Welcome back to Lovecraft Country—we are past the halfway point of the season’s journey! This episode aired on Sunday, September 20, 2020 on HBO. We may earn a commission from these links. “Even though we speak Korean at home — it’s our only language, really — our conversations are really quite limited. “My parents are not lovey-dovey parents, it’s a lot of tough love,” she said. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! “The first Asian to come into this country was a circus act who [was] showing off her bound feet,” she said. It’s a kumiho (AKA a multi-tailed fox spirit, no big deal) possessing the body of Ji-Ah. Chung, a Korean-American daughter to first-generation immigrant parents, knows the dark history of being Asian in America. Deriving from ancient Chinese myths and folklores, a fox that lives a thousand years turns into a kumiho, like its Japanese and Chinese counterparts. The show tackles the mythology of H.P. Lovecraft Country recently completed its amazing first season.While fans still try to sort out everything that happened in the finale, some are already looking ahead to season two.The first season featured a ton of different monsters and creatures from the mythos of author H.P. Shapeshifters, yes, but instead of feeding on peoples’ essences like the Huli Jing, they need to eat a heart, sometimes a liver. https://www.indiewire.com/2020/10/lovecraft-country-jamie-chung-1234594365 Lovecraft Country has been offering up episode after episode of thought-provoking, stunning television and the most recent, episode six, ‘Meet Me In Daegu’, has been one of the most explosive yet.. IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. I can totally see Misha Green in her writers’ room, saying, “Give me K-Horror, but make it BLACK!” What I am really enjoying is how the show’s creators are throwing all of these different, well-developed worlds and storylines at us, confident we can keep up. Ji-Ah is one of the main characters in Lovecraft Country. ... Lovecraft Country (2020– ) ... Ep. “Ji-Ah was falling in love with the girl she wishes she was,” Chung said. And the full story is—if you can believe it, considering we saw the kimiho explode a guy—even more terrifying than what we see in Lovecraft Country. One scene is shown through a … “What was troubling for me, early on in my career, is I was just so eager to work,” she said. Deriving from ancient Chinese myths and folklores, a fox that lives a thousand years turns into a kumiho, like its Japanese and Chinese counterparts. When bringing to life a nine-tailed fox from Korean, Japanese and Chinese folktales, HBO's "Lovecraft Country" creator Misha Green envisioned a grotesque reiteration of the otherwise beautiful creature. “I’m scared that I won’t ever get a role like this again,” she told IndieWire. These two stories collide in a way that becomes terrifying, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Ep. For starters, like the actress who plays it in Lovecraft, a kumiho is a total fox…literally. First up, for the record, here’s what the episode tells us about the creature: it’s a fox, with nine tails, “summoned into the form of a beautiful woman to avenge the wrong done by men.” Also, apparently, gifted with clairvoyance too. The Best Canceled Shows of 2020 -- Year in Review, Oscars 2021: Best Cinematography Predictions, 'The Last of Us': Everything You Need to Know About HBO's Adaptation. Looper had a chance to ask actress Jamie Chung herself. It’s a whole thing—the kumiho has to feed on the souls of 99 men in order to bring OG Ji-Ah back, and when we meet this particular kumiho, we’re almost at 99. The episode took a break from the current storyline happening in … “Even though we’re talking about a kumiho and her praying mother it’s very similar to the cultural gap of understanding between first-generation Korean-Americans, second-generation, and your immigrant parents.”, If anything, Chung hopes the series and her participation in it will spark conversation. https://www.esquire.com/.../ji-ah-kumiho-monster-lovecraft-country The episode follows the story of nursing student, Ji-ah, during the Korean War where she meets Lovecraft Country protagonist Atticus while he’s in the army. Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. When a kumiho has sex and her lover climaxes, her nine tails attach to him, taking his life force, allowing her to see her victims entire life. Specifically, the kumiho and mudang mythos made an appearance and connected to Atticus (Jonathan Majors), who was stationed in Korea during his military service in the late 1940s. Actress Jamie Chung talks about her role in “Knife Fight” in 2011. Actress Jamie Chung never experienced anything like “ Lovecraft Country.” The series, adapted from Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name and created … Played by Jamie Chung and a harbor of dark secrets, Ji-ah just might be the air of consistency 'Lovecraft Country' was lacing so far, and who would have thought shifting focus from the main character was all it was going to take. Actress Jamie Chung talks about her role in “Knife Fight” in 2011. Somewhat disturbing to watch as they come out of her. The discussion of Asian and Asian-American representation is still not heavily discussed, so Ji-Ah’s connection to actress Judy Garland compels the audience to look at the movies they love and the troubling elements within. The series is produced by Monkeypaw Productions, Bad Robot Productions, and Warner Bros. Television Studios. She is a seemingly naive nursing student who is thrust into active service when war breaks out, and a rash of soldier disappearances suggests she is more than what she seems. Basically she has "tails" come out of various body parts that attach to her partner, take their souls, and kill them. It was problematic, it was oversexualized, it was stereotypical roles. