#Joseon!Demon Slayer AU

[joseondemonslayerau]

Joseon!Demon Slayer AU: My Little Sister, My Pride and Joy

“MaeHyang... you are my pride and joy. Possessing beauty that reels any grown men in their knees, you have washed away my inferiority. You are the only great thing that damned mother of mine has given to me. I just want one thing... living until I witness you wed to a fine man and have healthy child. If I were to die soon, I want to see you in a wedding gown smiling in my last day.”

Jang Gi-Tae and his sister Jang Mae-Hyang

[jknerd]

Inspired by Korean Historical Dramas with fantasy and horror themes (such as Kingdom series), I’m planning to make Korean Joseon Dynasty setting of Demon Slayer/Kimetsu No Yaiba AU.

And I might make separate blog for that AU

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Gi Mu-San (기무산), Yoo Hwi-An (유휘안; previous life)

Species: Demon

Age: 1000+

Affiliation: Twelve Haunted Moons (founder)

Birthplace: Chungcheongbukdo Chungju (previous life), Goyangssi Hengju (current)

Family: Lord Yoo (father; deceased), Lady Geun (mother; deceased), Kim Su-Ryeon (wife; deceased)

Born from Three Kingdoms dynasty of Korea in the noble clan of Chungju Yoo, he was born with severe disease that forced him to stay in his bedchamber as most doctors said he wouldn’t be able to live over 20. Being the only son, his parents pampered him nonstop, turning him into spoiled and arrogant individual. He married a general’s daughter Su-Ryeon who tolerates and tamed his temper for years. However, their happiness didn't last when she was sent to war with her father at war...and returned in the coffin dead, traumatizing him. Musan developed fear of death after the funeral of his wife and encountered good-hearted doctor who advised to drink his decoction for 7 days. However, the excruciating pain of aftereffect angered him to the point of killing the doctor. Days went by, he become healthier with conditions; consumption of mortal’s blood/flesh and weakness of sunlight. 

Currently, he have formed “Twelve Haunted Moons”; the twelve type of demons in Joseon and Musan was determined to find any way to become a perfect immortal being. Being the one responsible for killing Gi-Cheol’s rest of family and turning Aeng-Du into a demon, Gi-Cheol and his friends are determined to take him down. Musan also have his own KINGDOM underworld “Infinity Isle” where he reign as its ruler, making him impossible to be exterminated for good. Strangely, he has the widow Ryeo-Hee and her daughter Dallae under his protection in HengJu.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Shin Ha-Neul (신하늘)

Species: Human

Age: 17~19

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Hwanghedo Pyeongsan

Family: Ho So-Yeon (foster older sister), Ho Eun-Ju (foster sister), Hwa Yu-Ra (foster-sister)

Ha-Neul is a nurse and doctor of Demon Slayers organization, residing in Ho clan’s house. She lost her family by the demons from the mountain, but was adopted in family of Ho Clan by former Chungju and her sister Eun-Ju. Although she had an award relationship with Yu-Ra, Ha-Neul actually wants to bond with her. Gifted with knowledge of herbal medicines and medical wisdoms, she become a nurse and doctor of Demon Slayers.

Although she insists that she cannot fight, she does show a strength of several tigers when drunk with Makgeoli alcohol. And that was first impression she had shown when meeting Yi-Jo. Taken back by his wild demeanor, she was also curious of what was behind his mask. She was enthralled once she stole a one look on his beautiful face. She is also the one who partakes in teaching Yi-Jo Korean words, writing and reading. Believing herself not fit for love, she often drew painting of Yi-Jo...however, she was appointed to be in same team with Gi-Cheol, Sun-Il, Aeng-Du, Cheol-Du, Yu-Ra and Yi-Jo. Even then, she would still teach him about what strangers like him live and learn.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Yeon Heng-Su

Species: Human

Age: 20

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Hwanghedo Goksan

Family: Yeon Shin-Su (father), Yoon Woo-Hee (mother; deceased), Yeon Cheon-Su (younger brother)

Born from Noble Yeon clan at Hwanghedo, Heng-Su is a "Flame Pillar" of Demon Slayers and one of the most respected and strongest among the Pillars. Being the firstborn of family, he also gained the noble title and is a patriarch of family since his father let go of his duties. Although he had born with natural gift of "Breathing Flames" and is of wealthy background, he was taught by his mother to use his gifted strengths and power to help the others in need. When his mother passed away due to illness, he trained and studied himself, passing the Civil Service Examination at Hanyang(Seoul) and joined the Demon Slayers, succeeding his father's title as "Flame Pillar".

