Bulgasari (lost South Korean monster film; 1962)

The only known movie poster.

Status: Lost

Bulgasari is a 1962 South Korean monster film. The existence of the film is debated by some, as the poster may or not be a hoax. As with most South Korean monster films, there were few international releases, so there is no concrete way to tell if this is a real film. However, given that is recognised by the Korean Film Archive, it is more likely simply one of the many Korean films that were lost as a tragic side effect of war.

According to the Korean Film Archive, the movie took place during the era of the Goryeo Dynasty and was a martial artist who is murdered and reborn as the titular iron-eating monster, Bulgasari. He then sets off to get revenge on those responsible for his death. The plot is very similar to a 1985 North Korean film with the similar title of Pulgasari, which also features a metal-eating monster and takes place in the same time period. Because of this, the 1985 film is generally assumed to be a remake.

The only known piece of media related to the film is the poster, as it seems to have gone missing shortly after it was released.