Myth or Legend: The Story of Dangun, Korea’s Founder

Have you ever thought about how Korea became what it is today? The K-Pop phenomenon paved the way for South Korean culture across Western countries in the 2000s. Years later, K-Dramas brought even more popularity, and now beloved celebrities are becoming official ambassadors and models for luxury brands. But when was Korea born, and how has its culture manifested through the years?

The two Koreas weren’t always separated. In fact, they haven’t always existed either. Before the Three Kingdoms and unification, Korea was heavily influenced by China. The first kingdom forming the Korean peninsula was Gojoseon (고조선). Legend has it that in 2333 B.C., Dangun (단군왕검) founded the kingdom. His grandfather, Hwanin (환인), was the ruler of the Heavens. However, his son, Hwanung (환웅), wanted to rule the Earth. He asked for his father’s permission, who consented. He then led 3,000 followers and weather gods to Earth, heading toward Shindansu (신단수, the Holy Tree of Life). They built a holy city from scratch called Sinsi (신시) on Taebaek Mountain (태백산), now called Baekdu Mountain (백두산).

As time went by, Hwanung’s reputation increased, as did his followers. A bear and a tiger prayed to him, wishing to become human. The god then bestowed upon them a challenge that would ultimately grant their wish. If the animals avoided sunlight for 100 days and ate only garlic and mugwort, they would become human. Quickly agreeing, they descended into a nearby cave and began their mission. Almost a month passed, and the animals were compliant, but after 21 days, the tiger could no longer tolerate the environment and left the cave. However, the bear survived the mission and, after 100 days, Hwanung transformed the animal into a human.

The now-human bear called herself Ungnyeo (웅녀), and she was distraught after not having someone to marry anymore. Hwanung understood her situation and soon realized he also wanted to marry. The god-turned-king transformed himself into a human and married Ungnyeo, who later birthed a son named Dangun. He was the first human prince to grace the city and once he’d aged, he became the king of his own kingdom Gojoseon. Its actual name was Joseon (조선), which was unofficially changed due to confusion between the kingdom and the Joseon dynasty (1392 ─ 1910).

Gojoseon was founded in Korea’s Bronze Age, where mumun (무문토기시대, plain tools or storage) pottery, stone, and tools were everyday items. Bronze tools were uncommon, and only authoritative figures were thought to have them, or they were used for rituals. As agriculture grew, rice farming began, and settlements became more common. Specific villages, cities, and kingdoms became closer, forming strong bonds and relationships. Social classes also started to appear, and the many kingdoms of Korea began to have rivalries against each other.

However, in 108 B.C., Gojoseon fell. Despite its battle win a year prior, the Han military eventually destroyed the kingdom. Although they defeated Gojoseon, it was too late. Other smaller Korean kingdoms had started to gain power and land. Buyeo (부여), Goguryeo (고구려), Okjeo (옥저), and Dongye (동예) were small kingdoms ruling over the Northeastern area, and Samhan (삼한), comprised of the Mahan (마한), Jinhan (진한) and Byeonhan (변한) kingdoms, ruled over the central area. As more time passed by, Buyeo and Guguryeo combined their kingdoms and overtook Okjeo and Dongye, whereas Samhan became part of Baekje (백제). Soon, Silla (신라) and the Gaya confederacy (가야), a small kingdom derived from the Byeonhan confederacy, were established, starting the story of Samguk Sidae: Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Samgukyusa (삼국유사), an ancient text, and Hongik-ingan (홍익인간), roughly meaning “to the benefit and welfare of humanity” are memorabilia from the Three Kingdoms that still contribute to Korean culture today. While the books are based on the Three Kingdoms, they also discuss the legend of Dangun, such as people praying to him on the day of Gaecheonjeol (개천절). If you’re not familiar with this holiday, you may have heard of National Foundation Day instead, celebrated yearly on October 3. Although this holiday is a celebration of Korea’s beginning, historians are still debating Dangun’s existence, where the legend becomes a myth.

Edited by Erin Rupprecht