What is 'Agwi(아귀)' In episode 8 of "Tale of the Nine-Tailed,(구미호뎐)"

In Episode 8 of 'Tale of the Nine-Tailed', 'Agwi' is a demonic being that frequently appears not only in Korea but also in Buddhist culture. Let's take a closer look at 'Agwi(아귀)'.

'Agwi' in Buddhism

In Buddhism, the beings that were greedy in life and become creatures that must die are called "hungry ghosts" or "pretas". These beings must endure suffering until their time as a hungry ghost is up, at which point they can be reborn. The type of suffering that they endure depends on what kind of hungry ghost they become, and what kind of hungry ghost they become depends on what they were greedy for in life. Hungry ghosts are a common figure in Buddhist cosmology across many cultures.

Depending on the sect of Buddhism, there are slightly different explanations, but in some sects, it is mentioned that becoming an "agui" is a stage one goes through for reincarnation when the sin is not severe enough to fall into hell, but still significant enough to require atonement.

How was 'Agwi' portrayed in <Tale of the Nine-Tailed>?

In <The Tale of the Nine-Tailed>, the 'Agwi(아귀)' is not the main character of the story, but rather a background element that intensifies the situation of the main characters. Lee Rang, one of the main characters, was abandoned by his human mother in his childhood and left in a place called the 'Agwi Forest', which symbolizes abandonment and fear at the same time. In Episode 8, Lee Rang falls into a trap set by 'Eodugsini' and is trapped in the very place he feared the most, the 'Agwi Forest' where his mother abandoned him. There, he is surrounded by Agwis once again. In this drama, the Agwi is depicted similar to zombies, driven by thirst or hunger for something and running towards their targets.

In <The Tale of the Nine-Tailed>, the agwi is depicted as a demon-like entity that threatens the main characters, but in fact, the original concept of 'agwi' in Buddhism is somewhat different. In Buddhism, the 'agwi' is given the punishment of hunger, which is opposite to greed, as a way to cleanse the sin of greed committed in their previous life. After experiencing the pain of this hunger, they are considered to have paid the price for their past sin and can be reborn. However, in almost all folktales and legends, the human soul that experiences this hunger and pain is transformed into a ghost or monster-like creature and utilized, and <The Tale of the Nine-Tailed> is also using this concept with some changes.

Similar settings to Agui can be found not only in Buddhist cultures, but also in legends and myths of the Western world.