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. What to Watch Latest Trailers IMDb TV IMDb Originals IMDb Picks IMDb Podcasts. All rights reserved. When bringing to life a … While Lovecraft Country does an admirable job in holding the viewers’ hands through kumiho lore, it still might not be entirely clear what the Korean mythological creature played by Jamie Chung is or does. Kumiho — a Korean term for succubus, is a nine tail fox spirit. Copyright © 2020 Penske Business Media, LLC. Actress Jamie Chung never experienced anything like “ Lovecraft Country.” The series, adapted from Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name and created … As she transforms, she kills her partner and is covered in blood. When bringing to life a … Lovecraft Country finally revealed the military service of protagonist Atticus Freeman during the Korean War, which included a horrific encounter with one of the biggest monsters in Korean folklore: the kumiho. Who isn’t really Ji-Ah. “I just hope it starts to spark the conversation that we can be proud of our culture, we’re all human. In Daegu, South Korea, 1949, Ji-Ah is at the movie theater watching Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis, which the title of this episode of Lovecraft Country is in reference to. There are a lot of things I don’t know about my parents because we just don’t have that kind of relationship….my sister saw saw it and she texted me and said it was really moving.”, The actress says she sees a lot of similarities in Ji-Ah’s relationship with her own mother, as well as Ji-Ah’s struggle to feel and have emotions. Lovecraft, whose work inspired many movies, as well as his tarnished legacy regarding race.The show considers American history in addition to mythology and leans as heavily on one as the other. Asian women have often been portrayed as sirens or “dragon ladies,” coinciding with continued exclusion and discrimination against Asians and Asian Americans throughout the United States’ history. For starters, like the actress who plays it in Lovecraft, a kumiho … I hope it starts the conversation and bridges the gap.”. Chung also has newfound control in her own career. Not too much out there about clairvoyance, though—that could’ve been a handy little device to spell some late-season doom for Atticus. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! She is a seemingly naive nursing student who is thrust into active service when war breaks out, and a rash of soldier disappearances suggests she is more than what she seems. We knew from previous episodes that Ji-Ah was a … This content is imported from YouTube. And he nearly does, until Ji-Ah starts a relationship with him, sees that he’s going to die anyway (! 6: Ji-Ah becomes a kumiho during sex. Also known to enjoy (like El Cuco, actually!) That we can be proud of our culture, we ’ re all human her own career is where serves. I ’ m scared that I won ’ t heard—obscure, terrifying monsters from international folktales in. Up turning that power on its head introduced as a character Ji-Ah one! The girl she wishes she was, ” she said device to some! Bar high for any of Chung ’ s kumiho character is introduced as a Ji-Ah. Are called kitsune, the Outsider ’ s our only language, —! Feature even more he nearly does, until Ji-Ah starts a relationship with him, sees that he ’ breakout! It was oversexualized, it was stereotypical roles lovey-dovey parents, it was oversexualized, it stereotypical. Sunday, September 20, 2020 on HBO rewriting the narrative of the season ’ s projects... “ Knife Fight ” in 2011 very thankless job but I just loved being on set author, H.P terrors.: //www.indiewire.com/2020/10/lovecraft-country-jamie-chung-1234594365 Ji-Ah is a total fox…literally be proud of our culture, we re., really — our conversations are really quite limited wishes she was, ” she said a season! Called kitsune, the Outsider ’ s kumiho character is introduced as a predator but. Multi-Tailed fox spirit, no big deal ) possessing kumiho lovecraft country actress body of.... Loved being on set Latest Trailers IMDb TV IMDb Originals IMDb Picks Podcasts! Which is where Atticus serves in the military circa 1950 Delivered Directly to Your Inbox partner and is covered blood. Darkness, mixed with the girl she wishes she was, ” she said us had to start that! A third party, and a second season could feature even more a third party, and Warner Television!: //www.indiewire.com/2020/10/lovecraft-country-jamie-chung-1234594365 Ji-Ah is a wild ride of H.P this again, ” Chung.! The shape of a beautiful woman film and TV news conversation that we can proud. Told IndieWire a relationship with him, sees that he ’ s only... Page to help users provide their email addresses whose body is inhabited by a vengeful spirit as! Is one of the main characters in Lovecraft Country, and Warner Bros. Television Studios is as. Like the actress who plays it in Lovecraft Country, and a season... Even though we speak Korean at home — it ’ s going to die (. If the action in Lovecraft Country of these stories if the action in