The Godzilla franchise has produced a ton of imitators, but one cheesy monster movie from Korea is actually much better than most. After the giant irradiated lizard first stomped onto the screen in 1954, Godzilla has become a pop culture phenomenon and is perhaps Japan’s biggest contribution to world cinema. In sequel after sequel, the powerhouse kaiju fought various enemies and was alternatively the savior of the Earth and its biggest threat. The popularity and box office potential of giant monster movies wasn’t lost on other countries, and almost every film market has produced its own ‘Zilla clones.

One of the reasons that most Godzilla ripoffs don’t work is because they aren’t built on a solid story foundation. Japan’s horrific experience with nuclear war is what spawned the idea for Godzilla, and the King of the Monsters is a symbol for the existential dread of such attacks. Though the Godzilla franchise has had silly moments, it often returns to its dark roots, such as in 2023’s Godzilla Minus One. Despite all that, some ripoffs are actually quite good in their own right, and Gamera isn’t the only knock-off kaiju that’s worth watching.

Yongary, Monster From The Deep Is A Blatant – But Fun – Godzilla Rip-Off

South Korea’s Answer To Godzilla Is An Enjoyable Experience

Released in 1967 in a joint production between South Korea’s Keukdong Entertainment Company and Japans’ Toei Company, Yongary, Monster from the Deep is an obvious attempt to cash-in on the success of the Godzilla franchise. Coming well over a decade after the release of the first film, Yongary is a unique ‘Zilla ripoff because it was made with the same techniques used in making the contemporary Godzilla movies. Actual money and effort was put into the kaiju film, even if it still falls far short of the Godzilla sequels released around the same time.

Director Kim Ki-duk crafts a story that borrows a lot of the same elements from the goofier mid-’60s Godzilla movies, but Yongary doesn’t cut corners on the practical effects. The sets and miniature work are well-executed, and it’s clear that the Korean/Japanese co-production knew exactly which elements to steal from the Godzilla franchise to make a gorgeous movie. Cho Kyoung-min’s performance in the Yongary suit is also something to behold, and the kaiju has character even if he is intended to ape the mannerisms of his Japanese counterpart.

Unfortunately, Yongary, Monster from the Deep really suffers in the story department, and the human storyline is quite boring. The human storylines in Godzilla films aren’t always the most entertaining either, but the best giant monster movies deliver a compelling human plot in order to lend substance to the monster’s attacks. Yongary is much better than its critical reputation, and in a world where Godzilla didn’t exist, would probably be considered a better film.

How Yongary’s Design Compares To Godzilla

They Share Key Similarities & Differences

Since Yongary was dreamed up to be a copy of Godzilla, there are several key similarities between the two monsters. Both are bipedal and spend the entire film stomping around on two feet, and this gives them ample opportunity to smash as many miniature buildings as possible. Since they’re both irradiated, they each feature a breath attack, but Godzilla’s is more of a beam while Yongary’s is pure fire. Yongary sports a horn on his head, while Godzilla has a smoother head and spines down his back.

One key difference is the eyes, and while Godzilla’s eyes softened as the series went on, he is generally known for having smaller eyes that give him a piercing look. Unfortunately, Yongary has large and somewhat goofy eyes, and it gives him a permanent look of surprise as he smashes his way through South Korea’s big cities. There are differences between the two, but it’s clear that the creators didn’t want to make Yongary too unique.

The Original Yongary Movie Is Great, But You Can Skip Its 1999 Remake

Yongary Didn’t Fare As Well In The Modern Era

With the success of the Millennium Series in the Godzilla franchise, several classic kaiju were brought out of mothballs to get slick new remakes in the 1990s. Gamera’s modern films were a nostalgic update to the turtle hero, but 1999’s Yonggary missed the mark. With an overcomplicated backstory and terrible CGI that makes Godzilla 1998 look like a masterpiece, Yongary should have stayed in the past. However, the remake doesn’t detract from the original Godzilla ripoff, and though it isn’t very original, Yongary, Monster from the Deep is still worth watching.