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Imsil County is leaning into local folklore to boost tourism, turning the poignant tale of Osugae into a pet-friendly attraction.
On the 24th, the county unveiled the Osugae sculpture at Wondongsan Park in Osu-myeon, reinforcing the symbolic power of this signature folktale. The new piece replaces the aging statue installed in 1978 and repackages the story as content that highlights the community’s identity.
The Osugae folktale — recorded in the Goryeo-era Bohanjip — tells of a dog that died saving its owner from a fire. The story says the owner built a grave and stuck a cane into the ground; a tree later grew where the cane was planted, and that episode is said to have inspired the place name Osu.
The project was carried out in partnership with local groups and funded in part by private donations. The contributions totaled about 100 million KRW (approximately $75,000).
Imsil County hopes the sculpture will serve as a springboard to expand pet-culture tourism. From May 1 to 3, it will host “Imsil N Pet Star” at the Osu Uigyeon tourist site — a weekend of hands-on programs, exhibits, and live performances for pet lovers.
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