Raised to be a proper nobleman, he takes his duty as Patriarch of Yeon clan and as Flame Pillar VERY serious while doesn't take his status for granted. He doesn't even get bothered with his silk robes dirtied or tainted when accompanying the outcasts or impoverished crowds in his hometown, gaining respect and admiration from people there. Along with Min-Gyu, he becomes Gi-Cheol's mentor and treats Aeng-Du as part of Demon Slayer as she was proven to protect the innocents. Heng-Su is also a close friend of Cheon-Do as both parents were close as well and according to rumors, Heng-Su would marry a girl from Cheon-Do's family.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Do Min-Gyu (Real name: Kang Ui-Yoong)

Species: Human

Age: 21~23

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Hwanghedo Shinju

Family: Kang Ok-Ja (older sister; deceased)

Born from Kang Family with real name Ui-Yoong, he lost his parents at very young age he lived with his older sister Ok-Ja who practically raised him. But at the day before her wedding, the demon attack took place in Shinju as Ok-Ja hid him away where he can escape as she was killed by the demon. No one believed his words when he asked for help and after his older sister’s funeral, his relatives tried to take him away but able to escape Shinju, using everything he have to reach to Jeollanamdo where he met his mentor Han-Ji and befriended another apprentice “Hwa-Do”, getting new name as well, until another tragedy at final selection where his friend was killed by demon who was obsessed with killing Han-Ji’s apprentices.

Informed of another attack at Mt. BongHak, he found the family dead in the house and discovered Gi-Cheol who was protected by AengDu as she has become a demon, yet still possess a heart and memory as human. Min-Gyu decided to send the two to his mentor and since then, he have turned a blind eye at every mission Gi-Cheol goes with his sister hidden inside the box. He is often misunderstood as “cold and arrogant”, but it was most likely due to his lack of proper communication with people and is always roasted by EunJu, getting into occasional arguments with Cheol-Mi. Also among the characters, Min-Gyu is the only leaders of Demon Slayers who always break 4th walls naturally by looking at the audiences/watchers without a word and sometimes silently ask the “picture box” to cut to next scene.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Hwa Yu-Ra (화유라)

Species: Human

Age: 16~18

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Jeollanamdo Naju

Family: Ho So-Yeon (foster older sister), Ho Eun-Ju (foster sister), Shin Ha-Neul (foster sister)

Yu-Ra is a member of Demon Slayers Organization and the successor of Ho Eun-Ju, the Chungju. She is a young woman of few words but very perceptive and is a powerful swordswoman. She was born of impoverished family where her father abused her and her siblings due to his belief that their mother birthed them by another man, but in reality, her mother was raped by an aristocrat. Several of her siblings were dead from excessive abuse, but she wandered off the street until she met then-Chungju Ho So-Yeon and her sister Eun-Ju. Adopted in the Ho clan, she become close with them. 

When Ho So-Yeon nearly died due to blood loss from her two legs eaten by demon, she had been nursing the former Chungju as Eun-Ju succeeded her older sister. Yu-Ra then decided to become an official member of Demon Slayers to hunt down the demon who ate So-Yeon’s legs. Although cautious when discovering Gi-Cheol’s sister wasn’t a human, she later befriends him who had advised her to follow what her heart wants. Gradually, she come more vocal with her opinions and feelings. Despite that, she never had any romantic experiment with boys before, she is unsure of how to approach to Gi-Cheol.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Ha Cheol-Du (하철두)

Species: Human

Age: 16~18

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Incheon Ganghwagun

Family: Ha Go-Su (father; deceased), Chun Seo-Ju (mother; deceased), Ha Cheol-Mi (older brother), Ha Su-Mi (1st little sister; deceased), Ha Jae-In (2nd little sister; deceased), Ha Do-Jun (1st little brother; deceased), Ha Hyun-Jun (2nd little brother; deceased), Ha Su-Bin (youngest brother; deceased)

Cheol-Du was a second born of Ha Go-Su, who was a tiger hunter in the village. He has older brother Cheol-Mi, who is currently a Pung-Ju of Demon Slayers organization. Cheol-Du is only able to wield crossbow and archery, talented with sniping. His father used to abuse their mother, but ever since his death by lynch from villagers, the tragedy began when her mother turned into Changgwi (창귀; a grudging ghost killed by tiger who serves their feline master) and led the tiger to the village as the feline beast ate up most of his siblings. In enraged frenzy, Cheol-Du bite off the flesh of the tiger and drank its blood, transforming into dark furred tiger before brutally killing it, setting his family’ spirits free. But the anger of himself couldn’t control his temper he accidentally scratched Cheol-Mi, scarring his face. 

