Yongary, Monster from the Deep 1967
Directed by
Kim Kee-duk
Made by
Geukdong Film
Yongary, Monster from the Deep Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In South Korea, a family gathering for the wedding of Yoo Kwang-nam, an astronaut, is upended when he is recalled to duty to monitor a nuclear test in the Middle East. The event sets off a chain of tense moments as the country braces for the unknown, and the political system weighs how much to reveal to its people. The test’s aftershocks trigger an earthquake that unexpectedly shifts its epicenter toward the heart of Korea, throwing officials into a careful dance of information control and precaution. As the tremors intensify, authorities delay public notice until they are certain the quake will strike, a decision that grows more controversial as the danger inches closer to home.
The seismic upheaval culminates in Panmunjom, where a photographer captures stunning images of the ground tearing apart, revealing the silhouette of a colossal creature moving beneath the surface. The man narrowly escapes the chaos, but a subsequent crash ends his life while securing the crucial photographs that prove something extraordinary is unfolding. The authorities, confronted with evidence they cannot ignore, christen the monster “Yongary,” drawing on an old Korean fable about earthquakes and monsters that lurk beneath the earth.
As panic spreads and evacuation orders go out, the Korean Army converges on the Inwang area to challenge Yongary, only to find themselves outmatched by sheer size and power. In the midst of the siege, Il-Woo, a young scientist, volunteers to venture toward Seoul to uncover a possible weakness that could halt the rampage. His girlfriend, Soona, is wary and argues against risking more lives, yet his resolve drives him forward. He is joined by a loyal ally, Icho, who—torn between concern for his brother and the impending disaster—persists in following Il-Woo’s lead. The trio’s bond becomes a fragile thread as Yongary’s devastation pushes the city toward collapse.
Yongary finally breaches Seoul’s defenses, leaving a trail of destruction that forces the authorities to choose between immediate, potentially catastrophic strikes and a more cautious, calculated approach. While military missiles are discussed, there is fear that such an attack might destroy irreplaceable landmarks and cause collateral damage that could redefine Korea’s future. In the end, the decision tilts toward using guided missiles, a step that intensifies the moral stakes for everyone involved.
Icho escapes through the labyrinth of the city’s sewers and finds a crucial lead at an oil refinery: Yongary drinks oil and gasoline, a feeding pattern that could be exploited. A breakthrough occurs when Icho helps turn off the main valve, provoking a dangerous reaction that makes Yongary itch and scratch—a clue that Il-Woo believes can be weaponized, even as he remains skeptical of the missiles’ effectiveness. He returns to share this observation with the authorities, who, pressed by time and fear, push ahead with the plan anyway.
Back at the lab, Il-Woo experiments with a chemical solution—an ammonia precipitate—intending to subdue Yongary. The plan seems to work at first: a targeted dose, combined with the missiles, hurls Yongary into a temporary slumber. Yet the monster awakens soon after when Icho uses a portable light device to revive him, turning the moment into a surreal moment where Yongary briefly dances before resuming the onslaught. The team improvises with urgency, refining the ammonia mixture and preparing a dramatic, final strike.
In a daring move, Il-Woo loads the sharpened ammonia precipitate onto a helicopter and dumps it onto Yongary as he thrashes in the Han River. The creature collapses in a violent, bloody finale, succumbing to the combination of chemical and explosive forces. Dawn reveals a changed landscape: Yongary’s menace is over, but the price of victory lingers in the memories of those who faced him.
In the aftermath, Il-Woo earns praise for his role, yet he makes a pointed acknowledgment: Icho’s insights into Yongary’s feeding habits provided the decisive edge that made victory possible. Reflecting on the creature’s nature, Icho suggests that Yongary was not evil by design, but simply driven by hunger—a reminder that fearsome forces can emerge from desperation rather than malice. The story closes with a quiet note of ambiguity and humanity, underscoring a larger question about power, responsibility, and the thin line between survival and catastrophe.
Yongary, Monster from the Deep Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Wedding interrupted as astronaut is recalled
A family gathers in South Korea for the wedding of an astronaut, but he is recalled to duty to monitor a nuclear test in the Middle East. The abrupt departure casts a pall over the celebration as fear for the unknown grows. The distance between celebration and duty foreshadows the chaos to come.
Cataclysmic quake triggered by nuclear test
The nuclear test triggers a powerful earthquake that soon shifts its epicenter toward Korea. Authorities initially withhold the information, waiting to confirm the threat before informing the public. As the tremors approach, the country braces for impact.
Martial law declared in Hwanghae
With the quake drawing nearer, officials declare martial law in the affected areas to keep order and coordinate evacuations. Emergency response units mobilize as the region prepares for a large-scale disaster. The government's secrecy continues to its people as fear grows.
