Yongary Vs Pulgasari: The Korean MOvie Monsters
Everyone has heard of Godzilla the famous movie monster that rose from the seas off Japan back in 1954, and went on to spawn a whole franchise that exists to this day. But much less is known about the two Godzilla inspired movie monsters of the divided Korean peninsula. This is the story of Yongary (대괴수 용가리) the South Korean monster and Pulgasari (불가사리) the North Korean monster, and how they represented the divide that still exists between two countries that are officially still at war.
Officially the Korean War never ended in 1953. Only an armistice was agreed, and a line was drawn at the 38th parallel, known as the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), that cuts the peninsula in half. At 250 Km (160 Miles) long, and 4 Km (2.5 Miles) wide it divides a nation of culturally connected people that goes back over a thousand years. Yet since the divide the two countries have diverged like no other nations on the planet. South Korea has become an ultra modern industrial power-house, the most wired country on the planet. While North Korea has regressed into the dark-ages, an oppressed people, controlled by a totalitarian regime. Yet it appears despite the divide, they still shared a love for movie monsters.
Officially the Korean War never ended in 1953. Only an armistice was agreed, and a line was drawn at the 38th parallel, known as the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), that cuts the peninsula in half. At 250 Km (160 Miles) long, and 4 Km (2.5 Miles) wide it divides a nation of culturally connected people that goes back over a thousand years. Yet since the divide the two countries have diverged like no other nations on the planet. South Korea has become an ultra modern industrial power-house, the most wired country on the planet. While North Korea has regressed into the dark-ages, an oppressed people, controlled by a totalitarian regime. Yet it appears despite the divide, they still shared a love for movie monsters.
The Secret Nostalgic Seoul Of South Korea - The little eclectic toy museum buried away in the very heart of down-town Seoul.
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Love Land: The South Korean Sex Theme Park - On the island of Jeju off the peninsula of South Korea is a bizarre sculpture park, full of giant pastel coloured sculptures of people having sex.
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Yongary (1967)Directed By Kim Ki-Duk. Called 대괴수 용가리 in Korean which translates as Great Monster Yonggary. South Korea's first attempt at a Godzilla clone. Also known as Yongary, Monster From the Deep, was released in the USA as 'Reptilian'. Remade in 1999.
Director Score: 0 
The name Yongary comes from the Korean pronunciation of the Chinese word for dragon (Yong), and "-ari" which comes from the Korean mythological dragon-like creature called "Pulgasari".
Name Score: 1 The story of Yongary is typical Godzilla style. A bomb dropped in the Middle-East sets off and earthquake that reverberates in South Korea. However the earthquake in South Korea is caused by none other than Yongary, who rises up and heads off to consume the oil in a near-by oil refinery. A child cuts off his (oil) food supply, causing Yongary to go on a rampage. Eventually he is lured with the promise of oil to a river, where the government forces kill him with ammonia. A very dodgy storyline, at best! Synopsis Score: 0 Easily available on DVD, Yongary has become part of the canon of Godzilla copies. Released in the USA and available in a version dubbed in to English, it is accessible to a wide audience. The remake opening it up to a whole new generation of fans. Cult Status: 1 Yongary is a bad film, which many cult film fans of the genre will enjoy purely for being able to say they have seen it. But it is doubtful they would ever revisit it. Revisit Score: 0 Final score: 2/5
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Pulgasari (1985)Directed by Shin San-Ok. Called 불가사리 in Korean which actually translates as 'starfish'. Was made on the orders of Kim Jong-Il, then the North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Sung. Shin San-Ok was kidnapped by North Korea and forced to make the movie.
Director Score: 1 
Although "Pulgasari" may literally translate as 'starfish', it is actually a part of Korean folklore. A monster that can eat metal, and is created by villagers to protect it from attacking armies.
Name Score: 0 Set in the feudal Goryeo period of Korean history, when (so the story tells) people were oppressed by their rulers. A blacksmith makes a tiny model of a monster. The model comes into contact with the blood of his daughter, and magically turns into Pulgasari. The monster rises-up and fights on the side of oppressed peasants against the oppressive king. With the help of the mighty metal eating Pulgasari the workers revolt is successful and the the king is over thrown. Synopsis Score: 1 (Just on political metaphor.) Much lesser known, despite it's weird inception. Pulgasari is well known on the Internet among a small band of fans, and with no dubbed version available it really belongs to the uber geek fans of the genre. Cult Status: 0 Pulgasari is a wonderful piece of North Korea propaganda, made by a disaffected director telling a folk tale. Filled with many layers that need to be revisited over again. Revisit Score: 1 Final Score: 3/5
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On the question of Yongari vs Pulgasari, the North Korean monster epic wins 3 to 2. Although to honest, I was generous to the South Korean movie. Personally, Pulgasari is the hands-down winner. Not only a wonderfully weird piece of cinematic history. One of the strangest movies ever made, when you consider the circumstances that brought it about. But also a damn good movie of the genre.