Are you ready to uncover the secrets of Korean folklore and dive into a world of mythical creatures? Whether you’re fascinated by ancient myths or seeking inspiration for your next creative project, you’re not alone in your curiosity.
We understand the struggle to connect with these ancient legends, but don’t worry—we’re here to guide you. With our deep knowledge of Korean mythology, we’ll help you explore:
- The Gumiho and its complexities
- The mischievous Dokkaebi
- The wise Korean dragons
By following our insights, you’ll unlock a richer understanding of these fascinating creatures.
Keep reading, and see how these myths shape modern media and culture.
1. The Origins of Korean Folklore

Korean folklore, like that of many other cultures, has its roots in the ancient traditions of storytelling, spiritual beliefs, and the natural world. It was shaped by shamanism and animism, two significant belief systems that regard nature and the supernatural world as populated by spirits.
These beliefs are crucial in Korean mythology, where supernatural beings often symbolize the forces of nature and human emotions.
Korean mythology is also influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, two dominant philosophies that have shaped the culture over the centuries. Buddhist ideas of karma, reincarnation, and the struggle between good and evil frequently appear in Korean myths, while Confucianism’s focus on moral righteousness and filial piety often provides the backdrop for many traditional stories.
Oral traditions were crucial in preserving these myths, passed down through storytelling and folk songs. These ancient stories were told around campfires, in village gatherings, or at festivals, making folklore an integral part of everyday life.
Over time, these stories evolved into more complex narratives, blending elements of magic, nature, and morality, and often being recorded in written form in later centuries.
As the stories spread across the Korean peninsula, local variations of the same creatures and spirits emerged, leading to a rich diversity in folklore.
The mythical creatures we see today in Korean mythology reflect this long history, woven together by cultural beliefs, human experiences, and the deep connection Koreans have with their land and ancestors.
See Also Korean Dining Etiquette
2. Key Creatures from Korean Folklore

Korean folklore is home to a variety of mystical and mythical creatures that have captured the imaginations of people for centuries. These beings, ranging from vengeful spirits to powerful supernatural animals, often embody important themes of morality, nature, and human emotion.
Some are guardians, others are tricksters, while some invoke fear, and others offer wisdom. Below are some of the most fascinating and iconic creatures from Korean mythology.
Gumiho (Nine-Tailed Fox)

The gumiho, or nine-tailed fox, is one of the most iconic creatures in Korean mythology. Traditionally depicted as a shape-shifting fox, it often transforms into a beautiful woman with the aim of seducing and consuming human hearts or livers, particularly those of men.
The gumiho is a complex creature, embodying the themes of temptation, danger, and the allure of the unknown.
- Appearance: A nine-tailed fox, often depicted as a beautiful woman in folklore.
- Behavior: Traditionally, a sinister and dangerous being, luring men to their doom.
- Powers: Shape-shifting and consuming human hearts or livers.
- Symbolism: Represents temptation, danger, and the balance between innocence and monstrosity.
- Modern Depictions: In contemporary media, like the popular show My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, it is reimagined as a more sympathetic figure struggling with its nature.
Dokkaebi (Korean Goblin)

The dokkaebi, often referred to as the Korean goblin, is a mischievous and unpredictable figure in Korean folklore. Known for their grotesque appearance and magical abilities, dokkaebi can cause both trouble and fortune for those who encounter them.
While often tricksters, their stories reflect the Korean people’s belief in the duality of nature: good and bad forces coexisting.
- Appearance: Typically depicted as grotesque and comical creatures, often with exaggerated features.
- Powers: Magical clubs that summon objects, bring rain, or turn things into treasure.
- Behavior: Mischievous but not inherently evil; can reward those who show kindness or courage.
- Symbolism: Represents the unpredictable nature of life, fate, and the balance between good and bad forces.
- Cultural Significance: A symbol of fortune and misfortune, reflecting life’s dualities.
Jangsanbeom (Mountain Tiger)

The jangsanbeom, or mountain tiger, is a fearsome creature that inhabits the mountains of South Korea. Known for its ability to transform into a beautiful woman, the jangsanbeom uses this form to lure victims into the wilds, where it reveals its true form—a deadly tiger.
It embodies the dangers of nature, particularly the untamed wilderness of the mountains.
- Appearance: A large, terrifying tiger that can shape-shift into a woman.
- Behavior: Lures victims into the mountains before attacking them in its true form.
- Symbolism: Represents the dangers of the wild and untamed forces of nature.
- Cultural Significance: Serves as a warning to respect nature and stay safe in the mountains, where unseen dangers can lurk.
Cheonyeo Gwishin (Virgin Ghost)

The cheonyeo gwishin, or virgin ghost, is a sorrowful and vengeful figure in Korean folklore. These spirits are typically women who have died tragically or before their time, often from violence or betrayal. The cheonyeo gwishin is driven by a strong desire for revenge or to resolve unresolved emotional trauma.
- Appearance: Often depicted as a young woman in a white gown with long, unkempt hair.
- Behavior: Seeks vengeance against those who wronged her in life or is lost in grief and sorrow.
- Symbolism: Represents unresolved grief, injustice, and unfulfilled desires.
- Cultural Significance: The virgin ghost symbolizes the consequences of mistreating women or failing to acknowledge their suffering.

