Mountains: Gods, Ghosts, & Killers (Re-release)
Episode description
Join The Seoul Hike to learn more about Korea's mountain myths and legends.
Mountains have always played a significant role in Korea's culture, folklore, and religion. From providing the backdrop for Korea's founding myth to being central to shamanic practices, the mountains are more than just natural landmarks—they are spiritual hubs, filled with gods, ghosts, and tragic tales.
In this episode, we explore Korea’s deep connection with its mountains, starting with the legend of Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea. His story is tied to Baekdusan, one of the most sacred mountains in Korea. We dive into the Baekdu Daegan mountain range, the main system running along the peninsula’s east coast, and how it has shaped the cultural landscape of the country.
The central figure in Korean mountain culture is sanshin, the mountain gods. These deities are often depicted as wise old men, but female representations, called yeo-sanshin, also exist. We discuss the tradition of communing with sanshin, a practice that has brought together Korean shamanism and Buddhist traditions. We highlight some of Korea’s most notable sacred mountains, such as Gyerongsan and Inwangsan, where shamans hold sanshinje rituals to honor these deities.
As much as mountains are associated with spirituality, they also harbor ghostly legends. From the infamous Dalgyal gwishin—a faceless and limbless ghost said to haunt the mountains—to the tragic ghost stories passed down through generations, the mountains of Korea are steeped in eerie tales. One such story is from Seoraksan, whe
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Credits
Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey
Music by Soraksan
Top tier Patrons
Angel Earl
Joel Bonomini
Devon Hiphner
Gabi Palomino
Steve Marsh
Eva Sikora
Ron Chang
Mackenzie Moore
Minseok Lee
Hunter Winter
Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
Josephine Rydberg
Devin Buchanan
Ashley Wright
George Irion