World Urban Legend

    Every November, there is an urban legend and superstition in the entertainment industry and broadcasting circles that many incidents and accidents occur unusually often. People even say it’s as if some curse falls on November. Mainly, bad news such as deaths, breakups, and criminal involvement are said to concentrate during this time. This legend began to be widely discussed in the media relatively recently, from around 2005. However, rumors had already been circulating within the entertainment industry since the late 1980s. Some media outlets point to the death of singer Cha Jung-rak from meningitis on November 10, 1968, as the origin. Notable incidents that fueled the spread of this November legend include: November 1, 1986: Death of comedian Seo Young-choon November 1, 1987: Death of singer Yoo Jae-ha in a car accident November 1, 1990: Death of Kim Hyun-sik from cirrhosis (member of Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter band) By the late 2000s, this legend had almost become an ...

"Erika and Satoru's Dream Adventure" (えりかとさとるのゆめぼうけん) is a family computer game software released by Namco (now Bandai Namco Entertainment) on September 27, 1988. The genre is adventure, and it is also the 44th title in the "Namco Family Computer Game Series." The story follows twin siblings "Erika" and "Satoru" as they embark on an adventure in a mystical world inhabited by animals to find the "Crown of Time." What makes this game unique is that, despite being an adventure game, it allows for two-player simultaneous play. The system, including the icon-based command selection and map screen, was partly influenced by the system used in the previous year's release by the same company, "Sanma no Meitantei." As an adventure game with two-player simultaneous play, it features various mechanisms. The map is divided into two windows, and players explore and investigate points like houses or facilities. Only the player who e...

 The 52-Hertz whale, also known as the 52 Blue whale, is a whale of an unknown species that is known for emitting a unique sound at the frequency of 52 hertz. This frequency is much higher than the frequencies of the whale species most similar to it, such as the blue whale (10–39Hz) and the fin whale (20Hz). The sound of this whale has been consistently detected in various locations since the late 1980s, and it is currently known as the only individual emitting a sound at this frequency. However, it has never been directly observed, and its sound can only be detected using underwater acoustic sensors. This whale is often referred to as "the loneliest whale in the world," and since 2010, occasional records have been found of a second whale emitting sounds at the same frequency. Musically, the frequency of 52 Hertz corresponds to G#1, the 12th lowest key on a standard piano, or the position of the 4th finger on the lowest string (E1) of a double bass. The sound of the 52 Hertz ...

 The Epitaph of Seikilos or Song of Seikilos refers to an inscription found on a pillar discovered in the ancient Greek city of Tralles. This inscription was found in 1883 by Scottish archaeologist Sir William Ramsay near the city of Aydın, close to Ephesus in present-day Turkey, and it came from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Tralles. The inscription contains a song with lyrics and musical notation in the ancient Greek musical notation system. It is believed that the inscription dates back to the 1st or 2nd century AD. The significance of this inscription in epigraphy is that it contains the oldest surviving complete musical composition. The composer is not explicitly mentioned, but it is suggested that Seikilos, whose name appears on the inscription, might have composed the song. After the inscription was excavated, it was not properly cared for and was lost for a time, but it was rediscovered during the Turkish War of Independence at the port of Smyrna (present-day Izm...

 In 1971, in the town of Belmez in Andalusia, Spain, Maria Pereira Gómez was living with her family. On August 23rd, her grandson was horrified by something he saw on the kitchen floor. When Maria looked, she was shocked to see a human face-shaped image appearing on the floor. Despite her best efforts to erase it, the face would not disappear. Maria’s husband also tried various methods, but nothing worked, and eventually, he covered the floor with cement. However, a few days later, the face reappeared, and after several failed attempts to remove it, Maria's husband decided to completely tear up the floor and replace it with fresh cement. Yet, not long after, the face started to appear again, and soon other faces appeared throughout the house. Terrified, the family sought help from Professor Algumosa of the University of Madrid, who visited the house and began investigating the strange phenomenon. Initially, there was suspicion that the family might have drawn the faces intentionall...

 Vampires have many different legends and characteristics, but the most important trait is that they drink human blood. Traditional vampires drain the blood from their victims using sharp fangs, killing them or turning them into vampires. Vampires generally operate at night because sunlight weakens their powers. Some vampires can transform into bats or wolves, and they possess great physical strength along with a seductive influence over their victims. They also do not appear in mirrors and cast no shadows. Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula made the vampire legend famous worldwide. The main character, Count Dracula, is thought to be inspired by a historical figure named Vlad Dracula, who lived in 15th-century Romania. Vlad was known for his extreme cruelty and ruled the region of Wallachia, where he earned the nickname "Vlad the Impaler" for his brutal execution method—impaling his enemies on large wooden stakes. According to legend, Vlad also enjoyed dining among the bodies of hi...

 In the area around Nasca, located about 400 kilometers south of Lima, the capital of Peru, there are gigantic drawings etched into the ground. These include over 30 figures, such as a spider, whale, monkey, hummingbird, and giant human-like figures, along with more than 140 geometric patterns like spirals, straight lines, and triangles. Each of these drawings can measure up to 300 meters in size, making them so vast that they can only be fully appreciated from the air. Although these geoglyphs are believed to have been created around 300 BCE, their immense size and complexity have long been used as evidence for theories about ancient advanced civilizations. Recently, AI technology has helped discover more than 300 additional figures. The giant geoglyphs were first discovered in 1939 by a pilot flying over the southern region of Peru. The reason for their discovery was that, due to their enormous size, only the lines of the figures were visible from the ground, and their full form ...

 The Mimikiribōzu (耳切坊主) is a ghostly monk from Okinawa legend who appears to stop crying children by scaring them. The name of this ghost, which means "the monk who had his ears cut off" or "the monk who cuts ears" in Okinawan, is read as "Mimikiribōzu" in standard Japanese. The story is often used to scare children into quieting down. In March 2016, a horror treasure hunt event based on Mimikiribōzu was held at Heiwa-dōri market in Naha, Okinawa. The origin of this tale dates back to the reign of King Shōkei (尙敬王) of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1713-1751). During this period, a monk named Kurugani-jyashi (黒金座主, くるかにじゃーしー) appeared. He used sorcery to deceive people, harassed women, and secretly stole others' property. Upon hearing this, King Shōkei ordered his brother, Prince Chatan (北谷王子) Tetsu, to deal with him. Prince Chatan approached Kurugani-jyashi with the royal sword, Chiganemaru, and suggested they play a game of Go to relax him. Kurugani-jyashi ac...

 Yawata no Yabushirazu (八幡の藪知らず) is a forbidden area in the city of Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, famous for its bamboo forest. The size of the area is approximately 820m² (about 250 pyeong), which is not very large. Known as a haunted spot in Japan, there has been a legend since the Edo period that anyone who enters the forest can never escape. While the exact reason for the prohibition remains unclear, several theories exist. The primary reason the area is off-limits is simple: it is private property of the Yabushirazu Shrine. According to the shrine’s rules, only authorized priests are allowed to enter. Anyone who trespasses risks being arrested not only for breaking the shrine’s rules but also for trespassing, disrespecting the sacred site, and causing disturbances. In recent years, the shrine has installed movement sensors and CCTV cameras within the forest, and anyone caught entering illegally will be reported to the police. Near the entrance, there is a small shrine, bu...

 The Doppelgänger is a presence that goes beyond just a legend, creating mysterious events in reality. The name "Doppelgänger" comes from German, where Doppel means "double" and Gänger means "goer," referring to a being that looks like another person but is, in fact, the same entity. According to legend, when a person encounters their own Doppelgänger, it is said that they will meet misfortune or even death due to the mysterious powers of that being. This legend, which originated in ancient Germany, has been passed down through generations, deeply embedding itself into people's daily lives. For example, it is believed that if one encounters their Doppelgänger, that person will die in the near future. Some versions of the story claim that the Doppelgänger will drive the person mad before death, while other versions state that if the Doppelgänger does not recognize the person, the bad luck can be avoided. However, this mystery is not confined to just a...

