Bulgasari
Bulgasari at the End of Songdo, or simply Bulgasari, is a lost 1962 South Korean kaiju film directed and edited by Kim Myeong-je. Produced by Kwang Seong Films, it was the first monster movie to be made in South Korea, as well as the first Korean film to use special effects. It stars Choi Moo-ryong as Nam Hyeong, a martial artist who is resurrected as the iron-eating monster Bulgasari to have revenge on his murderers.
Bulgasari was reported to have begun production on November 26, 1961. It was inspired by the legendary Korean monster of the same name and heavily influenced by Godzilla. On an approximately ₩3.5 million budget, Bulgasari began principal photography on February 28, 1962, and wrapped on March 24.
Bulgasari was released theatrically in South Korea on December 1, 1962. The film received negative reviews from critics, especially because of its unconvincing special effects, direction, and acting. Believed to have disappeared shortly after its release, the film is considered a significant feature in the history of South Korean cinema and one of the most sought-after lost kaiju films. Shin Sang-ok directed a 1985 remake of the film during his Abduction of [Shin Sang-ok and Choi Eun-hee|abduction in North Korea].
Plot
In Songdo, during the late Goryeo dynasty, an experienced martial artist named Nam Hyeong is slaughtered by traitors. His hatred makes him resurrected as the iron-eating monster, known as the Bulgasari, to seek revenge.Cast
- Choi Moo-ryong as Nam Hyeong / Bulgasari
- Um Aing-ran as Nam Lee
- Kang Mi-ae as Eunjeon Lee
- Kim Dong-won as the Castellan
- Lee Up-dong as Seonhye
- Jo Hang as the division director
- Choe Seong-ho as Do-Cheol
- Ji Bang-yeol as the ambassador of Dohwa
- Park Sun-bong as a gatekeeper
- No Gang as a gatekeeper
- Park Il as a strange man
- Park Kwang-jin as a strange man
- Park Gyeong-ju as Jeong Seung
- Sin Dong-hun
- Jeon Ye-chool
- Gang Cheol
Crew
- Kim Myeong-je – director, editor
- Gang Sin-tak – planner
- Yang Jeong-chun – lighting
- Won Je-rae – art director
- Lee Seung-tae – costume designer
- Lee Kyeong-sun – sound recording
- Kwon Jinkyu – miniature artist
Production
Bulgasari was reported to have begun production on November 26, 1961. The film was inspired by the legendary Korean monster of the same name and heavily influenced by the 1954 kaiju film Godzilla. Principal photography began on February 28, 1962, and wrapped on March 24, on a budget of roughly ₩3.5 million.Bulgasari was the first South Korean film to use special effects. Two noteworthy special effects sequences caught viewers' attention: a witchcraft performance by the "White Lady" and her ascension into heaven.