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Dokkaebi
Korean goblins born from old, discarded objects. They love to wrestle, play tricks, and can grant wishes with their magic clubs. Befriend a Dokkaebi, and fortune follows. Anger one at your peril.
Ancient - Present
Korea
1000+ witnesses
Dokkaebi are supernatural beings from Korean folklore, often translated as goblins or trolls.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
Dokkaebi:
- Are nature spirits or goblins
- Born from discarded objects
- Love wrestling and pranks
- Have magical clubs
- Can be helpful or harmful
Origin
Dokkaebi are created from:
- Old bloodstained items
- Discarded household objects
- Things with spiritual energy
- They develop consciousness
Description
Dokkaebi appear as:
- Grotesque but not evil-looking
- Often with one leg
- Carrying a magic club (bangmangi)
- Wearing traditional Korean clothes
- Various sizes
The Magic Club
The bangmangi can:
- Summon anything
- Grant wishes
- Create gold
- Be stolen (but brings bad luck)
Behavior
Dokkaebi love to:
- Challenge people to wrestle
- Play tricks
- Test human character
- Reward the worthy
- Punish the greedy
How to Deal with Them
To handle Dokkaebi:
- Wrestle them (trip their one leg)
- Offer buckwheat or horse blood (they hate these)
- Be honest and brave
- Don’t be greedy