Summary: Reader is a god, trapped and bound to a shrine. Even before he became god of the mountain, Lee Yeon had become a close friend. Visiting your shrine as much as he could... visits becoming less. A hundred years later when Ji-a wants to visit the shrine due to some rumours, Lee Yeon is faced with a hard reality that the friend he once knew is long gone. Overtaken by lonliness and isolation.
Heavy puffs filled the air. Feeling the cold sting inside his lungs with each breath. Each step he forced his feet forwards. Trotting up the mountain. Pausing just the slightest of seconds to hoist the sack higher up his back. Finding his remaining strength to go further. Huffing loud with each difficulty along the way.
His foot slipped over the gravely road, making him urge his hand down to break his fall. Panting loud, he slowly straightened his posture, having maintained his balance. Taking a hard swallow, he grabbed the straps of the sack tightly. Going higher up the mountain. Trees making way, his gaze falling on colourful rooftops.
Gasping loud, he blinked a few times to be sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him. The rooftops growing taller the closer he got. Upon his last paces, he hurried up the mountain. Panting happily at the shrine. The red building with blue rooftops. From the ceiling hanging down pieces of fabric.
Lee Yeon dropped his sack, walking up to the shrine. Going up the steps, touching one of the fabrics to read what was written on it. A wish. A well wish. A prayer. He took another one, turning it to him. A soft breeze making them twirl. Around him soft bells twinkled as the wind made the aluminium bars clatter against each other.
“Nuguseyo?” – a voice came through making Lee Yeon turn startled around. Staring widely at a girl sitting at one of the edges of the shrine. One he hadn’t noticed before. Lee Yeon cleared his throat, letting go of the prayer. He rubbed his hands off down his pants, approaching you with a lowered head.
“Are you here to pray?” – you asked tilting your head slightly to the side. He chuckled nervously in return. – “Aniyo, Aniyo.” – he spoke waving his hands. You hummed curious. Lee Yeon blinked surprised with a gasp when you had disappeared from before him.
“Curse a person?” – you wondered making Lee Yeon jump away from the sudden breath of yours on his neck. He held a hand onto it, staring in shock back at you. Slightly freaked out that you had appeared behind him. It made you laugh. Then your smile faltered, coming to stand very close to him.
Your stare darkening with anger. – “No curses!” – you let out. – “If I see you as much write down a curse, I’ll personally toss you off the mountain!” – making clear to him. Lee Yeon swallowed nervously. – “No cursing…” – he responded sheepishly. Your anger quickly settled, fluttering curiously with your eyes.
“Are you here alone?” – he asked. You turned away from him, your long robe waving behind you. – “Yes…” – you responded lowering your head. Taking one of the pillars, wrapping an arm around it. The boy came closer, making you lift your head back up.
“If you are lost, I can help you find your way to your home back.” – he spoke sounding so genuine. You laughed, rather to cope with the hard-reality. – “I can’t leave.” – you told him. Lee Yeon furrowed his brows. – “You see…” – you sighed soft letting go of the pillar. Moving further into the shrine.
Coming to kneel on the cushion before the alter. Taking a thin burner. Holding the tip in one of the candles, waiting for it to burn. Once it burned, you moved your hand to another candle that had gone out. Lee Yeon approached hesitantly coming to kneel beside you. Watching as you blew at the tip to sniff out the tiny flame.
The scent of smoke scenting the shrine. Lee Yeon turned his head from you to the alter. Seeing a small statue on it. Surrounded by candles and flowers. Well wishes written down, draping down the table. With a slight shock, he turned his head back to you. You lowered your head as a response.
This was a shrine to you. For you. A god trapped to her shrine for eternity. – “Who trapped you?” – Lee Yeon asked. – “If I knew, I wouldn’t be here.” – responded with a smile, using it to hide your pain. Lee Yeon suddenly grabbed your hand, making you look back at him. – “Then I’ll come visit you whenever I can.” – he told you. You laughed soft finding him silly.
Lee Yeon looked a bit annoyed back at you for not believing him. – “Where is the paper?” – he demanded. You pointed somewhere to your side. Lee Yeon got up, taking a piece of paper. Picking up a brush from one of the pots. Dipping it into the ink. Holding his own wrist, he guided his hand into drawing down his words. Smooth and silk lines. Curiously you came peeking over his shoulder.
“What are you writing?” – you wondered as he hushed you into focusing. You stumbled back when he turned around. Holding his piece of paper proudly. You blinked a few times on purpose, reading from top to bottom. – “Mwo?” – you blurted out confused. – “It’s my promise to you.” – he responded going back to your shrine. He hung the promise on the wall. Bowing his head to your statue and portrait afterwards.
You followed him back outside. Waiting just that bit further away from the steps of your shrine. Where your limit was. Lee Yeon walked on to his sack. Picking it back up and throwing it over his shoulder. – “I’ll be back.” – he spoke with a determined nod. It made you smile. – “I’ll await you then.” – you responded.
