The Korean People and Tigers:
From Derpy in a Netflix Animation to Folk Art
Have you seen 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'? While the fresh premise of K-Pop idols fighting demons is fun, one character really steals the show. That’s Derpy, the quirky but powerful tiger. If you’ve fallen for Derpy’s charm, did you know that the character inherited the DNA of the 'tiger' from thousands of years of Korean history?
Today, let’s explore the special relationship between the Korean people and tigers with Derpy. We'll look at the exciting story of how a feared predator became the Korean people’s eternal friend and guardian!
1. Prologue: Derpy the Tiger in 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'
In the film, Derpy uses powerful strength to defeat demons, but in everyday life, as the name 'Derpy' suggests, the character is lovable and a bit clumsy. Derpy has both the brave and scary side of a tiger and the friendly, comical side. This is very similar to the dual perception Koreans have long held toward tigers. Derpy is not just a sidekick but a living symbol that is steeped in Korean history and culture.
2. Tigers in the History of the Korean Peninsula
Tigers weren't just animals in a zoo. They were a presence that had been with the Korean peninsula since its beginning.
The Tiger in the Dangun Myth (2333 BC): Our founding myth features a tiger alongside a bear. The story of the tiger failing to become human shows that it was considered a special being, capable of challenging the human realm, not just a scary beast.
The 'Hohan' (Tiger Peril) during the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties (918-1910 AD): In the mountainous Korean peninsula, tigers were a constant threat to human life. The harm caused by tigers was called 'hohan,' and it was such a serious problem that the government hired professional hunters to catch them. The proverb, "You can survive even if a tiger bites you, as long as you keep your wits about you," clearly shows the fear of that time.
The Tiger Eradication Policy during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945 AD): However, tigers gradually began to disappear. During the Japanese colonial period, a widespread tiger hunt was conducted under the name of the 'Harmful Animal Extermination Program.' This became the decisive moment that wiped out the tiger population on the Korean peninsula.
3. Tigers Woven into the Fabric of Korean Life
The tiger may have physically disappeared, but it lives on forever in the Korean spirit.
The Shape of the Korean Peninsula and the Tiger: Many Koreans perceive the map of the Korean Peninsula as a crouching tiger. This idea was proposed by scholar Choe Nam-seon during the Japanese colonial period to promote national identity and remains deeply ingrained in the hearts of Koreans today.
Proverbs Related to Tigers: The countless proverbs about tigers show how deeply they were a part of Korean life. The saying, "In a tiger-less valley, the rabbit acts like a king," means that when a dignified presence is absent, a lesser being will become arrogant, which perfectly illustrates the tiger's authority.
The Dual Perception of Tigers: The tiger was not just a fearsome beast. It was also considered a symbol of **'Byeoksa'** (protection against evil spirits) and a spiritual animal that guarded the mountains. This coexistence of fear and respect was a unique cultural trait of the Korean people.
4. The Comical Tiger in Art: The Link Between Folk Art and Derpy
The Korean perspective on tigers is also well-reflected in art.
Tigers in Folk Art (Joseon Dynasty): A folk painting from the Joseon Dynasty is called 'Kkachi Horangi' (Magpie and Tiger Painting). The tiger, which should be scary, has a somewhat funny and comical expression. These tigers served as guardian spirits that warded off bad luck and brought good news.
The Connection Between Derpy and Folk Art Tigers: Derpy's appearance in the movie is reminiscent of these folk art tigers. Derpy's friendly and clumsy nature can be seen as a modern reinterpretation of the comical tiger in folk paintings. 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' revives a traditional symbol with a modern sensibility, conveying the Korean spirit to fans worldwide.
5. What Does the Tiger Mean to Korea Today?
The tiger remains a symbol of Korea even today.
Hodori and Soohorang: The mascots of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, 'Hodori,' and the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, 'Soohorang,' were both based on the tiger. This shows that the tiger is still a symbol of courage, guardianship, and peace for us.
The Message Derpy Delivers: Derpy in 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' is an important icon that modernizes the meaning of the tiger, which has been passed down from the past to the present. Through Derpy, we can witness how Korean tradition meets K-Culture to be reborn in a new form. The next time you watch the movie, remember that Derpy is not just a cute tiger but the Korean tiger, with thousands of years of history behind it!
