16 Creatures from Korean Mythology You Haven't Heard Of

Urban legends expert Sydney Bermudez goes over the most well-known creatures from Korean folklore

Co-authored by Sydney Bermudez and Amber Crain

Last Updated: February 3, 2026 Fact Checked

Korea’s mythology is filled with a fascinating collection of creatures, beasts, and monsters. Are you ready to meet their most famous (and infamous) supernatural beings? Well, buckle up and hold on! Below, we’ll introduce you to 16 of Korea’s most famous creatures from folklore–a roster that includes shapeshifting foxes, metal-eating monsters, dogs made of fire, and so much more–with help from urban legends expert Sydney Bermudez. Join us as we step into the wonderful world of Korean legend!

Famous Creatures From Korean Myth

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An illustration featuring famous creatures from Korean mythology.

Urban legends expert Sydney Bermudez says some of the most well-known creatures in Korean mythology include the Dokkaebi, Gumiho, and Imugi:

Dokkaebi (도깨비): Mischievous goblins who play tricks on humans.
Gumiho (구미호): A cunning nine-tailed fox that can shapeshift.
Imugi (이무기): Giant serpents that aspire to become dragons.

1

Bulgae (불개)

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These “fire dogs” are said to come from the underworld. In one famous myth, the king sends fire dogs to capture the moon and the sun, but the dogs can't handle the temperatures (the sun being too hot, the moon too cold)–they burn or freeze upon arrival and can’t finish their task. The legend says each time a fire dog tries to capture the moon or the sun in its mouth, it causes an eclipse.^{[1]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Sydney Bermudez is an urban legends expert. She specializes in horror storytelling, Mexican folklore, creepy pastas and urban legends, and shares stories with her over 400k followers.

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Dokkaebi (도깨비)

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Dokkaebi (도깨비) are mischievous goblins or nature sprites. Dokkaebi are extremely common in Korean folklore and there are many myths about them. Bermudez explains that these goblin-like creatures are playful, but unpredictable. She says they are mischievous and known for testing humans through tricks, riddles, and strange encounters.^{[2]
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Sydney Bermudez
Urban Legends Expert

Expert Interview} They will also sometimes help humans… as long as the humans are respectful. In some stories, the dokkaebi grant wishes.^{[3]
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- In pop culture: The dokkaebi are portrayed as attractive, fashion-forward humans in the famous K-drama Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God).^{[4]
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Gumiho (구미호)

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Gumiho (구미호) is a shape-shifting nine-tailed fox. According to Bermudez, the gumiho is a nine-tailed fox spirit known for transforming into a woman.^{[5]
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Sydney Bermudez
Urban Legends Expert

Expert Interview} It’s considered an evil and cunning trickster. In folklore, a gumiho can live for a thousand years. They often carry a small blue marble called yeowoo guseul (여우구슬) that contains great knowledge and power. If a human steals this marble and eats it, they’ll gain knowledge of the earth or heavens (whichever one they look at first).^{[6]
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- “In Korean legends, the gumiho is often portrayed as more dangerous and tragic than in other cultures,” says Bermudez. It’s often tied to deception, desire, and survival.^{[7]
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- Bermudez notes that “some of the most well-known creatures in Korean mythology really reflect the darker, moral-driven side of folklore.”^{[8]
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- In pop culture: Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020) is a popular Korean television series that features a modern-day gumiho. Gumihos also appear in Korean TV series like My Roommate is a Gumiho (2021) and My Girlfriend is Gumiho (2010).
- Fun fact: Gumiho is also the name of a popular punk band from Seoul, South Korea.^{[9]
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4

Haechi (해치)

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Haechi (해치) is a revered guardian creature that looks like a lion. This majestic lion-like creature is often depicted as having a muscular build, sharp teeth, and armour-like scales. In Korean folklore, haechi are revered as guardians symbolizing justice, integrity, and protection, and they are still respected today. In fact, Seoul made the haechi its official representative figure in 2008.^{[10]
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- In pop culture: Haechi is the name of a famous Korean historical drama that features characters that embody the concepts of justice and integrity.

5

Gwisin (귀신)

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These deceased spirits cannot find peace and may linger on the physical plane for a number of reasons—to take revenge on enemies and protect loved ones are two common ones. The presence of gwisin can cause nearby humans to get sick and even die, even if the gwisin doesn't mean any harm. The reason? Gwisin must feed on a living person’s life force in order to stay in the physical world.^{[11]
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Bulgasari (불가사리)

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The Bulgasari (불가사리) is a metal-eating monster. This creature, which usually appears as a hybrid of a bear, elephant, and tiger, is also known as the “unkillable beast” because the metal it consumes grants it strength and resilience. The more metal the Bulgasari eats, the stronger it gets! In some myths, the Bulgasari punishes evil and wrong-doing.^{[12]
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- In pop culture: The Bulgasari inspired the first South Korean science fiction film, Bulgasari at the End of Songdo, as well as Pulgasari, the most expensive North Korean film ever made, and the K-drama Bulgasal: Immortal Souls.

