Korean Folktale : The Tale of the Underground Kingdom and the Great Ogre

🍂 Korean Folktale Series 13

“The Tale of the Underground Kingdom and the Great Ogre”
(지하국 대적 퇴치 설화 · Jihaguk Daejeok Toechi Seolhwa)

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🕰️ 1. The Story

Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Silla, there existed a hidden realm deep beneath the earth, known as the Underground Kingdom (Jihaguk). It was a dark and mysterious world ruled by a fearsome ogre king named Daegam Daejeok, whose monstrous strength and wicked sorcery struck terror into the hearts of both humans and spirits.

Each year, the ogre demanded a human sacrifice to sustain his power, forcing the people above to live in constant fear as their desperate prayers echoed across the land. Finally, a brave young general named Kim Yushin—renowned for his unwavering courage and loyalty—vowed to end the ogre’s reign of terror once and for all.

 

Guided by a divine vision in his dreams, Kim Yushin journeyed to the entrance of the Underground Kingdom. There, he encountered a wise monk who bestowed upon him a sacred sword forged by the spirits of the mountains. With this divine blade in hand, Kim Yushin descended into the depths of the earth — a shadowy realm where fire and darkness intertwined.

 

In the final, cataclysmic battle, Daegam Daejeok unleashed storms of fire and summoned his demonic army. Yet Kim Yushin, strengthened by righteousness and blessed by the gods, struck the ogre down in a blinding flash of light. The earth trembled as the dark kingdom collapsed, sealing the gateway between the worlds forever.

 

With the evil vanquished, peace returned to the land. The people celebrated Kim Yushin as a legendary hero who had restored harmony between the heavens, the earth, and the world below.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Lessons

The tale of The Underground Kingdom and the Great Ogre reflects:

• The triumph of courage and virtue over darkness and fear.
• The belief that goodness, guided by faith and integrity, can overcome even the greatest evil.
• The harmony between heaven, earth, and the unseen world — a core theme in Korean spiritual tradition.

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👀 3. Reflections in Life

• Standing up against injustice, no matter how powerful the foe, brings lasting peace.
• True strength is born not from anger, but from courage rooted in compassion.
• When one person confronts darkness with light, they have the power to change the world.

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🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World

•  China: Legends of heroes who descend into underworld realms to defeat powerful demons.
•  Japan: Tales of samurai warriors who slay oni (demons) to protect their people.
•  Europe: Beowulf — the epic of a hero who battles monsters dwelling beneath the earth to restore peace.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Even in the deepest darkness,
a single act of courage can awaken the light.”

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📌 Note

This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.