Illustrated with 150 photographs and artworks, Korean Myths is an accessible, entertaining and highly informative exploration of the stories and legends that inspired modern Korean culture.

Korean myths are a continuing, evolving part of society, in both North and South Korea. With the export of Korean film across the globe, K-pop, fashion, K-dramas, literature and comics there is an increasing desire particularly amongst younger generations to understand the folklore and mythical underpinnings of contemporary Korean culture. In Korean Myths discover the two types of folklore: written, literary mythology in traditional histories, often about the founding monarchs of various historical kingdoms, and the larger and more diverse oral mythology, consisting of narratives sung by shamans or priestesses (mansin) in rituals invoking the gods and which are still considered sacred today. These tales aren’t just from the past. They’re still very much alive in today's Korean culture, showing up in popular Netflix shows and everyday conversations. From the Changsega ('Song of Creation') sung by shamans, to the gods, goddesses and monsters who inhabit the cosmos, including the god Mireuk, creator of the world, and the giant Grandma Mago, who was able to create mountains from the mud on her skirt, these myths have been disseminated for centuries and continue to resonate today. Beautifully produced with 100 illustrations and photographs, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the legendary tales of Korea.