Their meet-cute was a disaster, but at least it was a hilarious disaster.
This is where the story of “My Roommate is a Gumiho” started: When Lee Dam accidentally hit Shin Woo Yeo with her hand, she ended up swallowing his fox bead. Because Lee Dam now carries the fox bead, she and Woo Yeo (the gumiho) decided to live together until they both find a way to get it out of Lee Dam’s body.
Forced cohabitation is one of my favorite tropes and these two just keep the laughter coming with their antics. One hilarity after another follow them, whether together or apart. But especially together. I actually don’t know who to feel more sorry for: The gumiho who has to put up with Lee Dam and her carefree attitude and sometimes rash actions or Lee Dam who practically lives quaking in fear from living under the same roof as the 999 year-old gumiho. 😂 “My Roommate is a Gumiho” is the perfect romcom to balance all my other horror/thriller/murder mystery kdramas. It’s light, fun, and funny. Here are some of the things I loved about it and caught my interest:
Boo! 👻 Scared you!
I love how they incorporate horror elements in “My Roommate is a Gumiho” without coming across as tacky or overboard. What horror elements are you yapping about, Anna??!? So glad you asked. I really love those scenes because they actually help keep the kdrama interesting and fun to watch.
The gumiho is too nice. I have trust issues.
Woo Yeo is actually pretty decent for a fox. He is soft-spoken and gentle and nice. I am not used to gumihos being nice without a reason. I know it’s because he needs her as much as she needs him, especially if she wants to stay alive beyond that one year mark. Still. A nice, gentlemanly, even — gasp! — kind and considerate male lead? No, no, no. What tricks do you have up your sleeve, Woo Yeo?? 😅
Lee Dam is best girl.
She may not be the most well-dressed or the most put together female lead, but she does excel in being a good friend. She’s goofy and refreshingly not self-conscious, too. She does what she wants and doesn’t really mind what others think. (I guess that happens when your main concern is whether you’ll be dying in a year, all thanks to one gumiho.)
The other gumiho is just… askdjajhs. Someone send help.
Woo Yeo’s only friend during his long, loooong life and she turns out to be… really something else. Yang Hye Sun is obviously not the brightest fox and that fact was portrayed so well. Every time she says something, she says it with so much sass and confidence. Even though she’s wrong most of the time! 😂 Case in point, this conversation with Woo Yeo:
Enter campus heartthrob / playboy and you get…
Lee Dam trying all her best to avoid said campus heartthrob, Gye Seon Woo. Of course she was going to pique his interest because she’s the exact opposite of all those girls pining and going after him. All the ways Lee Dam tried to not physically get in contact with him was HILARIOUS. One time, she literally rolled on the ground. My stomach and jaw hurt so much from laughing at that scene. You gotta give the girl some brownie points for giving her all on avoiding men born on the year of the tiger. 😂
The Verdict:
Initially, I wasn’t sold on the Jang Ki Yong/Hyeri pairing. I thought JKY would look too sullen and awkward with Hyeri but “My Roommate is a Gumiho” proved me wrong and I am so happy. These two have such amazing chemistry! JKY played the role of a mysterious, charming, soft-spoken gumiho perfectly. And Hyeri was flawless in her role as the carefree, chicken and booze-loving Lee Dam. I have also watched a couple of their behind-the-scenes and they were just so funny and comfortable with each other. Watching them together in this kdrama is truly enjoyable. I hope it remains delightful and hilarious all the way through. I’m definitely going to keep watching this.
