The Bird That Drinks Tears (; abbreviated as ) is a series of epic high fantasy novels by the South Korean author Lee Youngdo 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.
When a Nhaga envoy is dispatched to North, a trio—each member representing one 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.
The Bird That Drinks Tears is known for its original worldbuilding featuring languages, belief systems, and sociopolitical structures for each race. The novel is highly acclaimed for its 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.
Publishing Lee serialized The Bird That Drinks Tears from March to August 2002 on a text-only online service 's Serial forum, which is a dial-up Internet access (PC communication), 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 themed after 4 major races:
Book 1: Nhaga Who Extract Their Hearts () Book 2: Rekon Who Pursue Their Desire () Book 3: Tokkebi Who Play Their Fire () Book 4: Humans Who Seek Their King ()
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) and breaking the Korean sales record for audiobooks with 100 million KRW 5 months later. This record is broken only by Lee's another work Dragon Raja in 2021.
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. 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. According to the publisher Golden Bough, the novel has been translated into 17 languages as of Feb. 2026.https://cafe.naver.com/bloodbird/73072
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(, "Skyworld"), and explores themes of absolute power and free will.
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, reptilian 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.The Bird That Drinks Tears, ch. 1 "Rescue Party; )"
Seven centuries later, a message from Hainsha Temple summons three individuals—Byong(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." 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 immortality 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. Honoring Farit's dying wish, Ryun escapes the city to seek out the rescue party, in his friend's place.The Bird That Drinks Tears, ch. 2 "A Silver Tear; )"
Main characters
Rescue Party Kaygan Draka ()
A mysterious human who hunts and eats Nhaga who wields Baragi, a unique sword with two parallel blades mounted on a single hilt. 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.
Byong(Bihyung) Seurabeul ()
A cheerful Tokkebi who serves as the attendant to the lord of Tokkebi castle Chumunnuri(, "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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () 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, she refrained 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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () 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 () Grand Zen Master(대선사) of Hainsha Temple, who has communicated with Guardian Serisma to work together against Nhaga extremist plans.
Boni () Kei's mother and the head of Siguriat Toll Road Rangers.
Kei () Boni's son and the aide of Siguriat Toll Road Rangers.
Deoni Dalbi () 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 () 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 Youngdo's original creations, even though the race of Nhaga and Tokkebi originates from Indian and Korean legends, respectively.
Human ()