The Bird That Drinks Tears

The Bird That Drinks Tears (Korean: 눈물을 마시는 새; RR: Nunmureul masineun sae; abbreviated as 눈마새; Nunmasae) is a series of epic high fantasy novels^[1] by the South Korean author Lee Yeongdo first published in 2003. The series is set in a world inhabited by four major races: humans, the powerful bird-like Rekon, the flame-wielding Tokkebi, and the reptilian Nhaga, who relinquish their hearts for immortality, allowing them to dominate the southern half of the world.^[2]

The Bird That Drinks Tears

Cover design for the 4th volume of The Bird That Drinks Tears
Author	Lee Yeongdo
Original title	눈물을 마시는 새
Language	Korean
Genre	Fantasy novel
Publisher	Golden Bough
Publication date	2003
Publication place	South Korea
Media type	Print (Hardback, 4 volumes
ISBN	89-8273-573-9
Followed by	The Bird That Drinks Blood

When a Nhaga envoy is dispatched to North, a trio—each member representing on of the remaining three races—is assembled to escort the envoy. However, the original envoy is brutally murdered, and his replacement is an anomaly: a Nhaga who still has a heart, making him much more vulnerable. As the rescue party navigates hostile terrain and centuries of animosity, they must confront their own prejudices and uncover the hidden purpose of their journey, which may determine the fate of the entire world.^[2]

The Bird That Drinks Tears is renowned for its original worldbuilding featuring languages, belief systems, and sociopolitical structures for each race.^[1] The novel is highly acclaimed in Korea for its innovative integration of traditional Korean culture into epic fantasy. It departs from earlier fantasy works by embedding elements of Korean folklore and history, as well as Old Korean languages. ^[3][4] Most notably, the Tokkebi race resembles Korean folklore creatures known for their love of Korean wrestling (ssireum), mischief, and aversion to blood. The narrative incorporates historical titles (e.g., Maripgan, a Silla-era title), employs archaic Korean languages for myths and ancient kingdoms, and features character names like Duoksini and Marunare that are coined from Korean vocabulary.^[5]

Publishing

Lee serialized The Bird That Drinks Tears from March to August of 2002 on a text-only online service Hitel's Serial forum, similar to his previous works such as Dragon Raja. After the conclusion of the story, the novel was published in 2003 by Golden Bough, an imprint of Minumsa Publishing Group, in 4 hardcover volumes ^[6] themed after 4 major races:

• Book 1: Nhaga Who Extract Their Hearts (Korean: 심장을 적출하는 나가)
• Book 2: Rekon Who Pursue Their Desire (Korean: 숙원을 추구하는 레콘)
• Book 3: Tokkebi Who Play Their Fire (Korean: 불을 다루는 도깨비)
• Book 4: Humans Who Seek Their King (Korean: 왕을 찾아헤매는 인간)

In July 2020, a full-cast unabridged audiobook adaptation of The Bird That Drinks Tears was released through Naver Audioclip, featuring over 20 voice actors, the production marked the largest-scale audiobook project in Korean publishing history, with an estimated production budget of 130 million KRW (approx. $100,000 USD)^[7] and breaking the Korean sales record for audiobooks with 100 million KRW 5 months later.^[8] This record is broken only by Lee's another work Dragon Raja in 2021.^[9]

In 2023, the publisher Golden Bough published a special 20th anniversary illustrated edition, featuring 34 artworks by Seongmin Baek known for his Korean painting style graphic novels, along with 6 new short stories, and a limited set including a special Yunnori set themed after the 4 major races and the geography of the world.^[10] In the same year, the translation rights to The Bird That Drinks Tears were sold to publishers in 12 countries. With a reported total advance of 600 million won(approx. US$500,000), it was widely covered in Korean media as the highest overseas sale for a single Korean novel at the time. ^[11][12][13] According to the publisher Golden Bough, the novel has been translated into 6 languages as of Feb. 2025.^[14]

Sequel

In 2005, Lee published a sequel titled The Bird That Drinks Blood, set 50 years after the events of The Bird That Drinks Tears. The story takes place in the newly established Arajit Empire, ruled from the airborne capital Hanulnuri(Korean: 하늘누리, "Skyworld"), and explores themes of absolute power and free will.^[15]