Lee Yeon bowed to you before departing. Hiking back down the mountain. As written as promised, returned Lee Yeon not long after. Bearing appreciations. Keeping you company. Make sure your candles are lit and your prayers are all intact. Overtime he guided people to your shrine to send you well wishes and pray upon the good god.
Rewarding the gentle and optimistic god with well prayers for in return they would be blessed with well wishes and good luck. Lee Yeon and you spend much time together. Even when he was appointed God of the mountain. You enjoyed his company very much. Always looking forward to his visits.
Yet when a certain winter came, the visits took him longer to come. Having to wait longer for his sight. They became lesser and lesser. Each time waiting patiently for him at the steps of your shrine. The land covered in snow. Waiting for him to appear. The days became longer. The candles no longer burned. The warmth from the shrine had gone cold. A heart filling with sorrow and loneliness when there came no more visits. The shrine nothing more than a cold stamp in the mountains.
“Where are you going?” – Lee Yeon questioned. Approaching her from behind. Ji-a sighed loud, closing her notebook and tugging it away in her back pocket. – “Nothing for you to concern yourself with.” – she responded pulling out her phone. She moved it a bit around, trying to pin-point her location.
Lee Yeon looked along over her shoulder. Eyes widening as Ji-a’s finger hovered over a red dot on the map on her phone. He plucked the phone from her hand, moving it closer to his face. – “Ya!” – Ji-a called out annoyed. Going after him. Lee Yeon kept moving around as Ji-a had to circle after him to get her phone back.
Lee Yeon zoomed in on the map. – “Are you looking for Y/n’s shrine?” – he called out. Ji-a snatched her phone back when he had stopped walking around in circles. – “I heard some rumours about… wait you know her?” – Ji-a suddenly changed mid-way as his words had come fully through.
Lee Yeon nodded with a soft hum. Ji-a let her hand slap down on his arm. – “So you can take me!” – she called out with a demanding undertone. Lee Yeon looked briefly away. – “Maybe…” – he responded scratching his neck. Ji-a pulled at his arm, making him nearly tumble forwards.
“You are going to lead me to her shrine!” – her glare making the threat clear to him. He swallowed nervously upon her harsh look. He then rolled his eyes at her, moving past her. Ji-a moved happily before coming after him. – “So… what was this rumour you had heard?” – he asked curiously.
Intrigued what the rumour about you could be. – “That she has been trapped to that shrine and her bitterness is reflected in her wishes.” – Ji-a responded. Lee Yeon stopped firmly, Ji-a bumping against his back. In shock he turned around to her. – “That’s not true!” – he called out. – “Y/n her wishes only bring good fortune!” – he made clear that she was wrong.
Ji-a pulled her hands up. – “It’s just a rumour I have heard.” – she responded giving him a weird glance for taking it so personal. Lee Yeon looked offended, crossing his arms. – “You know nothing off her! She is nothing but kind and generous. That I can tell you.” – Lee Yeon spoke to make it clear to her. Afterall he knew you best. – “Shall we then?” – Ji-a gestured further up the hill.
Lee Yeon nodded taking the lead. Sensing that he started to get more nervous the closer he got up the hill. It has been a while since he had visited you. More than a hundred years. Letting his hand rub over his chest, he felt a bit uneasy. An ache in his heart that made itself aware to him once more. For having not come for all those years.
“How much further?” – Ji-as questioned with a groan of tiredness. – “Just a bit more. You can almost see the…” – he stopped himself pointing up. Yet his hand quickly lowered when there was not what he expected. Furrowing his brows, he felt uneasy that he couldn’t see the rooftops of your shrine. Normally he should be able to see them already. A wave of something bad overtook him. Making him sprint up the mountain.
“Lee Yeon!” – Ji-a called out, coming to run after him. He huffed and puffed, running up the hill. Coming to a sudden stop at the sight. His eyes wide with horror. The once beautiful shrine torn down. Barely anything left standing. Letting out a shocked breath, he dropped to his knees. Ji-a appeared on the hill out of breath. Catching her breath for a moment, before coming to join his side. Looking with wide eyes around as well.
His eyes widened even more upon remembering you. He hurried up to his feet, running over to the shrine. – “Y/n!” – he called out, lifting some wood up. Tossing it away to clear his way. – “Y/n!” – he shouted again. Eyes falling on the fallen prayers. Torn and broken.
Lee Yeon moved more wood aside, stepping over bricks from the rooftops to reach the shrine. – “Lee Yeon!” – Ji-a called out coming after him. Joining him into the shrine. Panting loud at the destruction of it. He hurried over to the alter, kneeling at the ripped portrait of you. – “I’m sorry.” – he whispered out, letting his hand brush over the rips.
