Ggeomeoksali, sometimes romanized as Kkeomeoksali, is a little-known Korean urban legend that originated from oral folklore, with its earliest known stories dating back to the early 1960s. Unlike famous Korean supernatural beings such as the gumiho or cheonyeo gwishin, Ggeomeoksali is not part of ancient mythology and appears to be a relatively modern folk legend passed down by word of mouth.

The name is generally understood to derive from "kkeomeok" (꺼먹), meaning pitch-black or dark, and "sali" (살이), meaning a living being or creature. True to its name, Ggeomeoksali is described as an entirely black humanoid creature about the size of a three-year-old child. It has arms, legs, hands, and feet like a person, walks upright on two legs, and often moves with unnerving speed, darting back and forth as if trying to confuse or intimidate its victim.

According to the legend, Ggeomeoksali appears late at night on isolated mountain roads, country paths, or forests where travelers are alone. Rather than attacking outright, it blocks the person's path while repeatedly chanting only one phrase:

"I am Ggeomeoksali. I am Ggeomeoksali."

No matter what questions are asked, the creature continues repeating its name. It may follow its target for a long distance, constantly running around them while chanting, creating an overwhelming sense of fear and unease.

Unlike many supernatural beings in Korean folklore, Ggeomeoksali's greatest weapon is believed to be fear itself. The legend says that those who panic become increasingly disturbed by its presence, while those who remain calm, refuse to acknowledge its intimidation, or confidently confront it can cause the creature to retreat. In many tellings, it never physically harms anyone, leading some to interpret it as a supernatural embodiment of fear rather than a violent monster.

One of the most famous accounts comes from a woman known as Grandmother Shin, who reportedly encountered Ggeomeoksali while returning home after midnight from a water mill in the early 1960s. Carrying freshly milled barley, she met a small black creature that blocked her path and repeatedly declared, "I am Ggeomeoksali." Instead of running, she mocked it, threatened to kick it if it didn't move, and continued walking. The creature followed her while endlessly repeating its name but stopped after she crossed a stream, giving rise to another commonly associated belief that Ggeomeoksali cannot cross running water.

Because the legend exists almost entirely through oral testimony, there is no verified historical evidence that the encounter actually occurred. Most folklorists regard it as a modern regional urban legend rather than an ancient Korean myth. Nevertheless, the story has endured because of its unusual simplicity and psychological nature.

In The East Palace, however, the writers took major creative liberties. Instead of making Ggeomeoksali a creepy roadside apparition, they turned it into a lovable spirit companion. The production team has even said they based the character on the old legend but intentionally reinvented it for the story.