What are the common themes in Korean ghost stories?
One common theme is revenge. Often, the ghosts in Korean stories are those who have been wronged in life and return to seek vengeance on those who have wronged them. For example, a woman who was mistreated by her in - laws might come back as a ghost to haunt them. Another theme is unrequited love. Ghosts may also be those who died with unfulfilled love, and they wander the earth still longing for their beloved.
Supernatural powers are another common theme. Ghosts in Korean stories can have various powers such as the ability to possess people, move objects without touching them or appear and disappear at will. This makes them very dangerous and unpredictable. And family curses are also a theme in some Korean ghost stories. A family may be haunted by a curse because of something their ancestors did, and the ghosts are part of that curse.
The theme of mystery and the unknown is also prevalent. Korean ghost stories often take place in spooky locations like old houses, abandoned temples or dark forests. These settings add to the sense of mystery as the characters in the stories try to figure out what is going on. Also, there is often a moral lesson in Korean ghost stories. For instance, if someone is greedy or cruel in life, they may face the wrath of a ghost as a form of punishment.
