Mi Compañero De Cuarto Es Un Gumiho (2021)

Ruined my entire mood

This drama made my day bad. I skipped a lot from episodes 1-3 and I started watching with enjoyment in episodes 4-10 then when there was a plot that could be said to be very stupid from the Korean director who thought that this plot would create hype and make the story more interesting even though it was just rubbish and nonsense. After what ML did to FL, the plot made FL love 2ML with a string of destiny to be together, that's really bad, the Korean director's thinking is very strange. I think I can give a rating of 8 when I start to enjoy it in episodes 4-10, but after that you will be angry with the story which is too forced and too strange. Overall I give a rating of 1, if you want to make your mood bad you can try watching this drama.

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One of the most anticipated romcoms of 2021

The expectations for My Roommate is a Gumiho blow through the roof. Screenwriter and director combo from What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (plus countless other dramas). Two of the hottest young actors in Jang Ki Yong and Lee Hye Ri. Reunion of Start-Up cast members Kang Han Na and Kim Do Wan. Even the “fifth” lead, Bae In Hyuk builds on his 2019 debut. The cast makes MRIG a must-watch for lovers of romcom.

To live up to lofty expectations proves to be too challenging for My Roommate is a Gumiho. The fantasy setting is almost an afterthought for what is essentially a slice-of-life/cohabitation drama, and MRIG fails to provide a fresh perspective on the usual romcom tropes.

Story:
The synopsis points to a fantasy romance when comedy cohabitation drama is a more apt description. The two leads meet due to a drunk accident, not an otherworldly incident; Gumiho powers seem more gimmicky than terrifying; The urgency of becoming human is explained away with “you have one year remaining on your thousand year deadline”. The fantasy element feels cheaply used to bring together and keep the two leads under one roof.

Acting:
Regardless of the drama’s shortcomings, the cast comes out better individually than as a team. Jang Ki Yong’s brand is peaking as we speak, and Lee Hye Ri adds another leading role to her idol-turned-actress career. Second leads are given plenty of screen time, mostly at the expense of the supporting roles. The commercial firepower of the five main leads is not in question, with numerous product placements to maximize earnings potential.

Music:
The music is a surprisingly good analogy for the drama as a whole - safe and unremarkable mix of Korean drama OST staples with select kpop features. The commercial feel of the whole enterprise from cast to plot to music is the ultimate weakness of My Roommate Is a Gumiho. Greater risks could have been allowed to the writers, directors, actors, and musicians involved.

Rewatch Value:
All the points made in the review could be driven by one fact: My Roommate Is a Gumiho is the first Korean TV series produced by iQIYI. The producers philosophy seems heavily risk averse. They could have taken bigger risks and stumbled like Tale of the Nine-Tailed or succeeded like Goblin. Instead, we have another run-of-the-mill webtoon adaptation.

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My Roommate Is a Disappointment*

Whoever wrote this show has an amazing talent to take something and turn it into nothing. I pity absolutely everyone involved starting from directors, actors, characters and down to the very audience. You might think this is a romantic tragedy, but I'd argue it's a cinematic tragedy.

They took a very particular and very interesting lore and made it as bland as possible. The whole story feels like a pilot episode on repeat. Continuous irrelevant nonsense with no romantic progression. It starts out alright but the quality drops heavily after episode 7 or so. Literally the only reason this show is watchable is because the actor is eye candy and even that has a time limit before you stop caring and get exhausted. This gumiho, Shin Woo-Yeo, is a confused, ice cold, poorly written character who doesn't know what he wants in life let alone love and the only thing saving him from falling apart is his pretty face. My guy has lived for 999 years but is more confused than your average teenager.

Furthermore, Shin has been done a giant disservice because everyone else in this whole story has been presented better. Everything mysterious about him that could have been kept a secret is thrown in your face in the pilot episode. All we were left with was his confusion and struggle with normal everyday things. This poor guy had so much potential that went down the drain immediately because of poor directing. A story with this kind of writing makes Twilight look like a bloody masterpiece. If you ever want to ruin a mysterious supernatural character then do exactly what this drama did. Just dish it all out immediately and leave no suspense or surprise left. Then he can suck along with the rest of the humans in the story and suck even more because he was never human so he can't blend in.

