The Ghostly Scribe: The Haunted Origins of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty

The Ghostly Scribe: The Haunted Origins of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty

※ The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, or "Joseon Wangjo Sillok," are among the most detailed and respected historical records in the world, documenting the reigns of 25 kings across more than five centuries. Revered for their accuracy and meticulousness, these annals serve as a window into Korea’s past. But hidden within the creation of these records lies a mysterious and eerie tale—a story of a ghostly scribe whose presence still lingers in the annals of history.

 

The Setting: The Sacred Duty of the Royal Historians

The process of recording the Joseon annals was one of immense responsibility and secrecy. A group of appointed historians, known for their integrity and dedication, was tasked with documenting the daily events of the court. They recorded everything from mundane details to major political decisions, and their writings were so secret that even the king was not allowed to see them.

These historians worked in isolation, often in dimly lit chambers within the royal palaces. Their work was serious, and the burden of accuracy weighed heavily upon them. Over time, the role of the historian became almost mythical, with tales of their dedication passing down through generations.

The Story: The Ghostly Scribe of Gyeongbokgung Palace

One of the most chilling legends associated with the annals comes from the early years of King Sejong’s reign. King Sejong, revered as one of the greatest monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty, was deeply committed to the integrity of the historical records. He ordered that the annals be kept with even greater precision and that nothing, not even the most trivial incident, be omitted.

During this time, a strange phenomenon began to be reported by the royal historians working at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Late at night, after the palace had fallen silent, the sound of a quill scratching on parchment could be heard coming from the historians’ chambers. The sound was soft yet unmistakable, and it persisted even when the chambers were empty.

At first, the historians dismissed it as the creaking of old wood or the rustling of papers. But as the nights wore on, the sounds grew louder and more frequent. One historian, determined to uncover the source, decided to stay late in the chambers one night, alone with his work. As the midnight hour approached, he heard the scratching sound again, but this time it seemed to come from directly behind him.

When he turned, he saw the figure of a man, faint and translucent, sitting at a desk and writing feverishly. The figure, dressed in the robes of a royal scribe from a previous era, was oblivious to the historian’s presence. The ghostly scribe continued to write until the early hours of the morning, then vanished as dawn broke.

Terrified, the historian reported the encounter to his colleagues, who were skeptical at first. But as more of them experienced similar sightings, a chilling realization set in: this ghostly scribe was the spirit of a long-dead historian, forever bound to his duty of recording the history of the dynasty.

Some believed that the scribe had died under mysterious circumstances, perhaps due to the overwhelming pressure of his work, or that he had been punished for a mistake in the records. Others speculated that he was a particularly diligent historian who had returned from the afterlife to ensure that the annals were recorded correctly.

The sightings continued for several years, with each new group of historians passing down the story. It is said that the ghostly scribe’s writings would occasionally appear in the annals, in the form of notes or corrections that none of the living historians could remember making. These additions were always accurate, as if the spirit was guiding the work from beyond the grave.

The Legacy: The Haunting of History

The legend of the ghostly scribe became a well-known tale within the royal court, whispered among officials and servants alike. It served as both a warning and a comfort to the historians: a reminder of the immense responsibility they carried and the lengths to which their predecessors had gone to ensure the truth was recorded.

To this day, some historians believe that the spirit of the ghostly scribe still lingers within the pages of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. While modern scholars approach the annals with a critical eye, the story of the ghostly scribe adds an eerie dimension to the study of these ancient texts—a reminder that history is not just about the past, but also about the souls who dedicated their lives to preserving it.