Photo: Netflix
Netflix’s Joseon-era dark fantasy The East Palace (Donggung) has captivated viewers with its haunting atmosphere and palace intrigue. Screenwriters Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won (The Guest) draw heavily on traditional Korean shamanism, but adapt ancient traditions into action-packed K-drama tropes.
How does the show’s dark fantasy world compare to famous Korean ghost stories and centuries-old folklore? Here is a breakdown of the real myths behind The East Palace.
1. Won-Gwi: Tragic Spirits & The Legend of Arang
In The East Palace, a won-gwi (원귀) is a vengeful spirit born from violent death. While the drama turns these spirits into physical monsters, traditional Korean folklore views them as tragic souls trapped by han—a uniquely Korean concept of deep, unresolved grief and injustice.
Korea's most famous won-gwi ghost stories center on seeking justice rather than committing mindless violence:
The Legend of Arang (Arang-gaksi): In Milyang, a magistrate’s daughter named Arang was wrongfully murdered. Her spirit haunted newly appointed magistrates, scaring them to death until one brave official listened to her tragic story, uncovered her murderer, and gave her a proper burial.
Photo: All About K-CONTENTCheonyeo Gwishin (Virgin Ghost): Korea’s most recognized ghost—dressed in white burial clothes (sobok) with long untied hair—represents young women who died before fulfilling their life purpose.
Rather than physical beasts, authentic won-gwi manifest through cold breezes, eerie cries, or misfortune to signal that their grievances need resolution.
2. Akgwi and Mul-Gwishin: When Grief Turns Malicious
In The East Palace, a won-gwi that festers in hatred mutates into an akgwi (악귀)—a demonic entity that spreads curses and drains human energy.
While real folklore treats akgwi as pure evil, Korean urban legends often attribute this malice to intense loneliness. A famous example is the Mul-gwishin (물귀신), or Water Ghost. According to folklore, souls who drown in rivers or deep wells become so lonely in the dark waters that they drag unsuspecting swimmers down to take their place. This gave rise to the popular Korean idiom "mul-gwishin jakjeon" (water ghost tactic), meaning pulling someone down with you.
3. Ghost Slayers vs. Mudang Shamanic Rituals
Gu-cheon’s (Nam Joo-hyuk) role as a sword-wielding ghost slayer makes for thrilling television, but Joseon-era Koreans did not battle spirits with steel.
When a community faced a spirit curse, they hired a mudang (female shaman) to perform a gut (굿). Through rhythmic drumming, chanting, dancing, and food offerings, the mudang acted as a mediator. Her goal was never to destroy the ghost, but to heal its trauma, soothe its han, and guide its soul safely to the afterlife (Jeosung).
Quick Lore Breakdown
| Feature | The East Palace (Netflix) | Authentic Korean Folklore |
| Won-Gwi | Physical monster spreading curses | Tragic soul seeking justice for han |
| Akgwi | Parasitic demon invading human bodies | Malicious spirit born of extreme malice or loneliness |
| Exorcism | Sword combat in a dark mirror dimension | Gut ritual performed by a mudang with music and food |
The Verdict
While The East Palace transforms Korean mythology into an action-packed fantasy, its thematic core aligns with ancient tradition: ghosts are ultimately created by human cruelty.
Which Korean legend in The East Palace caught your attention the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
