Mountains: Gods, Ghosts, & Killers (Re-release)

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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, where a mother’s undying
love for her child is immortalized in the Daeseung Falls.


But the mountains aren't just home to spirits—they have also been
sites of violence and murder. From the Frog Boys to the
tragic case of a 16-year-old girl found dead on a mountain, the
mountains have witnessed dark chapters in Korea’s history. We
also delve into the chilling story of a murder on
Eodeungsan in April 2016, where a man, struggling with
mental health, killed


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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
Hunter Winter
Cecilia Löfgren Dumas
Josephine Rydberg
Devin Buchanan
Ashley Wright
George Irion


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