In Korean mythology these five grains symbolize all of agriculture. in Korean, is a creature familiar to people who’ve caught the Korean drama of the same name. That’s because the scriptwriters have a wealth of Korean folklore and urban legends to draw from. One of the rare tales in which a grim reaper is able to carry out his unearthly task is “Myth of General Sineui.” In this folklore, a strong and capable General Sineui attempts to ward off the deathly prophet to no avail by planting a ring of orange trees, piercing his head with a silver needle (desperate times indeed call for desperate measures), and fighting off legions of ghosts in the underworld. The medical term for a fear of seeing yourself in a mirror is eisoptrophobia, though it is often interchanged with catoptrophobia and an aversion of mirrors in general. Hecate, goddess of boundaries, crossroads, witchcraft, and ghosts, who was commonly associated with the moon. 219 Kallang Bahru, #04-00 Chutex Building, Singapore 339348. One such list is the Three Most Evil Yokai of Japan (japanese: 日本三大悪妖怪, Nihon san dai aku yōkai). is a mythical creature said to originate from China before making its way into Korea. Korean mythology is a combination of Korean shamanism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and various local myths. This will definitely ring a bell for K-drama fans as it was the inspiration for the Legend of the Blue Sea. The Bogeyman (/ ˈ b ə ʊ ɡ i m æ n, ˈ b oʊ ɡ i-/; also spelled boogeyman, bogyman, bogieman, boogie monster, boogie man, or boogie woogie) is a type of mythical creature used by adults to frighten children into good behavior. of all things, phallic statues. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the Japanese archipelago. This is known as mul gwishin jeokjeon – the act of a water ghost tugging on you. Known as. Nine-tailed foxes are commonplace in folktales originating from Korea, China, and Japan. starring Lee Seung-gi and Shin Min-ah, is one of the most popular, , an upcoming drama set to be aired in the later half of 2020, switches things up by having a male. 22:12. destroy the secret works of darkness, 2 Ne. In the Korean horror movie “Dear Friend,” water ghosts are out for a group of high schoolers’ blood after the girls used a Korean traditional oujia board (called “bunshinsaba“) to conduct a séance and visited a spring in a forest. possesses the ability to mimic the sound of a woman crying for help, luring its victims deep into a dense forest before devouring them. Each time, the unwavering death god finds a way to thwart the great general, alluding to the futility of cheating death. Feeling betrayed, the old man doused his house with cow’s blood, said to be the goblin’s fear, and successfully deflected the sly goblin. goblin looks like Gong Yoo, we wouldn’t mind being bewitched. Tales of the Jangsan Tiger first started spreading on Korean forums in 2010. Others have reported spotting this mythical figure in Incheon, Gyeongju, and Gyeongsan. Say hi to Am on Tumblr. 51 views; 2 years ago; This item has been hidden. Many Chinese folk beliefs about ghosts have been adopted into the mythologies and folklore of neighboring East Asian cultures, notably Japan, Korea… On the flip side, other sources claim that the dokkaebi goes around bewitching women. It is said that anyone who approaches the outhouse has to cough three times to alert the outhouse goddess of their presence and give her time to shy away. Aetcult is your friendly K-beauty enthusiast who loves her tea on and off her face (no lie). Spirit of darkness Vs Legion'Of'Death 20 05 2017 22 45 06 04 - Duration: 11 minutes, 59 seconds. Some statues have survived until this day. This week, it's a horror story from Korean folklore. (ghost) in Korean supernatural legends, the most infamous one has got to be the, Like other spirits who lurk around the living due to unfulfilled wishes or duties, virgin ghosts cannot move on to the afterlife until they’re appeased – traditionally by erecting phallic statues. died a lonely death, they are said to have a penchant for dragging unsuspecting victims down to join them. Falak; Hinn and Binn; Tannin (monster) Canaanite. Shinto and Buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of Japanese mythology. Tying past and present to show how the fates of the characters are intertwined, the drama also unveiled the beginnings of how a grim reaper comes to be. This creature is said to be covered in white fur and looks like a tiger when on all fours. Grim Reaper is said to guide those who’ve departed the mortal realm to the afterlife, and this explains why people fear crossing paths with one. Egg ghosts have many contemporaries such as the