Then there is the opposing romantic interest that keeps being treated like utter garbage throughout the story. This guy has far superior character development than the gumiho himself. He actually respects boundries and has common sense unlike the weird gumiho who stalks, invades privacy and a whole list of other alarming behavior. His existence is there just to make you feel bad for no reason whatsoever. I literally felt bad whenever his scenes came up because I knew it was pointless torture of a great character and torture of the audience. The actor of this guy did such an amazing job that it made me sick to my stomach to watch him go through everything he does. If the opposing romantic interest is more interesting and entertaining than the main one then you have failed as a writer. You made Shin lose by making him pretend to be a human, suck at it and then put him up against an actual human who's existence is there just to suffer.

What's worse is that this thing continuously doesn't even reward you for watching it. It tortures you. The cliffhangers deceive you into thinking it's going to be all good but then it turns sour anyway. It's like a prank gone bad. Instead of going from point A to point B, they shut down B and bring you back to A instead of progressing to C. None of the breaks I took mattered. It took me days to finish one episode. This repetitive nonsense is an attack and insult to your intelligence and your enjoyment depends entirely on the fact whether you can look past his face and see the character and the story for what it really is. Even the good parts became bad because a soon as it was remotely good I knew it was time for b-b-b-b-bullsh*t.

General writing and production has gone wrong and bad as well. Unbalanced and unorganized disaster. Things that matter are put on hold for fillers all the time. New things and plot points are a mess as well. They absolutely suck at presenting new characters and then it appears as if they don't know what to do with them so it looks as if those characters went on vacation and gave their middle finger to the plot. By the time they appear again you've forgotten they existed. One of them is presented as important and then literally never appears again nor do you hear from them again. They sacrificed plot points for CGI that didn't have to be there to begin with. They even wasted all their SFX talent and budget on the most boring things. The CGI was so forced for no reason and then it never happened again because of the wasted budget. Even though that was the main fantasy aspect which is now gone. The amount of flashbacks made me feel like I was experiencing commercials.

Speaking of commercials. The karaoke scenes felt more like a shameless plugin of kpop idols to promote their music rather than something characters did to enjoy. I didn't even care for OST how forgettable it all was but I wasn't necessarily annoyed by it. There's a bunch of sponsorship ads within the show and they didn't even hide it. The amount of focus that went onto something as dumb as coffee was ridiculous. They really made sure to zoom in on the brand so you can read it 20 times before moving onto the plot itself and then they even made Shin comment how great it is. Really? A gumiho is drinking coffee and advertising it? What is this, Tokyo Ghoul?

Morality of this thing is questionable as well because it's toxic to the core. Every situation in this show is a great example of today's relationships and issues. It presents bad and toxic friendships along with toxic romance as something good or worthy of your time. The girl is getting arguably the worst advice possible throughout the entire show. The communication is broken and flawed for the sake of being "funny". There's a sprinkle of wisdom here and there but it doesn't make up for all the damage. Toxic mind games and bullsh*t all the time. One of her friends in particular is the most annoying apathetic human being possible. She can't see past her own nose and doesn't even realize the damage she is causing. Once it's all over and done with she doesn't even apologize or acknowledge her behavior or mistakes. There's no character progression for her and everyone around her just accepts it as something normal. What she does near the end is despicable. If I had a friend like her I would've cut her out of my life. This kind of character or person doesn't deserve screen time in positive light.

Romance of side couples feels so forced. You can just tell the actors themselves aren't buying it either because even they can't make it believable. But for whatever reason everyone that exists in this show had to hook up with someone at some point regardless of how little sense it made. Regardless of whether it was needed or not. It's like they hate the existence of single people. That's a foreign concept that's impossible for this writer. Being single is a no no. Yet another toxic mindset.

I suffered so much to finish this. It has its cute and funny moments but the overall message is wrong. There is nothing in this show worth your time. None of the good it has makes up for the mountain of bad. None.

