What is 'Woorung-gagsi'? (Feat. Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938(2023))

Let's take a look at the "Woorung" character that appears in "Gumiho: Tale of the Nine-Tailed." Woorung appears throughout the first season of "Gumiho: Tale of the Nine-Tailed" and also makes an appearance in season 2.

Who is Woorung, the character that appears in "Gumiho: Tale of the Nine-Tailed"?

Woorung, the character that appears in "Gumiho: Tale of the Nine-Tailed," is the owner of a traditional restaurant that serves Korean traditional food. He has a long-standing relationship with Yi Yeon, and most of the characters in the drama meet and eat at this restaurant. She is  a person who has been living for a long time, having lost her husband to the 'Eodugsini' who caused the legend.

"Wooreonggaksi" in Korean traditional folktales.

In the traditional Korean folktale, Woorung-gagsi is a female figure who secretly prepares meals for a farmer who lives alone. She was originally the daughter of a dragon king but was punished for breaking the rules and couldn't return home after traveling on land. When the farmer brings her to his house, she feels grateful and starts to prepare meals for him every day, secretly.

Indeed, the story has several different versions, and it's unclear which one is the original. In some versions, a wealthy man from a nearby village challenges the farmer to a bet. And then the farmer wins the bet and marries Woorung-gagsi, and they continue to live happily together.

In other versions, the woman ends up marrying the wealthy man after he wins the bet against the farmer.

Comparison of the Woorung-gagsi in traditional fairy tales and the Wreongakshi in the story of Tale of the Nine Tailed

In "Tale of the Nine-Tailed," the character "Woorung-gagsi" is based on the traditional folktale character of the same name, who was known for preparing a meal for someone. The character in the drama runs a Korean restaurant and finds satisfaction in serving delicious food to others. In the show, the legendary character is still alive, and the character's past includes being trapped by the scheme of "Eodugsini" and remaining trapped in his subconscious forever.