Plot

The world is divided between North and the vast southern forest known as Kiboren. 1,500 years before the main events of the novel, the cold-blooded, raptian race of Nhaga initiated a campaign of territorial expansion, leading to prolonged conflict with three other major races: humans, Rekons, and Tokkebis. The human Kingdom of Arajit eventually fell after centuries of war. The Nhaga, unable to survive in colder climates due to their physiology, ceased their advance at a boundary later known as the Line of Limit. Within the warmer southern lands, they planted dense forests, giving rise to the labyrinthine region of Koboren. Over time, the Nhaga and the northern races became entirely isolated from one another.^{[T 1]}

Seven centuries later, a message from Hainsha Temple summons three individuals—Bihyung Seurabeul, a Tokkebi; Tinahan, a Rekon; and Kaygon Draka, a human—requesting they enter Kiboren to rescue and escort a Nhaga to the temple. The mission references an ancient prophecy: "Three handles one." ^{[T 1]} Meanwhile, in the Nhaga city of Hattengraj, a young Nhaga named Ryun Paye prepares for the Heart Extraction Ceremony, the coming-of-age ritual that grants immportality by removing and storing one's heart in the city's Heart Tower. Traumatized by memories of his father's death, Ryun flees the ritual. During his escape, he witnesses the murder of his friend Farit Makerow, who was to serve as the envoy to Hainsha Temple. Honroing Farit's dying wish, Ryun escapes the city to seek out the rescue party, in his friend's place.^{[T 2]}

Main characters

Rescue Party

Kaygan Draka (케이건 드라카)

A mysterious human who hunts and eats Nhaga who wields Baragi, a unique sword with two parallel blades mounted on a single hit. He is chosen as the "pathfinder" of the party to rescue and escort a Nhaga to the Hainsha Temple. His name is a pseudonym made of 2 words from the Kitalzer Hunter's language: "kaygan(black lion)" and "draka(dragon)" are creatures made extinct by Nhaga.

Bihyung Seurabeul (비형 스라블)

A cheerful Tokkebi who serves as the attendant to the lord of Tokkebi castle Chumunnuri(즈믄누리, "Thousand Worlds"). He possesses the ability to manipulate fire at will, and rides a large beetle named Naneui and serves as the party's "trickster."

Tynahan (티나한)

a Rekon warrior who wields a seven-meter-long iron spear made of stariron, a unique metal given to Rekons. Like all Rekons he bears a Calling—a lifelong aspiration unique to each Rekon, and his is to ascend to a Skyray, massive creatures drifting through the sky in this world. To achieve this goal, he has taken financial support from the Hainsha Temple, which offers to clear his past debts and fund his journey in exchange for him to join the rescue mission as the "defeater."

Nhaga

Ryun Paye (륜 페이)

A young male Nhaga who is haunted by the murder of his father, which he witnessed when he was eleven years old. He is sent on a mission to leave Kiboren and reach Hainsha Temple, where he must try to save all four races. Because of the death of his father, he fears extracting his heart and ran away from the heart extraction ritual. He later discovers a dragon root, names it 'Ashfarital' (아스화리탈) after his dead friend, and raises it as a dragon. His name derives from hanja ryun (輪), which means 'wheel'.

Samo Paye (사모 페이)

A female Nhaga renowned for her dancing and swordsmanship. She is also kind to Nhaga males, which is uncommon behavior in Nhaga society. As a result, the Paye family is popular among males, and Samo becomes an object of jealousy among other families. She is the elder sister of Ryun Paye. When Ryun is accused of murder, she sets out to execute her brother according to Nhaga tradition.

Hwarit Makerowe (화리트 마케로우)

A novitiate to the Goddess Without Footsteps and a close friend of Ryun Paye. He was originally on a mission to contact the rescue party in the north.

Vias Makerowe (비아스 마케로우)

A renowned potion-maker, she has spent the past eleven years trying unsuccessfully to have a daughter, to strengthen her chance at becoming the next House Head of Makerowe. Vias holds deep resentment toward Samo Paye, whom she believes unfairly attracts male Nhagas and diminishes her own chances.

Karindol Makerowe (카린돌 마케로우)

The youngest woman of the Makerowe House and the elder sister of Hwarit by 6 years, Karindol is the daughter of the current House Head and shares the same mother with Hwarit. Known for her dismissive attitude toward men, often treating them as fools and ignoring male visitors to the house, sherefrained from the competitive childbearing customs but began to change after Hwarit’s death. She is known for her meticulousness, keeping keys and seals from other household members.

Galotek (갈로텍)

A Guardian of the Goddess Without Footsteps, he occupies a prestigious chamber high within the Heart Tower of Hattengraj despite being under fifty, unusually young for his station. Galotek is both a priest and a Gunryungja(군령자, Host of Souls), a being who carries multiple souls within one body. He carries the soul of Juquedo Sarmak, a famed human general from 250 years ago known as the "Maestro of Death." He leads a plan to restore Nhaga dominance through the gods of the four races.

