No Tail to Tell began its run on Netflix with a magical and emotional first episode. The story introduces Eun-ho, a centuries-old nine-tailed fox, and a hardworking high school footballer named Kang Si-yeol. Their accidental meeting starts a chain of events that flips their lives and destinies upside down. The episode aired on January 16, 2026, and is available for streaming now .
Who Is Eun-Ho and Why Did She Give Up on Humanity?
The episode opens by showing us why Eun-ho, played by Kim Hye-yoon, has grown cold toward humans. We see her in the Joseon era, happily celebrating the wedding day of her sister, another gumiho who achieved her dream of becoming human. However, in a sudden moment, Eun-ho is hit with a powerful vision. She sees her sister’s future not filled with joy, but with suffering and persecution. This heartbreaking glimpse teaches her a brutal lesson: human life is fragile and often ends in pain. From that day on, she abandons any desire to become human. She decides living as an immortal fox, detached from human emotions, is a far better path.
Centuries later in the modern day, we see the result of that choice. Eun-ho is cynical, powerful, and bored. She spends her eternal life indulging in luxury and running a unique business: she grants wishes for wealthy clients in exchange for large sums of money. She uses her powers without much care, even briefly mind-controlling a stylish stranger to be her personal shopper for a day. Her only rule seems to be that she will not use her magic to kill anyone.
“She learns a fundamental truth about human life, that it is limited and, more likely than not, destined to end in misery.”
Kang Si-Yeol’s Struggle and a Fateful Football Match
While Eun-ho navigates immortality, we meet Kang Si-yeol (Lomon), a talented high school footballer whose life is defined by struggle. Unlike his privileged teammate Hyeon Woo-seok, Si-yeol is poor. He lives with his sick grandmother and works late-night delivery jobs to pay his fees and support his family. His dream is simple: to become successful enough to give his grandmother a peaceful life.
His talent is undeniable, but it often gets him into trouble. During a practice match meant to showcase Woo-seok, Si-yeol’s skill shines too brightly. He scores a goal himself instead of passing to Woo-seok, angering the coach who then punishes him harshly. Despite this, a complex friendship forms between the two boys. Woo-seok, feeling guilty about his own advantages, tries to buy Si-yeol new football shoes. However, his offer comes off as insensitive, hurting Si-yeol’s pride and causing a fight.
The Accident That Changes Everything
The paths of Eun-ho, Si-yeol, and Woo-seok collide in a busy shopping mall. After his argument with Woo-seok, Si-yeol storms out and literally bumps into Eun-ho. Her supernatural strength knocks him to the ground. At this moment, Eun-ho has a vision. She sees that one of the two boys is destined for immense wealth and global fame, and she initially believes it to be Woo-seok. The idea of turning this future star into a paying client tempts her.
Later that night, tragedy strikes. Lee Yoon, a construction mogul and one of Eun-ho’s clients, drives drunk after celebrating a business deal she helped him win. He hits Woo-seok with his car and flees the scene. Si-yeol witnesses the entire event and tries to help his injured friend.
When the police investigate, Lee Yoon sends his driver to falsely confess to the crime. Si-yeol knows the truth and refuses to stay silent, causing problems for the powerful CEO. Desperate, Lee Yoon goes back to Eun-ho. He offers her double her usual fee to make a specific wish come true: he wants her to erase or alter Si-yeol’s memory of the accident.
A Shocking Vision and an Exposed Secret
Eun-ho agrees to the job. She goes to the hospital where Woo-seok is recovering and Si-yeol is keeping watch. As she prepares to use her magic on Si-yeol, something extraordinary happens. She is struck by a new, powerful vision. The future she saw has completely changed. Now, the one destined for fame and success is not Woo-seok, but Kang Si-yeol.
This vision shocks her to her core. Her act of meddling with fate for money has already altered destiny. As she stumbles from the impact of this revelation, Si-yeol catches her to keep her from falling. In that moment of physical contact, her carefully hidden secret is revealed. All nine of her majestic tails become fully visible to Si-yeol. The first episode ends on this stunning cliffhanger, with a confused Si-yeol staring at the supernatural being before him and Eun-ho realizing her detached world is about to be upended.
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Where to Watch No Tail to Tell Episode 1
No Tail to Tell is a Netflix Original Series. The first episode premiered on the platform on January 16, 2026. New episodes are being released daily. Episode 2 is already available as of January 17, and episodes 3 and 4 are scheduled for release on January 23 and 24, 2026. The series airs on SBS in South Korea at 9:50 PM. The main cast includes Kim Hye-yoon as the gumiho Eun-ho, Lomon as footballer Kang Si-yeol, and Lee Si-woo.
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