# Gu Family Book (2013)

> A half-mythical man and a martial arts master fall in love while restoring order to a chaotic historical kingdom.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/42661

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Episode runtime: 65 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: fantasy, romance, action, comedy
- Created by: Kang Eun-kyung
- Network: MBC
- Cast: Lee Seung-gi, Suzy, Lee Sung-jae, Sung Joon, Yoo Yeon-seok, Lee Yu-bi, Cho Seong-ha, Choi Jin-hyuk
- TMDB rating: 7.9/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2816734/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: romantic, whimsical, melodramatic, tense

## What critics say

Audiences rate the series positively, praising its emotional impact, cast chemistry and music while finding the romance overlong and the villains thin.

## Synopsis

Kangchi, the Beginning (2013) is a South Korean fantasy romance series created by Kang Eun-kyung for MBC. Choi Kang-chi (Lee Seung-gi), a half-human, half-mythical being, falls for the martial arts master Dam Yeo-wool (Suzy) after they meet at the Hundred Years Inn. Their romance develops while Kang-chi must restore order as chaos threatens the kingdom, and Yeo-wool helps him learn to control his mythical side. Political rivalries among court factions provide much of the story's engine, with each episode bringing fresh intrigue and fresh confrontations. The series runs for a single season of 24 episodes, a full run of a Korean historical drama with a supernatural twist. The tone blends romcom lightness with melodrama, sweeping action, and lingering, dreamy romantic moments. Set in an invented Joseon-inspired kingdom, the story balances tender pairings with martial arts clashes. Fans of My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Faith will find resonance in its blend of romance, supernatural fantasy, and period intrigue.

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