His gaze then fell on a piece of paper, flapping with the soft wind. It made him reach out for it. Gently lifting a brick up to collect it. He only needed to read the first few words, knowing it was a promise. His promise. Ashamed he lowered his head that he had not visited you more sooner. Unable to withhold his promise.
Staring at the promise, it suddenly caught fire. Making him let go of it as it vaporized into thin air. – “What you seek here is long gone.” – he heard, making him turn his head. At the foot of the torn down shrine was you. – “Y/n!” – Lee Yeon called out, hurrying up to his feet to greet you. Running over rubble to reach you.
He wanted to reach and touch you, but stopped himself upon looking at you. All the bright colours from your robe were gone. Nothing but cold colours. – “Y/n?” – he spoke staring at your face. Seeing how the once ever so bright smile was gone. A neutral expression with barely anything of warmth or care in it.
“Lee Yeon… is that her?” – Ji-a spoke coming closer, stepping carefully over the rubble. You looked past him towards her. Expression hardening with a glare. Ji-a yelped loud when all the scattered around prayers caught fire. Vaporizing them from existence. Lee Yeon watched with worry.
You turned around stepping away from the rubble. – “Y/n!” – he said touching your arm. You moved your arm back, flinching from his touch. Sinking to the ground. You heard him approach, not wanting him near. Blaming him for carving in your heart. Lifting your chest up you let out a bone-chilling scream.
Making the mountains rumble. Lee Yeon moved his arm up to protect himself from the rubble swirling around. Hitting and cutting him all around. Screaming your lungs out till your last air. Falling forwards, hands setting on the ground, catching your breath.
Lee Yeon panted loud, slowly lowering his arms. He slowly got up watching you move to the side to come sit down on some rubble. – “Lee Yeon.” – Ji-a gasped out when he wanted to approach you again. Lee Yeon gestured to her to stay put. To keep her distance from him.
Lee Yeon slowly came to the front, kneeling before you. – “What happened Y/n?” – he asked. Your expression emotionless once more. – “We’re the ashes on the ground.” – you responded with apathy. – “Burning out, burning down.” – you continued staring beyond him. Eyes settled on him, but not seeing him.
Lee Yeon lowered his head with shame. – “I’m sorry… I’m sorry I didn’t keep my promise Y/n.” – he apologized, placing a hand on your knee. No reaction came from you. – “You’re sinking through the night.” – you told him in a monotone voice. – “Y/n please.” – Lee Yeon begged taking your hand firm in his. Begging you to be your old self again.
Touching your cheek with a quick breath, he hoped to see some light in your eyes once more. – “Please…” – he repeated, hoping there was still something left inside of you. He lowered his head with a loud sob, when he couldn’t see anything in you.
Not responding. Remaining still, lost in yourself. His hand slid down, sobbing quietly at the loss of someone dear. Crying to the feeling of grief. Having lost you to loneliness and isolation. For it was his own fault not upholding a promise. A promise he had once made a long time ago.
My favourite cute scene in Tale of the Nine Tailed might be when Lee Yeon goes to dinner with Ji-a's parents and he's trying to be honest. So when they ask his age, he's just like, "I'm older than you'd think" and Ji-a just swoops in with, "He's 36!" But she also says, "In Korean years" which as far as I know means absolutely nothing.
I’m Not A Robot is about technology and innovation. The concepts used to create the story make it so appealing. I had not seen either of the main leads in any other k-drama but I gave it a chance because of the storyline.
An interactive robot goes faulty before it is presented to a possible investor, and then the creator has to reach out to his ex-girlfriend who is the model for the robot. She does not know about the robot and he has to convince her to trick a millionaire so his team can get funds to keep developing the robot.
It is not a script you would find twice.
The couple was surprising. They left a good first impression on me. They have great chemistry and gave me great laughs. It was endearing that he held onto Ji-A with all he had. They shared many very cute moments and I got to cherish them as a couple.
This scene with the umbrella remains as one of my favorites because I have one just like it so I related to the scene and found it cute. It was also very sweet because Ji-A was always there to comfort Min-Kyu and I believe this scene reflects that.
The scene where he reveals he is in love with her and hates that she is a robot is so intense and it broke my heart how she revealed to him the truth.
Min-Kyu´s sickness was terribly sad, and that scene where he kisses the pillow because he is lonely was funny but as well a bit sad.
Ye Ri-El did not have it easy, being toyed around like she was a grand prize or part of a transaction, so my heart went out for her.
Jo Ji-A was hilarious and relatable because this is me dealing with my problems, I just want to be able to turn myself off.
I liked her character because she had a conviction in what she did and I liked that Min-Kyu always supported her. He did not know who she was. He supported her because he truly believed in her inventions. I would definitely recommend this drama.
Lastly, the developing team was sweet and very dedicated, I liked them.
Ji-A´s best friend was a bit scary but funny. The makeup was a bit excessive, though. Her coffee shop was actually really cute.
