Changwi (창귀)

Vengeful GhostKorea · East AsiaLegendFear 7/10

Description

Ghost of person devoured by tiger, enslaved as spirit servant to lure new victims. Must find a replacement to earn freedom. Featured in Park Jiwon's novel Hojil

Origin & Background

Changgui (倀鬼) is a spirit in Korean and Northeast Asian folklore that is said to be the soul of a person who was killed by a tiger, becoming a servant of the tiger to lure new victims.

The Legend

In order for the soul of a person eaten by a tiger to be freed, it must bring another person to the tiger in their place. It is said that at night, the spirit calls out a person's name up to three times, and if the person responds within those three calls, they are enchanted and walk towards the tiger. In Park Ji-won's 'Hojil', it is mentioned that the first person eaten by the tiger becomes Gulgak (屈閣), the second becomes Iol (彛兀), and the third becomes Yukhon (鬻渾). Gulgak lures the homeowner to the kitchen, Iol sabotages the hunter's traps, and Yukhon entices someone they were close to.