Haetae
According to Korean records, Haetae's body is shaped like a lion and has a horn on its forehead. It has a bell in its neck, and the body is covered with scales. It lives in the frontier areas of Manchuria.
In ancient Korea, Haetae sculptures were used in architecture during the early Joseon dynasty, as their image was trusted to be able to protect Hanyang (now Seoul) from natural disasters and to give law and order among the populace. Seoul city has officially used Haechi (origin of Haetae) as the symbol of Seoul since 2009.
In English, it is called "the Unicorn-lion" or "an omniscient mythical beast".
In ancient Korea, Haetae sculptures were used in architecture during the early Joseon dynasty, as their image was trusted to be able to protect Hanyang (now Seoul) from natural disasters and to give law and order among the populace. Seoul city has officially used Haechi (origin of Haetae) as the symbol of Seoul since 2009.
In English, it is called "the Unicorn-lion" or "an omniscient mythical beast".
Imugi ( A form before a dragon. After training for 1000 years, it can transform to the dragon.)
Korean folk mythology states that most dragons were originally Imugis (pronounced "Ee-Moo-Gi"), or lesser dragons, which were said to resemble gigantic serpents. There are a few different versions of Korean folklore that describe what imugis are and how they aspire to become full fledged dragons. Koreans thought that an Imugi could become a true dragon, or yong or mireu, if it caught a Yeouiju which had fallen from heaven. Another explanation states they are hornless creatures resembling dragons who have been cursed and thus were unable to become dragons. By other accounts, an Imugi is a proto-dragon which must survive one thousand years in order to become a fully fledged dragon. In either case they are said to be large, benevolent, python-like creatures that live in water or caves, and their sighting is associated with good luck.
In the 2007 South Korean film D-War, two Imugi were seen, of which one was benevolent and the other evil, were seen competing for possession of a source of power (the Yeouiju) by which one of them could become a dragon. Ultimately, the evil Imugi is destroyed by his rival moments after the latter had captured the source. Here, the two are shown to be physically different, in that the evil Imugi is darker-colored, more slender, and distinguished by an inflexible hood similar to that of a cobra, whereas the good Imugi is paler, stockier, hoodless; and more closely resembles a python. Narration in the film implies that many Imugi exist at a time, whereof one is designated to become a dragon.
The Alosha series by Christopher Pike features a variation of the Imugi called a "koul". A koul is a snakelike, gigantic proto-dragon that must pass three tests of courage; Coming to aid of others, the act of swimming, and a literal 'leap' of faith in order to become a dragon. Upon coming to the aid of others, the koul grows legs; after swimming through water, the koul is able to breathe fire; upon making the leap of faith, the koul immediately sprouts wings. A successful koul resembles a European dragon, whereas a koul who has completed only one or two of its tests resembles a Chinese dragon or Korean dragon of the type described above.
In the 2007 South Korean film D-War, two Imugi were seen, of which one was benevolent and the other evil, were seen competing for possession of a source of power (the Yeouiju) by which one of them could become a dragon. Ultimately, the evil Imugi is destroyed by his rival moments after the latter had captured the source. Here, the two are shown to be physically different, in that the evil Imugi is darker-colored, more slender, and distinguished by an inflexible hood similar to that of a cobra, whereas the good Imugi is paler, stockier, hoodless; and more closely resembles a python. Narration in the film implies that many Imugi exist at a time, whereof one is designated to become a dragon.
The Alosha series by Christopher Pike features a variation of the Imugi called a "koul". A koul is a snakelike, gigantic proto-dragon that must pass three tests of courage; Coming to aid of others, the act of swimming, and a literal 'leap' of faith in order to become a dragon. Upon coming to the aid of others, the koul grows legs; after swimming through water, the koul is able to breathe fire; upon making the leap of faith, the koul immediately sprouts wings. A successful koul resembles a European dragon, whereas a koul who has completed only one or two of its tests resembles a Chinese dragon or Korean dragon of the type described above.