Bulgasari (lost South Korean monster film; 1962)

The alleged movie poster.

Status: Lost

Bulgasari (Korean: 불가사리; RR: Bulgasari) is a 1962 Korean dark fantasy-action monster film directed by Kim Myeong-Jae. The film starred Choi Moo-ryong, Um Aing-ran and Gang Mi-ae and featured special effects on the Korean screen for the first time. It is considered Korea’s first Science-Fiction monster film. ^[1]

Summary

During the later years of Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), a talented martial artist is murdered. His resentment makes him born again as Bulgasari, a monster that grinds and eats up iron. The monster takes his revenge on the traitors responsible for his death. ^[2]

Reception

Even if The movie is now considered a pioneer of SF cinema in Korea, at the time, the critics unanimously wrote negative reviews about the film. People in 1960s thought historical films were the only spectacles worth watching, and this movie was treated as childish and trashy. A review of the movie that Screened at Myeongbo Theater can be found on the cultural section of the Chosun Illbo newspaper on December 7th, 1962. ^[3]

"The movie belongs to the so-called horror movie genre, in which a mock-up is made and special effects are interposed in various places, but it is neither scary nor chilling but a so-called movie just right for children. The plot unfolds in a very descriptive tone and is about the creature Bulgasari, a Korean version of King Kong, appearing in Songdo (Capital of Goryeo) at the end of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1391) to beat the scoundrels and villains, yet cinematic sense or directing method is as old and hackneyed ashistorical drama. The storyline has no unity and jumps around a lot, and the slow tempo makes it boring. It may be due to the camera, but the screen shacking from start to end causes annoyance among the audience. The acting of main characters, Choi Moo-ryong and Um Ae-ran, is not very good and the breath that can be seen for every single line throughout the entire movie makes it more dull, but the strings hanging above the head of the creature or the awkward steps of the blindfolded Bulgasari makes the audience laugh. There is a scene where despite hearing the line,“Tie her up, and put her in a wagon” the heroin is unharmed and nothing happens. This is an example of how nonsensical this piece of work is. Of course, there is no need to even think of arguing the logic with common sense. Third-rate (trashy) entertainment. Black-and-white standard (video output type), director Kim Myeong-je. Running time 1 hour and 50 minutes."

Availability

The Film is considered lost like many other movie during the war. It is listed on the List of lost films on the World Heritage Encyclopedia. ^[4] The image of the Bulgasari creature accompnying the review is the only known still from the movie to exist although the image later reappeared in various posters said to be originals. That same image was reused mirrored and modified wich lead to believe that the marketing materials found on the internet are fanmade.