K-Zombie! The Korean Grim Reaper
- Angelina Kim(Legacy)
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
It starts with a chill.
You're walking alone at dusk, and the air suddenly grows heavy. The shadows stretch longer than they should. And then… you hear your name whispered by a voice you've never heard before.
In Korean folklore, that means only one thing: the Jeoseung-saja has come for you.
The Jeoseung-saja (저승사자), translate as the “messenger of the afterlife,” is Korea’s traditional grim reaper. Unlike Western reapers who are often symbols of terror or punishment, the Jeoseung-saja is not evil. He is a neutral guide, appearing the moment someone dies to escort their soul to the underworld (Jeoseung-guk).
He is typically described as wearing black hanbok, a broad-brimmed gat (traditional Korean hat), and carrying a death scroll. His presence is silent, respectful, but inevitable. In traditional beliefs, you cannot escape the Jeoseung-saja — even if you try to hide.
One of the most terrifying folk tales comes from a rural village in Gyeongbuk Province. Long ago, a woman had a dream where a man in black stood at her gate. She awoke gasping, only to find black footprints outside her door — but there had been no rain, and no one had entered.
The next day, she died suddenly, without illness or injury.
The elders said, “She saw the Jeoseung-saja in her dream. He called her name. She had no choice but to follow.”
Even today, some Koreans believe that hearing your name in your sleep or dreaming of a man in black is a sign that your time is near.
In Korean shamanic traditions, even the number of Jeoseung-saja that appear can carry deep meaning, along with deadly consequences.
According to mudangs (Korean shamans), if you see one Jeoseung-saja, it means an accident may occur soon. If you see two, it's a sign of serious illness or danger.
And if three appear together, the message is clear: death is near, and it cannot be stopped.
So why did this ancient figure scare people?
Because death is the one thing none of us can avoid.
In the past, people in Joseon saw the Jeoseung-saja as a fearful figure — someone they hoped to never meet. But today, fans around the world want to meet him — especially the K-zombie reaper versions from modern media. From K-dramas to Netflix animations, the Korean grim reaper is becoming a symbol of global pop culture.
In the hit Netflix animation K-pop Demon Hunters, fans are introduced to idol-like reapers who stand aside demons and escort souls, mixing action, mythology, and music. This blend of ancient belief and modern culture has sparked a new trend some call “K-Reaper Culture.”
While Korean folklore brings us tales of grim reapers and the afterlife, today’s generation is connecting with tradition in lighter — and funnier — ways.
One of the hottest places among young Koreans right now is the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. It’s not just because of the exhibits — though they are beautifully curated — but because the museum has unexpectedly become a favorite hangout spot for the MZ generation.
Even BTS’s RM visited recently, sparking even more attention.
And yes, part of the hype comes from the gift shop, which has gone viral thanks to one hilarious item: a soju glass featuring a drunk scholar from Kim Hong-do’s “Feast of the Governor of Pyeongan Province.”
The scholar’s expression is already goofy — flushed cheeks, half-closed eyes, and a tilted head. But the best part? When you pour soju into the glass, his face literally turns redder, like he’s getting more and more drunk with every drop. It’s funny, clever, and totally sold out.
And that’s not all.
The museum also sells official merchandise from the hit Netflix animation K-pop Demon Hunters — proving that the line between folklore and pop culture is blurrier than ever.
If you want to get your hands on these viral items, you'd better hurry. In 2025, being traditional doesn’t mean being boring.
Works Cited
장은지. “넷플릭스 뚫고 케이팝계로…사자보이즈 데뷔 요청 쇄도.” 스포츠동아, 3 July 2025, sports.donga.com/ent/article/all/20250703/131924490/1. Accessed 22 July 2025.
“저승사자.” 나무위키, 18 July 2025, namu.wiki/w/%EC%A0%80%EC%8A%B9%EC%82%AC%EC%9E%90. Accessed 22 July 2025.
“저승사자 3명 보이면 죽어요.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/shorts/vicP35fRTRc. Accessed 22 July 2025.
크랩 KLAB. “세계 6위, 아시아 1위 박물관이 우리나라에 있다고? ｜크랩.” YouTube, 12 June 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvktlwjWnvk. Accessed 22 July 2025.
“세상에서 제일 힙한 국립중앙박물관 굿즈.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/shorts/tg8zyHtMgE4. Accessed 22 July 2025.