Dan-gun

In this version of the legend, Hwang-Ung gathered spirits under the Pak-Tal (Sandalwood) Tree and declared himself the King of the Universe. Although he governed his kingdom with the help of the "Wind General," the "Rain Governor," and the "Cloud Teacher," he realized that to reign over a human kingdom, one day he would need to be in a human form. 

This need was fulfilled when Hwang-Ung overheard a bear and a tiger who said, "Would that we might become men." Hwang-Ung said to them, "Here are 20 pieces of garlic and a stick of artermisia (a type of sagebrush) for each of you. Eat them and retire from the sunlight for 21 days and you will become men." Both did as they were told and retreated into a cave. The tiger, because of his fierceness, could not endure the entire 21 days and came out. The bear, with greater patience and faith, stayed for the duration and was transformed into a perfect woman. Her first wish was for motherhood, and she cried out, "Give me a son!" At that moment, Hwang-Ung was passing by on the wind and saw her sitting by a stream. He circled around her, breathed on her, and she became pregnant. Her son was born on Mount Myo-Hyang under the Pak-Tal Tree and was named Dan-Gun Wang-Gum, Lord of the Pak-Tal Tree. 

Years later, men of the "nine wild tribes," called the Ku-I, found Dan-Gun sitting under the Pak-Tal. These people wore clothes made with grasses and ate fruits, berries, nuts, and roots. They lived beneath the trees during the summer and in holes in the ground in the winter. Into their simple life Dan-Gun was introduced the rite of marriage, the subject-king relationship, the arts of cooking and house building, cutting of trees and agriculture, and how to bind up their hair with cloth. He also introduced religious worship and is said to have built the first altar on Kang-Wha Island in 2265 B.C. This altar today is atop the island's highest peak, Muni-San, and is known as Dan-Gun's Altar. Dan-Gun lived with his wife, Pi So-Ap, and his sons, who are said to have built the fortress of Sam- Nang at Chung-Dung Island.