In Korean mythology, an imugi is an immature or lesser dragon believed to become a fully developed dragon after gaining spiritual power. It is commonly associated with large serpents, water, caves, and long periods of waiting.
Korean traditions vary, but one widespread concept says that an imugi must live for a thousand years before receiving a heavenly jewel or other opportunity to ascend. In some versions, it fails to obtain the object and remains an imugi. The creature’s transformation therefore depends on endurance, virtue, luck, or divine permission, depending on the story.
The imugi is often contrasted with the yong, the fully realized Korean dragon. Korean dragons generally have strong links with rain, rivers, clouds, and protection rather than the hoarding behavior common in European fantasy.
An imugi is not the same as a gumiho, which is a fox spirit, or a haetae, a protective chimera-like guardian animal.