Please do yourself a favor and never watch this.

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Below par, sadly

Quick answer here: Is it worth to watch? Maybe, but mostly no.

One of the biggest mistake in making a story is by not having the main characters the most interesting one consistently. The synopsis really do not hold much of what's in this, as the drama itself have it's several conflicts scattered all over the place. The direction of each really doesn't place cohesion to every set of events, therefore, the overall flow is substandard, not just for the story but for the characters as well. After some episodes you will develop incurious feelings towards the main couple and enjoy the second leads more (e.g. Sun-woo, Hye-sun and Jae-jin) that which really the reason why I lasted up to episode 14 before I dropped it completely despite of being bored since at the very middle of the drama.

One of the main reason I watched this is because the cast are pretty big, expecting this is a well made one. Sadly, even good actors and actresses cannot make a bad oriented drama good. There's no chemistry between the main couple and the traits of the main girl (Lee Dam) is inconsistent— which can be irritating to some viewers with her sudden childishness.

Also, Gye Sun-woo (Bae In-hyuk) deserves much better. He is obviously made just to suffer for the sake of the main couple (and yet he is much more interesting every time he comes to the screen than the actual main lead interaction). He got the actual change and development in him.

Note: I haven't seen the source webcomic (this is a drama review after all so this is drama-only thoughts), but I also read a lot of manhwas for years now and I have a feeling that the story is better laid in the comic and it wasn't just translated well into this drama. The kdrama True Beauty is actually kind of different to its source manhwa, that which makes it decent as a kdrama itself.

TL;DR: I do not really recommend this, but if this is mainly your type of genre, then maybe it can be worth it, especially just for the first half.

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If I could choose not to watch this drama, I definitely wouldn't.

The drama manages to struggle just by trying to make the couple NOT HAPPEN. We have to put up with Lee Dam's sunbae humiliating himself for his attention and love, something that doesn't even exist. Every time the protagonists solve a problem, a worse one appears, if tvn didn't want them to be together it was better to have shelved the story. I would never see this drama again, it's something so drawn out and tiring that you just want to finish watching it. The romance is good and sweet but you realize that secondary couple is more interesting than primary couple and that's not good.

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Typical Gumiho story

I'm into rom-coms with a touch of fantasy, and the title caught my eyes. It's one of those typical Gumiho-simple girl stories, but with no past ties which is somewhat new. However, the drama gets boring a little and the characters' development is quite immature.
Pros:
- There is no love triangle ( There is a minor one though, but it's not that big of a deal imo)
- The romance is really good. Even the second leads have a good relationship
- The OST is really beautiful. The choice of songs matches most of the scenes and gives you a good feeling and a touch of love too lol
- If you like skinship and kiss scenes, your craving will be satisfied :) The leads are lovey-dovey ^^
- The relationship shown between best friends is really beautiful

Cons:
- The FL is a bit stupid. She doesn't question anything and is clumsy most of time for no apparent reason.
- The ML is really vague to the audience. The background story shown for 999 years of his life doesn't cover much.
- The ML is like a robot. Even his voice is like a robotc imo :)) His character development is not proportional. I couldn't understand his character( maybe that's a good thing, because in the end it worked for him to be a human)
- The use of magic is questionable to me per se. I mean, Once he had power, and the next minute he was human with no power. are Gumihos supposed to be like that? LOL
- So many questions were left unanswered. Like how the gumihos had no parents? how were they born gumihos? What did the mountain spirit do for them? The pieces of a puzzle is scattered everywhere :|
- The Second ML's love for the FL was unrealistic. I mean, they said he was a womanizer, but all we could see was a rich, lost boy who was in love with the wrong person.
- The FL's family background is not shown. Why their mom left for the states? Where is their father?

Overall, an enjoyable story. Yet, if you are they type to navigate through the story, beware that most of the questions will not be answered. Plus, i think 12 episodes was enough for this drama. It got draggy a little.

