Kang Chi: A Korean Drama Review

If you are looking for a historical fantasy romance drama with action, adventure, and humor, you might want to check out Kang Chi, also known as Gu Family Book. This is a 2013 Korean drama that aired on MBC for 24 episodes. It stars Lee Seung-gi as Choi Kang-chi, a half-human half-gumiho who wants to become fully human, and Bae Suzy as Dam Yeo-wool, a martial arts master who falls in love with him. The drama follows their journey as they search for a mythical book that contains the secret to becoming human, while facing various enemies and challenges along the way.

Main Characters

The drama features a large ensemble of characters, but here are some of the main ones:

• Choi Kang-chi: The protagonist of the drama. He is the son of Gu Wol-ryung, a gumiho (a nine-tailed fox) who protects Jiri Mountain, and Yoon Seo-hwa, a human noblewoman who betrayed him. He was adopted by Park Mu-sol, the owner of the Hundred Year Inn, and grew up as a kind-hearted and loyal young man. He has superhuman strength and senses, but he also has a gumiho form that he tries to hide. He wants to find the Gu Family Book, a legendary book that can make him human.
• Dam Yeo-wool: The female lead of the drama. She is the daughter of Dam Pyeong-joon, the leader of a secret organization that protects Joseon from foreign invaders. She is skilled in martial arts and archery, and disguises herself as a boy to train at her father’s martial arts school. She meets Kang-chi at the Hundred Year Inn and becomes his friend and love interest.
• Jo Gwan-woong: The main antagonist of the drama. He is a corrupt and ambitious nobleman who wants to overthrow the king and take over Joseon. He is responsible for killing Kang-chi’s biological father and framing his adoptive father. He also covets Kang-chi’s adoptive sister, Park Chung-jo, whom he forces to become a gisaeng (a courtesan).
• Park Tae-seo: Kang-chi’s adoptive brother and Yeo-wool’s childhood friend. He is loyal to his family and friends, but he becomes brainwashed by Jo Gwan-woong after witnessing his father’s death.
• Park Chung-jo: Kang-chi’s adoptive sister and Tae-seo’s twin sister. She is beautiful and gentle, but she suffers from Jo Gwan-woong’s obsession with her. She loves Kang-chi as a brother, but she also feels jealous of his relationship with Yeo-wool.
• Gon: Yeo-wool’s bodyguard and loyal friend. He is cold and stoic, but he secretly has feelings for Yeo-wool.
• Gu Wol-ryung: Kang-chi’s biological father and a gumiho who protects Jiri Mountain. He fell in love with Yoon Seo-hwa, a human noblewoman who betrayed him. He tried to become human for her sake, but he failed and became a demon instead.
• Yoon Seo-hwa: Kang-chi’s biological mother and a human noblewoman who betrayed Gu Wol-ryung. She was forced to marry Jo Gwan-woong, but she escaped with her son Kang-chi
  

  Episodes

  The drama consists of 24 episodes, each about 60 minutes long. Here is a brief summary of each episode, based on the sources from the web search results :

  Episode	Title	Summary
  1	The Divine Creature	The story begins in 1694, when Gu Wol-ryung, a gumiho who protects Jiri Mountain, falls in love with Yoon Seo-hwa, a human noblewoman who is fleeing from Jo Gwan-woong, a corrupt official who killed her father. They get married and have a son, Kang-chi, but their happiness is short-lived as Wol-ryung is betrayed by Seo-hwa and becomes a demon.
  2	The Half-Breed	Eighteen years later, Kang-chi is raised by Park Mu-sol, the owner of the Hundred Year Inn, and his family. He is unaware of his true identity and lives as a troublemaker in the village. He meets Dam Yeo-wool, a martial arts master who disguises herself as a boy, and becomes friends with her. Meanwhile, Jo Gwan-woong returns to the village and plots to take over the inn.
  3	The Person I Will Love	Kang-chi saves Yeo-wool from a group of assassins sent by Jo Gwan-woong. He also learns that he is a half-gumiho and that his bracelet is the only thing that can suppress his gumiho form. He decides to find the Gu Family Book, a book that can make him human, with the help of Yeo-wool and her father Dam Pyeong-joon.
  4	Two-Faced Monster	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool infiltrate Jo Gwan-woong’s house to steal a map that leads to the Gu Family Book. However, they are caught by Jo Gwan-woong’s men and Kang-chi’s bracelet is broken. He transforms into his gumiho form and escapes with Yeo-wool. He also meets his biological father Wol-ryung, who has become a demon and wants to kill him.
  5	A Pact of Blood	Kang-chi is wounded by Wol-ryung and taken to a temple by Yeo-wool and her father. There, he meets So-jung, a monk who knows about the Gu Family Book and tells him that he must find someone who loves him for who he is. Kang-chi makes a pact of blood with Yeo-wool, promising to protect her no matter what.
  6	The Secret of the Book	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool are attacked by Wol-ryung, who wants to kill Kang-chi and take his bead, the source of his gumiho power. However, Kang-chi manages to resist Wol-ryung’s influence and fights back. He also learns that his mother Seo-hwa is still alive and that she is the leader of a group of thieves who stole the map to the Gu Family Book.
  7	The One Who Casts Me Aside	Kang-chi meets his mother Seo-hwa, who does not recognize him and treats him coldly. He is hurt by her rejection and decides to leave the temple. He joins Yeo-wool and her father at their martial arts school, where he trains to become a better fighter. He also meets Lee Soon-shin ( Yoo Dong-geun ), a naval commander who knows about the Gu Family Book and offers to help him.
  8	The Person I Love Is You	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool grow closer as they spend more time together. They also face danger from Jo Gwan-woong, who sends his men to attack the martial arts school and kidnap Yeo-wool. Kang-chi rescues her and confesses his feelings for her. He also reveals his gumiho form to her, but she accepts him for who he is.
  9	The Blade That Protects Me	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool’s relationship is tested by their families and friends, who oppose their love. Kang-chi’s adoptive family is in trouble as Jo Gwan-woong takes over the inn and tortures Park Tae-seo, who has been brainwashed by him. Yeo-wool’s father is also against their relationship, as he believes that Kang-chi will bring misfortune to his daughter. Meanwhile, Gon, who has feelings for Yeo-wool, tries to protect her from Kang-chi.
  10	The Moon That Embraces The Sun	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool decide to run away together, but they are stopped by Wol-ryung, who has regained his memories and wants to reunite with his son. However, Wol-ryung is still under the influence of the evil spirit that possessed him, and he tries to kill Yeo-wool. Kang-chi fights him off and escapes with Yeo-wool. They hide in a cave, where they share a romantic moment under the moonlight.
  11	The Water God’s Curse	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool return to the martial arts school, where they are welcomed by their friends and family. However, they also face a new threat from a mysterious water god, who curses Kang-chi with a mark that will kill him if he does not find his true parents. Kang-chi decides to look for his mother Seo-hwa, who has been hiding in a cave with her group of thieves.
  12	The Wound That Has Not Healed	Kang-chi finds his mother Seo-hwa, but she still does not recognize him and rejects him again. She also tells him that his father Wol-ryung is dead, which makes him angry and sad. He leaves her and returns to the school, where he is comforted by Yeo-wool. Meanwhile, Jo Gwan-woong learns about Kang-chi’s identity and plans to capture him and use him as a weapon.
  13	The Gu Family Book	Kang-chi receives a clue from So-jung about the location of the Gu Family Book. He goes to a hidden cave with Yeo-wool, Gon, and Tae-seo, where they find a secret chamber that contains the book. However, they are ambushed by Jo Gwan-woong’s men, who set fire to the cave. Kang-chi manages to get the book, but he is trapped inside the burning cave with Yeo-wool.
  14	The Way To You	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool are rescued by Wol-ryung, who has regained some of his humanity and wants to help his son. He also tells Kang-chi that the book he got is fake, and that the real one is hidden somewhere else. Kang-chi decides to trust his father and follows him to find the book. However, they are followed by Jo Gwan-woong, who wants to kill them both.
  15	The Death Herald	Kang-chi and Wol-ryung reach the place where the real Gu Family Book is kept, but they are confronted by a powerful guardian who tests their worthiness. Kang-chi passes the test, but Wol-ryung fails and is fatally wounded. He gives his bead to Kang-chi and tells him to live as a human with Yeo-wool. He then dies in Kang-chi’s arms.
  16	The One I Love Is You	Kang-chi opens the Gu Family Book, but he is disappointed to find that it is blank. He realizes that the book is not a magic solution, but a reflection of his own choices. He decides to live as a human with Yeo-wool, and returns to the school. There, he proposes to her and she accepts. They plan to get married, but they are unaware of a new danger that is looming over them.
  17	The Divine Creature’s Blood	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool’s wedding is interrupted by a group of Japanese invaders, who are led by a mysterious woman named Ja Hong-myeong ( Lee Yeon-hee ). She is revealed to be Kang-chi’s half-sister, who was born from Seo-hwa and Jo Gwan-woong. She has inherited Wol-ryung’s gumiho power, but she is also corrupted by the evil spirit. She wants to kill Kang-chi and take his bead, as well as destroy Joseon.
  18	The Last Words	Kang-chi and Yeo-wool fight against Ja Hong-myeong and her army, with the help of their friends and allies. They manage to defeat her, but not without casualties. Yeo-wool is fatally wounded by Ja Hong-myeong, and dies in Kang-chi’s arms. She tells him that she loves him and asks him to live happily. Kang-chi is devastated by her death and vows to avenge her.
  19	The First Snow	Kang-chi goes after Jo Gwan-woong, who is the mastermind behind Ja Hong-myeong’s invasion. He confronts him at his house and kills him in a fierce battle. He then returns to the school, where he buries Yeo-wool’s body and mourns for her. He decides to leave the school and wander the world alone, hoping to meet her again in his next life.
  20	The Gu Family Book	Kang-chi leaves the school and travels around Joseon, helping people in need. He also meets Lee Soon-shin again, who tells him that he has become a legend among the people. He gives him a new bracelet, which can help him control his gumiho form. He also tells him that he can still find happiness in his life, if he chooses to do so.
  21	The Endless Journey	Kang-chi continues to wander the world for hundreds of years, never aging or dying. He meets many people and experiences many things, but he never forgets Yeo-wool and his love for her. He also keeps the Gu Family Book with him, hoping to find a way to become human someday.
  22	The Reunion	In the present day, Kang-chi is a successful businessman who owns a large company. He is still looking for the Gu Family Book, but he has also learned to enjoy his life and help others. He meets a woman named Dam Yoon-hee (Bae Suzy), who is a martial arts instructor and the reincarnation of Yeo-wool. He is instantly drawn to her and feels a connection with her.
  23	The Choice	Kang-chi and Yoon-hee fall in love, but they face some obstacles. Yoon-hee has a fiancé named Park Tae-hyun (Lee Seung-gi), who is the reincarnation of Tae-seo and Kang-chi’s rival. He is also a corrupt businessman who wants to take over Kang-chi’s company. Kang-chi also has to deal with a mysterious woman named Yoon Seo-hwa (Lee Yeon-hee), who is the reincarnation of his mother and Ja Hong-myeong. She wants to kill Kang-chi and take his bead, as she is still possessed by the evil spirit.
  24	The Happy Ending	Kang-chi and Yoon-hee overcome their enemies and confess their love for each other. They also discover that they have the same birthmark, which proves that they are soulmates. Kang-chi finally finds the Gu Family Book, which has been filled with his own stories and memories. He realizes that he has already become human, as he has lived with love, courage, and compassion. He decides to give up his bead and his gumiho power, and live as a normal human with Yoon-hee.