Remorseful of this past, Cheol-Du joined Demon Slayers to repent his sins. He has an appearance of tough and intimidating young man, but in reality his heart is fragile as glass as Gi-Cheol can smell the scent of insecurity and fear while Sun-Il could hear Cheol-Du’s wailing of regret. Cheol-Du has been excelled with only hunting town tiger demons, he has zero idea of how to interact with girls and would end up blush, froze and bumbling out in nervous manner.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Moon Aeng-Du (문앵두)

Species: Human -> Half-Demon

Age: 13~15

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Jeollanamdo, Nampyeong, Mt. BongHak

Family: Dae-Ju (father; deceased), Jeong Ji-Hye (mother; deceased),  Moon Gi-Cheol (older brother), Moon Jin-Soo (first younger brother; deceased), Moon Hwa-Young (little sister; deceased), Moon Shi-Yoon (2nd younger brother; deceased), Moon Sang-Yuk (youngest brother; deceased)

Moon Aeng-Du is a little sister and sole surviving family member of Gi-Cheol. She was known as prettiest girl in the village of Nampyeong as many suitors want to marry her. However, she focused on providing more for her family. In her coming of age in 13, she received a beautiful pink hanbok from her older brother who has earned enough money for it. Since then, she have worn it almost everyday and treasure it. 

One day when her older brother hadn’t return at the night before the weather gets cold. She heard the voice of a man who was definitely not her brother. Sensing danger, she attempted to get her family out of house, but she was attacked. When she first woke up, she found herself having pinkish eyes with center glowing red, sharp pair of fangs and claws. Yet, all she remembered was her older brother. She is able to shapeshifting into appearances of little girl’s age, manipulating Demon Art. Due to known as a demon with heart and soul of a human, she is labeled by Demon Slayers as “Half-Demon”. All she want are her brother and her favorite Okchun candies.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Ah Sun-Il (아선일)

Species: Human

Age: 16~18

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Jeollanamdo Ik-San

Family: Ah Gang-Ho (adoptive grandfather), Gan-Ak (foster brother)

Ever since his birth, Sun-Il doesn’t know much about his biological family, because his parents died when he was still a baby. However, he was found and adopted by Ah Gang-Ho who was a former Myeong-Ju of Demon Slayer. Because of his overly fragile personality, he was always nagged by Gan-Ak. Since no one has ever held hope to him before, he was scared to disappoint others.

One day, when on top of the tree, he was hit by a thunderbolt, causing his hair to be blond and suffered a spiritual disease, becoming a male shaman (박수무당). The only thing he has managed to perform his ability is “The Breath of Thunder, 1st Shape”. When entered the Demon Slayer organization, many looked down on him because he was a shaman. But, Gi-Cheol defended him as he noted how shamans are as important as slayers because they also help innocents from harmful demons. Sun-Il and Gi-Cheol become close friends and trusts his first friend. To the point he never questioned the existence of demon inside the box, who was Aeng-Du. It is because he wants to believe him. When seeing Aeng-Du for the first time, he immediately developed romantic feelings for her. Although Gi-Cheol said feeding her too much candies aren’t good, Sun-Il has a tendency to spoil her often. Every time he has to perform the exorcism rite, he becomes a completely different person and successfully confront, chase away the demons before they could possess victims’ body.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Moon Gi-Cheol (문기철)

Species: Human

Age: 15~17

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Jeollanamdo, Nampyeong, Mt. BongHak

Family: Moon Dae-Ju (father; deceased), Jeong Ji-Hye (mother; deceased), Moon Aeng-Du (first younger sister), Moon Jin-Soo (first younger brother; deceased), Moon Hwa-Young (youngest little sister; deceased), Moon Shi-Yoon (2nd younger brother; deceased), Moon Sang-Yuk (youngest brother; deceased)

Gi-Cheol was a mere average teenage boy selling charcoals to provide his family ever since his father passed away. Raised to learn what is right and wrong, he has great sense of morals and determines what is the best way to solve issues between people and is loved by townspeople.

