Korean demons and evil spirits are supernatural beings from Korean folklore, most often called gwisin (귀신), which are typically the restless spirits of the dead, while a separate class of goblins and monsters are known as dokkaebi (도깨비). These entities appear across centuries of oral tradition, shamanic practice, and modern media, and understanding them requires looking at the underlying beliefs about death, the afterlife, and the spirit world that shaped them.
What Are Gwisin? The Restless Dead
The word gwisin is the general term for a ghost or spirit in Korean. In traditional belief, a person who dies with unresolved anger, resentment, or unfinished business cannot move on to the afterlife. Instead, they remain in the human world, often near the place where they died or where they have a strong attachment. These spirits are not inherently evil in a moral sense, but they are dangerous because their suffering can make them vengeful. A gwisin is usually depicted as a woman in a white funeral robe (sobok) with long black hair covering her face, though male and child ghosts also appear in folklore. They are said to be unable to speak normally, often making a sound like a sigh or a moan, and they can cause illness, misfortune, or even death to the living who cross them.
Dokkaebi: Goblins, Not Ghosts
Unlike gwisin, dokkaebi are not spirits of the dead. They are supernatural creatures born from inanimate objects that have been stained with human blood, often an old broom, a mortar, or a tool left in a place where blood has spilled. Dokkaebi are mischievous and unpredictable, but they are not purely evil. They can reward kind people with wealth and punish greedy ones with misfortune. They are famous for their love of wrestling, playing tricks, and for their magical club (dokkaebi bangmangi) that can summon things or grant wishes. In many stories, a clever human can outwit a dokkaebi, and the creature often disappears when the object it came from is destroyed. They are more like European goblins or trolls than demons, and they have become beloved figures in modern Korean culture, appearing in children’s books and television shows.
Specific Named Spirits and Demons
Korean folklore includes a variety of named supernatural beings with specific roles. The Cheonyeo Gwisin is a female ghost who died unmarried and is often seen near water or in secluded places. The Mulgwisin is a water ghost that drowns people to replace itself, similar to a water spirit in other cultures. The Eoui Gwisin is the ghost of a person who died of starvation, and it is said to appear as a shadow with no mouth, constantly hungry. There are also Jangseung, which are not demons but wooden or stone totem poles placed at village entrances to ward off evil spirits. The Haechi is a mythical lion-like creature that judges right and wrong and protects against fire and evil. These figures show that Korean beliefs about evil spirits are closely tied to social values: a proper death and proper rites are what keep a spirit from becoming harmful.
Shamanism and the Spirit World
Korean shamanism, known as musok, is the traditional folk religion that deals with spirits. A mudang (shaman, usually female) acts as an intermediary between the human world and the spirit world. When a family believes a ghost is causing trouble, they may hire a mudang to perform a gut, a ritual that involves music, dance, and offerings to appease the spirit and send it to the afterlife. The gut is not about destroying the spirit but about resolving its grievances. This reflects a core belief: evil spirits are created by unresolved human emotions, so the solution is to address the emotion, not to fight the spirit. This is different from many Western traditions where demons are seen as inherently evil beings that must be exorcised or destroyed.
Protection and Warding Against Evil Spirits
Traditional Korean homes and villages had many methods to keep evil spirits away. Common practices included:
- Placing jujangseung (village guardian poles) at the entrance of a village to scare off spirits.
- Hanging a geumjul (a straw rope) across a doorway, often with red peppers or a piece of charcoal, to block negative energy.
- Using jangseung totem poles with carved faces that were believed to have protective power.
- Burning incense or performing small offerings to appease household gods.
- Wearing red strings or amulets, as red is traditionally considered a color that repels evil.
These practices are not just ancient history; many are still observed in modern Korea during traditional holidays or when a new baby is born, though often as cultural customs rather than strict religious beliefs.
Modern Depictions and Cultural Impact
Korean demons and spirits have become a major part of modern entertainment. The 2016 film The Wailing (곡성) is a well-known horror movie that mixes Christian and shamanic elements, featuring a gwisin and a mysterious stranger. The 2019 film Parasite does not have supernatural elements, but it uses the imagery of a basement ghost to comment on class. The popular television series Goblin (도깨비) reimagines the dokkaebi as a romantic immortal being, showing how far the creature has come from its folkloric roots. In webtoons and K-dramas, gwisin are often portrayed as tragic figures seeking justice for a wrongful death. This modern media has spread Korean folklore globally, but it also simplifies and changes the original stories, which is worth remembering when you encounter these creatures in popular culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gwisin and a dokkaebi?
A gwisin is the spirit of a dead person who has not moved on, usually because of a violent or unjust death. A dokkaebi is a goblin-like creature born from an object stained with blood, and it is not a human spirit. Dokkaebi are more mischievous than malicious, while gwisin are often tragic and dangerous.
Are Korean demons evil?
In traditional Korean folklore, most spirits are not purely evil. They are beings with their own grievances or nature. Even a vengeful gwisin is a victim of circumstances, and a dokkaebi can be helpful if treated with respect. The concept of a purely evil demon is less common in Korean tradition than in some Western religions.
How do you get rid of a gwisin?
Traditionally, you would consult a mudang (shaman) to perform a gut ritual. The ritual involves offerings, music, and dance to appease the spirit and help it cross over. It is not about fighting the spirit but about resolving its anger or sadness.
Are there any Korean demons in video games?
Yes, many Korean games and international games feature Korean spirits. The game Dungeon & Fighters (DNF) includes dokkaebi enemies, and Lost Ark has gwisin-themed bosses. The Yokai Watch series, though Japanese, has a few Korean-inspired yokai. However, these are often adapted for gameplay and may not be accurate to folklore.
Do Koreans still believe in gwisin today?
Belief varies. Many Koreans view gwisin as part of cultural heritage and enjoy them in movies and stories, but do not actually believe they exist. However, shamanic practices are still alive, and some people do consult shamans for spiritual problems. It is a mix of tradition, superstition, and modern skepticism.
Related
- Greek Gods of Fire: Hephaestus, Hestia and Prometheus
- Greek Gods of Fate: The Moirai and Their Roles
- Norse Gods of Peace: Who Promoted Harmony?
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