Tradition: Korean Mythology
Alternative Names: Egg Ghost
Category: Ghost
The Myth
The dalgyal gwisin, or Egg Ghost, is a terrifying Korean spirit named for its resemblance to an egg. It has a smooth, featureless body without arms, legs, or a distinct head. It possesses no eyes, nose, or mouth, appearing as a completely blank, egg-shaped figure. Its origin and personality are considered unimportant in the traditional descriptions, making its strange and empty appearance its defining characteristic.
Encountering an Egg Ghost is believed to be a fatal omen. According to legend, anyone who sees one will die. Some accounts suggest that these spirits may change their nature over time, with their personalities becoming less incorruptible. Other rumours claim that an Egg Ghost can transform into an ordinary egg, conceal itself, and emerge again whenever it wishes.
Some interpretations connect the Egg Ghost to the mujagui, or childless ghost, a spirit without descendants or relatives to perform ancestral memorial rites on its behalf. Without anyone to remember or honour it, such a ghost may remain among the living. The Egg Ghost’s featureless form and association with death make it one of the most unsettling figures in Korean ghost traditions.
Sources
“Egg ghost.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_ghost