Although impoverished, he and his family had peaceful life their laughter never stopped.....until one day at the first day of Winter, he found his family dead in their house, blood everywhere. The sole survivor was his little sister Aeng-Du, but she had turned into a demon (귀신). But despite this, she still have the heart of human. He held onto a rope of hope to find a way of turning his little sister back to normal as he discovered there was the Organization made to slay demonic beings.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Ho Eun-Ju

Species: Human

Age: 20~22

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Chungcheongnamdo Shinpyeong

Family: Ho So-Yeon (older sister), Hwa Yu-Ra (sworn sister), Shin Ha-Neul (sworn sister)

Born fron Ho Clan of family, Ho Eun-Ju is a younger sister of former "Insect Pillar" of Demon Slayers; Ho So-Yeon. Parents killed by demons, both So-Yeon and Eun-Ju wandered until they were found by Myeong-Go the "Nocturne Pillar" of Demon Slayers and joined the demon slaying organizations. During so, the sisters recruited a girl named Shin Haneul, rescued the girl from being sold to slavery by her parents, naming her "Hwa YuRa", thus forming strong sisterly bond together. However, when Eun-Ju's sister was on a mission to take out Upper Moon class demon, she was alarmed when So-Yeon lost two legs by the Upper Moon Demon. So-Yeon's injuries were severe to the point of resigning her status as the Pillar and is under care of nurses in the Butterfly Manor within Demon Slayer organization territory. 

Although Eun-Ju finds her sister unreadable when So-Yeon feel empathy for demons, she deeply cares for her older sister and had filled the status as new Insect Pillar. Behind her polite and friendly behavior, she has no-filter mouth she doesn't back off from and tends to diss Min-Gyu (purposely or not). Although initially skeptical of keeping Aeng-Du to work with fellow Demon Slayers, she was fascinated by the new discovery of "Half-Demons" and helps Lady Ok-Gaksi with investigating and researching more of demons.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Full Name: Geum Yi-Jo (금이조)

Species: Human

Age: 15~17

Affiliation: Demon Slayers

Birthplace: Gyeongsangbukdo BongHwa Mt. Cheongryang

Family: Geum Yoon (biological mother; deceased)

He doesn’t know much of his childhood, but all he knew was that his name is Yi-Jo with surname “Geum”. At least, that’s what his small blanket was written when he was a baby. Raised by the boars, he is able to understand wild animals and communicate with them. He used the fur of his boar mother to mourn her, and he has the complex of his “feminine face”.  He behaves as a young man with great sense of pride, honor and might of warrior... but deep down, he is always curious of “strangers” like him and has no idea how to interact with them other than challenging them. Because of his beautiful face, many mistakes him as fair woman. And there are more than one occasion where his mistakes are forgiven, only because he has pretty face.

Fighting with demon slayer recruits, he discovered the existence of Demon Slayers organization, decided to join in as he felt it was his destiny for some reason. Initially, he was confused of Gi-Cheol and other people’s kindness, but becomes accustomed to the life of human society. Whenever he looks at Ho Eun-Ju, he felt so familiar...perhaps it was her motherly behavior that makes him beginning to remember his late mother. Soon, he wants to find the lost memories of his past.

[joseondemonslayerau]

Prologue

“Mommy~! Mommy~! Tell us a story~” The younger children of Moon Family shout out to their mother.

“Alright, alright..~ Well, which one shall I tell you....,” the mother mused over until she smiled, “Let me tell you the tale of a prince...~”

In the era of Divided Kingdoms; Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya.... there was a prince who lived in Chungju Yoo’s Clan. He was born as a beautiful boy, but he was cursed with deadly sickness. The heaven didn’t rob him off his beauty, villagers called him “young prince”. 

Every time, the prince’s parents hired doctor to cure him... they all end up in same conclusion.

“Young prince may not live over age 20...”

The prince wanted to live...he wanted to have a life everyone had. He wanted to see the world outside his castle, he wants to journey around the world... but he had one thing that kept him alive. He had love. A daughter of warrior. Same age, they grew up together. No matter how spoiled he was, she never left his side. They married in age 16, and it was as if love could conquer everything, even his sickness.

But the happiness didn’t long, due to the war between kingdoms. And she must leave her beloved prince behind to serve her kingdom, her people. She promised to return.... and year passed, she kept her promise, but she returned lifeless. It tore the prince’s heart apart, resenting the heavens for taking his love away from his life... he mourned her for days, weeks, months.... and he grew much afraid of his death. Every time he look at his mirror, and sighed forlornly.

“Look at me... I’m rotting... I’m no longer beautiful... I can’t face my beloved when I die...”

But one day, the doctor appeared at the doorstep of the castle, claiming to have the cure of prince’s cursed disease. A medical decoction of mysterious ingredients they have never heard of... especially, magical blue spider lily. The prince was told to drink once a day for a week... but every cure comes with aftermath... he felt a cold and burning pain controlling his body...and in anger, he attacked and banished the doctor far, far away. And at the 7th day, he regretted. 