7

Yong (용)

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Yong (용) are benevolent dragons in Korean folklore. These revered Korean dragons have deer antlers, a snake belly, a fish tail, claws, and whiskers. Yong are said to have power over the sea, floods, and storms, and sometimes carry a magical orb that grants wishes. Dragons are often depicted as evil in western culture, but Korean dragons are revered and appear frequently in Korean Buddhist temples. They are seen as symbols of good luck.^{[13]
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- The dragon is one of the “Four Divinities" in Korean mythology, along with the phoenix, giraffe, and turtle.^{[14]
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- Fun fact: Kwon Ji-yong, aka G-Dragon, is a popular South Korean rapper. He got his start in the boy band BigBang, which is one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.

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Imugi (이무기)

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Imugi (이무기) are giant serpents that want to be dragons. The imugi is a serpent-like creature that hasn’t yet become a true dragon, says Bermudez.^{[15]
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Sydney Bermudez
Urban Legends Expert

Expert Interview} It’s said that if these “lesser dragons” or “proto-dragons” manage to survive a thousand years, they’ll transform from giant serpents into yong (용), which are “true dragons” in Korean mythology. In Korean myths, most dragons actually start out as imugis. They live in waters or caves and, like yong, are associated with good luck, perseverance, and transformation.^{[16]
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- Bermudez notes that many stories describe the imugi as being in transition. It needs wisdom or a great trial to finally transform, making it a really symbolic figure in Korean mythology.^{[17]
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- In pop culture: The South Korean film D-War (2007) features two imugi, one good and one evil, who compete to see who can become a full-fledged dragon first.

9

Ungnyeo (웅녀)

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The "Bear Woman" appears in many famous Korean myths, including their creation myth. In one famous myth, the bear prays to the divine king to be made into a human. The king gives the bear a trial of eating only garlic and mugwort in a cave for 100 days, and if it succeeds, he would transform it. The bear succeeds and, as promised, the king transforms it into a woman… and then marries her!^{[18]
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10

Inmyeonjo (인면조)

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Inmyeonjo (인면조) is a giant bird with a human face. A bird with a human face might sound a little unsettling, but these creatures were considered to be quite majestic and beautiful. The inmyeonjo usually has the face of a woman and symbolizes peace and longevity–it’s said that they can live for a thousand years. Inmyeonjo are famously featured in ancient Korean art, appearing frequently in tomb murals and cave drawings.^{[19]
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- In pop culture: A giant inmyeonjo puppet appeared at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Olympics, which were held in South Korea (check out the event in this video). Viewers blew up the internet upon seeing the incredible inmyeonjo puppet!^{[20]
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  Research source} Check out this YouTube video from @Koreanet of the inmyeonjo greeting its adoring fans.

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Bonghwang (봉황)

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This colorful and majestic bird is often depicted with brilliant light radiating all around it, and it symbolizes virtue, grace, royalty, and renewal. In Korea, the Bonghwang appears in the presidential emblem. Historically, it was used in the royal family’s emblems and motifs.^{[21]
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Daltokki (달토끼)

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Daltokki is known as the Moon Rabbit. According to the myths, the daltokki lives on the moon and spends its time pounding rice with a mortar and pestle to make rice cakes–which makes for quite a mental image! Legends of the moon rabbit have been told for centuries in Korea, especially during their Mid-Autumn harvest festivals. Even today, the moon rabbit symbolizes prosperity, self-sacrifice, and long life.^{[22]
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- In pop culture: The moon rabbit often appears as a cute and cuddly character in children’s stories, animated films, products, and advertisements. During the Korean holiday Chuseok, the moon rabbit is heavily featured in decorations and festivities.

13

Samjoko (삼족오)

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Samjoko (삼족오) are three-legged crows. In Korean mythology, the three-legged crow lives inside the sun (interestingly, a turtle lives inside the moon) and is considered to be a sun god. The samjoko represents divine kingship and the cosmic connection between heaven and earth. These crows were revered and said to be extremely powerful… even more powerful than the mighty yong (용) (Korean dragons).^{[23]
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- In pop culture: Samjokos still appear frequently in modern media, including the popular K-drama series Jumong.

14

Gye-lyong (계룡)

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This creature, also sometimes called the Korean basilisk, is one of Korea’s many dragon creature variants (they really like dragons!) Gye-lyong, or chicken-dragons, are known for their crest and feathered appearance, which sets them apart from the other dragons in Korean myth. Gye-lyong are said to possess deadly powers and are often depicted pulling the chariots of important legendary figures and heroes.^{[24]
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15

Jeosung Saja (저승사자)

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Jeosung Saja (저승사자) is the Korean version of the Grim Reaper. As the Grim Reaper, this being guides dead souls to the afterlife. The jeosung saja is not considered to be evil or a bad omen, but more as a helper (although you probably wouldn’t want to meet one personally!) Traditionally, jeosung saja were depicted as pale creatures wearing black hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) and a black hat.^{[25]
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- In pop culture: Today, modern Korean TV shows often depict jeosung saja wearing stylish black suits and fedoras. For example, a handsome but troubled Grim Reaper appears in the K-drama Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) and is one of the show’s most popular characters.

16

Chollima (천리마)

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Chollima literally means “thousand-li horse” (“li” is a Korean unit of measurement that equals ~500 kilometers or 310 miles). In Korean myths, the chollima could travel extremely fast–about 1,000 li in a single day! While the chollima doesn’t appear in popular K-dramas like many of Korea’s other mythological creatures, this winged horse is still an important cultural symbol, synonymous with both speed and efficiency.^{[26]
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