Kumiho(구미호)

The kumiho (also spelled gumiho) is a legendary creature in Korean folklore, whose name literally translates to "nine-tailed fox." This mythical being shares similarities with comparable entities in other East Asian traditions, including China's jiuweihu, Japan's kitsune, and Vietnam's hồ ly tinh.

According to traditional stories, the kumiho possesses shapeshifting abilities, often taking the form of a beautiful woman to lure unsuspecting men. Once transformed, the creature typically seeks to consume the victim's liver or heart, depending on which version of the legend is being told.

Many stories featuring the kumiho have been documented in Korean literature, particularly in the comprehensive "Compendium of Korean Oral Literature" (한국 구비문학 대계/韓國口碑文學), which serves as an important collection of traditional Korean tales.