Ghost Stories
Yongma Land
If you want to go to a really creepy- looking place, for only five dollars, Yongma Land is the place for you. This is an abandoned amusement park, where all of the rides are STILL THERE. Creeped out, yet? I am. No one knows the reason for Yongma Land’s sudden closure, but to this day, people still come to visit its’ stagnant attractions. Of course, the most practical assumption would be that the theme park closed due to the financial strains of keeping it open, however there is another theory that is much more popular among Koreans. This theory involves a little girl dying on a faulty ride. People say that she can sometimes be spotted playing among the broken rides and many believe that this may have been the reason for Yongma Land’s sudden abandonment. Although these rides can no longer operate, people often take pictures seated in the worn-down cars, posing as if they’re traveling at the speed of light.
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Virgin Ghosts (Cheonyeo gwisin)
There are many popular ghost stories in Korea about virgin ghost sightings (처녀귀신 as it is written in Korean). This term is used to describe girls who died young… aka virgins. I know, it’s kind of weird. These ghosts are most often seen wearing a white dress with long dark hair, covering their face. They are usually harmless, but keep in mind that is not always the case, since they are also very regretful because they died virgins.
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Many sightings have been reported on the famous historical grounds of Yongin Village. Due to this, it is believed that many young women have died there. So, if you happen to spot a young girl with long dark hair, in a white dress, don’t let her seduce you. It might be the last mistake you ever make.
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Yeongdeok Haunted House
You guessed it… this place was also abandoned. I’m starting to notice a trend here. The story behind this house is super strange. Legend says that it currently sits atop a burial ground for Korean War Soldiers. Since it was formerly a common practice in Korea to enlist young boys to be in the military, visitors to the Yeongdeok house report being able to hear the cries of young children, begging for help.
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As if that isn’t tragic enough, the original owner of the house died in a car accident, and every person who has tried to purchase the house since then, has mysteriously died. Do you have goosebumps yet? For good reason, people gave up on trying to buy the Yeongdeok house- due to its’ deadly track record. I’m sure you can see the reason why it has been abandoned.
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Yu Gwan-Sun
A bit of history: Yu Gwan-sun (유관순) was only 16 years old when she died a martyr at the hands of the Japanese. As you may know, Korea was under Japanese rule for many years in the early 1900s. The Korean Independence Movement began on March 1st, 1919. Despite her young age, Yu Gwan-sun played a big role in the liberation of Korea. She would pass out Korean flags to people, organize protests and was known to shout "Long Live Korea" in the streets. She was later arrested and forced to stand trial, where the Japanese soldiers threatened to torture her if she didn't reveal names of other 'rebels.' She held firm and refused to give even a single name. She was sentenced to 5 years, but after only one year, was killed in prison by a Japanese soldier.
How many of us would be THAT brave at 16 years old? I know I wouldn't be. |
Yu Gwan-sun died in 1920, but to this day, there have been numerous accounts of people seeing her statue move on Independence Movement Day (March 1st). It is said that she will turn her head to look you in the eyes, if you shout "Long Live Korea."
Portraits of her have also been known to move when school children chant her name. Although Gwan-sun never got to see the Japanese troops leave Korea, she will always be remembered for her pivotal role in making that happen. |
“Even if my fingernails are torn out, my nose and ears are ripped apart, and my legs and arms are crushed, this physical pain does not compare to the pain of losing my nation"
-유관순
-유관순
Neulbom Garden
Neulbom Garden (늘봄 가든) is an old restaurant with a dark history. In its day, it was a popular place to find French cuisine, owned by a married couple and their daughter. The happy familial scene did not last long. Their daughter got in a terrible car accident, that snapped her neck. She would remain in a vegetative state for the rest of her life- unable to move or speak. Her father, stricken with grief, hung himself in the restaurant. The mom, heart- broken over the loss of both of her loved ones, sold the restaurant to a new owner. End of story, right? ...Not even close.
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The new owner turned out to be psychotic. He was known for CLUBBING customers that he caught playing with- or dropping- their food. Visitors to the restaurant reported hearing and seeing doors open and shut on their own. Also, almost every order was mysteriously messed up. Many believe that since the father, who was responsible for order-taking and cleaning dishes during his life, killed himself inside the restaurant... he is the one that is changing the orders. Spooky.
To this day, you can still hear sounds of dishes being cleaned, coming from the kitchen. |
Sources:
Yongma Land:
https://anakjajan.com/2017/07/20/korea-yongma-land-seoul/
http://pheurontay.com/yongma-land-abandoned-amusement-park-seoul/
Virgin Ghosts:
https://thoughtcatalog.com/michael-koh/2014/10/8-freaking-creepy-korean-urban-legends-thatll-have-you-locking-your-bedroom-door-at-night/
Yeongdeok Haunted House:
http://captainandclark.com/2011/10/31/the-most-haunted-house-in-korea/
Yu Gwan-sun:
http://www.historynaked.com/yu-gwan-sun-koreas-joan-arc/
http://www.korea.net/Others/Subscribe-to-Koreanet/KOREA-Magazine
Neulbom Garden:
https://seoulistic.com/just-for-fun/koreas-top-3-most-absolutely-scariest-places-ahh/
https://anakjajan.com/2017/07/20/korea-yongma-land-seoul/
http://pheurontay.com/yongma-land-abandoned-amusement-park-seoul/
Virgin Ghosts:
https://thoughtcatalog.com/michael-koh/2014/10/8-freaking-creepy-korean-urban-legends-thatll-have-you-locking-your-bedroom-door-at-night/
Yeongdeok Haunted House:
http://captainandclark.com/2011/10/31/the-most-haunted-house-in-korea/
Yu Gwan-sun:
http://www.historynaked.com/yu-gwan-sun-koreas-joan-arc/
http://www.korea.net/Others/Subscribe-to-Koreanet/KOREA-Magazine
Neulbom Garden:
https://seoulistic.com/just-for-fun/koreas-top-3-most-absolutely-scariest-places-ahh/