Are you enjoying the Kdrama “Gwigung” (The Haunted Palace)?
I’ve been really into it lately! While it seems to be set in the Joseon Dynasty, it’s a fantasy drama cleverly woven with tales of ghosts and spirits that were previously only passed down through word of mouth.
For international fans curious about the fascinating supernatural beings in the show, I’ve put together a summary of the ghosts featured in “Gwigung,” plus a little extra on the legendary Imugi!
Palcheokgwi (팔척귀): The Eight-Foot Ghost
Breaking down the name Palcheokgwi (팔척귀), it refers to a ghost that is ‘pal cheok’ tall. ‘Pal cheok’ translates to around 8 feet (approximately 242 cm or 7 feet 11 inches).
That’s one tall spirit!
In “Gwigung,” the Palcheokgwi is the main villain and appears to hold a deep grudge against the palace.
Interestingly, it’s also referred to as a “Hwagwi” (화귀) in the drama.
A Hwagwi is a ghost that died by fire.
The detail about the Palcheokgwi being a Hwagwi is a unique element introduced in this particular drama.
Susal-gwi (수살귀): The Water Ghost
The name Susal-gwi (수살귀) literally means a ghost that was killed by water (essentially, a ghost of someone who drowned).
You could easily call it a “Water Ghost” in English. In Korea, the term “Mul-gwishin” (물귀신) is actually more commonly used than Susal-gwi to refer to a water ghost.
The Susal-gwi wields great power in water.
It often hides in bodies of water and then drags unsuspecting people in to meet a watery demise.
Yagwang-gwi (야광귀): The Night-Glowing Ghost
Yagwang-gwi (야광귀) literally translates to “night-glowing ghost.”
However, its behavior is somewhat different from what its name might suggest.
Folklore says that on the first night of the New Year, the Yagwang-gwi comes down to the villages, tries on children’s shoes, and if it finds a pair that fits, it takes them!
It’s a superstition that a child who loses their shoes this way will have bad luck for the entire year.
To prevent the Yagwang-gwi from stealing shoes, people would hang a “che” (체, a type of sieve) outside on New Year’s night. The ghost would supposedly get distracted counting the holes in the sieve until dawn, and then leave empty-handed.
As a side note, in “Gwigung,” the Yagwang-gwi is interestingly portrayed by a young child.
Oedari-gwi (외다리귀): The One-Legged Ghost
This name refers to a “one-legged ghost” (외다리귀).
In Korea, it’s also known as “Dokgakgwi” (독각귀).
It’s often depicted wearing a ‘satgat’ (a traditional wide-brimmed bamboo hat) and a ‘dorongi’ (a traditional straw rain cape from that era), hopping around on its single leg.
This ghost is said to fear items inscribed with a person’s name and possesses the ability to cause illness or harm to people close to its target.
So, that’s a rundown of the fascinating ghosts featured in the Kdrama “Gwigung”!
And finally, while it’s not a ghost, let’s briefly touch upon the Imugi (이무기), as it also plays a significant role:
Imugi (이무기): The Serpent on the Path to Dragonhood
The Imugi (이무기) is a legendary creature from Korean folklore, often described as a proto-dragon or a massive serpent aspiring to become a true dragon.
It’s said that after a thousand years of spiritual training in water, if an Imugi obtains a “Yeouiju” (여의주, a mystical wish-granting jewel) and successfully ascends to heaven, it will transform into a dragon. However, a crucial part of the legend is that if anyone witnesses its ascension, the Imugi will fail and be unable to become a dragon.