Ground splits at Panmunjom reveal Yongary
In Panmunjom, the ground splits as the quake reveals a giant creature moving inside the earth. A photographer escapes the chaos and rushes to document what he sees, handing over his photographs to authorities before dying from his injuries in a crash caused by the tremors. The images confirm something beyond human comprehension and trigger the name Yongary.
The monster Yongary is named
Authorities name the creature Yongary, drawing on an old Korean fable about monsters connected to earthquakes. News outlets speculate about its origin and its appetite for seismic energy. The public begins to fear a monster that appears to be born from the earth itself.
South Korea evacuates as Yongary attacks Inwang
As evacuation orders go out, the South Korean Army is dispatched to the Inwang area to confront Yongary, but the monster's power quickly overwhelms local defenses. The city is plunged into chaos as the creature tears through infrastructure. The effort to contain Yongary seems futile in the face of his rampage.
Il-Woo seeks a weakness in Yongary
Il-Woo, a young scientist, resolves to travel to Seoul to search for a vulnerability in Yongary. His girlfriend Soona opposes the plan, while Soona and her younger brother Icho decide to pursue him to try to stop any dangerous escalation. The trio's intertwined motives propel them toward the heart of the crisis.
Yongary reaches Seoul and chaos ensues
Yongary arrives in Seoul and unleashes a fresh wave of destruction across the city. In the chaos, Il-Woo and Soona lose track of Icho while searching for him, and the monster's rampage puts everyone on edge. The hunt for a weakness intensifies as the body count rises.
Missile plan sparks dilemma
The military leans toward using guided missiles to stop Yongary, but authorities worry the strike could damage landmarks and worsen the crisis. With the nation's future at stake, they ultimately approve the risky weaponized response, despite reservations. The plan creates a moral and strategic stalemate as the clock ticks.
Icho discovers Yongary's oil-eating weakness
Icho escapes through the sewers to reach an oil refinery where Yongary is feeding. He confronts Yongary, and after reaching the main valve, turns it off, triggering a chaotic reaction that makes the creature itch and scratch. A quick, dangerous discovery hints at a possible physiological weakness that could be exploited.
Il-Woo warns against missiles
Icho arrives to report what he learned, and Il-Woo shares his coded knowledge with the authorities, urging them not to power Yongary with missiles. He argues that the energy from the attack could fuel the creature rather than kill it, but his warning is brushed aside. The team presses on with the planned strike in defiance of science.
Ammonia-based countermeasure is developed
Il-Woo works on a chemical solution using ammonia precipitate to subdue Yongary. The plan combines chemical treatment with the missile strike in a risky bid to stop the creature. The scientist's hope grows as he prepares for the crucial confrontation.
Final bombardment and awakening
Yongary is hit with both the ammonia treatment and missiles, but the creature only falls asleep briefly before Icho's light device triggers him to wake and resume rampage. The fight becomes a manic cycle as strategies collide with the monster's endurance. Yongary's resilience tests the limits of human ingenuity.
The last strike: Yongary dies
Il-Woo loads the finalized ammonia precipitate onto a helicopter and dumps it on Yongary in the Han River. The creature collapses and dies from blood loss after bleeding from his body. The city breathes a cautious sigh of relief, but the scientists know the price paid was high.
Aftermath and recognition
The following morning, Il-Woo is publicly commended for his role in defeating Yongary, but he credits Icho as the true hero for providing the crucial information about Yongary's eating habits. Icho remarks that Yongary was not evil by nature, but merely hungry, offering a sobering note about predator and prey. The crisis ends with a nuanced perspective on judgment and responsibility.
Yongary, Monster from the Deep Characters
Explore all characters from Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Yoo Kwang-nam (Lee Soon-jae)
A member of the wedding family caught in the cascading disaster. His arc reflects how ordinary people react and cope as the situation escalates from a private celebration to a national emergency. He embodies civilian resilience amidst martial law and the monster’s rampage.
Icho (Lee Kwang-ho)
Soona's younger brother, curious and brave. He discovers Yongary’s feeding habit by observing the refinery and becomes a key informant who helps guide Il-Woo’s plan. He escapes danger and contributes crucial knowledge that shapes the response to the creature.
Soldier (Twist Kim)
A military figure involved in the containment effort during Yongary’s rampage. He represents the frontline response, grappling with the dilemma of using powerful weapons while weighing civilian safety and strategic consequences.
Ko Il-woo (Oh Yeong-il)
A young scientist who travels to Seoul to uncover Yongary’s weakness. He pushes for a chemical solution and becomes the central scientific voice urging a thoughtful approach over indiscriminate missile use. He ultimately contributes to the defeat with ammonia-based methods.
Kim Yu-ir's Mother (Kim Sin-jae)
A mother in the affected family unit who endures the crisis and its disruption. Her presence underscores the personal stakes of the disaster, highlighting family bonds frayed by catastrophe.
