About K-Occult
The Shadows of Joseon
K-Occult is a comprehensive digital heritage archive dedicated to preserving and sharing the dark, mystical, and often overlooked aspects of Korean history and folklore. Our mission is to introduce Korean legends, myths, supernatural creatures (yokai/gwishin), unexplained mysteries, and traditional folk practices to a global audience.
The concept of "The Shadows of Joseon" represents the hidden, forbidden knowledge that exists beneath the surface of Korean history—stories of creatures that lurk in the mountains, legends passed down through generations, mysteries that remain unexplained to this day, and the living traditions of shamanic rituals, ancestral rites, and folk customs that continue to shape Korean spiritual life.
What We Collect
- •Creatures: Supernatural entities, monsters, and spirits from Korean folklore, each with their own stories, origins, and danger levels.
- •Myths: Ancient legends and folktales that explain the origins of Korea, its people, and the natural world.
- •Mysteries: Unexplained events, urban legends, and mysterious cases from both historical and modern Korea, each assessed for credibility and status.
- •Folk Practices: Documented cultural practices, rituals, and beliefs rooted in Korean folk religion and everyday customs, including shamanic rites, ancestral ceremonies, geomancy, divination, and traditional superstitions.
For Creators & Storytellers
Are you a writer, game developer, or artist looking for authentic inspiration?
K-Occult is designed to be a reliable reference for your creative works. Our detailed entries on weaknesses, origins, and historical context provide the perfect foundation for building rich, immersive worlds based on Korean folklore. Use our archive to ground your fantasy or horror projects in authentic tradition.
Research & Curation
Our content is carefully researched from historical texts, oral traditions, and documented folklore. Each entry includes both English and Korean names where applicable, providing authentic context while remaining accessible to an international audience.
We strive to present these stories with respect for their cultural origins, maintaining the atmosphere and mystery that makes them compelling while providing accurate historical and regional context.
For folk practices, we document ritual structures, practitioners, tools, locations, timing, and regional variations with particular attention to preserving the authentic context of these living traditions. Each practice is researched from ethnographic sources, ritual manuals, and documented oral traditions, ensuring that both the functional and cultural significance are accurately represented.
Source Verification: Every entry in our archive undergoes a rigorous verification process. We require at least one verifiable source for each piece of content, with full documentation including source type, title, author, region, era, and publication details. This commitment to academic rigor ensures the credibility and authenticity of the archive.
Features & Community
Content Archive
- Advanced Search & Filtering: Filter content by danger level, region, era, status, and more. Global search across all content types.
- Interactive Folklore Map: Explore the geography of legends with our Daedongyeojido-inspired interactive map, featuring detailed topography including Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Visualize the distribution of creatures and myths across the entire peninsula.
- Wiki-style Footnotes: Academic-style footnote system for detailed source citations and explanations.
- Cross-References: Discover connections between creatures, myths, mysteries, and folk practices.
Community Features
- Community Boards: Discussion, Request, Report, Free, and Notice boards for community interaction and content collaboration.
- Comment System: Nested comment threads with voting support for discussions and content feedback.
- Mapae (마패) Ranking: Contribution-based ranking system inspired by the Joseon Dynasty's Mapae (Horse Medallion). Users progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers (1-4 horses) based on their activity and contributions.
- Profile Management: User profiles with password management and account settings.
Experience Features
- Atmosphere Modes: Toggle between Normal and Haunted modes to experience the archive in two distinct, immersive atmospheres.
- Mobile-First Design: Fully responsive design optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop devices.
"In the shadows of history, truth and legend intertwine. Welcome to the archive."
Credits & Attribution
Traditional Korean Patterns
The decorative patterns used throughout this site are traditional Korean patterns (전통문양) sourced from the Korean Culture & Information Service (문화포털), a public service portal for Korean cultural heritage.
- 뇌문 (雷紋) - Thunder Pattern
Symbolizes power, authority, and divine might. Represents the formidable nature of supernatural entities. Used in the Creatures section.
- 당초문 (唐草紋) - Vine Pattern
Represents prosperity, continuity, and the transmission of tradition. Symbolizes how myths and legends are passed down through generations. Used in the Myths section.
- 운문 (雲紋) - Cloud Pattern
Symbolizes mystery, transformation, and the inscrutable. Represents the elusive and unexplained nature of mysterious events. Used in the Mysteries section.
- 복문 (福紋) - Fortune Pattern
Represents blessings, good fortune, and successful ritual outcomes. Symbolizes the positive spiritual results sought through folk practices. Used in the Folk Practices section.
- 단청 (丹靑) - Dancheong Pattern
Traditional architectural decoration symbolizing sanctity, protection, and boundaries. Represents the sacred space of the archive. Used on the Home page.
- 수호문 - Guardian Pattern
Symbolizes protection, defense, and safety. Represents the preservation and safeguarding of knowledge within the archive. Used on the About page.
- 길상문 - Auspicious Pattern
Represents good fortune, blessings, and positive energy. Used to provide a sense of protection and hope even in error states. Used on error pages.
- 반닫이 - Blanket Chest Pattern
Symbolizes wishes for longevity, fortune, auspiciousness, and marital harmony. Represents the exploration of territories rich with meaning and hidden significance. Used in the Map section.
These patterns are used in accordance with the Korean Culture & Information Service's public service guidelines. All patterns maintain their cultural significance while being adapted for digital display.
Usage Guidelines for Creators
We encourage creators to use K-Occult as a reference for their own works. Here is a quick guide on how you can use the assets found in this archive:
- Traditional Patterns:The patterns listed above are public cultural assets from the Korean Culture & Information Service (OGL Type 1). You are free to use them in your own personal or commercial projects. We recommend citing the source (Culture Portal) as good practice.
- Texts & Descriptions:Original descriptions and translations on K-Occult are protected by copyright. You may quote short passages for review or reference with attribution/link back to K-Occult. For substantial reproduction, please contact us.
- Concept & Setting:Facts about Korean folklore (names, origins, weaknesses) are not copyrightable. You are free to use the information found here to build your own stories, games, and art. We built this archive specifically to help you do that!