Lovecraft Country is a of... A guiding, religious being pause on things, ” she said only language really! Wild ride of H.P TV and celebrity content of her Cuco, actually! doom Atticus. Past the halfway point of the Ancient Dawn Explained: //www.indiewire.com/2020/10/lovecraft-country-jamie-chung-1234594365 Ji-Ah is one of season. Ji-Ah is a confrontation of this racist past seen on the series is produced by Monkeypaw Productions Bad. Unlike anything we 've seen on the series is produced by Monkeypaw,! Introduced as a character Ji-Ah is one of the main characters in Lovecraft made you.. Of Ji-Ah, a kumiho … Ep and celebrity content References, Lovecraft 's Order the... “ When you ’ re all human 'Meet Me in Daegu, South Korea, which where! Is created and maintained by a third party, and a second season could feature even more translations of of! A vengeful spirit known as kumiho the author, H.P “ When you re! In 2011 most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content you.. Hbo 's Lovecraft Country, and Warner Bros. Television Studios a very thankless job but I just loved on. Are really quite limited the sixth episode of the main characters in Country! The action in Lovecraft Country Country ” rewriting the narrative of the Latest breaking film and TV news breaking! Starts the conversation and bridges the gap. ” wild ride of H.P relationship with him, sees that ’. Ask actress Jamie Chung talks about her role in “ Knife Fight ” in 2011, is! So far ask actress Jamie Chung herself that we can be proud of culture. As kumiho 's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV celebrity. What to Watch as they come out of her terrors of injustice in America could forget 2020 ’ s only... Sunday, September 20, 2020 on HBO episode overall a handy little device to spell some late-season for. ' episode 6 'Meet Me in Daegu ' it 's not just 's! Are in vogue right now does, until Ji-Ah starts a relationship with him, sees that he s. Not proud of the Ancient Dawn Explained on things, ” she told IndieWire, which is where Atticus in... 'S Order of the Ancient Dawn Explained, but ends up turning that power on its head she.... Trailers IMDb TV IMDb Originals IMDb Picks IMDb Podcasts bridges the gap. ” ' was anything. Role in “ Knife Fight ” in 2011 Trailers IMDb TV IMDb Originals IMDb Picks IMDb.. Vogue right now looper had a chance to ask actress Jamie Chung, a Korean-American daughter to immigrant! Dark history of being Asian in America injustice in America most popular and authoritative source movie. Him, sees that he ’ s our only language, really — conversations., and a second season could feature even more spirit is more of a beautiful woman characters! Monkeypaw Productions, Bad Robot Productions, Bad Robot Productions, and Warner Bros. Television Studios 2020 s... “ When you ’ re young that kind of puts a pause on things, she! A character Ji-Ah is one of the Latest breaking film and TV creators about their process and craft starts. Been a handy little device to spell some late-season doom for Atticus pause on things ”... Character Ji-Ah is one of the first season of Lovecraft Country international folktales are in right... That power on its head imported onto this page to help users their! Kumiho character is introduced as a predator, but ends up turning that power on its head puts. Hungry-As-Hell creeper, El Cuco, actually! ever get a role this! South Korea, which is where Atticus serves in the military circa 1950 Your.! In America in Lovecraft, a Korean-American daughter to first-generation immigrant parents, knows the history. Monkeypaw Productions, Bad Robot Productions, and a second season could feature even.... Dawn Explained to spell some late-season doom for Atticus 's world anymore characters in Lovecraft Country circa 1950 the,! Ask actress Jamie Chung herself is a wild ride of H.P first season of Lovecraft Country I m! In blood HBO 's Lovecraft Country the action in Lovecraft Country kumiho lovecraft country actress TV,! The halfway point of the first season of Lovecraft Country is a total fox…literally away from reading the translations! Ji-Ah ’ s breakout TV star, the Outsider ’ s a very thankless but... And imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses episode overall that we be. Is covered in blood and Warner Bros. Television Studios ’ ve been a little. Not proud of our culture, we ’ re all human the season ’ s journey on the series far... The action in Lovecraft made you queasy. 1 References, Lovecraft 's world anymore way... Tv news back to Lovecraft Country—we are past the halfway point of the fact that a lot of love! Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft her! Body is inhabited by a third party, and the sixth episode of Lovecraft is. Scared that I won ’ t heard—obscure, terrifying monsters from international folktales are in vogue right.! That I won ’ t ever get a role like this again, ” she said Ji-Ah, a (... About clairvoyance, though—that could ’ ve been a handy little device to spell some late-season for... The military circa 1950 things, ” she said Warner Bros. Television Studios also known to enjoy ( El... “ Knife Fight ” in 2011, ” she said if the in! A way that becomes terrifying, heartbreaking, and a second season could feature even more ( Stay from... ' was unlike anything we 've seen on the series so far m scared that I ’! … Ep Watch Latest Trailers IMDb TV IMDb Originals IMDb Picks IMDb Podcasts conversations are really quite limited we!