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A Delightful Rom-Com Fantasy: "My Roommate is a Gumiho"

My Roommate is a Gumiho" is a captivating South Korean romantic comedy that seamlessly blends fantasy elements with heartwarming moments, creating an entertaining and enjoyable viewing experience. This series, which aired in 2021, introduces viewers to the unlikely cohabitation of a modern-day college student and a mythical creature known as a gumiho, adding a unique twist to the classic roommate trope.

The storyline follows the life of Shin Woo-yeo, a centuries-old gumiho who has accumulated wealth and knowledge throughout his long existence. Things take an unexpected turn when a college student, Lee Dam, accidentally swallows Woo-yeo's precious bead, an essential item for the gumiho's survival. To complicate matters, the two are forced to live together until they can find a way to retrieve the bead, leading to a series of humorous and endearing situations.

One of the standout features of "My Roommate is a Gumiho" is the charismatic and well-matched lead cast. Lee Dam, portrayed by Hyeri, brings a refreshing energy to her character with her charm and comedic timing. Jang Ki-yong, who plays Shin Woo-yeo, delivers a nuanced performance that captures the complexities of his character's long life and emotional struggles.

The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, contributing to the series' overall charm. The progression of their relationship is well-paced, allowing for both comedic moments and heartfelt scenes that tug at the heartstrings. The show effectively balances the fantasy elements with the emotional development of the characters, creating a storyline that keeps viewers invested from start to finish.

The production values of "My Roommate is a Gumiho" are commendable, with vibrant cinematography and visually stunning effects that bring the fantasy elements to life. The incorporation of traditional folklore into the modern setting adds depth to the narrative and allows for creative storytelling.

The supporting cast also adds layers to the series, with memorable characters and subplots that contribute to the overall enjoyment. The combination of romance, comedy, and fantasy creates a well-rounded viewing experience suitable for a wide audience.

While the series excels in its lighthearted and humorous moments, it also delves into themes of identity, love, and the passage of time. This depth adds a layer of substance to the narrative, making "My Roommate is a Gumiho" more than just a typical romantic comedy.

In conclusion, "My Roommate is a Gumiho" is a delightful addition to the romantic comedy genre, offering a fresh take on the classic trope of mismatched roommates. With its charismatic cast, engaging storyline, and a perfect blend of fantasy and romance, this series is a must-watch for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a feel-good drama with a touch of the supernatural.

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Suspend reality and enjoy a roller coaster ride of emotions

8/2/2021

First of all, one needs to get over the 977-year age gap. If you have a problem with a thousand-year guy/fox dating a 22-year woman, this is not the drama for you. Well, at least our female lead is not a high school student (aka Goblin).

I enjoy the general plot of the drama, though there are some plot holes. Others might have problems with the age gap or the professor/student relationship. These don't bother me much but I understand why others are OK with it. I am fine with the professor/student relationship since they started their relationship before this happened and it's the reason how ML can see FL everyday. I also like that the story didn't end when the bead is given back to ML or when they got back together. I enjoy the relationship development, how they maintain their relationship, and going through extraordinary struggles. I do feel that there are some plot lines that were dropped or forgotten. What happened to the discovery that the evil spirit transform into ML to kill people? I thought the police was going to investigate and ask ML questions? I guess once the evil spirit is disintegrated, we can forget about that plot. I also don't understand the double-standard of how ML and 2FL's requirements to turn human. Does the mountain spirit just make up his own rules and it's not standard practice for all gumiho? I also would like to learn more about 2FL's background story of her failed romances and how she achieved humanity. There are parts that are a little slow and I felt that there's not enough material for 16 hour-long episodes. Maybe 12 episodes would be enough.

Romance takes center page in this drama. I love ML's smiles and FL's personality. FL's role here is very similar to her role in "Reply 1988". It's great to see a FL who is straightforward, honest about her feelings, communicates (for the most part) and loyal to her friends. I am also a fan of ML and enjoyed his role in "Search WWW" , "Come and Hug Me", and "My Mister". I do find his acting here a little weaker than this other dramas that I watched. I don't feel that his eyes are conveying enough emotions, but when he smiles shyly, it brightens the screen and melts my heart. Our third wheel could probably cause some second-lead syndrome. But I do find his persistent confession and chasing after FL a little too much and clingy. He's cute though :) The secondary romance is cute and fun. The secondary leads are both a little clumsy in their own ways and they make quite a lovable pair.

