gumiho

plural gumihos · alternative kumiho

1. Korean mythologyAn usually malevolent, shape-shifting fox spirit, typically said to take the form of a beautiful woman to seduce men and eat their livers.

   In their human guise the gumiho will seduce a man, kill him, and then consume his liver.

   2016, Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, page 146

   2 more examples

   Gumihos are able to transform into human form, generally beautiful women, in order to seduce men.

   2012, “Translation Notes”, in Laon, volume 5, unnumbered page

   Somin had grown up hearing stories about gumiho—nine-tailed foxes with the ability to live forever as long as they devoured the energy of men.

   2020, Kat Cho, Vicious Spirits, pages 15–16