Serisma (세리스마)

Serisma is a Guardian of the Goddess Without Footsteps, who occupies the top floor and the highest rank of the Heart Tower in Hattengraj. For many years, he has sought cooperation with the Hainsha Temple to counter Nhaga extremists' plans to manipulate the world’s climate, and planned to dispatch his novitiates, including Hwarit Makerowe, as envoys.

People of the North

Gwalhaide Gyuriha (괄하이드 규리하)

Margrave of the martial province of Gyuriha, he defends the western mountain frontier of the former Kingdom of Arajit. A great warrior in his fifties, he is famed as one who can teach steadfastness to the mountains. He has sworn to defend the borderlands until the true king’s return, vowing to treat all who claim the throne prematurely as usurpers.

Lasu Gyuriha (라수 규리하)

Younger cousin to Margrave Gwalhaide, Lasu is regarded as a brilliant strategist. He lived quietly at the Hainsha Temple until the arrival of the rescue party led by Kaygan Draka marked a turning point, leading him to summon Gwalhide. In the subsequent war against the Nhaga, Lasu serves as chief strategist for the allied forces of the other three races and uncovers the hidden truth of the Skyray.

Kitata Zaboro (키타타 자보로)

Grand General of the high-walled desert city of Zaboro, situated between the Siguriat Mountains and the Funten Desert in the south. As the uncle of Zaboro’s Maripgan, he is aware of his nephew’s unfitness to be king but has refrained from stopping him out of clan loyalty and personal compassion. After the Maripgan attacks the rescue party, Kitata soundly defeats and reprimands him, convincing him to abandon his ambition for the throne.

Orenol (오레놀)

Grand Benevolence(대덕) of Hainsha Temple, the youngest in the order's history to attain the position. This distinction has granted him knowledge of the temple’s ancient traditions, including the true identity of Kaygan Draka. Frequently entrusted with external missions, Orenol delivered a letter to Kaygan at the Last Inn and visits Tinahan's Skyray ruins excavation team in remote areas. Working alongside Great Zen Master Jutagi, he strives to thwart the Nhaga’s schemes and later uncovers secrets concerning both the gods and the Skyray.

Jutagi (쥬타기)

Grand Zen Master(대선사) of Hainsha Temple, who has communicated with Guardian Serisma to work together against Nhaga extremist plans.

Boni (보늬)

Kei's mother and the head of Siguriat Toll Road Rangers.

Kei (케이)

Boni's son and the aide of Siguriat Toll Road Rangers.

Deoni Dalbi (데오늬 달비)

Lieutenant of the Northern Army. She is noted for her constant running and her unconventional way of thinking, that draws attention of humans and Nhagas alike.

Bau Moridol (바우 머리돌)

The lord of Chumunuri.

Races

The fictional world of The Bird That Drinks Tears is inhabited by four major intelligent races - Human, Nhaga , Rekon and Tokkebi. Other than the Humans, the races that appear in The Bird That Drinks Tears are in most respects Lee Yeongdo's original creations, even though the race of Nhaga and Tokkebi originates from Indian and Korean legends, respectively.

Human (인간)

A race of people who believe in God of Nowhere and seek their king.^{[T 3]} They have the weakest power among the four races, but they have the advantage of being able to adapt anywhere and having the largest population. There are those who would love nothing more than to be crowned King and reestablish the once prosperous Kingdom of Arajit.

Nhaga (나가)

A race of people who believe in Goddess Without Footprints and extract their hearts. They are a cold-blooded race with reptilian features. Highly vulnerable to the cold environments of the North, they reside in Kiboren, a tropical jungle south of the Boundary Line. Nhaga utilize a special form of silent communication called Nireum(니름) and it is said that they can achieve a state of immortality through the ritualistic removal of their hearts.

Tokkebi (도깨비)

A race of people who believe in God Who Kills Himself and play with fire. Tokkebi, inspired by a traditional Korean goblin (see Dokkaebi), are mischievous and playful beings. They have a natural affinity for fire magic. They are extremely afraid of blood, so they don't go to battle and live in the citadel of Chumunnuri(즈믄누리) peacefully. It is said that mortal death is merely a pathway to a new life for the Tokkebi and they live on as Orusin (어르신) in the afterlife. For this reason, they are often fearless and do not shy away from death as many mortal races do.

