BUL불 is an experimental rock opera inspired by both the Korean folktale of Bulgasari—an iron-eating monster who liberates the oppressed by devouring the weapons of the corrupt—and North Korean film Pulgasari (1985), a Godzilla-esque film that was directed by South Korean Shin Sang-Ok while held captive by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Written in four acts, BUL불 reimagines the monster as a recently orphaned girl named BUL embarking on the city of Angels and finds herself in the throes of love.

Through pastiches of 20th century cultural forms such as the pop song, black box theater, and music videos, the protagonist BUL shapeshifts through different dimensions to survive the changing times. The project includes collaborative scores, personal memoir, a choreographed dance based on the political scandal, and an original soundtrack. Lyrics were crowdsourced from Lee’s community then transmuted sonically into a collective love history by LA-based band muff.

Conceived, directed, produced and edited by Christine Yerie Lee; the costumes, set and props were also made by the artist. BUL불 was funded by the College Art Association’s Fellowship for Professional Development and multiple grants from the California Institute of the Arts. Currently, she is expanding the project into a multimedia installation with a coinciding publication.

For full video link, please contact lee.christineyerie@gmail.com

Production Team: Calvin Waterman (Director of Photography, Editor, Lighting), Alejandro Melendez (Lighting Designer), Alexsa Durrans (Movement Direction), muff (steven chen, Music), Dolor (Music), and Peter Kearney (3D Animation). Cast: Mahedi Anjuman, Sundhya Anthony, Ilene Byers, steven chen, Dominique Go, Dallas Havoc, Lauren Koenen, Christine Yerie Lee, Younja Claire Lee, Clara Lopez Menendez, Malavika Rao, Ruoyi Shi, Miko Mee Turner, Liessa Son, Zenaido Zamora.