Noppera-bo in Japan and Mujina in Hawaii. Spirit of Stone is believed to reside in a huge rock in a mountain or a forest close to a community. Of the lot, the most infamous would probably be the virgin girl ghosts who lead a cursed existence for dying before being able to carry out their Confucian duties of serving her elders and future husband. Bearing an arsenal of extraordinary powers and abilities up their sleeves, these goblins are not to be taken lightly, for great responsibility does not always come with great power. In 2008, the haechi was officially named as Seoul’s representative figure. “Goblin” stays true to the goblin’s powerful and vicious nature by playing up the historical connection with a general’s bloodstained sword. , which revolve around virgin ghosts played by Kim Seul-gi and Shin Min-ah respectively. And fun fact, while most nine-tailed foxes are portrayed as women, “Gu Family Book” interprets their fox spirits as males (who are no less charming than their female counterparts, it seems)! Then return and talk to Eckhart. Goblin, also known as dokkaebi in Korean, is a creature familiar to people who’ve caught the Korean drama of the same name. Hence, during the Joseon dynasty, many officials had this symbol embroidered onto their official gowns to represent a just, upright, and uncorrupt government. Many of us grew up with Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, as well as Disney’s animated adaptation. Much like the Grim Reaper in other parts of the world, the ones in Korean folklore also symbolise death. Ancient Assyria was the first to spin tales of mermaids and the rest is, well, history. , the soul of a murdered police officer, whose body was disposed of in a river, eventually finds her way to the titular hotel. It’s that time of the year again when we start breaking out costumes we have stashed away, pumpkin everything, and not to forget, horror stories. Usually, people who have eisoptrophobia are afraid of the image they see reflected, not the physical mirror. Although these death gods make multiple appearances throughout Korean traditional folklore, they are frequently bested by their opponents who successfully cheat death. Chances are, what you have in mind is a gwisin! If you think these are a thing of the past now that outhouses are not in use, you’re sadly mistaken. A little girl gets lost in the forest, and then a strange problem begins tearing her family apart. The night of their return, the oldest son was roused from his sleep by a commotion only to discover that his younger sister was actually a murderous fox spirit who had devoured the rest of the family so as to become a human for real. If you’re up for a good laugh, consider watching. In Lee Jung Hyun’s “V” music video, the age-old virgin ghost also gets a K-pop worthy revamp; the ratty tatty white dress is cast aside for a glamorous wedding dress, and the ghost herself hangs with a pretty awesome zombie girl-gang! Some of these statues can still be found in, has been adapted in contemporary Korean dramas. Check out these articles more Korea-related content: Singapore Office Unlike goblins in the West, which are usually portrayed as evil and malicious, the. Dokkaebi, or Goblins, are a large part of Korean folklore and can be dated back as far as the Silla-era. It manifests itself in the form of a little girl who has a voice eerily similar to the main character’s son, whom she recently lost. Rumour has it that the Jangsan Tiger possesses the ability to mimic the sound of a woman crying for help, luring its victims deep into a dense forest before devouring them. Virgin ghosts represent the souls of women who died a virgin, and were allegedly used as a scare-mongering tactic to make sure young women got married as soon as possible. Despite being a highly modernised country, Korea is still largely a Confucian society. This legend has been adapted into many K-dramas, including Goblin, Arang and The Magistrate, Black, and 49 Days, as well as a hit movie series called Along With The Gods. Following the Air Nomad Genocide, dark spirits began to inhabit deserted areas that previously had spiritual significance to the Air Nomads, including areas of meditation in forests located … is held in high regard as a guardian, upholding justice and warding off harm to the country. Nine-tailed foxes are commonplace in folktales originating from Korea, China, and Japan. The Korean fairy-tale “The Fox Sister” features a couple with two sons who really wanted a daughter. This creature is said to be covered in white fur and looks like a tiger when on all fours. Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a good night of horror stories around a circle of friends. Despite its world-class advancement in technology and manufacturing, South Korea – a country that was once rooted in shamanism – is awash with superstition.From selecting a spouse and naming a baby, to starting a new business and moving to a new home, Koreans go through convoluted rituals to invoke fortune-tellers, shamans, and diviners. Aizen Myō-ō or Rāgarāja, a deity who transforms worldly lust into spiritual awakening; his red-skinned appearance represents suppressed lust and passion In truth, “gwisin” is a pretty generic word that translates into “ghost,” and they fall under the myth category of Korean supernatural tales. a traditional mourning outfit, virgin ghosts in dramas tend to show a more comical side as they roam around in search of true love. Tied to the land of the living by unfulfilled tasks and untold suffering, ghosts haunt places such as abandoned buildings, forests, and schools. Over the years, this tale has been retold in many Korean dramas, taking on a more lighthearted form. Bitter and resentful, these malevolent spirits were said to terrorize their former villages until the village folk made attempts to appease them with . It has a muscular build and sharp teeth similar to that of a lion, but is covered in armour-like scales. You might have already guessed from the picture, but yes, this specific type of ghost is called an egg ghost for their smooth and faceless appearance. Phone: 6514 0510, The opinions expressed by our users do not reflect the official position of TheSmartLocal.com And to help spice up those nights even more, we’ve rounded up some of the most hair-raising tales from Korean traditional folklore. Appears in the following collections: Early spring, mid-summer and other Korean short stories; Soul of Darkness (Bi-lingual, Vol 2 – Division) Follow | Join | Subscribe. 10:15. scales of darkness shall begin to fall, 2 Ne. Spirit of Darkness. Most people believe that mermaids are just products of fiction. While they are usually described as an invisible force that keeps to their watery depths, such ghosts are sometimes portrayed with long hair and arms that jut out of the stillness to grab at any unfortunate swimmers. Fire Spirit, which is also regarded generally as a malevolent spirit, is not a widely worshipped spirit in Korea, and seldom appears in Korean folktales. The history of thousands of years of contact with China, Korea, Ainu, and Okinawan myths are also key influences in Japanese mythology. However, in comparison to its Western counterparts – a faceless figure in a black cloak holding a scythe – the ones in traditional Korean folklore don a. , a black hat worn during the Joseon era. Diwata na Magbabaya (Bukidnon mythology): simply referred as Magbabaya; the good supreme deity and supreme planner who looks like a man; created the Earth and the first eight elements, namely bronze, gold, coins, rock, clouds, rain, iron, and water; using the elements, he also created the sea, sky, Moon, and stars; also known as the pure god who wills all things; one of three deities living in the realm called … However, not all reapers have to jump through such arduous hoops in order to transport their charges to the nether realm. This will definitely ring a bell for K-drama fans as it was the inspiration for the, Most people believe that mermaids are just products of fiction. Overflowing long hair and dressed in white all over? In the first episode of Hotel Del Luna, the soul of a murdered police officer, whose body was disposed of in a river, eventually finds her way to the titular hotel. Lovecraft Country finally revealed the military service of protagonist Atticus Freeman during the Korean War, which included a horrific encounter with one of the biggest monsters in Korean folklore: the kumiho. Haechi is a historical drama that’s not only named after this mythical creature, but has a storyline filled with characters that exhibit the qualities this creature embodies – justice and integrity. Think of this creature as the faerie dog’s demonic, scarier, and darker cousin. Brutal and hostile, outhouse goddesses are goddesses of Korean traditional outhouses, which were dark and isolated from the main house. is a historical drama that’s not only named after this mythical creature, but has a storyline filled with characters that exhibit the qualities this creature embodies – justice and integrity. or its staff. Its most preferred form to take, though, would be that of a beautiful young girl who seduces men and makes a meal out of these unfortunate souls. Over the years, this tale has been retold in many Korean dramas, taking on a more lighthearted form. But for international viewers who aren’t well-versed in Korean culture, here are 8 Korean folklore and urban legends you should know about to better understand your favourite K-drama and movie characters. Hey Soompiers, which of these folklores was the creepiest? This legend was also depicted in another drama known as Surplus Princess, where a mermaid gets tangled in human affairs after saving a chef from drowning in the Han River. 