Rekon (레콘)

A race of people who believe in Goddess Beneath All and pursue their Calling. With traits reminiscent of giant, humanoid birds, they are warriors with overwhelming physical abilities. However, they have a weakness: a fear of water. Rekons forge weapons made of Stariron in the Final Forge and take on life-long challenges.

Deities

Each race has an individual deity, who have their own element that they command. They also gave their respective races a unique gift.

God of Nowhere (어디에도 없는 신)

His element is wind; wind comes and goes, but is never fixed in one place. His gift is Naneui (나늬), a human woman whose beauty is perceived equally by all four races.

Goddess Without Footprints (발자국 없는 여신)

Her element is water; water does not leaves no trace along its path. Her gift is her own name, which the Guardian (male Nhaga priests) can use to communicate with her directly.

God Who Kills Himself (자신을 죽이는 신)

His element is fire; fire consumes its own fuel in order burn, eventually destroying itself. His gift to Tokkebi is the power to control fire.

Goddess Beneath All (모든 이보다 낮은 여신)

Her element is earth; the earth lies beneath all things. Her gift to Rekon is Stariron(별철), a metal that cannot be broken and never rusts.

Creatures

Skyray (하늘치)

Massive creatures that drift through the sky with no apparent destination, skyrays have thousands of eyes and mysterious ruins can be seen on their backs. When provoked, they can unleash immense terror.^{[T 3]} An enraged skyray has enough power to destroy an entire kingdom, which gave rise to the idiom “like an angry skyray."

Beetle (딱정벌레)

Herbivorous riding animals bred to great size by the Tokkebi, with the largest specimens reaching several meters and capable of flight carrying two adults or a single heavy Rekon. Humans also keep beetles, but these remain smaller and are used mainly for communication. Beetles can communicate simple messages through gestures with their antennae.^{[T 3]} Males are distinguished by large horns on their heads.

Dragon (용)

Hybrid beings with traits of both plants and animals, dragons reproduce through spores like plants but move and act like animals. Each dragon begins as a Dragonroot (용근) which can remain dormant underground or, under favorable conditions, ignite into a juvenile form.

Their growth and shape depends on their environment: one raised among horses may resemble a flying horse, while another in the sea might develop webbed feet. In rare cases, dragons can take on humanoid form. Despite such variety, all fully grown dragons share two traits: the ability to breathe fire and to spread spores. Dragon fire is considered the strongest flame, rivaled only by the supernatural fire of the Tokkebi.^{[T 3]}

The Kitalze hunters called dragons "Draka" and bsaw them as the embodiment of paradox, uniting plant and animal, earth and sky, life and death, within a single body.^{[T 4]} Historically, dragons in their plant stage were exterminated by the Nhaga to protect their forests, leading to their eventual disappearance.

Great Tiger (대호)

A distinct tiger species far larger than the common variety, with a tail as thick as a man’s thigh and forelegs as tall as an adult woman. Despite its massive size, it is fast and intelligent, capable of killing elephants and even fending off entire herds.^{[T 3]} Two legendary Great Tigers are known: Byeolbi (별비, "Star Broom") mentioned only in tales, and Marunarae (마루나래,“Mountain Cloud”), who appears alongside Samo Paye.

Black Lion (흑사자)

A species driven to extinction by the Nhaga, who sought to use their heat-emitting fur to endure cold conditions for their kind during their advance into the North. In ancient times, the black lion served as the emblem of the Kingdom of Arajit and its royal family, and was called "Kaygan" by the Kitalze hunters.^{[T 3]}

Dueoksini (두억시니)

Known as a race that has lost its god, the Dueoksini are deformed beings whose only consistent trait is their lack of definition. They show no consistent patterns in biology, form, behavior, abilities, or language, and there is no average or standard appearance that represents them.^{[T 3]}

Factions and Organizations

Kingdom of Arajit (아라짓 왕국)

An ancient human kingdom that lasted for 700 years, symbolized by the black lion. It was founded by the Hero King, a Rekon, and is remembered as the first and only kingdom established by his kind. After his reign, the throne passed to humans, as other Rekons could not inherit it due to their individual Callings.

Founded during a period of Nhaga expansion, Arajit fought centuries of wars with them, known as the Great Expansion War. The kingdom reached its height under the 21st monarch King Geugyeon(극연왕, "Bridge of Extremes"), who pushed the Nhaga south of Line of Limit. Its decline began with he loss of the Hero King’s sword Baragi, which undermined the loyalty of the Arajit warriors.