 As the Japanese traveler walked down a dark alley, he discovered a peculiar sign at the entrance of a remote village. The sign read "Daruma." Curiosity led him into the shop where the sign was posted, and he couldn't hide his astonishment. It was a kind of makeshift entertainment venue, and on stage was a Japanese man with severed limbs, a spectacle for the onlookers. Some had even had their tongues cut out. The man, whose name was written as "Daruma," spoke in a desperate, faint voice in Japanese as the traveler approached. "I am OOOO from OO. Please save me..." His voice was filled with urgency, and his eyes were twisted in pain. However, at that moment, the traveler suddenly felt a strange energy. The atmosphere on stage and the dark gazes of the Chinese people inside the shop pressed ominously upon him. Fearing that his identity as a Japanese person might be revealed, he maintained his composure and said, "I am... not Japanese," and quic...

  The Monster of Lake Tianchi, and the Myth Behind It Tianchi, the deep and mysterious caldera lake of Mount Baekdu, has always intrigued the human imagination. While it is a place of natural wonder, the legend of a giant monster living in the lake has also captivated many, stirring both fascination and fear. The tale of the "Tianchi Monster" or "Lake Tianchi Monster" (天池水怪) is an ancient myth, but the modern version, as we know it today, has its roots in recent urban legends and media stories. The Origin of the Tianchi Monster Myth The story of a monster living in Mount Baekdu dates back to the ancient Chinese text Shan Hai Jing (山海經), an ancient geography and mythological compendium. In this text, it is said that in the area near Mount Baekdu, there is a creature with the head of a beast and the body of a serpent, known as "Qin Chong" (琴蟲). However, the description of Qin Chong is vague, with some interpretations simply calling it "a type of snake....

It was an ordinary evening in Middleton, a small, quiet town tucked away in the rolling hills of New England. Ryan Pierce, a 29-year-old aspiring writer, had moved here two months ago, looking for inspiration and a fresh start. The town, with its cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses, was the perfect setting for his latest mystery novel. However, he never imagined he would find something far more disturbing than he could ever write about. Ryan had been spending the evening at the local diner, chatting with some of the regulars. As he walked back to his apartment, the air felt oddly heavy, almost suffocating. He dismissed it as a chill in the evening air, but a sense of unease settled over him as he climbed the stairs to his second-floor apartment. The flicker of the hallway light overhead startled him. It wasn’t the first time the old wiring had acted up, but tonight it felt different, almost as if it were warning him. Inside his apartment, he sat down at his desk, ready to writ...

 The late afternoon sunlight still stretched long across the sky, but the breeze coming through the car window hinted at the approach of fall. Amy and Tony were driving down a quiet suburban road, a place Tony had loved since childhood. It was a perfect spot to escape the noise and bustle of daily life, just the two of them, enjoying each other's company. They often came here to unwind, and today was no different. The mood in the car was growing more intimate. Amy held Tony's hand and smiled, while Tony gazed at her, whispering, "Amy, I really love these moments with you." As their lips drew closer, the car filled with a warm, passionate energy. Soon, they were lost in a kiss, and the world outside seemed to disappear. However, suddenly, a voice on the radio interrupted their bubble. "Attention, everyone. A serial killer with a hook hand has escaped from a mental institution. Residents in the area are advised to stay alert and avoid going outside." In that m...

 Once upon a time, in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor, there was a story about seven young people known as "The Seven Sleepers." These young people endured suffering to maintain their holy faith and were later venerated as saints after miraculously waking up. The story begins during the reign of the Roman Emperor Decius, who persecuted Christians and forced everyone to sacrifice to idols. During this time, the seven young people refused to worship idols and secretly lived in hiding. They climbed Mount Celion and prayed, fasting, and caring for each other. However, eventually, their presence was discovered by the emperor. The emperor tried to punish them, but they were not afraid of any pain. The emperor locked them in a cave to starve to death, sealing the entrance with stones, leaving them in their own world. Years passed, and after the death of Emperor Decius, over 200 years later, the seven sleepers woke up. When they awoke, they did not realize how much time had passed ...

