As an alternative to western storytelling, "One Upon a Time" is often replaced in Korean folklore with, "Back When Tigers Used to Smoke."
This phrase is used to represent events taking place long, long ago. The Tiger, a symbol for courage, power, and protection stands proud in his Korean Hanbok, smoking tobacco with a common magpie perched on his pipe. When tobacco was first introduced into Korean society, people of all walks of life rich and poor consumed it in plenty. Back when tigers used to smoke embodies a time when all were equal - human and animal in the land of the tigers.