The kingdom fell under the 31st ruler, King Gwonneung(권능왕, "Power King"), after he insulted the Kitalze hunters. In response, they pronounced a curse: “There is no king now, and there shall be no king in the North until a king apologizes for this insult."^{[T 5]}

Kitalze Hunters (키탈저 사냥꾼)

An ancient hunting group who believed themselves to be descendants of dragons, and claimed they could hunt any creature except the Skyray and the dragon, the latter spared out of reverence rather than inability. Their strength lay not in skill but in perseverance. According to tales, hunters pursuing the Great Tiger Byeolbi continued their effort for three generations before finally capturing it. Their persistence is likened to the Rekons' lifelong pursuit of their Callings.^{[T 3]} The Kitalze hunters also believed that contradiction held great power, revered the dragon as a paradoxical being, and cast curses in paradoxical forms.^{[T 5]}

Nhaga Houses (나가 대가문)

In Nhaga society, the house is the smallest social unit, led by a female House Head. Each house consists of adult women over the age of 22 and all minors under 22, regardless of gender. Male Nhaga leave upon adulthood at 22, becoming outsiders who travel between houses and serve as breeding partners for the women they visit.^{[T 3]}

Within a house, minors address the House Head as “mother,” while their biological mother is called “aunt” unless she is the Head. The Head holds absolute authority, and succession is contested among sisters and nieces. Once a sister loses, she is barred from future contests, and her children are regarded as the Head’s own.

Succession typically follows the current Head’s nomination of a successor. Influencing factors include the Head's trust, standing within the house, reputation, age(respected in Nhaga culture), and whether the candidate has a daughter. If the Head dies or disappears without naming a successor, adult women elect one by vote.

Council of Houses (가문 평의회)

In Nhaga cities, all Houses are equal with no formal power over one another. The Council of Houses serves as a neutral body to mediate disputes and manage shared interests. It is composed of a Chair and the Heads of all Houses in the city. The Chair acts as a moderator but holds no authority beyond that role. Council resolutions can carry binding force in rare, deadlocked situations, but are usually applied only with the consent of all involved House Heads.

Guardians (수호자)

Nhaga priests devoted to the Goddess Without Footprints, living an ascetic lives within the Heart Tower at each city's center.^{[T 3]}

Known as the “Goddess’s Grooms”, they see their lives as an extended wedding ceremony to the Goddess. Death marks the conclusion of this union, when they become her husbands in the afterlife. Marriage, absent in other aspects of Nhaga culture, exists only between the Goddess and her Guardians.^{[T 6]}

Male Nhaga may apply before adulthood to become Novitiates, each receiving a unique sacred name for the Goddess. Upon reaching adulthood, they undergo the Heart Extraction Rite and are formally initiated. Guardians hold higher status than other males, earning respect from women as well. They oversee the Heart Extraction ceremony, maintain the tower, and preserve the hearts of all Nhaga in specialized heart vessels.^{[T 2]}

Toll Road Guild (유료도로당)

An organization dedicated to maintaining and guarding toll roads. In the era of King Geugyeon, once called the “Road King,” many guilds operated across remote regions, but only one managing the Siguriat toll road has survived. The guild’s oath is “We prepare the way.^{[T 3]}

The first guild master began by charging travelers to lower a rope ladder from a cliff hut. Over generations, the guild expanded its routes with lifts, tunnels, and toll stations across the Siguriat Mountains. They impose tolls that follow a fixed schedule and applied impartially to all travelers, regardless of status or circumstance. Those who pay receive lodging, meals, medical aid, and protection, while those who refuse are considered enemies. The guild venerates the mountain goat, as the first guild master discovered the path while searching for a lost goat.

Adaptations

Video Games

The game development rights for The Bird That Drinks Tears have been held by Krafton since at least 2019, when the company first announced a mobile game based on the novel. However, the project faced criticism from both fans of the original work and the broader gaming community^[16][17] for being "a rebranded version of an existing game using the novel's intellectual property."^[18][19]

In May 2021, Krafton announced that the development would restart from the visual concept stage.^[20] Beginning in August 2022, Krafton launched "Project Windless," unveiling concept art and trailers for a new adaptation.^[21][22] A curated selection of artworks by 17 artists, including renowned film designer Iain McCaig, was published in November 2022 as a 300-page hardcover art book and e-book Crossing the Latitude(Korean: 한계선을 넘다).^[23] In 2003, Krafton announced a new Montreal-based development studio for the project, led by former Ubisoft developers.^[24]