My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010): Cast, Story, 16 Episodes & Where to Watch
K-drama classic · Romantic comedy / fantasy · 2010 · 16 episodes · Spoiler-light guide
A man frees a legendary nine-tailed fox, and suddenly the woman he thinks he should fear becomes the person he cannot forget. My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (내 여자친구는 구미호) turns one of Korea’s most mysterious folklore creatures into the heroine of a sweet, often very funny romantic fantasy. If you are discovering older K-dramas after watching newer hits, this 2010 series is an appealing place to begin.
Here is what international viewers need to know about its story, cast, episode count, streaming options and the Korean mythology that English subtitles can only partly explain.
What is My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho about?
Cha Dae-woong is a carefree young man who dreams of becoming an action star. During an unexpected visit to a temple, he accidentally releases a mysterious girl trapped for centuries inside a painting. She is no ordinary girl: she is a gumiho, a supernatural nine-tailed fox from Korean folktales.
The girl, whom he calls Mi-ho, uses her magical fox bead to help him when he is injured. Dae-woong is initially terrified because the old stories warn that a gumiho can be dangerous to humans. Mi-ho, however, seems far more interested in experiencing the human world — and in her favorite foods — than in frightening anyone. As the pair spend time together, fear gradually gives way to affection.
The drama’s central question is deceptively simple: can a creature that humans have always considered a monster be loved as a person? The answer is wrapped in comedy, romance and rules of magic that become more consequential as the story unfolds.
Quick facts: year, episodes, creators and Korean title
- Original Korean title: 내 여자친구는 구미호 (Nae Yeojachinguneun Gumiho).
- English titles: My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho; also known as My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox.
- Original broadcaster: SBS, South Korea.
- First aired: August 11, 2010; final episode September 30, 2010.
- Episodes: 16, approximately one hour each.
- Genre: Romantic comedy, fantasy, supernatural romance.
- Writers: Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, commonly known as the Hong sisters.
- Director: Boo Sung-chul.
Meet the main cast and characters
Shin Min-a as Mi-ho, the nine-tailed fox
Mi-ho has spent centuries separated from the human world. Her curiosity, direct emotions and desire to become human make her a very different kind of heroine from the frightening fox spirits of older legends. Shin Min-a’s cheerful performance is central to the show’s comedy and romance.
Lee Seung-gi as Cha Dae-woong
Dae-woong begins as a self-centered aspiring actor who is frightened by what he has accidentally unleashed. His relationship with Mi-ho challenges him to take responsibility for another person instead of simply following his own ambitions.
No Min-woo as Park Dong-joo
Dong-joo is an enigmatic figure with knowledge of Mi-ho’s supernatural identity. His presence introduces a more mysterious, sometimes darker side to the story’s mythology.
Park Soo-jin as Eun Hye-in
Hye-in belongs to Dae-woong’s human social world and complicates the romantic relationships around him. Her character helps distinguish ordinary romantic jealousy from the supernatural challenges Mi-ho faces.
Where can international viewers watch it?
Rakuten Viki: The series has an official My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho series page listing 16 episodes and English subtitles, along with numerous other subtitle languages. Some episodes or territories may require Viki Pass.
OnDemandKorea: It also has a series and episode page. Availability and membership requirements depend on location.
Netflix: The show has a Netflix title page, but access differs by country and can change. Rather than assuming it is available worldwide, check your local Netflix catalog. Streaming information is correct to the extent confirmed from provider pages in October 2026.
What is a gumiho in Korean folklore?
The word gumiho (구미호) refers to a nine-tailed fox spirit. In many Korean folktales it takes human form, sometimes to deceive or harm people. That traditional image explains why Dae-woong initially panics. Yet Mi-ho is kind, innocent and eager to learn what it means to be human. The comedy works because the audience recognizes the gap between the frightening legend and the lovable character.
The drama also introduces the fox bead, a magical object associated with gumiho tales. In folklore, it may represent supernatural power or a transfer of energy; in the show it becomes part of the characters’ relationship and the rules of their extraordinary situation.
Three details to notice while watching
1. A terrifying legend turned into a romantic heroine
Much of the humor depends on Dae-woong expecting an evil, liver-eating spirit while Mi-ho behaves with open curiosity. This is not a documentary depiction of folklore; it is a playful reversal of it.
2. Mi-ho’s desire to become human
The transformation theme appears across multiple versions of Korean fox-spirit stories. Each tale has different rules, so avoid assuming the series’ magical conditions are a fixed part of ancient Korean belief.
3. Food as a way of understanding everyday life
Mi-ho’s enthusiasm for eating, especially beef, often creates comedy. Her delight with ordinary things helps contrast the human world’s routines with the strangeness of someone seeing those routines for the first time.
Is My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho connected to My Roommate Is a Gumiho?
No. Both dramas draw inspiration from the nine-tailed fox tradition, but they tell different stories with different characters. My Roommate Is a Gumiho is a separate 2021 romantic fantasy, not a continuation of this 2010 series. The similarity comes from the shared folklore, including the supernatural fox bead.
Why this K-drama is worth rediscovering
The series offers a mix of early-2010s K-drama comedy, a supernatural love story and an accessible encounter with Korean mythology. You can enjoy its romance without knowing the old legends, but learning them makes several jokes, fears and emotional choices much more meaningful.
Read next: Why is Mi-ho different from the gumiho in old Korean folktales? Explore nine tails, the fox bead and human transformation in our free cultural notes. You can also browse the Beyond the Subtitles drama culture library.
Sources and fact-checking: Rakuten Viki: official series listing; OnDemandKorea: series listing; AsianWiki: cast and broadcast dates; Korean Ministry of Culture: gumiho folklore. Published October 31, 2026. Featured image: original AI-generated editorial illustration inspired by the drama’s romantic-fantasy premise. Not an official SBS image or actor photograph.