In K-pop: Demon Hunters, viewers are immersed in a world of supernatural forces fused with high-energy music and modern visuals. While much of the animation takes creative liberties, one striking character archetype rooted in real Korean folklore is the Jeoseung Saja (저승사자)—the traditional "messenger of death" or Grim Reaper. This article explores the historical and cultural background of Jeoseung Saja and how his presence adds hidden depth to Korea-inspired fantasy media.
Who Is Jeoseung Saja?
Jeoseung Saja is a figure from traditional Korean mythology whose name literally means "messenger of the afterlife" (jeoseung = afterlife; saja = messenger or envoy). He serves Yeomra Daewang (염라대왕), the King of the Underworld, and his duty is to escort the souls of the deceased to the afterlife.
Unlike Western Grim Reapers who often evoke terror, Jeoseung Saja is not a villain, nor does he kill people. He is a neutral being who simply performs the cosmic task of maintaining balance between life and death. In this way, he reflects Confucian and Buddhist values of duty, harmony, and the cyclical nature of existence.
Traditional Appearance
The Jeoseung Saja is often depicted wearing:
A black or dark hanbok (traditional Korean robe)
A gat (traditional Korean wide-brimmed hat made of horsehair)
Sometimes carrying a rope or staff used to bind or guide souls
In recent reinterpretations, such as in games, comics, or animations like K-pop: Demon Hunters, Jeoseung Saja is visually modernized but still retains core visual elements—a black outfit, somber demeanor, and otherworldly calm.arries an invisible rope to tie around the souls of the dead and lead them to the underworld. If a soul resists or if death was unjust, the Jeoseung Saja might leave it behind, causing it to become a gwishin (ghost)—a spirit unable to cross over.
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The Compassionate Saja
In some traditional stories, Jeoseung Saja is shown to have a conscience. In one tale, a boy begs Jeoseung Saja not to take his dying mother. Moved by the boy’s devotion, the Saja gives the mother a few more years of life. These stories portray him as a figure of empathy and fairness, not just cold fate.
Role in Rituals
During traditional Korean funeral rites (jesa or jesasang), offerings are sometimes left out to appease the Jeoseung Saja and ensure a smooth journey for the deceased. In rural regions, it was believed that obstructing the Saja’s path would result in bad luck or sickness.
Symbolism in K-pop: Demon Hunters
Though the series stylizes demons and supernatural beings for entertainment, the visual design of the demon hunters’ enemies and some costume elements resemble folkloric beings like Jeoseung Saja. Dark robes, spectral auras, and ghostly gates to other worlds are visual cues drawn directly from Korean shamanistic and Buddhist imagery.
By including such motifs, the animation connects viewers not just to fantasy, but to Korea's deep cultural memory of life, death, and the beyond.
Jeoseung Saja is more than just Korea’s version of the Grim Reaper—he is a cultural bridge between tradition and modernity, myth and media. His silent presence in Korean pop culture reflects centuries-old beliefs about mortality, duty, and the afterlife. Whether viewers realize it or not, his symbolic essence enriches works like K-pop: Demon Hunters, offering a deeper resonance for those who seek it.
References
- Kim, So-un. Korean Folk Tales. Seoul: Yonsei Press, 2002.
-“Jeoseung Saja.” Mythlok.com
- “Grim Reapers in Korean Mythology.” OldWorldGods.com
-The Academy of Korean Studies. 한국민족문화대백과사전 (Encyclopedia of Korean Culture).
-Korea.net. “Understanding Korean Funerary Customs and Beliefs.” korea.net
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