The 10 Most Chilling Legends of Korea - Gumiho Part 1
📖 What is a Gumiho?
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| Gumiho's has nine tails. |
The Gumiho (九尾狐, Gumiho) is a mythical creature in Korean folklore, depicted as a fox with nine tails. According to legend, a fox that lives for a thousand years gains immense supernatural power and can transform into a human. However, a terrifying story follows: to become fully human, it must consume the liver of a person.
Similar creatures appear in Chinese (Huxian, 狐仙) and Japanese (Yōko, 妖尾狐) mythology, but the Korean Gumiho is distinctively portrayed as a dangerous and cruel entity. Most legends describe it as a beautiful woman who seduces men and steals their livers.
In modern times, Gumiho legends frequently appear in dramas, movies, and webtoons, evolving from a fearsome monster into a tragic or alluring character in contemporary media.
The Gumiho Legend of the Silla Era
In an old Silla village, as dusk settled and darkness crept in, a lone man walked along a forest path. He was returning home after having a few drinks in the village. The moonlight faintly illuminated his path, and an eerie silence enveloped the woods.
Then, it happened. A pale white figure slowly emerged ahead. Standing in the middle of the road was a woman dressed in a flowing white robe. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she gently lifted a delicate hand, pointing at the man. Her voice was soft and melodic.
"Where are you going at this late hour?"
The man, slightly intoxicated, gazed at her. She was stunningly beautiful, her fair complexion glowing under the moonlight, her deep eyes unreadable. It was odd for a woman to be alone in such a desolate place at night, but he felt no fear.
"I’m on my way home. And you, miss? What brings you here in the depths of the forest?"
She tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "I lost my way. Would you mind if I walked with you?"
The man readily nodded. As they strolled together, a peculiar fragrance surrounded him. One step, then another. But when her hand brushed against his arm, an eerie chill crawled up his spine.
"Aren’t you cold?" he asked.
She did not answer. Instead, her lips slowly stretched into an unnatural, wide grin. Her crimson lips parted, revealing sharp, glistening fangs. And then, under the dim moonlight, something slithered behind her.
Nine tails.
The man staggered backward, a scream caught in his throat. But she gripped his wrist tightly, her voice turning icy as she whispered,
"Why are you scared? There’s still a long way to go."
At that moment, the wind howled through the trees, and the man’s vision faded into darkness.
📌 The Background of the Gumiho Legend
- Stories of the Gumiho have been passed down since the Silla era, with similar records appearing in the Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms).
- According to legend, a Gumiho can transform into a human after living for a thousand years, but it must consume a human liver to complete its transformation.
📌 Real Locations Associated with the Gumiho
🦊 The Deep Forests of Bukhansan - Legends tell of Gumiho sightings near Bukhansan Mountain. 🏮 Anapji (Donggung and Wolji), Gyeongju - A Silla official was said to have encountered a Gumiho near the palace pond and barely escaped.
Throughout Korea, numerous variations of the Gumiho legend have been passed down for generations. What do you think of this story? If you ever find yourself walking alone at night and meet a beautiful woman… could she really be human? Or perhaps… something else? 👀
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