
-Oh, hello!
Yes. Welcome!
-Where's the fortune teller's shop?
-Fortune teller's shop?
Walk straight that way for a while.
For a while? In this hot weather?
Are there any taxis here?
No, but we have that.
FLOWER PALANQUIN TAXI
Gosh, what a waste of money.
Does he know what he's talking about?
It's bothering me.
A manager at work had a marital
fortune telling before getting married,
and the fortune teller yelled at them
for getting together so late.
He said they would make
each other happy and prosperous.
And?
They thought they'd live happily,
but in less than a year…
-They got divorced?
-Yeah.
Besides, I don't believe
in marital fortunes.
If it was real, the divorce rate
in Korea wouldn't be--
Who was that?
Isn't it obvious who'd ask me out
in such a classical way?
-"See you at the government office."
-"The magistrate"?
Let's go.
One, two.
Shoot, shoot.
Good, good.
Good. Nice!
Who are you?
-Are you here for fortune telling?
-I'm here for something else.
You need a talisman?
That's enough.
I already know who you really are.
Is there a nine-tailed fox reunion
at the Folk Village today?
-What?
-If not, whatever.
So Lee Yeon is also here.
Get to the point.
I have customers waiting.
The item to look into one's past life--
You have it, don't you?
Let's see.
The Tiger's Eyebrow.
Obviously, this isn't it.
Where was it?
A goblin's hat.
I want gold. Abracadabra!
Where is it…
Everything that has vanished
from the world can be found here.
Give them to me.
Not for free.
Well, what do you think?
You… foolish prick.
-What?
-If you can buy these with money,
why would they have vanished
from the world?
Look. They've disappeared again.
Nothing has changed.
PALACE OF VIRTUE
Come out, Magistrate!
It's been a while, Lee Yeon.
You've aged a lot
since the last time I saw you.
What are you doing here?
I'm looking for someone.
Fox Hill is your territory, no?
You would do all that for a human?
I can do much more.
I heard Fox Sister died.
And the one who killed her on her
wedding day was a former mountain god.
I hear the one who hid that sinner,
who ate her brothers' livers and fled,
was also a former mountain god.
The human world is a difficult place
to live in, yet you dare
do that to those poor things
who didn't even have a place to stay--
Those who cause chaos in this world.
Those who can't live
in harmony with humans.
That's all I hunted.
You and I are simply on a different path.
Then I don't think
I have anything to say to you.
But I must hear it.
Right now, survival should come first.
My items can't be priced.
What if I take them by force?
Then you'll be sucked into this sack.
If you don't believe me, try it.
If so…
A barter.
Exchange it for
the most precious thing in your life.
The most… precious thing?
Wait here a moment.
Give me five minutes.
Don't get hurt.
It's hard for me to fight
with a PG-13 rating.
Shall we make it R-rated?
I won't accept murder.
I won't accept rude jerks like him either.
Agreed.
Don't you dare fight dirty.
The guest should go that way.
-Why would you…
-I'm no coward who needs a hostage.
It's fine. He was always more concerned
with looking good than anything else.
-Make yourself at home.
-It's to save my honor.
Do you have feelings for that fox?
Or have you been bewitched?
I am…
What is Lee Yeon to me?
…I'm using him.
I struck a deal with him
to find my family.
And I put him in danger
to get information from you.
-I like your honesty.
-But…
I don't need it anymore.
I just want him to beat you guys up
so we can go home now.
He gets hurt wherever he goes,
all because of me.
It appears that you
will not have a happy future either.
I don't care.
If the path is in ruins,
I can plant flower seeds as I walk by.
You're an interesting child.
Just as the rumors say.
Rumors?
But you will regret coming to find me.
Who the hell is it?
What bastard brought
a cell phone into the Hell of Darkness!
-I'll leave the tteokbokki here.
-Damn it!
You're the grim reaper!
You shouldn't be saying that!
Shut up. Find that bastard
and twist his legs!
