[Features reporter] Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

Kun-woo, the weather is really hot these days in Korea, but I hear you brought us something that might make us forget the heat?

That's right.

This time, I visited a Korean folk village that recreates a traditional village from the Joseon Dynasty, a period that lasted around five hundred years in Korea until 1910.

But this summer, daily between 4 PM and midnight, the village transforms into a haunted world full of traditional Korean ghosts and spine-chilling horror experiences.

So, stick with me and prepare for this horrifying night.

A quiet, peaceful village by day.

But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air.

Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear.

Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way.

One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province.

"Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?"

"I died without being able to get married"

From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere.

"It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering."

"It's way different to watching movies."

From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter.

"GET OUT. You don't belong here."

Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie.

Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads.

"I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat."

The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror.

At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest.

It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24.

So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.