gumiho

Gumiho, also spelled kumiho, is a nine-tailed fox spirit in Korean folklore. The term is derived from Sino-Korean roots meaning nine and tail and fox, and the creature is part of a broader East Asian tradition of fox spirits that includes the Chinese huli jing and the Japanese kitsune. In Korean myth, the gumiho occupies a distinctive place with many local legends.

In traditional tales, foxes are long-lived, intelligent shapeshifters. A gumiho is usually described as a fox that has accumulated power over many years. Some stories say it must devour human livers or hearts to achieve immortality or to sustain itself, though the exact condition varies by region and tale. Other versions emphasize restraint or eventual reform.

Popular motifs portray the gumiho as a deceiving beauty who transforms into a woman to lure men, potentially bringing harm. Yet other legends present the gumiho as tragic or morally ambiguous, capable of rehabilitation through compassion, self-denial, or a required act of kindness.

Modern depictions in literature, film, and television vary widely. The gumiho is often portrayed as alluring but dangerous, though some works embrace a sympathetic, redeemable character. A notable example is the 2010 television series My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, which follows a female gumiho living among humans.

See also: Kitsune, Huli jing, Fox spirit.