Seriously! No one has any discipline!
What the hell? It's not spicy at all.
Honey.
Honey!
I'm busy as hell.
Just where did he run off to?
It's the Moon Mirror.
Are you attempting to kill a human
with the Four Protective Items
of the Four Mountain Gods,
which are meant to protect everything?
So, did your Fox Marble
protect everything,
or just one person?
How about we fight with our bare fists,
without any items or skills?
All right.
Looks like her heart aches
whenever you get hurt.
What does that woman mean to you?
Hey, you're supposed to ask me that after
two bottles of soju, when we're alone.
That's just common sense!
Seeing that you're agitated,
you must have feelings for her.
-Shut up!
-How foolish, Lee Yeon.
You gave your heart to a human once again.
Stop talking in that literary manner.
It's so hard to understand.
You just have to see
everything through to the end, huh?
-Because this is how I've always lived.
-Gosh. You inflexible jerk.
Let me see. I told you not to get hurt!
It's fine. It's just a scratch.
Hold on.
Hey, get up. It's been a while
since we've had some iced Americano.
-I don't drink anything iced.
-Geez.
You two know each other?
Allow me to properly introduce him.
As I said, he's a mountain god
and my best friend.
His true form is
a native Asiatic black bear.
OLD HAG
Why don't you just pick up?
-I can't go on living like this.
-Good grief. Here we go again.
These days, I get startled
and wake up from my sleep.
Whenever I think of my wife,
my heart pounds,
and I feel like I have to pee.
Geez. I don't need to know
about your prostate condition.
When you've been together for thousands
of years, it's only natural to lose spark.
Lose spark?
Even Gyeon-woo and Jik-nyeo,
that lovey-dovey couple,
are considering breaking up.
No wonder.
It hasn't rained on the seventh day
of the seventh month recently.
You should just be honest.
No, I don't want to! I'm scared!
What was I expecting?
When getting married to the sister
of the King of the Dead?
Why do I have to eat this?
Because it's samgyetang.
It's delicious and good for your health.
I mean, why are you buying this for me?
Because I misunderstood you,
Ms. Ki Yoo-ri.
What if it wasn't a misunderstanding?
From my experience, those who
feel sympathy for animals aren't villains.
I don't like you.
Are you listening?
I said I don't like you.
You might not like me,
but I'm sure you'll like samgyetang.
Try it.
I said I don't like you,
but you're smiling like a fool.
I heard it's okay to be cruel to jerks who
can't even say it hurts when I bite them.
You're a lot like
the abandoned dogs I've met.
What?
Dogs that were abused and abandoned
bite the hands that feed them.
It's because
they don't know how to be loved.
Shut your mouth.
The most precious thing in my life…
Just what the hell can it be?
LEE RANG
Your call cannot be completed as dialed…
Did he just ignore my call?
He eats macarons too.
These Western sweets have the crunch
of hangwa and the moistness of yakgwa.
Yeah, yeah.
How's life these days?
You have a ton of family to provide for.
Minimum wage has increased…
And I even bought a house,
though I had to take out a loan.
Aside from the main characters
of traditional folk tales
coming to complain
about panic disorders, it's all good.
It must've been hard.
I should get going. There's a performance
for the magistrate's birthday party.
Have you ever seen them?
They went missing 21 years ago.
It doesn't have to be anything big.
Just tell us what you know.
Was it March 3rd,
according to the lunar calendar?
You're right. The accident took place
on March 3, 1999.
A man in a dark blue suit came to see me
at the start of that year.
He said there would be an accident
on March 3rd, at Fox Hill.
A dark blue suit?
So that man intentionally
caused the accident?
And then what?
I don't get involved in situations
that harm humans.
I didn't let him borrow
my servants either.
Who was that man?
I thought he was some being
disguised as a human…
but he wasn't.
-So?
-He was human.
-Are you sure?
-I'm certain he smelled human.
Tell us in detail.
Everything you remember about him.
It's so hazy that I doubt I'll even
recognize him if ever I see him again.
He was just an ordinary middle-aged man.
But his forehead…
-Forehead?
-It was faint,
but I could see a trace
of a punishment tattoo.
Punishment tattoo?
You mean a tattoo
that defines him as a criminal?
-What did it say?
-"Seo," for "West,"
and "gyeong," for "the capital."
Seogyeong.
A punishment tattoo means
that he's been alive since
before the Joseon Dynasty, no?
Where could he be now?
Probably not too far away.
What do you mean?
The target of the accident
wasn't the parents.
-What?
-He was after the daughter.
You have to choose one thing or the other.
What'll it be?
OLD HAG
Gosh.
Honey! I'm busy as hell!
Come here this instant!
Okay, honey! I'm on my way back!
Please hang on. I'll be right there!
-I want a divorce.
-What?
Yeah.
I will get a divorce!
Hey, you!
"Hey, you"?
Me?
You look like you're going
to die any second now.
I don't want to hear
about your marriage or divorce,
so can you please shut up?
That little…
You have no manners.
Shall I force her to smell incense
behind the paper screen?
Calm down. She's from abroad.
The world is a mess.
Where did he find such an impudent woman?
Damn.
Don't bow to me, you jerk.
Oh, sir!
-Do you even know who he is?
-Why should I care?
He's the King of the Dead's brother-in-law
and gatekeeper of the Stream of the Dead!
That doesn't give him the right
to cause a scene at restaurants!
Eat up.
Damn. It's hot.
Let me see.
Stop that.
The dog food and doghouse for your dog--
I can't take it with me.
-So?
-You keep it.
If you even consider euthanizing it,
your death will be even more painful.
-Your family doesn't like dogs?
-He's not family.
He saved me from the zoo.
-So he's your savior, huh?
-Of course.
He tore the zookeeper apart.
He killed a human?
Who is that savior of yours?
Someone.
You'll get to meet him soon.
Keep that woman away from you.
What's the reason?
The man who came to see me said…
"The girl
is the scale of the king.
The king lives within in the girl."
Long time no see, Lee Yeon.
It's me.
The thing you've been waiting for.
Our ill-fated relationship
had to come to an end.
Only if you didn't stop the boat
sailing past the Stream of the Dead.
Was that Ah-eum?
Or…
Who could that man be?
If he's near me,
he might be someone I know.
A scar on the forehead…
I don't know anyone like that.
-I'll look into it, so--
-I don't understand.
Why was he after me?
And why did my family
have to suffer because of me?
What for?
Lee Yeon.
Why do you continue
to protect me every time,
but never tell me anything?
I…
I don't want you to get hurt.
I don't want you to do anything for me.
I just wish your life would have
a happy ending.
And…
I want you to trust me.
Shall we go catch that man first?
How?
We have…
a connection.
Why do you keep calling me?
Did you see the 22 missed calls?
I'm not your girlfriend.
When I don't pick up,
just assume there's a reason--
We need to meet now.
What are you cooking up this time?
It's because I miss you.
I'm 99.9% sure that's a scheme.
-I'm busy. Bye.
-What are you doing?
Where are you right now?
But will your brother tell us so easily?
-Not a chance.
-So?
We must make Lee Rang
go to him on his own.
How?
CALLIGRAPHY EXPERIENCE
Mr. Calligrapher.
Let me borrow this.
"Bang" for "search"?
Search for a man with the symbol
of a criminal on his forehead.
-What did you just do?
-It's a kind of talisman.
These shoes will take Lee Rang
to that man.
We only have one chance.
We must not lose Lee Rang today,
no matter what.
Yeah, we won't ever lose him.
Go inside.
You're here.
Why are you ignoring me?
You forget about the funeral hall?
Lee Yeon was covered in wounds
because of you.
That's how brothers grow up together.
By the way, you look great in a hanbok.
