Gu Family Book (Episode 2)

Gu Wol Ryung, the mythical creature living in the Moonlight Garden to protect Mt. Jiri, tells his monk friend Sojung that he wants to become human because he has fallen in love with Yoon Seo Hwa, a gisaeng-turned-criminal because she ran away from being a gisaeng.  Sojung warns Wol Ryung that it will be disastrous for him to keep Seo Hwa, but he refuses to listen.

At the Moonlight Garden, Wol Ryung keeps Seo Hwa smiling by giving or showing her everything that pleases her.  However, Seo Hwa remains worried because of her brother and her maidservant whom she left behind to hide in the forest.  To please her, Wol Ryung volunteers to check on them but discovers that both Seo Hwa’s remaining family already passed away.  Instead of telling her the truth, Wol Ryung tells Seo Hwa that they are fine.  Elated by the news, Seo Hwa hugs Wol Ryung while thanking him but soon apologizes for her manners.  Wol Ryung tries to control himself and walks out.  But he turns around and kisses Seo Hwa! Then he pops up the magical question  - will you marry me?! And after three questions, Seo Hwa gives in and hugs Wol Ryung!

But Sojung disapproves the idea of marriage when Wol Ryung tells him about it the following day.  Wol Ryung reasons out that it is tedious and boring to live alone for a thousand years.  So he wants to become human.  The monk asks Wol Ryung if Seo Hwa is aware of his identity, the mythical creature tells Sojung that she will never find out because he will become human before it has been revealed.

Wol Ryung found the book that contains the procedure on how to become human.  First he must pray for 100 days and must not violate three rules – (1) he must not kill any lives during this period, (2) he must not refuse to help when human asks for it, and (3) he must never reveal his divine appearance to humans. The monk tells Wol Ryung that after 100 days of prayer, the Gu Family Book, which contains the pledge of Hwan Hoong, will reveal itself.  But if Wol Ryung makes a mistake, he will become a thousand-year demon.

 

 

But the power of love cannot stop Wol Ryung from marrying Seo Hwa.   For three months, the couple has been peacefully living together. 
 

Seo Hwa one day decided to pick some herbs on her own despite Wol Ryung’s request to accompany her.  Sojung then arrives and tells the mythical creature, who has only 11 days left before he becomes completely human, that he found a way to counter the curse to befall on him if he breaks the rules.  It is a thousand-year dagger made of hawthorn tree. 

Wol Ryung returns in their abode but Seo Hwa is nowhere to be found.  In the middle of the forest, Seo Hwa noticed someone is following her, which prompted her to run.  It turns out a team has been dispatch to search for her after someone tipped the authorities of her presence in the forest.  While running, Wol Ryung meets her and saves them from chasing guards by being covered with plants. 

But Sheriff Dam Pyeong Joon discovers them and asks for Wol Ryung’s identity.  Wol Ryung begs that he and his wife be left alone.  When asked if his wife is not the fugitive, Wol Ryung finds a way to escape.  But the guards soon cornered the couple.  Wol Ryung gets chained while Seo Hwa screams for help as guards drag her away. 
 

 To help his wife, Wol Ryung transforms to his mythical being and kills the guards around him.  Wol Ryung brings his wife back to their place.  But instead of being accepted, Seo Hwa hated Wol Ryung in spite of his apology for not telling him the truth.  Seo Hwa left Wol Ryung who lost consciousness.  She surrenders herself to the Sheriff.  Later, she learns about the deaths of her family from Officer Jo who slaps her for running away from him.  She was ordered to lead the guards on the whereabouts of Wol Ryung.  Seo Hwa thinks Wol Ryung just fooled her and all the things they spent together were all lies. 

Wol Ryung wakes up and soon sees the guards in the Moonlight Garden, a place that was not supposedly reached by humans.  Betrayed by his wife and hoping to save him from turning to an evil spirit, Wol Ryung tries to stab Seo Hwa with the hawthorn dagger but the Sheriff’s sword hit him first. 

 

Before he dies, he tells Seo Hwa that he truly loves her. Sojung soon arrives but was too late.  He told Sheriff Dam Pyeong Joon that Wol Ryung is innocent.  and he had only 10 days left before he becomes completely human.  He stressed that Wol Ryung just wanted to grow old with Seo Hwa. 

Seo Hwa, meanwhile, throws up again.  She denies to the sheriff that she is pregnant.  In the care of the gisaengs, Seo Hwa’s belly grows but she tries whatever she can to abort her child.  

In the end, Seo Hwa goes to Moonlight Garden to give birth.  She plans to kill her child but the moonlight shines on her baby - a normal, beautiful baby!  Seeing it normal, Seo Hwa cries tremendously.