Tradition / Region: Korean Mythology
Alternative names: Golden Calf, Geumsongaji, Geumsongajijeon, Prince Geumdok
Category: Cow
The Myth
Geumdoktae is a magical golden calf born from a cow after a newborn child is secretly given to the animal. It later transforms between human and animal forms and eventually becomes a handsome man.
According to the tale, a man takes a concubine because he wants a son. While he is away, his wife gives birth to a boy. Jealous of the child, the other wife secretly gives the baby to a cow, which eats it.
When the man returns, the cow gives birth to a golden calf. He becomes deeply attached to the unusual animal and treats it with great affection.
The jealous wife then pretends to become ill and claims that she can only recover by eating the golden calf’s liver. The man orders a butcher to kill the calf and bring him its liver.
The butcher takes pity on the calf and secretly releases it. Instead of killing it, he brings back the liver of a dog.
The golden calf escapes and travels to Seoul. There it encounters a notice announcing that whoever can beat a straw drum will be allowed to marry the daughter of a nobleman. The golden calf approaches the drum and beats it, becoming the nobleman’s son-in-law.
The calf eventually sheds its animal form and becomes a handsome man. He returns to his father together with his wife and reveals the truth about what happened to him. His biological mother is rescued, and the family is reunited.
The golden calf then remains in human form and lives happily with his wife.
Sources
“암소 (Amso).” Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture. National Folk Museum of Korea. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/topic/detail/5748?