Dueoksini
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Basic Information
Threat Assessment
Overview
This Korean ghost story is truly spine-chilling and terrifying. Do you remember the epidemic that swept through Korea in 577 AD during the Joseon Dynasty? At that time, Korean people believed that a ghost called 'Duyeoksin' was spreading the plague. That's the origin of Dueoksini. It was a horrific time when people were dying and entire Korean villages were becoming ruins, and people thought this epidemic was the work of a ghost. Dueoksini lives in Korean dokkaebi forests, ruins, and mountain villages, spreading epidemics and causing people to die in agony - such a terrifying Korean legend exists.
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Characteristics & Behavior
Physical Description
Appears differently to each observer, but generally takes the form of a human writhing with greed and disease. Face is swollen as if afflicted with plague, with spots covering the body. Pus drips from the eyes, turning to blood, and a foul stench comes from the mouth. Most terrifying is the epidemic smell emanating from it - just breathing this smell is said to infect people with disease.
Behavior Pattern
Mainly appears during epidemic outbreaks, wandering through dokkaebi forests, ruined villages, and mountain settlements to spread disease. Also, when epidemics spread to cities or villages, it settles there to infect more people. It particularly targets those with weak immune systems, children, and the elderly.
Legends & Stories
Summary
A story of a terrifying plague god that spreads epidemics by wandering through villages and making people sick
Detailed Legend
The most terrifying epidemic ghost originating from the epidemic outbreak that swept Korea in 577 AD during the Joseon Dynasty. At that time, people believed this epidemic was spread by a ghost called 'Duyeoksin', which became the origin of Dueoksini. It is said to live in dokkaebi forests, ruined villages, and mountain settlements, spreading epidemics and causing people to die in agony. While similar to dokkaebi in Korean legends, it is essentially regarded as a pessimistic and evil entity symbolizing epidemics and disease.
History & Origin
Origin
Legend originating from Joseon Dynasty epidemic outbreak and plague god folk beliefs
Related Events
- •577 AD Joseon Dynasty epidemic outbreak incident
- •Dueoksini sightings during epidemic outbreaks nationwide
- •Increased sighting cases during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic
- •Suspicious person sightings in abandoned villages
⚠️ Safety Measures
Media & Cultural References
Korean Plague Gods and Epidemic Folklore
Joseon Dynasty Epidemics and Folk Beliefs
TV Documentary - 577 AD Outbreak and Duyeoksin Legend
COVID-19 and Dueoksini Sighting Stories Collection
Location Map
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