When I first heard that “Tale of the Nine Tailed” Was getting a second season, I was admittingly confused because I did not think that the drama needed a second season, especially after that ending it had.
Note: this article is a first-impression review, it doesn’t mean this is the writer’s final thoughts on the drama. This is a spoiler review.
However, here we are 3 years later watching the 2nd installment of “Tale of the Nine Tailed,” so how was it? Lets talk about it!
If we’re talking about TV and dramas that needed a second season, I could think of two or three ones off the top of my head that desperately need one. But this one would not be on the list, especially considering the fact that the drama wasn’t a smashing success domestically [on TV] as expected. But at the same time, it was loved internationally and has found a sizable fan base. Many wanted a 2nd season after the ending of Lee Rang, too.
According to the ratings, “Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938” is up to a stellar start and has already beaten the best record of its 1st season. The 1st season aired in a Wednesday-Thursday time slot so I believe the creators thought the drama deserves better spotlight and will rise accordingly. I think they thought well. Shifting it to a weekend time slot ensures it gets the best coverage, especially since tvN is retiring that original time slot for the time being.
So, what did I think of “Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938” premiere? The premiere was fun, super messy but fun.
I think if you know what the 1st season was, you’d have a much better time understanding the concepts and getting immersed faster but even if you didn’t, I think you’d still be able to enjoy it.
It’ll be a bit confusing but with time, you’ll get used to it.
I would say this season is much lighter in tone and much messier too. I like that, I think it adds an edge to it, it still maintains that urgency feel with some dark moments sprinkled in-between, but I felt it didn’t take itself too seriously which is just perfect for what we’re working with, since the premise itself is somewhat very ridiculous.
I suspect the tone will become darker as time goes by but so far, “Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938” has one of the funniest, messiest, and most engaging premieres of a 2023 kdrama.
I still don’t know what the driver of conflict will be but I think it’ll be a combination between Kim So Yeon and Ryu Kyung Soo’s characters. They both play ‘villain’ roles very well. I like how serious Ryu Kyung Soo is here and I like how fun Kim So Yeon’s character is too.
I don’t think either are ‘good’ characters per se especially in this era, but we’ll have to see.
Its fun seeing Lee Rang again, we missed him so much, everybody was cheering for his return. Kim Bum truly is a charismatic actor. I love watching him act.
As for concerns and thoughts for future episodes…. for the record, “Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938” will only be 12 episodes long which I think is good, I am glad it won’t be 16 episodes, however, even with this length, I still feel we might run into quiet unnecessary filler episodes later on.
I am also curious to see how they balance Lee Yeon’s existence and issues, the fact that he can’t be without Nam Ji-A [Jo Bo ah]. She is not back for this season, I really hope they don’t throw that arc out the window because its an essential part of his character, it also makes me wonder if the direction and writing for the premiere episodes were messy in part to distract from that fact.
In the 1st season, the screenwriter made sure this was a HUGE essential point, thus, it means that without her and without them together, he’d have a difficult time. We’ll wait and see, I just hope we hear from her soon and she’s not just somehow erased from the conversation due to how messy this timeline is.
I have many questions, especially about how Lee Yeon’s actions will affect the past timeline especially since he’s helping Taluipa with requests, it means his future and possibly the future of Korea might change based on his actions, but to what extent remains to be seen. I just hope it doesn’t get too messy on that part.
Lastly, special shoutout to the production team, they must’ve worked very hard on this one. The setting for the 1938 timeline is done well, the CGI is also ok, especially with the budget they were working with. Overall, I can tell a lot of love went into the making of the premiere episodes. The fight scenes and special set designs were also very fun to look at.
Regardless, I have a feeling that I will be enjoying “Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938” a lot moving forward.
So what about you guys? Have you seen the premiere of “Tale Of The Nine Tailed 1938” yet? Thoughts?
