Why I Love My Roommate is a Gumiho

This is not an ordinary love story. It is between the love of a human and fox against all odds, against nature, against time, against destiny & fate, to have what we humans take for granted, an ordinary future together.

I love Dam (Hyeri Lee) and I love Fox's (Jang Ki Yong) each individual characters. But together, together it's so so so much more. I think, right now, for me at least, it is one of the most epic love stories in kdramaland. I love the philosophical and human struggle that is beautifully told here.

A loner 999 years old humane fox, who didn't care much to be human. This premise, pulled me to this show. I care if he wants to be human, I care why he wants to be human. I care how did he want to be human. I care when he wanted to be human.

A young woman who is inexperienced in love but so full of life, maturity, fiercely independent, true to herself, heart on her sleeve, genuine, courageous and spunky. I care whether or not she would be the one to change the fox. I care how she would be the one to make fox see what it is like to be human.

I love how we as an audience get to see how he falls for her. And her for him. I love how we as an audience get to see all the failings and trappings of an intimate relationship, of human love and all that it entails - the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. All the mistakes he would make, all the struggles they would face together and apart, how deep her love must be to love a fox, how his centuries-lived life was turned on its head by a spunky young woman. I love that both are inexperienced in love. How pure their love is.  

Some love this drama for its comedy, some for its light and easy enjoyment, some for it's fantasy, some for it's story, some for the lead couple's characters, some for the second lead couple's characters , some for the side characters and some for the second lead male character and that is the charm of this drama. That is a testament to the cast and crew that they truly care for all the characters in this story. The perfect cast shows it and the powerful performances of the actors elevates it. This drama weaves effortlessly with thoughtful pacing - the funny with the sad, the sweet with the heavy. This can't be overstated that the comedy and sweetness elements when done right, as it does so brilliantly in this drama gives audiences a chance to breathe, to smile, to swoon, to laugh, to feel happiness in the simplest nuances of human nature and culture. Thus, it has launched iconic moments, philosopical moments, meme moments and viral moments of this drama.

It would be a travesty to not mention the dynamic between the male and female in this drama. Eventhough Fox has teleportation powers, can easily accumulate wealth, never ages, forever tall and handsome. However it is Dam, a young woman in university that is all powerful. Time and time again it is Dam who steps up, courageously, who leads the way, who inspires and fights just as hard as a hero in a drama. She is the White Knight that saves the prince and not a damsel in distress. The same can be said about Hye Sun. They both know what they want and have no trouble in bringing it out from their leading men or their friends.

I didn't expect to be given important lessons of human vulnerabilities. It's a thoughtful drama. It also makes this drama so special and different from other dramas of it's kind.  Fantasy is just a plot mechanism to show the power of humanity. It has renewed my passion and appreciation to belong to the human race. This drama has inspired me how special it is to be humane, reminds me being a human doesn't mean one is humane, the importance of communication and human connection, the valuable lessons that the ordinary can be extraordinary, the the meaningless can be meaningful and we, humans, unlike animals, are the captains of our destiny. I feel I need this in my life - to realise how important it is to be alive, how special it is to be human. And that we never stop learning to live a well lived-life.

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