Gumiho (구미호)

ShapeshifterKorea · East AsiaFolktaleFear 9/10

Description

Nine-tailed fox that seduces humans to consume their liver or heart. Recorded in Samguk Yusa, transforms into beautiful woman. Must consume 100 livers to become fully human

Origin & Background

Gumiho is a creature that appears in Korean legends and folklore, originally used in novels from the Joseon Dynasty to refer to a magical fox, and in historical records, it was also used in a derogatory sense to criticize treacherous officials. In modern Korea, the term gumiho has been expanded to include all fox spirits described in traditional Korean materials.

The Legend

Gumiho is primarily depicted as a deceptive and malevolent being, though sometimes it is portrayed as benevolent towards humans or as a deity that rules over mountains. In Korean mythology, gumiho often appears in the form of heretical Buddhist monks or beautiful women, and is sometimes described as a monster that torments and threatens divine beings like dragons. Gumiho is considered a harbinger of the kingdom's downfall, and is sometimes depicted in stories where it defeats multiple dragons, emphasizing its demigod-like characteristics.

In Popular Culture

In Korea's modern media industry, works themed around gumiho are frequently produced, based on traditional Korean folklore. Gumiho gained widespread recognition through the horror anthology series 'Legend of the Village' and in contemporary Korean mythology, the desire of gumiho to become human is increasingly prominent. Gumiho is reinterpreted in various ways and is also expressed with positive imagery. In contrast, in North Korean media, gumiho is depicted only with a negative image.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Kumiho" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia