But for those of us who need a bit more horror in our Halloweens, there is a darker side of Seoul to be explored. Check out some of these more sinister locales.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Once a jail for Korean independence activists during the Japanese colonial rule, the Seodaemun Prison History Hall is now a history museum and a monument that celebrates Korea’s fight for independence during the Japanese occupation. Although it is educational and very moving, one cannot ignore the bone-chilling sensations felt when walking its halls.
Inwangsan Mountain
Just a short walk from the Seodaemun Prison is Inwangsan Mountain. Accessible from Dongnimmun Station, it can be a bit tricky to find but the experience is well worth getting lost a few times.
Inwangsan is a mountain not only known for its beauty, but for its shamanistic inhabitants. Korean shamans, or mudangs, are usually women and are seen as the intermediaries between humans and the heavenly gods and nature spirits.
Tarot Card Tents
You can also personally meet one of the city’s many shamans to receive your own tarot or saju (Korean astrology) reading. As consulting shrinks is still quite taboo here, many Koreans will visit fortune tellers when faced with a certain dilemma or need advice about an important upcoming event. Many young Koreans will also visit shamans for fun with friends or on a date.
Tarot card and saju readers can be found in droves along the shopping streets of Hongdae, near Marronnier Park in Hyehwa and along the walls of Tapgol Park in Insadong.
While a few of them do speak English (look for the “We Speak English” signs in Hongdae), most do not so you may want to bring along a Korean-speaking friend to help interpret. Check out my personal experience with a Korean tarot card reader here.
Serial Killer Hide-Outs
If sinister is what you are looking for, head over to Ansan Mountain near Yonsei University. Although it was originally known as the peaceful site of Bongwonsa Temple, recent events have given it a darker reputation.
Yoo Young-chul, a serial killer-cum-cannibal, went on a year-long killing spree in 2003. His victims included 21 people: mostly prostitutes, female students and wealthy elderly men.
He confessed to torturing, killing and mutilating his victims, all the while eating a few of their livers. Hannibal Lector much?
He went on to bury their remains in plastic bags at Bongwonsa, which were later found in 2004.
Yoo is currently on death row with 60 other convicts, but capital punishment is not currently carried out by the Korean government. His fate is uncertain, but there’s no doubt that Ansan Mountain is one of the most unsettling sites in Seoul.
Even More Spooks
Other creepy locations around the city include the dormitories at Seoul National University, where poltergeist activity has been said to occur, and the Blue Fairy Cafe, which houses hundreds of menacing dolls. The Cheonggyechon Bridge Tomb is also a place worth looking into.
Or, if you want to visit some spooky spots in other parts of Korea, check out this list. It includes a haunted amusement park, a mysterious abandoned psychiatric hospital and a ghost-infested village.
For a guided experience, ZenKimchi is hosting The Dark Side of Seoul walking tours throughout the month of October.
Whichever sinister site you chose to visit this Halloween, remember to bring along a vial of kimchi and a strand of garlic, as strong flavors tend to ward off Korean ghosts. An extra pair of underwear might come in handy, too.
Words and photos by Mimsie Ladner of Seoul Searching unless otherwise noted. Content may not be reproduced unless authorized.
