Abstract: The term “Beggar Ghost” (乞鬼), still commonly used in modern Korean, represents a unique imaginary entity in East Asia, distinct from the Buddhist Hungry Ghost (餓鬼). This presentation explores the emergence and transformation of the Beggar Ghost’s imagery within the sociocultural context of pre-modern Korean society. By examining its evolution from its first appearance in 15th-century literature to its depiction in a 19th-century short story, this study highlights how gender, economic, and religious issues, intertwined with human emotions, gave rise to this being.
