Witches in Korea have a long and complex history. In Korean folklore, witches are often depicted as women who have supernatural powers and can use them for both good and evil. These powers are believed to be inherited or acquired through intense training. One of the most famous witches in Korean folklore is Janghwa Hongryeon, also known as the "Rose and Lotus Sisters." Legend has it that these sisters had the ability to control flowers and used their powers to heal the sick and help those in need. However, they were also feared for their dark side and were said to cause harm to those who crossed them.
[New in Korean] Witches, ecofeminism, climate crisis: Tale of resilience and nature’s power
In Sanho’s latest graphic novel, readers are transported into a world where witches grapple with the looming threats of an environmental crisis and climate change.
Once known as shamans or mystics, these witches wield powers that resonate with nature and wild animals. They can make plants grow on barren lands or even sleep underwater.
But with a loss of natural habitats and dying species, the witches are also suffering, their bodies gradually withering away like diseased leaves. They now live within a government-monitored sanctuary in a small village.
At the center of this bewitching tale is the resilient protagonist, San (meaning “mountain” in Korean), a young witch who lost her mother in a forest fire two decades ago. She has been living with Cho-won (meaning “meadow”), a fellow witch who saved her from the fire.
One day, Cho-won disappears, and the development plan for the witches’ sanctuary comes to an abrupt, suspicious halt.
Five years later, Song-joo, a journalist, arrives to investigate the sanctuary and San decides to join forces with her, embarking on a quest to find Cho-won.
The narrative is rooted in ecofeminism, which highlights the similarities between the exploitation of nature and violence against women.
The characters’ names, such as San and Cho-won, that are inspired by nature, as well as the witches and Mother Nature's interdependency on each other, underscore the story’s central themes on environment and sustainability.
Through the witches’ enduring bond with nature and their solidarity with one another, the story suggests solutions to the climate crisis.
Bewitched by K-pop: What Modern Witches Can Learn About Ritual Magic from South Korean Pop Music Idol Groups
BTS. Twice. BlackPink. These are some of the biggest names in K-pop, or Korean pop, a genre that has dominated music charts both in Asia and in the West. But, according to Chaweon Koo’s new book “Spell Bound,” they aren’t just photogenic youngsters doing slickly choreographed routines. Literally called “idols,” these groups are also representatives of the most effective, state-sponsored magic rituals of the last 30 years. “Soft power” has now become South Korea’s most powerful export, through the leveraging of cutting-edge technology and the power of social media.
Whether inspiring North Korean teens to risk imprisonment by buying South Korean cosmetics worn by their favorite K-pop idol, millions of international Twitter fans to spam police websites during #BLM, or bringing Augmented Reality into the mainstream via hybrid digital-human idols like AESPA, K-pop is more than just music. How did South Korea, a small country technically at war since the 1950s, and considered a developing nation even in the 1990s, become a cultural zeitgeist for the world? And what can witches learn about powerful rituals from 3-minutes of a K-pop routine onstage? This talk will analyze several popular K-pop performances through the lens of Western occult traditions, Chaos Magick, and Korean shamanism, in order to reverse-engineer what makes K-pop such a formidable force of modern bewitchment.
Bio
Chaweon Koo is a writer of the intersection of pop culture, the occult, and futurism. Her Tik Tok @chaweonkoo is one of the most popular occult accounts on the platform, and she also interviews some of the most distinguished occultists and witches in the English-speaking world on her YouTube, “Witches & Wine.” In the past year, she has helped co-facilitate “crypto-rituals,” which are public magic rituals done directly on the Ethereum blockchain. Her new book “Spell Bound” available as a hardcover on May 3, 2022, has over 60 beautiful illustrations specifically commissioned for the book, and details her journey from an atheist witch into one of the most visible East Asian practitioners of both Eastern and Western occult traditions.
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Shamanism in Ancient Korea
Cheongung, or the main Shrine Hall of the Three Sages, on the grounds of Samseonggung. Samseonggung Shrine is dedicated to the traditional worship of the three mythical creators of Korea: Whanin, Whanung, and Dangun.
Its influence on ancient Korean culture is most tangible in surviving art, architecture, literature, and music.
By Mark Cartwright / 11.08.2016
Historian
However, they were also feared for their dark side and were said to cause harm to those who crossed them. Another prominent witch figure in Korean mythology is the Gwishin, or ghost witch. Gwishin are believed to be women who have died and come back as vengeful spirits with supernatural powers.
Introduction
Bangsadaps, stone mounds built to ward off evil spirits at the Samseonggung Shrine, South Gyeongsang Province, Korea. / Photo by Steve46814, Wikimedia Commons
Shamanism was widely practised in Korea from prehistoric times right up to the modern era. It is a belief system which originated in north-east Asian and Arctic cultures, and although the term shamanism has since acquired a wider meaning across many different cultures, in ancient Korea it kept its original form where self-appointed practitioners promised to contact and influence the spirit world in order to assist the living. Shamans were given their authority by those who believed in their worth. As such it is not a religion, and there was no hierarchical priesthood, no texts, and no dogma to adhere to. For much of Korea’s recorded history, Buddhism was the official state religion, but shamanism continued to be important to the ordinary, largely peasant population. Its influence on ancient Korean culture is most tangible in surviving art, architecture, literature, and music.
In some stories, Gwishin are depicted as evil witches who seek revenge on those who have wronged them in life. In addition to these mythological representations, witches also have a presence in contemporary Korean culture. In recent years, the portrayal of witches in Korean dramas and movies has become popular. These modern witches are often depicted as young women with magical abilities who use their powers to fight evil and protect their loved ones. Despite the fascination with witches in Korean folklore and pop culture, it is important to note that witchcraft and the occult are not widely accepted in Korean society. In fact, there are laws in place to prevent the practice of witchcraft and other forms of supernatural activity. Overall, witches in Korea have a complex and diverse history that spans folklore, mythology, and popular culture. While some portrayals depict them as benevolent healers, others portray them as vengeful spirits or modern-day protectors. Regardless, witches continue to captivate the imagination of many in Korean society..
Reviews for "Witch Hunts and Witchcraft Beliefs in Ancient Korea"
1. John - 2/5 stars
I was really excited to read "Witches in Korea" because I love fantasy novels and the concept of witches in a Korean setting intrigued me. However, I found the execution to be lacking. The plot was predictable and cliché, and the characters were one-dimensional. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. Overall, "Witches in Korea" did not live up to my expectations and I was left disappointed.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Witches in Korea" as it combined two of my favorite elements - witches and Korean culture. Unfortunately, the novel fell flat for me. The world-building was minimal and there wasn't enough detail to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was too slow, making it a struggle to stay engaged. Additionally, the character development was lacking, with the protagonists feeling generic and uninteresting. Overall, I was not impressed with "Witches in Korea" and would not recommend it.
3. Emily - 1/5 stars
I'm afraid I couldn't even finish "Witches in Korea" as it failed to capture my interest from the beginning. The writing style was dry and uninspiring, and the plot lacked originality. The portrayal of Korean culture felt superficial and stereotypical, lacking in depth and authenticity. The characters were underdeveloped and their actions felt illogical and inconsistent. Unfortunately, this novel did not resonate with me and I do not believe it will appeal to other readers either.