Spooky Things To Do In Korea - Gina Bear's Blog (2024)

If you’re a lover of spooky season, I’m sure you’re wondering about all the wonderful things to do during Halloween in Korea. Halloween is now more widely celebrated in South Korea; however, celebrations are limited to big cities. Homesickness really hit me hard around the holidays, so I compiled this awesome list of spooky things to do in Korea to really get you into the spirit of the season.

If you’re wondering what to do in South Korea during Halloween, I have many suggestions for you. This post has Korean haunted houses, Seoul ghost tours, and fun Halloween celebrations.

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Autumn in Seoul & Korea Ebook

1. Dark Side of Seoul Tour

One of the best haunted tours in Korea is the Dark Side of Seoul Tour. In Seoul, this spooky tour is super popular around September-November. They will take you to the the most haunted places in Seoul. Some of these places are even avoided by locals due to scary Korean urban legends. Test your courage and book your haunted Seoul tour here for a discount.

2. Everland Blood City 6

There’s also the Everland Haunted House. So fun fact about the ride there, you actually have to go early in the day and make a reservation. Once you do that, you return at your designated time. They have a huge zombie parade at night and fun attractions like the Zombie Horror Safari at Zootopia, Horror Maze, and Horror T-express. Get your spooky on and get your Everland tickets here.

3. Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital

Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. It is one of the most haunted places in Korea. After a series of mysterious and unexplainable deaths in the hospital during the 90s, this place of sadness and terror closed its doors forever. Allegedly, the hospital is haunted by vengeful spirits who wrongfully died at the hands of careless staff. There is even a movie based off the legends called Gonjiam Haunted Asylum. Because of the success of the movie, the property has erected walls and barbed wire fencing to keep tourists out since people were trespassing and vandalizing the property just to go inside.

4. Independence Gate

Erected as a memorial to Joseon’s Independence movement, this gate unfortunately has a very dark past. A long time ago, the area was apparently once infested by man-eating tigers and merchants were also sometimes victims of highway thieves. In 1897, the funeral of the Korean queen assassinated by the the Japanese was held here. Nearby, the Gyeongseong Prison was also opened and used to imprison Koreans who went against Japan. Many lost their lives tragically within the prison walls.

5. Lotte World

Lotte World is one of the biggest and most popular indoor amusem*nt parks in the world. During Halloween, my students rave about how much fun it is to spooky things in Korea. They go all out with decorating and hiring zombies to scare unsuspecting guests. Their outdoor section located on Seokchon Lake is stunning during the Autumn season and it really comes alive at night. Book your tickets to Lotte World’s Halloween celebration here.

6. University of Seoul

Some students apparently never got the memo class is no longer in session. Please be aware the University of Seoul is an operational campus and you shouldn’t trespass on the property. There have been reports of violent poltergeists, unexplained sounds, and things going missing. Also, I’ve been in this building to test for my KIIP placement and it is very creepy.

7. Neulbom Garden Restaurant

Once a popular meat grilling restaurant, its skeletal remains still stand. The owner’s daughter died in a tragic car accident and stricken with grief, ended his own life. A year later, the property was renovated into a new restaurant. The new owner and staff started getting scared when they heard dishes being washed at night, plates falling, doors slamming for no reason, and other unexplainable phenomena.

8. Seoul Escape Room

What better way to get into the Halloween spirit than to escape your “imminent death” in an hour? With different themed rooms, it’s a super thrilling way to get your Halloween vibes on. There are locations in Gangnam, Hongdae, and Itaewon. Check out the Seoul Escape Room website for more rooms and availability.

10. Yeongdeok Ghost House

This abandoned house is haunted by the spirits of South Korean soldiers killed by North Korean soldiers in Incheon. Legend has it visitors can the soldiers crying out for help and to be saved. The scariest part? The bodies were never found. There have also been a series of tragedies involving multiple deaths in the house until it was finally left abandoned. Apparently ghost seekers who go there report feeling cold despite it being the middle of the day or getting headaches.

11. Yongma Land

Yongma Land used to be insanely popular in the 80s before it closed down due to unpopularity. It has a very spooky haunted amusem*nt park in Korea feel. Also, I had my own little photoshoot there in the Autumn and it is INCREDIBLE. Yongma Land is open to the public.

Tips For Exploring Abandoned Sites

I feel like I shouldn’t even have to give tips, but ya know, some people disregard their safety and that of others for a thrill. And you know what happens? They end up f*cking themselves up and wonder why. Here are some of my tips to stay safe.

1. Don’t be an asshole.
2. Don’t cause a ruckus, respect the locals, and don’t trespass.
3. Don’t take anything from the sites.
4. The abandoned buildings mentioned are condemned. That means you run the risk of getting trapped inside or getting hurt. If you do venture into the property, you do so at your own risk.
5. Trust your gut.

P.s. I should also mention you will never catch me DEAD at any of the actual haunted places mentioned in this article. (Especially Gonjiam Haunted Asylum in Korea.) I believe in the supernatural and have had my own paranormal experiences. If you are also attune or feel a sinking feeling in your gut, steer clear of those places. Or bring some holy water or your bible. There’s a reason we have an intuition. Whatever you do, stay safe.

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