ORIGIN: South Korea
This is a legend about traditional Korean houses (hanok) said to be haunted by vengeful spirits.
These houses found in Seoul's older districts or rural villages, are rumored to be cursed, with past tragedies leaving behind so many restless ghosts that torment new inhabitants of houses.
One of the most famous haunted hanok stories is that of a wealthy nobleman's house during the Joseon Dynasty.
According to the legend, the owner was cruel to his servants, treating them as if they were disposable butt wipes.
One servant was accused of theft and was locked away in a room without food or water for weeks till he eventually died in pain from thirst and starvation.
Since then, strange occurrences have plagued the house— whispers in the empty halls, doors slamming shut on their own, and shadows of no one living in the corners of the house.
Some even said they saw a gaunt, sunken-eyed spirit walking through the halls.
Other versions describe modern hanok houses, where tenants report hearing weeping at night or waking up to fingers brushing their faces, only to find that no one was actually there.
Some say hanok houses retain spiritual energy due to their wooden frames and ancient architecture… thus making them more prone to hauntings.
All who stay in these houses end up leaving in terror and in all cases, forgetting their belongings.