Dark Side of Seoul

Dark Side of Seoul Korea's #1 GHOST and DARK HISTORY experience. Also a podcast and comic book series! This is the side of Seoul that you won’t find in the tourism brochures.

Take a tour down the dark alleys of the forgotten 600-year history of bloody massacres, seedy hideaways, and mourning ghosts. Stops on this tour include the following:

The site of a gruesome massacre

The bridge whose stones tell a dark story that lovers and passersby know nothing about

A neighborhood known to be occupied by the spirits of prostitutes who met grisly ends

Along the way we regale

tales of Seoul’s famous ghosts and murderers, weird and surprising landmarks, and the ancient city’s scandalous secrets. Clairvoyants on the tour have reported that we also have a few vaporous guests who join us. Keep an eye out for them. This is not a food tour. There will be an opportunity to buy refreshments. Ladies will receive a measure of protection from certain Japanese ghosts. Children under 18 should not take this tour. It involves violent stories, s*x jokes, and foul-mouthed tour guides.

12/06/2026

A year and a half into our show, we're finally tackling the case of Yoo Young-chul, Korea's most infamous serial killer. We've put this off because we knew it would be a monumental task, wanting to give it the thorough coverage it deserves. This is a topic that demands our utmost respect and effort.

11/06/2026

The van was completely engulfed in flames, followed by intense explosions. The sound of smaller pops accompanied the shattering windows, blowing out from the vehicle.

11/06/2026

In a horrific turn of events, a child was violently attacked and a life was taken. The perpetrator's attempt to cover their tracks, including a fire, was thwarted by a relative who rescued the child. The aftermath reveals a trail of evidence and a chilling narrative.

11/06/2026

Burned Twice

A car exploded near a GS25 convenience store in Korea, destroying multiple vehicles and causing major damage in the neighborhood.

But the real nightmare came afterward.

In this Fun Sized episode of The Dark Side of Seoul, Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey discuss the bizarre insurance complications that followed when the owner of a destroyed van was denied compensation because of parking violations.

The discussion covers:
• The explosion and vehicle fire
• Insurance loopholes in Korea
• Parking enforcement culture
• Financial fallout for small business owners
• Why tiny legal technicalities can become catastrophic

11/06/2026

Flames engulfed the entire van. Through the fire, all I could see was the black edge of the vehicle. I ran back to the house, worried the fire would spread to other buildings. It was an intense and frightening situation.

08/06/2026

Serial Killer Yoo Young-chul, Part 1: Monstrous Origins

Yoo Young-chul remains Korea's most notorious serial killer. His crimes shocked the nation, changed policing practices, and left scars that remain visible more than two decades later.

In the first installment of our four-part series, we examine Yoo's troubled upbringing, his experiences growing up in an urbanizing Seoul, his repeated encounters with the criminal justice system, and the worldview that eventually led him to murder.

We also follow his first killing spree in late 2003, when he targeted wealthy elderly victims living in standalone homes near churches throughout Seoul.

Our research draws heavily from Korean-language reporting, academic studies, and contemporary sources. Along the way, we uncover how Yoo's resentment, obsessions, and distorted moral code evolved into one of the darkest chapters in modern Korean criminal history.

03/06/2026

The Dark Side of Finger Hearts

AI scams are getting weirder.

In this Fun Sized episode, Joe and Shawn discuss the rise of biometric crime in Korea and how AI tools can now potentially lift fingerprints from ordinary photos posted online. Korean security experts are warning that common hand gestures like peace signs and finger hearts may expose enough detail for criminals to recreate biometric data.

The hosts explore why Korea is especially vulnerable due to its high-tech culture, selfie habits, and long history with phishing and cybercrime. They also look at how AI is rapidly changing the future of identity theft and why “just don’t show your fingertips” might soon become normal online safety advice.

01/06/2026

Some say Korean food is the spiciest, but is it true? Definitely not even close. Nigerian and Ethiopian foods can pack a serious punch too. While Korean food is amazing, it's not at the top of the spice list.
Catch the full hilarious episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVkHRWaPSlY

01/06/2026

Unlike English's single level, Korean boasts seven distinct formality levels. This linguistic depth is thought to foster deeper relationships. What are your thoughts on this unique aspect of Korean?
Catch the full hilarious episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVkHRWaPSlY

31/05/2026

National myths often stay within their borders, unlike powerful American myths. As countries like Korea gain soft power, their myths may spread globally. It's crucial for folklorists to document these stories and distinguish truth from fiction, especially as non-Koreans begin to engage with them.
Catch the full hilarious episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVkHRWaPSlY

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