"'No! Dad, Run!'... Father Moved by 5-Year-Old Son Who Shielded Him from Ghost at Korean Folk Village"

Five-year-old son stood in front of a ghost at Korean Folk Village

Father: "I learned what true courage is from my son"

Korean Folk Village's "ghost lessons" for disciplining children make waves

The story has emerged of a five-year-old who stood in front of a ghost during a ghost experience at the Korean Folk Village and shouted, "Dad, run!" The boy's father later sent a message of thanks to the actor playing the ghost.

"I learned what true courage is from my son"... A father's message

A ghost actor at the Korean Folk Village received an unexpected message from the parent of a child. The story has since come to light. Instagram.

On October 19, a message that an actor who has been using ghost makeup to discipline children recently received from a visitor spread on social media (SNS). The sender introduced himself as the father of a five-year-old boy who took part in a ghost experience with his son. "I'm sending this message because I really wanted to thank you," he wrote. "I don't know if you remember the moment yesterday when you came toward me, saying you were going to eat me. My son burst into tears, stood in front of you, and shouted, 'No! Dad, run!' I was deeply moved in that moment."

The father said he learned something from his son that day. "He was only five, and must have been scared himself, but he didn't run away. He stepped forward to protect his dad, and it left me so moved that I can't put it into words. I had always thought that, as his father, I was the one protecting him. Instead, I learned from him what love is and what true courage means," he said. He continued, "My son may forget that day as time goes by, but I don't think I ever will. As a father, I made a promise to myself once again: 'No matter what difficulties come my way, I won't give in easily. I'll be a dependable father this child can lean on for the rest of his life.'"

The father ended his message by thanking the actor. "You may have simply been doing your best in the role you were given, but you created a precious moment that my son and I will treasure for the rest of our lives. I went there to experience a ghost, but came home having discovered the bravest boy in the world - my son. Thank you sincerely for giving us such a special and moving experience," he wrote.

The actor added, "As an actor, I feel an immense sense of responsibility, as well as indescribable gratitude, knowing that a small performance I gave could become such a heartwarming moment and an unforgettable memory in someone's life. I still have a lot to learn as an actor, but I will hold your heartfelt message close and work to show more depth and growth in the future."

Online users responded warmly, writing, "The world really is full of warmth," "A five-year-old - the theory of innate goodness in action," and "I was so moved I nearly cried."

Korean Folk Village's "ghost lessons" for picky eating and tantrums make waves

Search screen for "Korean Folk Village teaching kids a lesson." It shows parents disciplining their children with the help of ghost actors at the Korean Folk Village. Instagram

Meanwhile, videos of ghosts at the Korean Folk Village disciplining children, dubbed "ghost lessons," have recently made waves on social media. Parents tip off the ghosts about their children's usual behavior, and the ghosts scare the children into promising not to be picky eaters or throw tantrums. The ghosts in the videos are character actors in the fall festival "Gwisinsaba Gwisin Nori," running from September 12 to November 15, 2026. The Korean Folk Village also features a ghost character called Eoduksini, who scolds children to encourage them to listen to their parents or acts out scenes with them.

There have also been stories of children's habits changing after a ghost experience. One parent said their four-year-old stopped being a picky eater after meeting the character Myogwi, and the parent later heard from the child's kindergarten that the child's mealtime behavior had changed as well.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.