Banchim (Vengeful Spirit of a Woman)

The banchim is another type of female ghost, but unlike the cheonyeo gwishin, it is driven by a singular thirst for revenge. Often depicted as a terrifying figure, the banchim seeks to punish those who betrayed or harmed her in life.
In some stories, her rage extends beyond those who wronged her, symbolizing the universal nature of betrayal.
- Appearance: A shadowy figure or a woman cloaked in a veil, her face obscured.
- Behavior: Driven by vengeance, the banchim punishes wrongdoers and sometimes extends her wrath to others.
- Symbolism: Represents betrayal, the desire for justice, and the empowerment of a wronged spirit.
- Cultural Significance: The banchim highlights the idea that those who cause harm will eventually face the consequences of their actions.
Three-Legged Crow (Samjoko)

The three-legged crow, known as samjoko, is a significant figure in Korean mythology. Revered as a messenger of the mountain god and associated with the sun, this bird symbolizes vitality, energy, and the life-giving power of the sun.
It can be both a protector and a harbinger of disaster, depending on the context in which it appears.
- Appearance: A crow with three legs, often linked to the sun and considered a divine messenger.
- Behavior: Acts as a protector, guiding life, or as a harbinger of natural disasters.
- Symbolism: Represents vitality, light, energy, and the dual nature of the sun’s power.
- Cultural Significance: The three-legged crow is seen as a guardian of life but also a reminder of the destructive forces of nature.
Korean Cockatrice (Jidok)

The Korean cockatrice or chicken dragon is a fearsome hybrid creature, a mix between a rooster and a dragon. Known for its deadly gaze, the jidok can turn anyone who meets its eyes into stone. This creature symbolizes both the fear and fascination with supernatural beings and the fine line between life and death.
- Appearance: A rooster with dragon-like wings, often depicted with serpentine features.
- Powers: Gaze that can turn people to stone, a symbol of life and death.
- Symbolism: Represents the unpredictable balance between the natural and supernatural worlds.
- Cultural Significance: A symbol of the dangers of the supernatural and the power of gaze and perception.
Korean Dragons (Yong)

Korean dragons, or yong, are majestic and benevolent creatures that hold a central place in Korean culture. Unlike their Western counterparts, Korean dragons are deeply connected to water and nature, symbolizing prosperity, longevity, and harmony with the natural world.
They are revered as protectors and guardians of rivers, mountains, and temples.
- Appearance: Serpentine creatures with antler-like horns, often depicted with a gentle, wise expression.
- Behavior: Benevolent creatures that protect natural elements, such as rivers and mountains.
- Powers: Control over the seas, rivers, and rainfall; bringers of good fortune.
- Symbolism: Represent prosperity, harmony with nature, and the cyclical forces of life.
- Cultural Significance: Korean dragons are revered as guardians of important natural resources, essential to the Korean people’s agricultural society.
3. The Role of Folklore Creatures in Korean Festivals and Traditions

