One Thousandth Man

One Thousandth Man is a captivating South Korean Fantasy Love TV series that aired on MBC from August 17th to October 12th in 2012 with a total of 8 episodes. The show is based on an old Korean myth about a fox that can transform into a human being once it lives for 1,000 years. However, there is a catch - the Fox must acquire a human liver to complete her transition into a human being entirely.

One Thousandth Man follows the story of an intriguing, centuries-old, nine-tailed fox, Mi-Jin, endearingly played by actress Kang Ye-Won. The fox has now lived for 999 years but has yet to find the "thousandth man," the man who truly loves her enough to willingly give up his liver so this transformation can occur. The narrative intimately explores kissing a hundred frogs to find a prince, except it involves persuading a thousand men to hand over their liver instead.

In modern-day Korea, where the series is set, Mi-Jin works at an eatery run by her sister, Mi-Sun, portrayed by actress Park Soo-Jin. Mi-Sun, a nine-tailed fox herself, ended her transformation journey prematurely as she couldn't complete the human liver attainment part. Despite being an immortal fox, she settled as she found love in a human man who passed away from a heart disease due to her inability to share his lifespan. This past ordeal haunts her, and she is now overly cautious about her younger sister treading on the same dangerous course.

Another central character is Eung-Suk, played by Hyomin, a passionate and warm doctor who owns a small hospital. Eung-Suk is depicted as a lonely yet righteous character with a soft spot for the supernatural as his mother was known to have the skill to exorcise spirits. He encounters Mi-Jin at the traditional restaurant and finds himself drawn to her aura despite not knowing her true identity.

The charm of One Thousandth Man emanates from its relatable and human core sentiments. The series chalks a fine line between balancing its fantasy elements with worldly human issues - Love, sacrifice, pain, heartbreak, unfulfilled desires, longing, and fear of losing a loved one. It even addresses the moral conundrum - is it justified to claim another being's life organ to sustain one’s own life, even if it's the cost of love? The narrative also explores the dynamic between sisters and their bond, the lengths they would go to protect each other.

The show cleverly uses humor laced in irony and paradox associated with the everyday life of the Fox sisters, adding a layer of light-hearted entertainment and making it a pleasurable viewing experience. There is, by all means, an undercurrent of sadness and melancholy that flows subtly within the storyline, representing the sacrifices that the foxes have had to make to live among humans.

Over the course of the season, the television series keeps its audience in suspense. Will Mi-Jin be able to find her thousandth man who genuinely loves her and is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice? Will Mi-Jin and Mi-Sun come out of their immortal world and live a normal human life, or will they be forever caught in this constant chase? The stirring narrative advances, slowly peeling off the layers of each character's personality and their story, building to a climax that holds the answers to these questions.

One Thousandth Man features excellent performances by the main cast and supporting cast alike. The chemistry among the lead characters and the rest of the ensemble brings authenticity to the narrative. The direction and cinematography lend an ethereal, nearly magical quality to the show, enhancing its fantastical elements. The soundtrack is also carefully curated, reflecting the varying moods and tones of the series in melodies, further immersing the audience into the story.

All in all, One Thousandth Man is an engaging, heartwarming, and distinctive series with a unique blend of fantasy and real-life themes. Its charm lies in its simplicity and deeply emotional foundation, coupled with a strong plot and well-executed performances.