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⚡ What Is the Dangun Myth? The Dangun myth is one of Korea’s best-known founding stories, recorded in the Samguk Yusa . It tells how Hwanung came down from heaven, how a bear became a woman, and how Dangun was born and founded Gojoseon. Gojoseon is traditionally said to have been founded in 2333 BCE, and today this story is usually understood as a symbolic origin story that explains Korean identity and cultural values. A Quick Summary of the Dangun Myth The Dangun myth explains the origin of the Korean people and the birth of Gojoseon, Korea’s first kingdom. This story was not written down from the beginning. It was passed down orally for a long time before being recorded during the Goryeo period. The Samguk Yusa was compiled by the Buddhist monk Iryeon in the Goryeo dynasty, and it contains many legends, folk traditions, and historical accounts. The story includes Hwanung, a bear and a tiger who wish to become human, and Dangun, who later founds Gojoseon. Th...