5 creepy Korean creatures, both famed and obscure

Halloween is just around the corner, and even though Korea does not traditionally celebrate with jack-o’-lanterns and trick-or-treating, the familiar prickle on the back of the neck at night and the whispering autumn breeze seem to be anticipating the time when the veil between our world and the world of spirits is thin. For readers who would like to celebrate the spooky season, second-guess the shapes in the shadows of their room or want a novel idea for a costume to wear to a party, here are five Korean ghosts that might keep you up at night. Gumiho The "gumiho," or the nine-tailed fox, is one of the better-known Korean spirits, especially following its inclusion in the hit video game League of Legends. One of the game's most celebrated characters is Ahri, a bewitching and seductive fox lady who drains the souls of others. The gumiho also appears frequently in Korean dramas and webtoons, often taking the form of a beautiful woman and a romantic interest. In the original folklore, however, gumiho are characterized as malevolent and ancient fox spirits, defined by an animalistic hunger