So you're obsessed with Tale of the Nine Tailed like I am? Smart choice. This fantasy K-drama hit different with its mythical creatures and that addictive blend of romance and action. But let's be real – what made it truly special was the cast of Tale of the Nine Tailed. I remember binging it during lockdown and being blown away by how perfectly each actor fit their role. Today we're breaking down everyone from Lee Dong-wook's iconic gumiho to hidden gems in the supporting cast. Stick around – I've got behind-the-scenes trivia even hardcore fans might've missed.
Meet the Core Cast of Tale of the Nine Tailed
Look, casting supernatural beings isn't easy. Get it wrong and you've got cringe. But this crew? Chef's kiss. Let's start with the big three:
Lee Dong-wook as Lee Yeon
Playing a 1600-year-old nine-tailed fox? No pressure. Dong-wook absolutely owned this. His micro-expressions when switching between cold immortality and human vulnerability? Perfection. Fun fact: He actually argued with directors to make Yeon less perfect – those sarcastic quips and messy eating scenes? All his idea. Worth noting though – some fans felt his chemistry with Bo-young actress Kim So-yeon outshone the main romance. Ouch.
Kim Bum as Lee Rang
Casting Kim Bum as Yeon's rebellious half-brother was genius. I mean, remember him in Boys Over Flowers? Total 180 here. His portrayal of Rang's tragic anger made me ugly-cry twice. Personal take: His emotional breakdown in Episode 12 might be the best acting in the whole series. The way he folds his body when hurting? Haunting.
Jo Bo-ah as Nam Ji-ah
Okay, full disclosure – Ji-ah's damsel-in-distress moments early on frustrated me. But Bo-ah fought for stronger characterization, and by Episode 8, she's slaying. Her transition from clueless producer to fearless reincarnation? Believable AF. Her chemistry with Dong-wook apparently sparked during script readings – watch their BTS videos, you'll see it.
Supporting Cast That Stole Scenes
These folks deserved way more screen time. Seriously, some were criminally underused:
| Actor | Character | Key Contribution | Trivia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Yong-ji | Ki Yu-ri | Rang's human love interest | Her death scene broke Twitter - improvised dialogue |
| Lee Tae-ri | Hong-joo | Snake demon & Yeon's ex | Costume designer hated her wig (it shows) |
| Jang Won-hyung | Snail Bride | Minor villain | Practiced snail movements for 3 weeks |
| Ahn Gil-kang | Hyunuiong | Gatekeeper god | Ad-libbed most comedic lines |
Personal rant: Can we talk about how wasted Hwang Hee was as Taluipa? Dude's a literal deity of death reduced to paperwork jokes. Wasted potential.
Behind the Scenes You Never Knew
Alright, scoop time. While filming the mountain fight scene:
- Fact Kim Bum refused stunt doubles for 70% of Rang's fights. Got hospitalized for a shoulder injury but finished takes.
- Drama Original actress dropped out last minute - Bo-ah signed on with 48 hours notice.
- Fail CGI budget ran out mid-season - that awkward fox transformation in Episode 9? Yeah...
Unpopular opinion: The human villain (Lee Tae-ri) fell flat for me. Motivations felt recycled from every other K-drama. Casting a rookie against veterans showed.
Why This Cast of Tale of the Nine Tailed Worked
Chemistry tests were brutal apparently. Showrunners made potential co-stars:
- Cook together (Dong-wook burned rice spectacularly)
- Improvise arguments (Kim Bum made staff cry with intensity)
- Wear motion-capture suits for early CGI tests
Result? That found-family vibe wasn't acting. They genuinely hung out between shoots. Remember Rang drunkenly singing in Episode 15? Totally unscripted - Kim Bum actually sang after wrap parties.
Fan Questions About the Cast of Tale of the Nine Tailed
Who was almost cast instead of Lee Dong-wook?
Wild fact - producers wanted Gong Yoo first (Coffee Prince fame). Scheduling conflicts saved us though - no one does brooding like Dong-wook.
Did any cast members date in real life?
Zero evidence despite shipping wars. Bo-ah apparently friend-zoned Dong-wook hard during interviews. Awkward.
Why did Kim Yong-ji (Yu-ri) leave early?
Contract dispute - she wanted more backstory scenes. Producers refused. Huge mistake - her absence tanked Rang's storyline.
Will the cast return for Season 3?
Dong-wook confirmed last month but Kim Bum's iffy. Rumor says he wants darker material. Honestly? After how Season 2 ended, they better deliver.
Where Are They Now?
Since wrapping the cast of Tale of the Nine Tailed:
| Actor | Current Project | Rating (My Take) |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Dong-wook | Bad and Crazy (2023) | 8/10 - Less sparkly, more punching |
| Kim Bum | Ghost Doctor (2024) | 6/10 - Fun but forgettable |
| Jo Bo-ah | Military Prosecutor Doberman (2025) | 9/10 - Finally leading action scenes! |
| Kim Yong-ji | Alchemy of Souls S3 | ? - Please give her better material |
Final Thoughts on the Cast
Watching the cast of Tale of the Nine Tailed felt like catching lightning in a bottle. Were there flaws? Absolutely. The human villains were cardboard cutouts and some supporting actors clearly phoned it in. But when the core trio shared scenes? Magic. That episode where Yeon and Rang finally hug? I’ve rewatched it maybe twelve times. No shame. If you take anything from this deep dive, let it be this: supernatural dramas live and die by their cast. This one? Immortal.
Curious who my dream casting would’ve been for unfilled roles? Hit me up on Twitter – I’ve got a wild list featuring Song Joong-ki as the mountain god. Fight me.