 That night, as always, I was on my way home from work. Since it was early winter, the sky was already dark, and as I left the city and entered the countryside, the streetlights became sparse. When I saw the entrance to the old tunnel, I hesitated for a moment. I remembered the rumors about the "Turbo Grandma." However, I wasn't someone who would be scared by such ghost stories. I stepped on the gas pedal and entered the tunnel. The tunnel was dark and long. The sound of water droplets falling from the ceiling echoed loudly. When I accelerated to 100 km/h, I saw a strange shape in the rearview mirror. It was the shadow of someone. I braked immediately, but the car was already speeding. When I checked the rearview mirror again, there was nothing there. "Was that just my imagination?" I reassured myself and maintained my speed. Suddenly, something passed by outside the left window. It was a yellow slipper. When I looked out the window, I saw a grandmother in white...

 A young office worker named Takeuchi Koji was driving along the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway late at night, feeling especially tired. After finishing his work, he was heading home while listening to pop songs playing on the radio. However, his fatigue quickly vanished when he saw an unusual figure in his rearview mirror. “What is that?” Something was approaching rapidly from behind. At first, he thought it was a motorcycle or a sports car, but it turned out to be something completely unexpected. Ronald McDonald, with his large red hair and clown makeup, was speeding down the road at an unbelievable pace. His legs moved like rockets, and his bright yellow jumpsuit glowed in the dark night. Koji, in shock, pressed the accelerator, but Ronald quickly overtook him. Ronald spun in circles ahead and gave him a playful expression. Startled, Koji hit the brakes and could only watch as Ronald sped away. A few weeks later, a similar sighting occurred on the same expressway. This time, the ...

くねくね  When I was a child, I had an unforgettable experience. It happened during the summer vacation when I went to my grandmother’s house. Her house was in a remote rural village in Akita Prefecture, far from the city, and it felt like an entirely different world. The wind was cool, the rice fields stretched out green, and the village was quiet and peaceful. But amidst this tranquility, something ominous lurked. One day, my brother and I went to play near the rice fields around my grandmother’s house. The weather was clear, and the air was fresh. It was the perfect day to play outside, but for some strange reason, neither of us felt like going out. So, we decided to spend time inside the house. Then, suddenly, my brother stood up and walked over to the window. Curious to see what he was looking at, I followed him and looked in the same direction. Beyond the window, there was a figure standing in the middle of the rice field. It looked like a person, but from a distance, it appeared...

 In a small apartment in Seoul, the blue light from the computer screen flickered, catching the attention of the protagonist, Jihoon. He nervously stared at the screen, biting his nails. The latest email in his inbox had the subject line: "Urgent! Protect yourself from the XX virus!" Just by the subject, Jihoon instinctively knew this was a typical "hoax." He received such warning emails every day. Tired of the false fears spread by others, Jihoon was about to delete the email without a second thought. (Note: "Hoax" refers to false information or rumors, often related to nonexistent computer viruses or malware. These types of messages warn recipients not to open certain files or emails, even though the threat is entirely fictional.) Then his smartphone buzzed. Another message. This time it was on KakaoTalk. "XX virus infection, never open it!" Jihoon rubbed his wrist and sighed. People were still sending these messages. But this time, an unusual ...

  Ryota took out the old Game Boy and recalled the memories buried deep in his mind. The game "Saga2" was a special item that reminded him of his childhood, particularly his time in the hospital. However, those memories were always filled with regret and longing. Since childhood, Ryota had suffered from severe asthma. He was often taken to the hospital, and by the time he was in 5th grade, his condition worsened to the point where he had to go to the hospital every day. Eventually, he was hospitalized for three weeks and had to stay in a four-person ward. In the hospital room, there were an elderly woman, a middle-aged man, and a girl about his age. Ryota, being shy and introverted, had a hard time socializing with others. He mostly spent his time playing on his Game Boy, which he had brought from home. His favorite game was "Saga2." Even though he had already cleared the game once, he started over because there was nothing else to do. About a week into his stay, R...