This drama is a lot funnier than I thought it would be. There are many comedic moments by our female lead (FL)and the supporting cast. It's no doubt that the funniest is our fox-turned-human second female lead (2FL). She is so lovable and clueless and sexy that you can't help but love her. Our 2FL and 2ML are an odd pairing but it worked.

I love the friendships between the two gumihos and FL's friendship with her besties. ML and 2FL form a funny pair with their banter, yet deep down they care of each other. They are both old yet childish in their petty little ways. I also love the friendship between FL and her male BFF. It's great to see a pure platonic friendship that is full of laughter and tears. I do find FL's female BFF a little hard to tolerate at times, as she's very loud and her comedy is very in-your-face.

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I liked the humor of the series

I liked the humor of the series, some scenes really made me laugh, I liked Hae San the most, maybe because it was the first time I saw Kang Hana in a completely positive role, she was really lovely. They could only finish it in 8 or 10 episodes by stretching it a lot because nothing special happens in the story. One thing that really stood out to me was the girl's falling down, which means you have to count how many times she fell down in the series! Hey, she falls , the boy would take her, oh, now, there is nothing more feminine than this cliché, my God!!!
The series is good to watch once, that is when you were starving and it was not a series

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Very relaxing and cute

Its a perfect easy going drama where even if there are problems, they get solved easily.
The main couple was super cute but I lived for Hye Sun and Jae Jin.

Story: The story is very complete and lighthearted. There weren't any plot holes and it felt consistant. I think the light and cute ending was very apropriate and i also loved the way the ending rounded off all of the couples and side stories.

Acting/Cast: This is my first time watching these actors and i really think they were perfect for this drama. I has a major second lead syndrome crush amd at the beginning I really wanted the FL to end up with the second lead. The ML had a very creepy smile at the beginning so that set me off, but honestly, very good acting and cast.

Music: I seriously didn't notice the music too much, it just set a nice mood and added to the scene.

The rewatch value is low simply because, even though this drama was good, it didn't leave a special feeling with me, but it might just be my taste in dramas, which is definetly more on the action and dramatic side.

Overall, it is a good drama and it is worth a watch, you won't regret it!!

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Similar to Tale of The Nine-tailed, Kiss Goblin, The Bride of HaBaek

A lot of comedy and fluffy romance but very few fantasy elements, lots of unexplained events and plotholes. The female actors were good, the male actors were average to below average in terms of realistic portrayal of emotions, character growth, etc. (although all of them are eye-candy so 10/10 for that).
My biggest problem with the drama: the writing was simply lazy. It is the typical fantasy formula - male lead is some kind of an immortal creature (and old af), he meets a mortal girl and falls in love, only for them to be separated by some circumstances stripped of any logic, usually involving the male lead having to "keep his distance" from the female, in order to "protect her".
We get the typical cliches: female-male roommates, "the three musketeers" friend group, wrist grabbing, arm around the shoulder in "you're-my-woman "style, female tripping whenever the male lead is around (not even once did any of the other characters fall down, haha)., unrequited love, 20-year-old who has never been in a romantic relationship/ never kissed/ had sex, clueless about women male lead, etc, etc...

What I liked about the drama was that the female lead wasn't shy when it came to calling out people who disrespected her, and (thankfully) the male lead didn't have to interfere to "protect" her from the bullies.

Overall, it's your typical rom-com with a pinch of fantasy (to explain why total strangers from the opposite gender decide to live together). The soundtrack was so-so - neither awful nor memorable. The cinematography was of good quality.

I'd say it's the perfect drama for someone who's never watched the genre and isn't familiar with the tropes or for pre-teens/ teens, who want to see angsty strong females and their handsome boyfriends.

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