The inexplicable and bizarre lack of romantic chemistry between the leads in Tale of Gumiho is really dragging down the energy of the drama, but conversely it makes the other parts work harder to keep this thing afloat. Episode 8 is the midway point and got ratings back up to 5.137% and still delivered the good and the dull in equal measures. This drama is really rewarding Kim Bum‘s younger angry brother Lee Rang with the meatiest role and the ideal comeback for him from the military. His lack of motherly love, his brotherly abandonment, his bleeding heart craving love but burnt to crisp, it’s all so palpable. Then we have the lovebirds and their lame love and the “he killed me even though I have the imoogi evil spirit inside me” angst that doesn’t hit with any emotional resonance because the leads have no chemistry. I could watch Rang all day, the vet and his abused fox crush, and all that Korean cultural mythology getting a fresh coat of paint for the remainder of its run because otherwise it’s really dumb as rocks around here.