  Reception

  The drama was well-received by the viewers and critics, who praised its unique plot, engaging characters, and beautiful cinematography. It also achieved high ratings, reaching an average of 18.3% nationwide and 21.9% in Seoul. It won several awards, including Best Drama, Best Actor (Lee Seung-gi), Best Actress (Bae Suzy), Best Couple, and Best OST at the 2013 MBC Drama Awards. It also gained popularity overseas, especially in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.

  Conclusion

  Kang Chi is a Korean drama that offers a mix of historical fantasy romance with action, adventure, and humor. It tells the story of a half-human half-gumiho who searches for a magical book that can make him fully human, while falling in love with a martial arts master. It features a talented cast, a captivating plot, and a stunning production. It is a drama that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters. If you are looking for a drama that will keep you entertained and engaged, you should definitely watch Kang Chi.

  FAQs

  Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the drama:

  1. Where can I watch Kang Chi?
     You can watch Kang Chi on various online platforms, such as Netflix, Viki, or Dramacool. You can also download the episodes from these sites or other sources.
  2. Is Kang Chi based on a true story or a novel?
     No, Kang Chi is not based on a true story or a novel. It is an original script written by Kang Eun-kyung , who also wrote Baker King Kim Tak Goo and Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim . However, it does incorporate some elements from Korean folklore and history, such as gumiho , Joseon dynasty , and Admiral Lee Soon-shin .
  3. Is there a sequel or a spin-off of Kang Chi?
     No, there is no sequel or a spin-off of Kang Chi. The drama ended with a happy ending for the main couple in the present day. However, there are some fan-made videos and stories that imagine what happens next to the characters.
  4. What is the meaning of the title Kang Chi?
     The title Kang Chi has two meanings. One is the name of the main character, Choi Kang-chi, who is a half-human half-gumiho. The other is a word play on the Korean word for “strong”, 강하다 (ganghada), and the word for “will”, 의지 (uiji). It implies that Kang-chi has a strong will to overcome his fate and become human.
  5. Who sings the OST of Kang Chi?
     The OST of Kang Chi consists of several songs sung by various artists, such as Lee Seung-gi, Bae Suzy, 4Men, The One, Yisabel, and Shin Jae. The main theme song is “My Eden” by Yisabel, which is a beautiful ballad that expresses Kang-chi and Yeo-wool’s love. The other songs are also catchy and emotional, and match the mood of the drama.

  I hope you enjoyed reading this article about Kang Chi. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below. Thank you for your attention and have a nice day!

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