Dokkaebi

spirit · South Korea · East Asia and Pacific

Dokkaebi are legendary goblin-like creatures from Korean mythology and folklore, deeply embedded in both North and South Korean cultural traditions. Unlike ghosts (gwishin), dokkaebi are nature deities or spirits born from inanimate objects that have been imbued with spiritual energy over time — old discarded household tools like brooms, farming implements, or objects stained with human blood and emotions. They possess extraordinary supernatural powers and are known for their mischievous and unpredictable interactions with humans. Dokkaebi are neither purely good nor evil; they reward kindness

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