Ghosts play a big role in Korean folklore. And they come in many different forms. Some are friendly, some are restless, some are vengeful, and some are just hungry. They even have their own section of the Thousand Worlds known as the Ghost Sector. We can’t, in good conscience, recommend you visit the Ghost Sector, so just take our word for it as we break down everything you need to know about these spooky spirits.

The End is Not the End

In the universe of Tiger Honor and Dragon Pearl, ghosts linger in the land of the living as long as they have unfinished business. For example, Kim Min’s brother Jun stuck around after his death because he wanted to help his sister recover the Dragon Pearl. Other ghosts haunt the universe to get revenge on their enemies or solve the mystery of their demise. Still others never submitted their final tax return.

If You’ve Got it, Haunt it

Just because they’re dead doesn’t mean that ghosts are completely helpless. Once they vacate their physical forms, a whole world of supernatural power opens to these restless spirits. That is, if they can accept the tradeoff of no longer being able to touch or feel anything. In this universe, ghosts can pass through solid objects, drop the temperature of any given area, project scary images into the heads of their victims, and manipulate their forms for maximum spookiness. Pox spirits can also spread deadly diseases to those who fail to give them proper tribute. And the worst part? No one will believe you when you tell them you can’t come into work today because “a ghost gave me the plague.”

 Unlucky in Life, Unlucky in Afterlife

Ghosts tend to be unwelcome in the Thousand Worlds due to the belief that they spread bad luck and misfortune. So, next time you trip over your untied shoelaces or get a pizza burn on the top of your mouth, double-check to see whether you’re haunted by an angry spirit. If so, you have two options. You can either make an offering to the ghost to appease its wrath, or you can contact a professional . . .

Who You Gonna Call? Shamans, of Course!

Sometimes the only way to get a pesky ghost off your back is to make a call to the local shaman. One ceremonial ghost dance later and your translucent tyrant will be banished to their final resting place. It’s completely ethical, too. Once a ghost is exorcised by a shaman, they enter a realm inhabited by their long-dead ancestors. It’s like a never-ending family reunion! And who doesn’t want to spend an eternity listening to great-great-great-great-great uncle Yong complaining about how “Kids today have it so easy. Back in my day, blah blah blah blah . . .”?

No wonder so many ghosts don’t want to leave the physical world.

Want to learn more about the ghosts of the Thousand Worlds? Be sure to pick up Tiger Honor, on sale now!