Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938

Lee Yeon, a mystical nine-tailed fox played by Lee Dong-wook, suddenly crashes into 1938, a volatile moment in history, and has to figure out how to get back to his own time. Cut off from his usual resources and hunted by enemies old and new, he moves through a city full of spies, gangsters, and magic-wary humans. Allies and rivals show up in unexpected places, including Ryu Hong-joo, Lee Rang, Chun Moo-yeong, and Sunwoo Eun-ho, each with their own agendas. The series blends action with supernatural politics as Lee Yeon learns which bonds will help him survive and which will complicate his return.

Created by Kang Shin-hyo, Jo Nam-hyung, and Han Woo-ri, the series premiered in 2023. It updates K-fantasy TV with a period setting and high-production design, reuniting Lee Dong-wook with several familiar collaborators.

As of its release, there were no major international awards reported. The show has, however, drawn attention in genre circles and on fan platforms for its lead performance and period detail, and it may appear in regional award lists in later seasons.

On streaming and fan sites the series earned a strong average rating, 8.136 out of 10 from 81 votes, indicating steady viewer approval. Critics tended to praise its mood, action sequences, and the chemistry among the main cast, while some noted pacing issues. Major themes include identity, loyalty, and the cost of power, with supernatural lore threaded through moral dilemmas and tense set pieces.

The 1938 setting and the mix of historical detail with mythic elements sparked lively online discussion, cosplay, and fan theories. Signature visuals and a few memorable confrontations have been clipped widely on social media, helping the show reach viewers who might not usually watch K-fantasy, and keeping conversations going between episodes.