And you look damn awful in that suit.
You're really sensitive today.
Makes my heart flutter.
You look like you need a urinalysis
every time I see you.
Such a loser.
What are you doing at the Folk Village?
You think I'm here on a field trip
for school or something?
-You'll probably get an F.
-Hey, old man!
There's something I need to check.
You're back?
What's hidden up your sleeve?
Did you even know
that he's a real fortune teller?
This con man obviously has a fake beard…
It's real.
But when I asked him questions,
he was talking nonsense.
That's his cover, you idiot.
Appraise him to see if this is
the most precious thing to me.
It is, indeed.
The most precious thing in your life.
A brother.
Damn.
I'm leaving.
What do you think you're doing?
How should I put this?
A type of fox trafficking?
How ridiculous.
Ask him for the details later.
You have plenty of time, no?
I'll see you again.
He's leaving…
Hey, where are my shoes?
I don't know!
I swear he acts so childish
at the most unexpected moments.
Where do you think you're going?
You go first.
-Let go.
-You belong to me.
-Says who?
-A deal is a deal.
It's an unfair deal.
Hurry, Lee Yeon.
If you want to trick someone…
Leave now. I'm closed for today.
Where's Lee Yeon?
He's a part of my collection now.
Will you be here tomorrow?
I only show myself when I want to.
At different places, wherever I please.
We only have one chance.
We must not lose Lee Rang today,
no matter what.
A man in a dark blue suit came to see me
at the start of that year.
These shoes will take Lee Rang
to that man.
Do you have feelings for that fox?
I just wish your life would have
a happy ending.
I want you to trust me.
-Let him go.
-No. This world has its own rules.
Please, sir!
What's that?
-Hold on!
-It's no use.
Tell me. How can I get Lee Yeon back?
The rule remains the same. Exchanging him
for the most precious thing in your life.
I'll buy him!
I will buy Lee Yeon.
LOVE YOU FOREVER
What can you give me?
If you don't come back
by the Hour of the Dog,
then the deal is off.
One hour and 40 minutes until 9:00 p.m.
What is it?
The most precious thing in my life…
I must think of it.
I can do it.
When the sun goes down,
it's time to go home.
Then what am I still doing here?
Excuse me! Please open the door!
Please!
Excuse me! Please!
Please! Open the door! Excuse me!
Anyone there? Excuse me!
Mister!
-Magistrate?
-I heard a familiar voice.
It seems urgent.
Thanks.
Thank you!
Just a second!
So, what's the most precious thing
in your life?
This.
A broken music box?
But it still works.
It was my parents'
last birthday present to me.
Is that all?
As of this year… it's been 21 years
since they went missing.
To be honest,
my memory is fading year by year.
And I'm not even sure
if what I went through
was real or just a dream.
There's blood on it.
That's how I was able to endure it.
"What I saw that day wasn't a dream.
So…
they might be still alive."
So it's the last connection
you have with your parents?
I will appraise it.
What brings you here at this hour?
I-- I'm not sure.
Why did I come here?
What do you mean?
Never mind. It's nothing.
Could it be? That bastard…
The deal…
cannot be completed.
What?
This won't do.
Why? Why not?
I'm not the one who determines
the price of the item.
Please tell me, sir. What should I do?
What can I do?
What an irritating customer you are!
I will repay you, no matter what.
-Please?
-All right, all right.
You were a princess in your past life,
not this one!
You think throwing tantrums
can get you whatever you want?
Your hand.
Give me your hand.
-Left hand!
-Left hand.
You were born with a very special destiny.
Water and fire fight fiercely,
and though there are mountains of earth,
metal will rule over it.
Even if you're surrounded by darkness,
the moon will rise in your sky.
What does that mean?
You have the Fox Marble.
That is your moon.
-What?
-Give me the marble.
Even without a moon,
your destiny is powerful enough.
I'll give it to you.
I don't believe in destiny anyway.
