Korean Traditional Game : Gwisin Nori

👻 Korean Traditional Game Series 52

Gwisin Nori
(귀신놀이 · Korean Ghost Play)

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🕰️ 1. Introduction

Gwisin Nori (귀신놀이), or Ghost Play, is a thrilling and imaginative Korean children’s game filled with suspense, laughter, and a touch of playful fear.
Long before horror movies or haunted houses existed, children created their own “ghost world” using only shadows, stories, and nighttime imagination.

This game was especially popular during summer nights, at sleepovers, or after festivals when children gathered outside under dim moonlight.
Rather than frightening each other seriously, they used ghost stories and role-play to spark excitement, test courage, and bond as a group — a safe way to experience the unknown together.

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🪄 2. How to Play

1. Choosing the ghost (Gwisin):
   One player is chosen to be the “ghost.”
   They may cover themselves with a white cloth, powder their face, or walk slowly to mimic the eerie movement of traditional Korean spirits.
2. Hiding and seeking:
   The ghost hides behind trees, walls, or dark corners while the other players count with their eyes closed.
3. The chase begins:
   Once found, the ghost suddenly appears, shouting “깜짝!” or calling the names of the players in a spooky voice.
   Children scream, run, and laugh as the ghost tries to tag someone.
   The tagged player becomes the next ghost.
4. Storytelling version:
   Sometimes the game includes telling scary stories by candlelight, with each child adding a new twist, building suspense and creativity.

Gwisin Nori is not about real fear — it is a joyful blend of imagination, bravery, and shared laughter.

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👀 3. Example from Life

On a warm summer night, children gather in a courtyard, fireflies flickering in the grass.
A soft wind blows as one child slips behind a tree, draping a white cloth over their shoulders.

“Ready or not, here I come…”

Suddenly, a pale figure jumps out, and the children burst into shrieks — followed by giggles as they run under the moonlit sky.
Breathless and happy, they gather afterward to share ghost stories, each more dramatic than the last.
Fear dissolves into joy, and the night becomes unforgettable.

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🌏 4. Similar Traditions Around the World

• Western countries: Halloween ghost games and spooky storytelling traditions.
• Japan: Kaidan kai, summer ghost story gatherings, and children’s “obake” role play.
• China: “Ghost catching” games during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Across cultures, ghost play gives children a safe space to explore mystery and bravery — turning fear into friendship.

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💌 Closing Words

Gwisin Nori beautifully captures the courage and imagination of childhood.
It teaches that the unknown is less frightening when faced together — and that even shadows can become a source of laughter.
Through this playful tradition, Korean children learned to turn fear into fun, and darkness into connection.

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📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.