iQiyi’s first original K-drama series, My Roommate is a Gumiho, adapted from webtoon, has won the ratings for two weeks in a row. In a recent interview, Jang chose Kim Do-wan over Lee Hye-ri as roommate for common interests, and Lee felt so devastated. Jang and Lee enjoyed their romantic cohabitation. Jang spoiled the girl, and pleased her by singing a Korean classic song. It was a tribute to Lee’s signature work Reply 1988, and Lee reinstated her classic expression.
iQiyi International’s first original K-drama series My Roommate is a Gumiho simulcast streaming with Korea every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:40pm.
When asked about choosing a roommate in the cast in an exclusive interview by iQiyi International, Jang Ki-yong, Lee Hye-ri, Kang Han-na, Kim Do-wan, and Bae In-hyuk spoke honestly. Jang initially said he preferred friends with a simple mind, and chose Kim as they both enjoyed video games. Kim agreed to this point of view, and chose Jang. Lee chose to live with Shin Woo-yeo played by Jang, since this character took care of people and understood their preferences. She also mocked Jang for choosing gaming over her. Feeling panic about Lee’s response, Jang immediately wanted to “correct my answer”, and even said “I can still take care of others while playing video games”. However, Lee already decided to “let him go” since Jang wanted to choose another cast. In comparison, the other couple, Kang and Kim, in the series made a “wise” choice, and chose each other. Lee pretended to be devastated by Jang’s answer and said “you really can’t do this to me”. After Kang also chose Kim, Lee and Jang laughed out loud in agreement. Surprisingly, Bae chose Shin, as it would be convenient to live with a roommate that used spells to clean home and teleport. As to their roommate criteria, Jang said he could have as many as six meals a day, so it was important for his roommate “to love food and games”.
The 999-year-old Gumiho (nine-tailed fox) Shin Woo-yeo (played by Jang Ki-yong) is expecting to become human, since his fox beads start to change color. After the beads are swallowed by a 22-year-old college student Lee Dam, though, he decides to live with her to find solutions. Trying to reject Gye Sun-Woo (played by Bae In-Hyuk) politely, Lee goes on a fake date with Shin, and they become closer afterwards. The considerate Shin sends an umbrella to her on rainy days, and listens to her frustrations at school. Lee cries in his arms, and goes to karaoke with him. Shin also goes to meetings in Lee’s appearance with spells when she feels unwell. Even though he is considerate and romantic, Shin feels hesitant to love due to traumatic prior experiences. While the story seems to take a heart-wrenching turn, the cast remains joyful when they collaborate. Lee continues to post behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. To play her character well, she puts on a beard and an ancient costume, and thinks herself “handsome”. After Episode 4 was broadcast, Lee and Jang both posted a photo holding hands on their respective Instagram. Jang wrote “let’s watch Episode 4”, and Lee combined their character names “Dam Woo-yeo” to promote the series.
In Episode 4, Lee sings passionately and excitingly, Jang also sings a classic song released in 1982 in Korea. Lee is in shock to hear this song. In fact, in her previous work, Reply 1988, all the parents in the series sang the same song together in the second episode. She was also in shock then. If viewers and fans remember and compare, it is fun to watch how Lee reinstates the classic expression six years ago. The funny and romantic storyline performs well. Episode 3&4 received the highest rating among cable channels (in South Korea) in the same time slot. Episode 4 enjoys 4.4% of rating nationally on average, 4.9% at the highest point, 4.7% in the capital region, and 5.5% at the highest point.