Suna (Nam Jeong-im)
Soona, Il-Woo’s girlfriend, who initially opposes his risky plan but later accompanies him and Icho in the crisis. Her loyalty to her partner and family drives her to challenge dangerous assumptions and pursue a safer course.
Yongary (Cho Kyoung-min)
The titular monster—not evil by nature but driven by hunger. Yongary’s rampage devastates urban and rural areas alike, highlighting nature’s raw power when confronted by human activity and resource exploitation. The creature ultimately succumbs to a combination of scientific intervention and weapon delivery.
Kim Yu-ri (Moon Kang)
A member of the family involved in the wedding and the ensuing crisis. Her presence helps illustrate the broader impact of Yongary’s invasion on personal relationships and family dynamics during disaster.
Yongary, Monster from the Deep Settings
Learn where and when Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Location
South Korea, Panmunjom, Inwang area, Seoul, Han River, Middle East
The story unfolds across South Korea, beginning with a wedding in a Korean household and spiraling into a national crisis. The seismic disaster shifts from Panmunjom to the capital region, drawing martial law and mass evacuations. A clash between rural and urban settings is depicted as Yongary rampages through key locations, including the Han River and central Seoul. The trigger originates with a nuclear test in the Middle East, setting off a chain of events that pulls the entire country into crisis.
Yongary, Monster from the Deep Themes
Discover the main themes in Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🧪
Science vs Authority
A young scientist, Il-Woo, embodies rational problem-solving in the face of panic. He discovers a potential weakness in Yongary by studying its feeding on petroleum at the refinery. Despite his insights, officials resist or discount new ideas, fearing collateral damage and political fallout. The narrative emphasizes the friction between knowledge and military decision-making under crisis.
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Monster's Hunger
Yongary is driven by hunger rather than malice, a force of nature shaped by its need to feed on oil and urban environments. The monster’s behavior reframes the conflict away from simple good vs. evil. Icho uncovers Yongary’s feeding habits at the refinery, which informs how humans might outsmart or redirect the creature. This theme invites empathy for the creature as a predator responding to basic needs.
🏙️
Urban Crisis
Seoul becomes the backdrop for destruction as Yongary tears through the city. The authorities debate whether missiles should be used, balancing potential battlefield gains against the loss of landmarks and civilian harm. Evacuation, martial law, and military responses illustrate the cost of a metropolis under siege. The film probes how cities respond under extreme pressure and the ethics of defend-at-all-costs choices.
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Hope and Empathy
Icho and Soona team up with Il-Woo to counter Yongary, highlighting collaboration across generations. The climax reframes the monster as something to understand rather than merely to destroy, echoed by the idea that Yongary’s rampage stems from hunger. The protagonists’ efforts underscore the value of information-sharing and scientific insight over impulsive force. The ending suggests humanity should seek balance and compassion even in crisis.
Yongary, Monster from the Deep Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
Seismic tremors ripple across the heart of South Korea, and the source is quickly revealed to be far more unsettling than ordinary earth‑shaking. A colossal, prehistoric reptile—known as Yongary—has awakened beneath the surface, drawn to the scent of gasoline that courses through the nation’s veins. The monster’s sudden emergence turns the familiar streets of Seoul into a landscape of looming dread, as the city’s ordinary rhythm is eclipsed by an unseen, unstoppable force that devours fuel and terror in equal measure.
The nation’s response oscillates between frantic urgency and cautious restraint. Government officials scramble to balance the public’s right to know with the fear of inciting panic, while the military mobilizes its might against a foe that dwarfs conventional weaponry. This tension creates a palpable atmosphere of suspense, where the polished veneer of modern bureaucracy is constantly tested by the raw, elemental threat rising from the earth. The tone is a blend of cold, institutional calculation and the raw, visceral fear that spreads through crowds and corridors alike.
At the center of this crisis stands Il‑Woo, a young scientist whose curiosity drives him to search for a weakness in the monster’s seemingly invincible armor. Beside him is Icho, a steadfast companion whose practical concerns for his family and friends ground his determination. Soona, Il‑Woo’s cautious girlfriend, embodies the personal stakes that hinge on every decision made in the shadow of Yongary’s path. Meanwhile, Yoo Kwang‑nam, an astronaut recalled from a wedding celebration to monitor a distant nuclear test, represents the broader sweep of national duty colliding with private lives. Together, these characters navigate a world where science, loyalty, and survival intertwine amid an escalating disaster.
The film paints a modern metropolis under siege, its neon lights flickering against an ancient, unstoppable menace. The relentless rumble beneath the city mirrors the inner tremors of a society forced to confront both a physical monster and the moral quakes provoked by its own choices. This uneasy blend of awe‑inspiring spectacle and intimate human drama sets the stage for a tense, atmospheric showdown that lingers long after the screen goes dark.
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