30:6. then cometh the night of darkness, Alma 34:33. to bring it forth out of … darkness, D&C 1:30. Hunt for 10 Nameless Darkness from Panda or Reinforced Mithril Mutae. When it comes to the characters though, there just doesn’t seem to be a natural chemistry between Ji-A and Yeon. It has a muscular build and sharp teeth similar to that of a lion, but is covered in armour-like scales. Korean folklore versus K-drama These were strongly colored by the later importations of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism from China. One tale tells the story of a fisherman who held mermaids hostage. Events. Think you have the chops to stomach them? While Koreans believe that dreaming about a Grim Reaper is a bad omen, we would beg to differ if it’s one of the three dashing Grim Reapers: Lee Dong-wook, Jung Il-woo, or Sung Seung-heon. But this article will talk about 5 Korean mythological creatures from both the South and North Korea. All of Britain has legends of black dogs that portend certain doom, but Wales has one with a much better title—the dog of darkness.As with all scary, black, ethereal dogs, they are said to haunt lonely country roads and scare the living daylights out of travelers. On the flip side, other sources claim that the. From god-like dokkaebi to vengeful spirits, there’s really no limit when it comes to letting their imaginations run wild. Tengu are impish mountain goblins that play tricks on people, featured in countless folktales and considered purely evil until about the 14th century. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, starring Lee Seung-gi and Shin Min-ah, is one of the most popular gumiho-themed dramas to date. It’s rumoured to be residing on Jangsan mountain, located in Busan, which explains its name. was indeed worshipped like a God in the past, with fishermen praying to them for good catches before they set off to sea. who has the power to intervene with human affairs and help those in need, there’s actually more to this legend. Then, on the creature of the week, you'll see how buying sunglasses for the guard might help you rob a temple. After his death the Gods decided to punish him and turned him into a flame ghost. The mermaid has a long history, with roots in Greecian mythology. . The one in “Goblin” carries out his duties seamlessly and without a fault, using his supernatural powers to check off his list of potential deaths (and sometimes, even causing them!). However, in comparison to its Western counterparts – a faceless figure in a black cloak holding a scythe – the ones in traditional Korean folklore don a gat, a black hat worn during the Joseon era. As fearsome as their reputation is, virgin ghosts appear in mainstream Korean media in a more palatable form these days (think less revenge and more love!). Erebus, primordial god and personification of darkness. However, the happy and idyllic story soon took a turn for the gory when the family started to probe why their livestock was mysteriously dying off. As these mul gwishin died a lonely death, they are said to have a penchant for dragging unsuspecting victims down to join them. Today rowan berry jelly is still made in Scotland and is traditionally eaten with game. However, there are real-life mermaids in Korean. Without descendants to hold memorial rites for them, these spirits are gradually stripped of what humanity and personality they once had and are cursed to a wretched existence in their afterlives. Author: Kim Wonil. to vengeful spirits, there’s really no limit when it comes to letting their imaginations run wild. Folklore and mythological creatures exists all around the world. The original religion of Korea was a form of the Eurasian shamanism and the totemism of Far East Asia, specifically of the nomadic peoples of present-day Manchuria. That’s because the scriptwriters have a wealth of Korean folklore and urban legends to draw from. Known as haenyo, they’re a group of female divers who can hold their breath for over 3 minutes and dive to depths of more than 30 metres while they harvest the freshest seafood. Toilet ghosts called “hoajangshil gwisins” are a close cousin, for they too reside in washrooms (although they haunt unsuspecting users much more indiscriminately!). The fantastical elements in this show have been great and with the urban legend of the