Korean folklore creatures are not just relegated to ancient myths or stories—they play an integral role in Korean culture and are deeply woven into the fabric of the nation’s festivals, traditions, and spiritual practices.
These mythical creatures serve as symbols of various aspects of life, from natural forces to moral lessons, and their representations often find their way into seasonal celebrations, rituals, and community gatherings.
Whether through storytelling, art, or performance, folklore creatures have had a lasting influence on how the Korean people connect with their heritage and the supernatural.
Folklore Creatures and Korean Festivals
Korean festivals often draw on the mythological creatures of the past, using them as symbols to invoke blessings, ward off evil, and ensure a prosperous year ahead. These festivals are not just about celebrating culture, but also about honoring the gods, nature, and spiritual beliefs that shape the Korean mythology.
- Chuseok (Harvest Festival): One of the most significant festivals in Korea, Chuseok, involves rituals that honor ancestors and celebrate the fall harvest. The gumiho and other supernatural beings are sometimes invoked in stories told during this time to educate younger generations about respecting nature and understanding the consequences of one’s actions. The festival also incorporates traditional rituals where people seek protection from evil spirits and supernatural beings.
- Seollal (Lunar New Year): During Seollal, Koreans celebrate the lunar new year with family gatherings and ritual offerings to the spirits of ancestors. Korean dragons often appear in traditional dances, with performers wearing dragon costumes to symbolize prosperity and protection. The dragon dance is believed to bring good fortune for the coming year and is often performed during seollal celebrations to invoke the power of the dragons who control the forces of nature and bring blessings to the community.
- Dano (Spring Festival): During the Dano Festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring, traditional rituals include hanging medicinal herbs to ward off evil spirits. The dokkaebi—the Korean goblin—is often depicted in these rituals, both as a mischievous trickster and as a figure who offers protection from bad luck. In some regions, people celebrate with the dokkaebi dance, where performers wear masks resembling the goblin to drive away misfortune and invoke good health.
See Also Korean Mythology Gods
Cultural Significance of Mythical Creatures in Rituals
In many Korean traditions, mythical creatures like the jangsanbeom (mountain tiger) and the cheonyeo gwishin (virgin ghost) are seen as embodiments of the natural world’s power and the emotions that arise from human experiences. These creatures are not just symbols of danger or revenge; they also serve as important metaphors in rituals and customs.
- Mountain Tiger (Jangsanbeom): The jangsanbeom serves as a reminder of the untamed forces of nature. In ancient Korean rituals, the mountain tiger symbolized the need to show respect and caution when interacting with the natural world. During mountain pilgrimages and certain spiritual rituals, people would offer prayers and offerings to appease the spirits of the mountains and avoid the wrath of the jangsanbeom, thereby ensuring a safe journey.
- Virgin Ghost (Cheonyeo Gwishin): This ghostly figure is closely associated with rituals that focus on resolving past wrongs and easing troubled spirits. In certain traditional spirit rituals, prayers are made to calm the restless spirits of cheonyeo gwishin, asking for forgiveness and peace for those who have passed away prematurely or unjustly. This reflects the Korean people’s belief in the importance of honoring the dead and ensuring they do not bring harm to the living.
The Role of Folklore Creatures in Korean Art and Performances
Korean folklore creatures have also inspired a wide range of artistic and performance-based traditions that are still actively performed today. In many traditional plays, puppet shows, and dances, supernatural beings such as the three-legged crow and the Korean cockatrice are brought to life on stage to teach valuable life lessons or to simply entertain audiences.
- Pansori (Korean Traditional Storytelling): Pansori, a form of Korean storytelling through song, is another way that Korean folklore creatures are brought to life. The tales often feature mythical creatures like the gumiho or jangsanbeom, whose interactions with humans serve to convey lessons about life, love, and the balance between good and evil.
The performances are rich with symbolism, and the inclusion of these supernatural beings highlights the intertwining of Korean myths with the lived experience of Korean people.
- Talchum (Mask Dance Drama): In the traditional Talchum performances, masks representing various supernatural beings such as the dokkaebi and banchim are worn by performers. These masks are used in Korean drama to depict morality plays where tricksters, spirits, and other characters represent different human virtues and vices. The dokkaebi, for example, is often shown as a mischievous trickster who ultimately teaches a lesson about the consequences of greed or arrogance.

4. Korean Folklore Creatures in Modern Media

Korean folklore creatures have made a significant impact on modern media, with many mythical beings from Korean mythology being reimagined and adapted in contemporary forms of entertainment such as films, television dramas, webtoons, and video games.
These supernatural creatures, once steeped in ancient stories, have found new life in modern storytelling, captivating global audiences while retaining their cultural roots.
Through Korean dramas (K-dramas), films, and popular culture, Korean folklore has taken on fresh interpretations that resonate with younger generations and highlight the evolving relationship between traditional mythology and modern society.
K-Dramas and Movies: A Fresh Take on Traditional Creatures
Korean dramas and films have become a powerful medium for bringing folklore creatures to life, blending Korean mythology with modern storytelling techniques. Creatures such as the gumiho, dokkaebi, and Korean dragon have been re-envisioned as multi-dimensional characters, often adding layers of complexity to their traditional roles in mythology.
- Gumiho (Nine-Tailed Fox): One of the most famous Korean mythological creatures, the gumiho has become a popular character in recent K-dramas. Traditionally depicted as a dangerous seductress, the gumiho in shows like My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010) and The Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child (2019) is portrayed as a more sympathetic figure, grappling with its nature and desire to fit into the human world.
In these stories, the gumiho struggles with its darker instincts while forming deep connections with humans, showcasing the creature’s evolution in modern Korean culture.
- Dokkaebi (Korean Goblin): The dokkaebi, a mischievous and magical goblin, has seen a resurgence in Korean dramas. In Goblin (2016), one of the most successful K-dramas internationally, the dokkaebi is depicted as a tragic and philosophical figure, whose life is intertwined with human experiences of love, loss, and destiny.
This goblin is far removed from the chaotic tricksters of traditional folklore, showing a much deeper, melancholic side that resonates with the themes of immortality and loneliness. The character’s transformation from mischievous creature to complex protector mirrors the evolving portrayal of Korean mythology in modern media.
- Korean Dragons (Yong): Korean dragons, revered as benevolent and powerful beings in Korean mythology, have also appeared in various Korean films and dramas. The Yong is often portrayed as a guardian of water and nature, representing good fortune and protection.
In the 2019 film The Divine Fury, a Korean dragon plays a symbolic role in the narrative, showcasing the creature’s connection to spiritual realms and natural forces. These modern depictions continue to emphasize the dragon’s role as a force of good, aligning with the traditional belief in Korean dragons as symbols of prosperity and harmony.
See Also Traditional Korean Wedding Dress
Mythical Creatures in Webtoons and Animated Media

