Tradition: Korean Mythology
Alternative Names: Kwisin
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Gwisin are the spirits of deceased humans who remain in the world of the living because they have unfinished business. They are often depicted as transparent, legless figures that float through the air. Unlike supernatural beings such as dokkaebi, gwisin are the spirits of people who have died. They may linger because they seek revenge, wish to protect a loved one, or have unresolved ties to their former lives. Once their purpose is fulfilled, they can finally depart for the underworld.
Many legends describe gwisin as vengeful spirits who return to punish those who wronged them or their families. They may haunt places connected to their deaths, including homes, schools, and other locations where they suffered injustice. Stories also tell of people who were murdered or betrayed by unfaithful spouses returning as ghosts to seek revenge. Their presence serves as a frightening reminder that wrongdoing may have consequences even after death.
There are several kinds of gwisin, each associated with a different death or lingering grievance. The cheonyeo-gwisin is the ghost of a woman who died unmarried. She is commonly depicted wearing a white funeral hanbok, with long, drooping black hair that sometimes conceals her face. The chonggak-gwisin is the male counterpart, representing a man who died unmarried. The mul-gwisin is the spirit of someone who drowned and is said to drag unsuspecting people into the water out of jealousy or loneliness. The wonhan-gwisin is a spirit who died unjustly, while the yuk-gwisin is the ghost of someone who was murdered. The ja-sa gwisin is the spirit of someone who died by suicide.
Gwisin are feared because they may bring misfortune or harm to the living. Traditional methods of protection include hanging a strainer above the entrance to a house or burning a strand of hair and scattering its ashes around the courtyard. Such practices reflect the belief that restless spirits can be kept away through protective measures, preventing them from intruding upon the lives of the living.
Sources
“Gwisin.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwisin