👹 Meet the Korean “Yo-gwae”: Mysterious Creatures from Kpop Demon hunters
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Have you watched K-pop Demon Hunters yet?
It’s packed with action, music, and… Korean
yo-gwae — mysterious creatures and spirits from traditional folklore!
In Korean, these beings are often called yo-gwae (요괴) or gwishin (귀신).
They can be scary, mischievous, or even helpful — and they’ve been part of Korean stories for centuries.
Let’s meet some of the most famous ones!
1. Gumiho (구미호) – The Nine-Tailed Fox
One of the most iconic Korean yokai!
- 🦊 A fox that has lived for a thousand years
- Can transform into a beautiful woman
- Sometimes eats human hearts or livers in old stories
- But modern versions often show her as kind or misunderstood
👉 You might’ve seen Gumiho in K-dramas like My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho or Tale of the Nine-Tailed!
2. Cheonyeo Gwishin (처녀 귀신) – The Vengeful Virgin Ghost
- 👻 A female ghost with long black hair and a white dress
- Said to be a woman who died with strong regret or sadness
- Common in horror movies and ghost stories
- Appears silently… and often suddenly!
💡 Similar to Japan’s Sadako, but with a Korean twist.
3. Dokkaebi (도깨비) – The Mischievous Goblin
- 👺 Not a ghost, but a magical creature
- Can appear scary, but often playful
- Loves drinking, playing games, and tricking people
- Some are friendly and even reward good people with gold
👉 You may remember Dokkaebi from the K-drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (aka Goblin)!
4. Bulgasari (불가사리) – The Monster That Eats Metal
- 🐉 A creature made from iron
- Grows bigger the more metal it eats
- Originally from a legend where it destroyed armies by eating their weapons
- Later adapted into a 1960s Korean monster film
🎬 Yes, Korea has its own “kaiju”-style legend!
5. Jeoseung Saja (저승사자) – The Grim Reaper
- 🧑⚖️ Spirit messenger who comes to guide the dead
- Not evil, just doing his job
- Often wears a traditional black hanbok and hat
- Sometimes appears in pairs
👉 You’ve probably seen this figure in K-dramas like Tomorrow or Dokkaebi
💬 Wanna Learn More?
If you're curious about Korean folklore, let us know!
We’ll keep sharing stories — one creature at a time.
And don’t forget:
Next time you see a ghost in a K-drama, it might just be a Cheonyeo Gwishin. 👻