1. The Mysterious Cry in the Abandoned House

Deep in the rural outskirts of Gangneung, there is an abandoned house that no one dares to enter after sunset. Locals whisper of a sorrowful presence—a ghostly maiden whose cries echo through the halls on moonlit nights.

According to legend, this young woman was once engaged to be married, but tragedy struck before her wedding day. Betrayed and left heartbroken, she is said to have taken her own life within the house. Ever since, villagers claim to have heard soft weeping coming from inside, even though the house has been empty for decades.

2. Unsettling Encounters

One chilling story tells of a group of travelers who, unaware of the legend, sought shelter in the abandoned house on a stormy night. As they tried to sleep, they heard a faint sobbing sound. At first, they dismissed it as the wind—until one of them turned to see a pale woman standing in the corner, her face hidden behind long black hair. When she slowly lifted her head, her hollow, sorrow-filled eyes sent them fleeing into the night, never daring to return.

Another tale comes from a man who was walking home late one evening when he saw a woman in a white hanbok standing outside the house. As he approached, she vanished into thin air, leaving only the lingering sound of a brokenhearted sigh.

3. The Tragic Origins of the Ghost

In Korean folklore, it is believed that women who die with deep sorrow, especially those who experience betrayal or heartbreak, may become restless spirits known as Cheonyeo Gwishin (처녀귀신)—the ghostly maiden. These spirits are unable to move on to the afterlife due to their unresolved pain and lingering resentment.

Some believe that the ghost is bound to the house by her unresolved sorrow. Others claim that her restless spirit seeks revenge on those who dare to trespass. The house remains untouched, its doors creaking eerily when the wind blows, as if whispering warnings to those who get too close.

Even today, few dare to visit the place at night. Those who do report an overwhelming sense of grief and an eerie feeling of being watched. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, the legend of Gangneung’s ghostly maiden continues to send shivers down the spines of those who hear it.

4. Other Famous Ghostly Maiden Legends

Throughout Korea, the legend of the Cheonyeo Gwishin (Ghostly Maiden) appears in various regions. Here are a few other well-known tales:

• The Maiden of Namsan Temple – In Seoul, it is said that a young woman who was abandoned at the altar still roams the grounds of an old temple, appearing to visitors as a pale figure in white.
• The Crying Ghost of Jeju – On stormy nights, people claim to hear the wailing of a heartbroken spirit near the cliffs of Jeju Island, believed to be a woman who was thrown into the sea by a cruel lover.
• The Bridge of Sorrow in Gyeongju – Legend tells of a woman who was forced to marry against her will and threw herself from a bridge. Those who walk alone at night sometimes hear soft sobs in the wind.
• The Spirit of Gyeongpo Lake – In Gangneung, near the scenic Gyeongpo Lake, locals have long told stories of a ghostly woman appearing by the water's edge. Some claim to hear faint weeping, while others have seen a white figure drifting along the misty shoreline before vanishing into thin air.

Even today, the stories of ghostly maidens persist, reminding people of sorrowful souls trapped between worlds.