Spirit Of Darkness, Tale Of The Nine Tailed leans into these Korean legends nicely. Under the charge of Great King Yŏmna, grim reapers escort souls from the land of the living to the underworld upon their death. Manifesting as long-haired women, these deities lie in wait in the dark and groom their long tresses in preparation for their cruel misdeeds. However, should one fail to do so, an exposed outhouse goddess would fly into a vicious rage and direct her hair to wrap around the victim’s neck and strangle them to death from her ceiling perch. These tales introduced in Korean dramas and movies have a long history behind them and are interesting to read about. Like other spirits who lurk around the living due to unfulfilled wishes or duties, virgin ghosts cannot move on to the afterlife until they’re appeased – traditionally by erecting phallic statues. Next time you’re in a body of water and feel something tugging on you, it might be a water ghost at work trying to replicate its ill-fate on somebody else. If you’re up for a good laugh, consider watching Oh My Ghost and Arang and the Magistrate, which revolve around virgin ghosts played by Kim Seul-gi and Shin Min-ah respectively. When the seasons change and the nights get long it’s not uncommon to see images and symbols of a dark-cloaked witch with an evil black cat or toad at her side. Chained to the realm of the living by the shackles of trauma, they do not realize they have died and instead avidly pursue other swimmers for help, company, or for sheer schadenfreude. Investigations by the two sons culminated in accusations that their sister was the one responsible — accusations that their parents firmly rejected. It manifests itself in the form of a little girl who has a voice eerily similar to the main character’s son, whom she recently lost. Mul gwishin are water spirits of those who have drowned in large bodies of water, with the Han River being the most well-known spot. Share with us your favorite horror stories or movies, and we’ll be ready with popcorn (dokkaebi-style)! The Hundred Year War contributed to the resurgence of dark spirits, as the global conflict caused several spirits to turn dark. Unlike goblins in the West, which are usually portrayed as evil and malicious, the dokkaebi is believed to have a god-like status with a ton of abilities. Praying fervently for a daughter even if she were a fox, the family were indeed blessed with one. All rights reserved 2012 — 2020 TheSmartLocal.com, Guardian : The Lonely and Great God [하이라이트] 올 겨울 최고의 기대작 도깨비 50초 하이라이트 161202 EP.1, Image adapted from (left to right): tvN and, Unsurprisingly, Korean dramas and movies dealing with the supernatural have a way of captivating our attention through their unique storylines. is portrayed as a beautiful woman capable of loving and caring for others. Haechi, also known as Haetae, is a mythical creature said to originate from China before making its way into Korea. Comment by teri7619 Just having tested them a little Flame Crash triggers stacks in the same way Sigil of Flame does The stacks also last until used. has a plot that draws inspiration from this urban legend. A horror film called The Mimic has a plot that draws inspiration from this urban legend. These are the three monsters who, according to legend, posed the greatest threats to Japan’s existence. While there are many different forms of gwishin (ghost) in Korean supernatural legends, the most infamous one has got to be the virgin ghost – cheonyeo gwishin. Even though they all share similar mythological beliefs, those of Korea are unique and feature many interesting creatures and legends… in other parts of the world, the ones in Korean folklore also symbolise death. Note that the mythology in Korea, Japan and China usually coincide with each other. Even if you aren’t a history buff who’s interested in traditional Korean culture, it’s a good idea to expand your knowledge through your K-drama and movie binges. The Rowan is steeped in folklore and was seen very much as a tree of protection. ... As well as the popular wine still made in the Highlands, the Scots made a strong spirit from the berries. Goblin (dokkaebi) Goblin, also known as dokkaebi in Korean, is a creature familiar to … It’s rumoured to be residing on Jangsan mountain, located in Busan, which explains its name. According to these legends, a fox that lives for a thousand years can turn into a fox spirit and shape-shift freely. Grim Reaper is said to guide those who’ve departed the mortal realm to the afterlife, and this explains why people fear crossing paths with one. In Korea, the haechi is held in high regard as a guardian, upholding justice and warding off harm to the country.