Pulgasari
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Pulgasari, or Bulgasari (불가사리 Bulgasali), is a legendary creature from Korean mythology. There have been at least two kaiju interpretations of the character: in the 1962 South Korean film Bulgasari, and the 1985 North Korean film Pulgasari, the former now lost.
Name
Pulgasari's name, written in Korean as Bulgasali and thus alternatively romanized Bulgasari, is a euphony of "it can not be killed".[citation needed] Bulgasali is also a word for "starfish" and "asteroid," though unrelated.
Design
In Pulgasari, Pulgasari resembled a bull. He is exceedingly tall, and has a muscular body reminiscent of the Minotaur. He has long horns, and dark fur covering his body. His belly also appears to be protected by plates of gold-colored armor.
Origin
In Pulgasari, Pulgasari was created when a small monster figurine created by a blacksmith came in contact with the blood of the blacksmith's daughter, giving rise to the horned monster.
History
Bulgasari
After being murdered by traitors during the Goryeo dynasty, a skilled martial artist is resurrected as Bulgasari, a fearsome monster who consumes iron.
Pulgasari
In feudal Korea during the Goryeo dynasty, an evil emperor rules the land with an iron fist. He sends the villagers into misery and poverty. All seems hopeless, until a old blacksmith was sent to prison for unspecified reason. During his time at the jailhouse, he builds a small figure of a monster. When the small figure is splashed by the blood of the blacksmith's daughter Ami, it creates Pulgasari. Pulgasari starts eating metal, becoming bigger and stronger. Eventually he becomes powerful enough to try to take on the emperor. The emperor's guards attempt to stop Pulgasari, but the creature is unaffected and kills them all. Pulgasari finally kills the emperor and ends his wrath. Pulgasari starts to become a nuisance and turns on his creator. He begins to cause havoc at the villages and continues to feast on whatever iron he can find, but Ami devises a plan. She tricks Pulgasari into eating her, causing Pulgasari to dissolve. The bull-like monster's terror has ended.
In other languages
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Japanese
Trivia
- Pulgasari's overall role and backstory in Pulgasari appears to have been 'borrowed' from Daimajin:
- Both kaiju are spirits which can take a physical form.
- Both Daimajin and Pulgasari appear in a medieval setting, and are prized by the common people.
- Both Daimajin and Pulgasari attack the bourgeoisie of said medieval setting.
- After their work is done, both Daimajin and Pulgasari disappear, but not before threatening to cause chaos that affects the people who previously released them.
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