The Korean Tiger

The first story, Dan-Gun, First Emperor of Korea, featured in Korean Folk-tales (Riordan, 1994, pp.1-3) describes the foundation myth of Korea. A bear and a tiger, who lived in a cave, were summoned by Hwan-Ung, The Heavenly Prince. He said to them:

"I have chosen you to become the first humans," he told them. "Here, take these twenty garlic bulbs and this mugwort plant; eat them and remain deep in your cave for a hundred days. When you emerge into daylight you will be man and woman."

Riordan (1994, p.2)

Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies

Im, B. and Yi, R. (1962). Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts and Fairies. Translated by James S. Gale. Reprint, Rutland, Vermont, USA: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1977

Korean Celestial Beings

Hwan-In 환인

Celstial Emperor "Lord of Heaven"
(The Emperor-God of Heaven and Earth)

Hwan-Ung 환웅

Celstial Prince "King of Heaven"
(Son of Hwan-In, Father of Dan-Gun)

Pung-Baeg 풍백, U-Sa 우사 and Un-Sa 운사

Lord Wind "Earl Wind", Lord Rain "Chancellor Rain" and Lord Cloud "Chancellor Cloud"
(The three ministers to Hwan-Ung)

Ung-Nyo 웅녀

Bear-Woman "Bear Mother"
(Mother of Dan-Gun)

Dan-Gun Wang-Geom 단군 왕검

The Sandalwood Emperor "High Priest King Sword"
(Son of Ung-Nyo and Hwan-Ung)

San-Shin 산신

Mountain God
(Associated with the death of Dan-Gun)

Yong-wang 용왕

Dragon King
(Dragon-God of the seas)

Seon-Nyo 선녀

Nymph / Fairy

Tokkaebi 도깨비

Devil / Imp

Dosa 도사

Wise Man / Spirit Guide

Korean Folk-tales

Riordan, J (1994). Korean Folk-tales. London: Oxford University Press.

Initial Plan

Below is my initial schedule for the project. I expect that I will have to adapt it as I progress. I think at the moment it looks like it will be a rush at the end. Maybe more of a lateral approach to my project development will be better. I will produce a new plan when I have started production.

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Week Starting		Species		Environments		Research & Documentation
9th June		1st				Research
16th June		2nd		1st		Specification
23rd June		3rd		2nd		Contextualisation
30th June		4th		3rd		Written Report Draft
7th July		5th		4th
14th July		6th		5th
21st July		7th				Reflective Analysis
28th July						Book design
4th August						Art Book
11th August						Written Report
25th August						Poster
1st September						DEADLINE: 3rd September

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The project deliverables are as follows:

Art Book

Written Report

Research Poster

In terms of visual work, I aim to produce:

7 species

5 environments

I will be writing a full Project Specification when I have finished my initial research.

Initial Project Ideas

Is it possible to develop varied and unique creature designs based on South Korean mythology? South Korean mythology is a relatively untapped source of inspiration in Western popular culture. In comparison with Japanese mythology, for example, there is enormous potential to create a unique range of iconic imagery.

The intention of this Masters Project is to design a range of creatures based on the real world and mythical creatures that feature in South Korean mythology. The creatures could exist together in a closed ecosystem, such as an island for example. Several environments and key narrative moments, based on this closed ecosystem, will also be explored. The environments and key moments researched, together with the creature designs, will form visual development suitable for an animation or ‘indie’ game inspired by South Korean mythology.

The body of visual work will be presented in the form of an art book. In order to be a unique and engaging presentation, the art book will be organised as a ‘found journal’ to exist in the imaginary world of the animation / game.

Allowances will be made for development and changes to the plan that may occur during the creative process.