The deal
has been completed.
What? Already?
Your palm lines.
Your palm lines have changed.
The Fox Marble is gone.
How could you beat up an old man
as soon as you got out?
He deserved it!
How dare he treat me like that!
I'm much older than he is!
But how did you do it?
Isn't it obvious?
I bought you.
By giving him what?
Don't tell me--
Did you give him ten years of your life?
No. I actually didn't give him much.
So you're mine now.
I'm a materialistic person,
so I won't give you freedom so easily,
like Aladdin.
Wow. You're worse than Jafar, huh?
By the way,
why didn't you go after Lee Rang?
It was a special chance
to find your parents.
To be honest, I was a bit tempted.
"This might be my last chance.
Are you sure
you're not going to regret it?"
Then why did you choose me?
Because I was confident.
And you seemed trustworthy.
Because I was sure
you'd give my life a happy ending.
What are you thinking about?
Throughout my life,
I realized there are times a kid needs
his or her parents more than I'd imagined.
For example,
when you take your first steps.
Who else but your parents
will be astounded that
you took a few steps on your own?
When was it for you?
For me…
When I was the only one who didn't bring
a sack lunch on field trips.
When a classmate
I got in a fight with said,
"I'm going to tell my mom everything!"
I couldn't win against brats with moms.
That's too bad.
I could've beaten that kid up.
I resented them a lot.
"Why did you disappear, leaving me alone?"
"I'm waiting for you.
Why aren't you coming back?"
But I hear it's because of me.
The accident happened because of me,
and my parents' lives were ruined
because of me.
You can cry if you want to.
No.
I want to eat chicken feet.
Are you okay?
I'm not okay, so I want to eat
something spicy and cry like a baby.
I want to wonder
whether I'm crying from exhaustion
or from capsaicin.
You're amazing.
I was worried that you'd pretend
to be okay.
Thank goodness.
I wanted to look amazing,
but I was worried that I might look cute.
-Try some.
-Is it good?
-Yeah, it's not as spicy as I thought.
-Oh, so it's not spicy?
-Is it too spicy?
-No!
There's just something in my eye.
You don't like spicy food, do you?
No way. What makes you think that?
Good grief.
Hold-- Hold still.
This is a battle between me
and the chicken feet.
Where are you going this late at night?
Just…
There's somewhere I need to drop by.
Well, then. Good night.
You know, Lee Yeon.
Don't be too good to me.
I'm really scared.
If you're nice to me,
I'll want to lean on you.
And if I keep leaning on you,
I might turn weak.
So that's how you've been living.
I promise.
You just need to find your family and go
about your life as if nothing's wrong.
When the time comes,
forget about me
and taking a peek into this world…
And live a normal life,
like a human.
You scared me!
At least make a sound, you jerk!
Old hag. You knew all along, didn't you?
Know about what?
The Imoogi.
The Imoogi isn't dead.
Everything's determined
by the law of cause and effect.
Stop speaking such nonsense.
That girl is the one who woke it up
from a long slumber.
And you're the one who found her,
even when I told you not to.
So that means it's alive.
Yes, it is alive.
Then…
What did I fight for all those years ago?
And why did Ah-eum risk her life?
That is the path you and that girl chose.
Where's that bastard right now?
I've been warning you over and over again.
A human and a fox cannot be together.
-Tell me.
-Your obsession will only bring disaster!
I said, tell me!
Hi, there.
As soon as it emerged from the well,
it hid itself…
and I just found its piece.
What?
TALE OF THE NINE TAILED
I promised.
I will protect her with my life.
You see, love is about getting eaten
if you're distracted for even a second.
Lee Yeon. He's become special to me.
I'm certain the Imoogi
has a connection to Lee Rang.
If you mess with her,
I'm really going to kill you this time.
Don't let yourself be dragged into it.
Do you wish to repeat that tragedy?
If I don't go, she'll get hurt!
Either you or that girl will die.