The Korean People and Tigers:
From Derpy in a Netflix Animation to Folk Art
Have you seen 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'? While the fresh premise of K-Pop idols fighting demons is fun, one character really steals the show. That’s Derpy, the quirky but powerful tiger. If you’ve fallen for Derpy’s charm, did you know that the character inherited the DNA of the 'tiger' from thousands of years of Korean history?
Today, let’s explore the special relationship between the Korean people and tigers with Derpy. We'll look at the exciting story of how a feared predator became the Korean people’s eternal friend and guardian!
1. Prologue: Derpy the Tiger in 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'
In the film, Derpy uses powerful strength to defeat demons, but in everyday life, as the name 'Derpy' suggests, the character is lovable and a bit clumsy. Derpy has both the brave and scary side of a tiger and the friendly, comical side. This is very similar to the dual perception Koreans have long held toward tigers. Derpy is not just a sidekick but a living symbol that is steeped in Korean history and culture.
2. Tigers in the History of the Korean Peninsula
Tigers weren't just animals in a zoo. They were a presence that had been with the Korean peninsula since its beginning.
The Tiger in the Dangun Myth (2333 BC): Our founding myth features a tiger alongside a bear. The story of the tiger failing to become human shows that it was considered a special being, capable of challenging the human realm, not just a scary beast.
The 'Hohan' (Tiger Peril) during the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties (918-1910 AD): In the mountainous Korean peninsula, tigers were a constant threat to human life. The harm caused by tigers was called 'hohan,' and it was such a serious problem that the government hired professional hunters to catch them. The proverb, "You can survive even if a tiger bites you, as long as you keep your wits about you," clearly shows the fear of that time.
The Tiger Eradication Policy during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945 AD): However, tigers gradually began to disappear. During the Japanese colonial period, a widespread tiger hunt was conducted under the name of the 'Harmful Animal Extermination Program.' This became the decisive moment that wiped out the tiger population on the Korean peninsula.
3. Tigers Woven into the Fabric of Korean Life
The tiger may have physically disappeared, but it lives on forever in the Korean spirit.
The Shape of the Korean Peninsula and the Tiger: Many Koreans perceive the map of the Korean Peninsula as a crouching tiger. This idea was proposed by scholar Choe Nam-seon during the Japanese colonial period to promote national identity and remains deeply ingrained in the hearts of Koreans today.
Proverbs Related to Tigers: The countless proverbs about tigers show how deeply they were a part of Korean life. The saying, "In a tiger-less valley, the rabbit acts like a king," means that when a dignified presence is absent, a lesser being will become arrogant, which perfectly illustrates the tiger's authority.
The Dual Perception of Tigers: The tiger was not just a fearsome beast. It was also considered a symbol of **'Byeoksa'** (protection against evil spirits) and a spiritual animal that guarded the mountains. This coexistence of fear and respect was a unique cultural trait of the Korean people.
4. The Comical Tiger in Art: The Link Between Folk Art and Derpy
The Korean perspective on tigers is also well-reflected in art.
Tigers in Folk Art (Joseon Dynasty): A folk painting from the Joseon Dynasty is called 'Kkachi Horangi' (Magpie and Tiger Painting). The tiger, which should be scary, has a somewhat funny and comical expression. These tigers served as guardian spirits that warded off bad luck and brought good news.
The Connection Between Derpy and Folk Art Tigers: Derpy's appearance in the movie is reminiscent of these folk art tigers. Derpy's friendly and clumsy nature can be seen as a modern reinterpretation of the comical tiger in folk paintings. 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' revives a traditional symbol with a modern sensibility, conveying the Korean spirit to fans worldwide.
5. What Does the Tiger Mean to Korea Today?
The tiger remains a symbol of Korea even today.
Hodori and Soohorang: The mascots of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, 'Hodori,' and the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, 'Soohorang,' were both based on the tiger. This shows that the tiger is still a symbol of courage, guardianship, and peace for us.
The Message Derpy Delivers: Derpy in 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' is an important icon that modernizes the meaning of the tiger, which has been passed down from the past to the present. Through Derpy, we can witness how Korean tradition meets K-Culture to be reborn in a new form. The next time you watch the movie, remember that Derpy is not just a cute tiger but the Korean tiger, with thousands of years of history behind it!