ARANG AND THE MAGISTRATE

As you know I have a thing for ghost stories. This is a cute one.

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ARANG AND THE MAGISTRATE (아랑사또전; Arangsatojeon) is a 2012 South Korean series that I'm watching on HULU. It appears to be based off of a folklore about a vengeful spirit in the Joseon era refuses to cross over until she reveals the circumstances of her murder.

Chased by "ghost-busters" who take out any ghost who messes with a human, Arang stumbles across the magistrate. The one person who can actually see the dead, but wishes otherwise.

Given this is a mystery, I can't divulge much more or I'll ruin the suspense. There are only four episodes on Hulu as of the completion of this post, but I've already gotten hooked by the humor in this romantic/comedy.

The Magistrate is played by Lee Jun Ki, and the adorable but kind of scary ghost is played by one of my favorite actresses, Shin Min Ah. If she looks familiar its because she played the Ninetailed Fox in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho.

MY GIRLFRIEND IS A GUMIHO (NINE-TAILED FOX)

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho is a South Korean romantic comedy series that broadcasted in 2010. It can be found on Hulu and Netflix. I suggest watching on Netflix to avoid commercials.

Here’s a short blurb:

A gumiho, legendary fox with nine tails, is trapped inside a painting of Grandma Samshin for 500 years after false rumors are spread claiming she eats the livers of humans making her unable to find a husband so she can become human being.

Cha Dae-Woong (Lee Seung Gi), a spoiled brat of a man-child, accidently releases the gumiho. Terrified, he takes a life-threatening fall and the gumiho saves his life. After he wakes up, he meets a pretty girl, not knowing she’s the gumiho he released. Because the gumiho saved his life he has no choice but to let the gumiho stay with him.

The actress, Shin Min Ah, who plays Mi ho is “pinch her cheeks” adorable until her foxy side comes out, and then she can be downright terrifying.

This is a very cute show. Kiwi and I watched it after watching Playful Kiss, so of course there were comparisons in my mind. Some of the episodes dragged for me. However, Kiwi loved they mystery and magic of this fairytale, and she wouldn’t let me abandon it. I'm glad I hung in despite the slow parts, because I was balling my eyes out like a wee little babe at the surprise ending.