The prince can feel himself no longer ill, he has become strong with strength of 10 tigers. But he could only see the world outside the castle at night. He was satisfied of his ageless beauty remained...he felt lonely that only he can enjoy this moment of bliss without his beloved.

And since then, every time in that castle... people can hear him sing...

“Flower... gleam and glow. Let your beauty shine.... make the time reverse... bring back what once was mine.... what once was mine....~”

[joseondemonslayerau]

About Joseon!Demon Slayer AU

The setting of this Demon Slayer AU is in Joseon Dynasty, Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted for over five centuries. It was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea. Founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392, and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. So in this AU, it is around mid 1400s of Joseon Dynasty (15th Century). And yes, ALL characters’ name will be in Korean. Because of its society and diffrences from original, there are couple of characters gender-bent and some Headcanons involved. And maybe few OCs.

This AU will have more informations of beginning of Joseon Dynasty’s cultures, its influences by Buddhism and Confucianism, Korean Folk religion, each demon based on Korean folktale monsters/spirits/demons. There are mentions of other dynasties before Joseon.

And these are the main team of the AU’s Demon Slayer:

Moon Gi-Cheol/문기철 (Kamado Tanjiro)

Moon Aeng-Du/문앵두 (Kamado Nezuko)

Agatsuma Zenitsu/ 아선일 (Ah Sun-Il)

Geum Yi-Jo /금이조 (Hashibira Inosuke)

Hwa Yu-Ra/화유라 (Tsuyuri Kanao)

Ha Cheol-Du/하철두 (Shinazugawa Genya)

Shin Ha-Neul/신하늘 (Kanzaki Aoi)

And for the Leaders of the Demon Slayers:

Yeon Heng-Su/연행수 (Rengoku Kyojuro)

Woo Cheon-Do/우천도 (Uzui Tengen)

Kang Yi-Seul/강이슬 (Kanroji Mitsuri)

Ja Myeong-Go/자명고 (Himejima Gyomei)

Shim Mu-Il/심무일 (Tokito Muichiro)

Sa Nae-Hyeon/사내현 (Iguro Obanai)

Do Min-Gyu/도민규 (Tomioka Giyuu)

Ho Eun-Ju/호은주 (Kochou Shinobu)

Ha Cheol-Mi/하철미 (Shinezugawa Kanemi)

Last but not least, the Demons:

Gi Mu-San/기무산 (Kibutsuji Muzan)

SaMo/사모 (Kokushibo)

SoMa/소마 (Douma)

Hong-Gwan/홍관 (Akaza)

Ga-Ya/가야 (Nakime)

Ok-Han/옥한 (Gyokko)

Gi-Tae/기태 (Gyutaro)

Mae-Hyang = Nak-Hee/ 매향 = 낙희 (Ume)

Yeon-Mong/연몽 (Enmu)

No-Rok/노록 (Rokuro)

Byung-Yeop/병엽 (Wakuraba)

Yeo-Ryeong/여령 (Mukago)

Yang Su-Ri/양수리 (Rui)

Baek Woo-Rung/백우렁 (fem!Kamanue)

[jknerd]

Okay, so many people asked me why i wanted to make Korean Joseon Era AU of Demon Slayer… and I’m too lazy to post screenshot of the asks box. So hear me out.

Demon Slayer had many controversies and the creator didn’t explain or make any excuse because the creator doesn’t do social media much. And the era of Taisho age was a same timeline where in my country Korea was occupied by Japan. To begin with, the manga/anime has shown some strong “imperialism” or “extreme rightists”—Tanjiro’s earrings, for example—it was considered uncomfortable for China and Korea—and other victim countries of Japanese Occupation—to watch or read.

Another thing is that, the creator didn’t seem to have vast knowledge of history. Take an example for Season 2 where Yoshiwara pleasure Hall took place…. Well, the Pleasure Hall and prostitutions were banned at that era—since Meiji—and I’ve been thinking why Taisho Era when the setting could be at Edo period. But I will take the creator’s mistake as alternate universe for its setting.

And last but not least, I am highly confident with history. So, you all might take this as… challenging Koyoharu Gotouge that I can make the story historically accurate. It’s okay if you think of it that way, because… that’s one of the reasons why I decide to make Joseon!AU of Demon Slayer.

I’m half Japanese and Korean. But ever since I stepped my foot in Korea since I was around 2~3, Korea has become my home country and I really love histories of the countries I am bond with. There may be some historical events people may not know, nor understand in Korea, but I will do my very best to find it both history and imagination in this AU.