Webtoons, the digital comics native to South Korea, have also been instrumental in revitalizing Korean folklore creatures. With their global reach and visual storytelling, webtoons offer a platform for mythological beings to be reimagined in dynamic and visually striking ways.
- Gumiho: In webtoons such as Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child and Nine-Tailed, the gumiho is depicted in various forms, from a mystical shape-shifting fox to a creature torn between human emotions and its inherent supernatural nature. These webtoons have gained popularity not only in South Korea but also internationally, offering fans a deeper exploration of the gumiho’s lore while presenting it through modern art styles and storylines.
- Korean Cockatrice (Jidok): While not as widely featured in mainstream media, the Korean cockatrice has made its appearance in webtoons like Jidok, where it is depicted as a powerful and deadly creature. The cockatrice is often shown as a symbol of fear and caution, with its petrifying gaze reminding readers of the thin line between life and death in Korean mythology.
- Dokkaebi: As seen in Goblin, the dokkaebi is often featured in webtoons as well, taking on different forms from traditional folklore figures to modern supernatural beings. Webtoons like The Goblin and the Teacher focus on the character’s magical abilities, trickster nature, and eventual emotional journey, aligning with the way the Korean goblin is depicted in Korean dramas.
Korean Folklore Creatures in Video Games
The gaming industry in South Korea has also embraced Korean mythology by featuring folklore creatures as central characters or symbols in video games. These games introduce Korean mythological creatures to an even broader audience, blending traditional lore with modern gameplay mechanics.
- Korean Dragon (Yong): In games like Blade & Soul, Korean dragons feature prominently as powerful figures that players must confront or align with. The Yong in these games is a powerful and revered creature, often associated with the game’s mystical elements and grand narrative arcs.
- Dokkaebi: In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players encounter creatures inspired by Korean goblins. Though not directly called dokkaebi, these goblins are portrayed as magical, trickster-like figures who challenge players both physically and morally. Their mischievous nature and magical powers are elements that draw from the traditional Korean mythology of goblins.
- Gumiho: The gumiho has also appeared in Korean role-playing games (RPGs) like Lineage and Mabinogi, where the character’s mythological traits—shape-shifting, seduction, and consumption of hearts—are integral to the gameplay and character development. Players can take on roles inspired by the gumiho, either as a protagonist or an antagonist, and explore different storylines connected to the creature’s legend.
Key Takeaways About Korean Folklore Creatures

Korean folklore creatures are not merely relics of the past but continue to play an influential role in shaping both cultural traditions and modern media. These mythical beings—from the seductive gumiho to the playful dokkaebi, the majestic Korean dragons, and the eerie jangsanbeom—represent diverse themes such as morality, nature, and the supernatural.
As symbols of the balance between good and evil, they have captivated generations through stories, festivals, and rituals that celebrate the rich Korean mythology.
In modern entertainment, these creatures have been reimagined, allowing them to resonate with new audiences while preserving their ancient cultural significance. Whether through K-dramas, webtoons, or video games, Korean folklore creatures continue to evolve, symbolizing the ever-changing relationship between Korean culture and the modern world.
FAQ
Popular creatures include the Gumiho (Nine-Tailed Fox), Dokkaebi (Korean Goblin), Jangsanbeom (Mountain Tiger), and Cheonyeo Gwishin (Virgin Ghost), each symbolizing different aspects of morality, nature, and human emotions.
Korean folklore creatures have been reimagined in K-dramas, webtoons, and movies, often with more complex, relatable characters. For example, the Gumiho is depicted as a conflicted figure, while the Dokkaebi in shows like Goblin is portrayed with deeper emotional depth.