Watch Yonggary

Yonggary is a South Korean science fiction film that was released in 1967. The film has since gained a cult following and stands out as one of the earliest examples of the Korean monster movie genre, referred to as daikaiju eiga (giant monster film) in Japan. Yonggary was directed by prolific filmmaker Kim Ki-duk, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Song Jae-ho.

The movie begins with a team of scientists who discover a fossil of a giant prehistoric creature while drilling for oil. The creature is named Yonggary, and the scientists have no clue about the devastation that will soon follow. After a lengthy and detailed examination of the fossil, the team concludes that the creature could revive if its remains are bathed in a certain type of radiation. The oil drill rig's owner, Kang Jeon-ju, orders the team to experiment with the remains to see if they can bring it back to life. The radiation caused by the experiment leads to the birth of a giant monster, Yonggary.

The revived creature looks like a combination of Godzilla, King Kong, and other famous daikaiju monsters from the era of Japanese monster movies. The colossal creature has a thundering roar, thick scales on its back, and a long and flexible whip-like tail. Yonggary's look was achieved through a combination of puppetry and suitmation, which involves actors in monster suits interacting with scale models on miniature sets.

The emergence of Yonggary results in chaos and destruction as the creature rampages through the city of Seoul. With the creature now out of control and wreaking havoc, the scientists and military join forces to stop him from destroying everything in its unstoppable path. The film features a large cast of characters, from the lead scientist to his daughter, and various military personnel who attempt to take down the monster.

One notable aspect of Yonggary is its use of miniatures as opposed to stop-motion animation, commonly used in Japanese monster films of the time. The miniature sets in Yonggary were often used to depict the city's destruction, and the filmmakers used the miniature models to great effect, creating a sense of scale and immersion in the film's world. The film's special effects were quite impressive, considering the limitations of the technology at the time.

The film also has political undertones, reflecting the political and social anxieties of the time. Korea was under authoritarian rule at the time of Yonggary's production, and the film's depiction of a giant monster destroying Seoul could be seen as a metaphor for the fear of an oppressed population uprising against their government. In addition, the film carries a message about the dangers of nuclear experimentation, a theme common in the monster movie genre of the time.

The film's music and sound design also stand out, with Yonggary's roar being particularly memorable. The iconic sound effect was created by musician Sang-yong Nam using a combination of animal sounds and a slowed-down recording of the director's own voice. The sound effect became so integral to the film's legacy that it was used in many subsequent Yonggary films and even became an easter egg in some video games like Fallout 4.

In conclusion, Yonggary is a campy but entertaining monster movie that has become a cult classic due to its memorable effects, music, and political undertones. The film is set against the backdrop of Seoul being devastated by a rampaging monster born from nuclear experimentation, and it carries messages about the dangers of technology and the consequences of human hubris. Despite its low-budget special effects and cheesy dialogue, Yonggary stands out as a fun and entertaining example of the daikaiju genre, beloved by fans of cult cinema and monster enthusiasts alike.