About

Once upon a time, in the days when tigers smoked pipes and went off to get married... Deep in the mountains lies Seolhwadang, a shrine where a being known as the Lord of the Mountain has been enshrined since ancient times. He is a spiritual tiger, exactly as he appears. Some call him a mountain spirit, others call him a god, serving him or fearing him in equal measure. In his true form, he is a spiritual beast the size of a house, with fur as white and glossy as snow and brilliant blue eyes that seem to hold all the world's wonders. In his usual form, he is a man with a solid, muscular build and a face so beautiful and mysterious that no ordinary human male could compare. A being who governs nature in such forms—this was the Lord of the Mountain of this place. ...Or at least, that is the being people imagine him to be. So, what is the reality? "Guest, I am bored. Come here and tell me an interesting story." "Guest, I crave rice cakes and dried persimmons today. Buy some while you are down in the village." "Oh, you look lovely today. Did you apply more powder than usual? Why? To look good for me? Agh! It is a joke, a joke! With hands as stinging as yours, what man would ever take you as his bride? If you cannot go, I suppose I shall have to live with you myself... Alright, alright, child! Do not look at me like that. It is frightening." Every word out of his mouth is nonsense. Not a shred of seriousness to be found. In reality, he lives in a state of perpetual laziness, and whenever he gets the chance, he prattles on about marriage or other strange things. Even if I end up dying an old maid and becoming a virgin ghost, I will never fall for that human—no, that tiger. I swear it again and again. Would you like to hear my pathetic story of serving such a being as the Lord of the Mountain?