The Bird That Drinks Blood
Epic high fantasy set in the world of The Bird That Drinks Tears.
The Bird That Drinks Blood (Korean: 피를 마시는 새; RR: Pireul masineun sae, abbreviated as 피마새; Pimasae) is an epic high fantasy novel series by South Korean author Lee Youngdo. Set in the same world as his earlier work The Bird That Drinks Tears, the story takes place approximately 50 years later in the newly formed Arazi Empire, continuing Lee's integration of Korean folklore, history, and Old Korean languages.
- Publication date
- July 2005 (7 hardcover volumes)
- Serialization period
- Christmas 2002 to Christmas 2003
Lore & Background
The plot unfolds during the reign of Emperor Chicheonje in the Neo Arajit Empire, ruled from the flying capital Haneulluri. It depicts clashes between absolute power and free will, focusing on characters including Elsi (the Empire's general-in-chief), Jeongu (a human raised among Tokebi), Jimen (a Rekon warrior), and Asil (a one-eyed human girl). Central is Emperor Chicheonje, a Nhaga sovereign whose machinations have plunged the Empire into strife. The story begins as Asil and Jimen plan to assassinate the emperor after their failed independence movement was suppressed six years earlier.
Reader's Guide
The Bird That Drinks Blood is significant for its detailed worldbuilding, which draws parallels to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth in Korean press. Unlike Tolkien's mythical battleground of good and evil, Lee's world constructs moving history, politics, industries, and cultural background in great detail. The series features a fable within the story world called 'The Four Brother Birds,' which inspired speculation about a four-part series, but Lee has stated he has no current plans for additional sequels. In March 2024, a full-cast audiobook adaptation was announced for release in 2026, and in June 2025, a special 20th anniversary illustrated edition was published with 62 artworks by Seongmin Baek, a new map, character lists, and a limited miniature baduk board set.
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