The Gumiho: Korea’s Enigmatic Nine-Tailed Fox and Its Chilling Legends

For centuries, South Korea has whispered of a creature both beautiful and terrifying—the Gumiho (구미호), the nine-tailed fox spirit. Unlike its counterparts in Chinese (Huli Jing) and Japanese (Kitsune) folklore, the Korean Gumiho is often depicted as a deceptive and predatory being, capable of great cruelty or tragic longing.

Legends tell of Gumihos stalking travelers, devouring human hearts, or attempting to become fully human by resisting their dark instincts. But among all the tales, one story stands out for its chilling imagery and sense of impending doom—the legend of The Blood Moon Hunt.

The Origins of the Gumiho in Korean Folklore

Ancient Texts and the Samguk Yusa

The story of the Gumiho dates back to Korea’s ancient texts, particularly the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), which contains early references to shape-shifting fox spirits. According to legend, when a fox lives for a thousand years, it gains the ability to take human form, often appearing as a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

The Gumiho vs. Other Nine-Tailed Fox Spirits in Asia

Unlike other spirit foxes in East Asian mythology, which may act as protectors or tricksters, the Korean Gumiho is often seen as a predator, cursed with an insatiable hunger for human hearts or livers. Some legends claim it must consume these organs to sustain its transformation, while others say that if a Gumiho can resist its bloodlust for 100 days, it will become fully human. However, few succeed—most give in to their hunger, reverting back to their fox form, doomed to roam forever.

The Blood Moon Hunt – A Gumiho Legend of Terror

A Village in Fear

Long ago, in a secluded village nestled within the Korean mountains, the townspeople lived in dread of the blood moon. They believed that on the night when the moon turned red, the Gumiho descended from the hills to hunt.

The village elders warned the children never to venture out after dark, for the Gumiho could take any form—perhaps a lost maiden pleading for help, a wounded traveler in need, or even a loved one calling your name from the shadows.

The Vanishing of Min-Seok

One fateful year, as the blood moon rose high over the mountains, a young man named Min-Seok ignored the warnings. He was brave, skeptical, and eager to prove the elders wrong.

That night, a woman appeared at his door. She was unlike any he had ever seen—her hair long as flowing ink, her skin pale as moonlight, and her eyes… strange, yet mesmerizing.

"Traveler, you must be lost," Min-Seok said, stepping forward.

She only smiled.

The next morning, Min-Seok’s family found his door wide open, his room undisturbed, but he was nowhere to be found. Search parties combed the forests, but there was no trace of him—only fox tracks leading away from his home.

The villagers knew what had happened.

He had been taken by the Gumiho.

That year, and every year after, whenever the blood moon returned, the villagers bolted their doors, shuttered their windows, and prayed that the Gumiho would not choose them next.

Other Haunting Gumiho Stories in Korean Mythology

The legend of the Gumiho has taken many forms throughout Korea’s history, with regional variations adding to its mystique. Here are some of the most well-known stories:

The Fox Bride

A young scholar married a woman of extraordinary beauty, but soon noticed strange behaviors—she never slept, avoided dogs, and her gaze seemed almost too intense. One night, he followed her into the woods and discovered her feasting on a fresh corpse.

She turned to him, blood dripping from her lips, and whispered: "You weren’t supposed to see this."

The Cave of Shadows

Near the mountains, a hunter found a hidden cave filled with human bones. Before he could flee, a woman appeared at the entrance, her long hair swaying in an unseen breeze. "You weren’t supposed to find this," she said.

The hunter barely escaped, but he fell ill within days, and the cave was never found again. Some say that on foggy nights, a lone woman can be seen walking toward the mountains, her shadow stretching unnaturally long behind her.

The Gumiho in Modern Korean Culture and Media

Romantic and Fantasy Adaptations

Once seen as purely a monstrous creature, the Gumiho has been reimagined in modern Korean media, often portrayed as a tragic or misunderstood figure trying to balance its human desires with its supernatural instincts.

"My Girlfriend is a Gumiho" (2010) – A romantic drama that humanizes the Gumiho, depicting it as a loving but dangerous being struggling to become human.

"Tale of the Nine-Tailed" (2020) – A fantasy series where the Gumiho is a protector rather than a monster.

Horror Films and Webtoon Interpretations

Numerous horror films and webtoons continue to explore the darker side of the legend, keeping its eerie roots alive. The Gumiho remains one of Korea’s most enduring mythological figures, symbolizing the duality of beauty and danger, trust and deception.

Myth or Reality? The Enduring Power of the Gumiho Legend

Superstitions and Sightings in Korea Today

While the Gumiho is firmly a part of myth and storytelling, its legend still influences superstitions and ghost stories in Korea. Some believe that strange occurrences in remote areas—such as inexplicable disappearances or eerie sightings—could be linked to this ancient being.

The Symbolism Behind the Gumiho

Whether seen as a predator, a tragic spirit, or a misunderstood creature, the Gumiho continues to be an icon of Korean folklore, its legend serving as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and the line between myth and reality is often thinner than we think.

Would you trust a stranger with unnaturally sharp teeth and glowing eyes? And if you find yourself outside on the night of a blood moon, you might want to stay inside—because you never know who, or what, is watching.

Read More from Raven Atwood

Curious to dive deeper into Korea’s foggy folklore and eerie legends? Check out these chilling reads by Raven Atwood in United on the RoK Magazine:

• Whispers Beyond the Fence: Urban Legends of Korea’s DMZ An exploration of the haunting stories that emerge from the world’s most fortified border—where rumor and reality intertwine.

• South Korea’s Winter Hauntings: The Gwisin and the Girl in the Red Mask A spine-tingling dive into icy specters and classic ghost tales that come alive in the dead of winter.

• Lost in the Shadows: The Tale of South Korea’s Missing Village A mysterious disappearance wrapped in superstition, cloaked in mist, and steeped in community lore.

Further Reading on the Gumiho and Korean Folklore

Interested in learning more about the origins and cultural significance of the Gumiho? These trusted sources offer additional insights into Korea’s mythical nine-tailed fox and other legendary creatures:

• Exploring the Gumiho: Korea’s Shape-Shifting Fox Spirit – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) This article from Korea’s official cultural ministry dives into the traditional folklore surrounding the Gumiho, its transformation over time, and how it remains a powerful symbol in Korean storytelling and media.

• Korean Mythological Animals in Culture and Animation – KBS World Radio** Discover how Korea’s mythological creatures, including fox spirits, are portrayed in modern culture, animation, and public consciousness through this in-depth piece by KBS World.

Have You Heard of the Gumiho?

Do you believe in the legend, or have you encountered a similar folklore tale? Share your thoughts with United on the RoK Magazine.