The Whispering Lands: Korean Ghost Stories

Once again it is time for the annual Korean ghost stories. As this article was published in the Jeju Weekly, I was forced to try and find some connection to ghosts and the island – not an easy task by any means and I must admit, except for one incident – I struck out. However, finding ghost stories about other parts of Korea was extremely easy. The famous English explorer, Isabella Bird Bishop literally stole Rev. George Heber Jones’ work when she wrote:

“In Korean belief, earth, air, and sea are peopled by demons. They haunt every umbrageous tree, shady ravine, spring, and mountain crest. On green hill slopes, in peaceful agricultural valleys, in grassy dells, on wooded uplands, by lake and stream, by road and river, in north, south, east, and west they abound, making malignant sport out of human destinies. They are on every roof, ceiling, oven and beam. They fill the chimney, shed, the living room, the kitchen- they are on every shelf and jar. In thousands they waylay the traveler as he leaves his home, beside him, behind him, dancing in front of him, whirring over his head, crying out upon him from air, earth, and water.”

At least she had the decency to add a footnote acknowledging where she had gained this indepth knowledge of Korean ghosts – other writers who printed the same text – almost word for word – failed to even acknowledge her, let alone him.

This article looks at not only the single Jeju incident but also the spirits of nobility – particularly Queen Min’s vengeful ghost. You can read the article here – in the Jeju Weekly.