Yakwang-gwi
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Basic Information
Threat Assessment
Overview
A unique traditional Korean ghost that appears on ghost day, descending from hell to the human world. Originally, Yakwang-gwi escaped from hell to the human world but was caught by King Yama and punished to glow wherever it goes, assigned to guide souls in hell. It appears as a goblin-like figure wearing a Hahoe mask, coming down to homes on ghost day to steal children's shoes and clothes. When it finds shoes that fit, it takes them away, and those who lose their belongings are said to lose their luck and experience misfortune for a year.
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Characteristics & Behavior
Physical Description
Appears as a goblin-like figure wearing a Hahoe mask, emitting light from its entire body. Its height is similar to a child or slightly taller, and it mainly operates at night. It is curious but dull-minded, traditionally said to only count up to two.
Behavior Pattern
Only appears on ghost day, wandering around homes looking for children's shoes and clothes. When it finds fitting shoes, it takes them away. When it sees a sieve made of horsehair, it starts counting the holes but gets confused and keeps recounting until dawn when it returns to hell.
Legends & Stories
Summary
A glowing ghost story that steals shoes and clothes on ghost day
Detailed Legend
Yakwang-gwi escaped from hell to the human world but was caught by King Yama and punished to glow wherever it goes, assigned to guide souls in hell. On ghost day, when ghosts come to the human world, people avoid long journeys and light fires in every house, burning hair or straw to ward off ghosts. They don't leave shoes outside when sleeping, and if they must, they turn them upside down. This is because the glowing ghost called Yakwang-gwi comes down to homes on this day, tries on children's shoes, and takes away those that fit. People who lose shoes or clothes are said to lose their luck and experience misfortune for a year. To prepare for Yakwang-gwi, people hide shoes, sleep with lights off, or hang sieves made of horsehair - the ghost will count the holes instead of stealing shoes and return to hell when the first rooster crows.
History & Origin
Origin
Ghost that became luminous as punishment after escaping from hell
Related Events
- •Ghost day folk events
- •Traditional Yakwang-gwi warding customs
- •Shoe flipping traditions
⚠️ Safety Measures
Media & Cultural References
Korean Folklore Collection - Yakwang-gwi Legend
Traditional History Documentary - Ghost Day Customs
Location Map
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