Located in Gwangju, South Korea, the Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is one of the most famous haunted locations in the world. This asylum, abandoned for decades, has become the subject of countless ghost stories, urban legends, and paranormal investigations. Many visitors claim to have experienced unexplained phenomena, adding to its eerie reputation.
The asylum was reportedly built in the 1960s and was once a fully functioning psychiatric hospital. According to rumours, it was shut down in the late 1990s under mysterious circumstances. Some theories suggest that patients began dying under unusual and unexplainable conditions, leading to the hospital’s sudden closure. Another popular theory is that the hospital’s director vanished without a trace, leaving the facility abandoned.
Despite these stories, there is no official record confirming these events. The real reason for the hospital’s closure is believed to be more mundane- issues with sewage disposal and financial difficulties forced the institution to shut down. However, the lack of clear historical documentation has only fueled the supernatural theories surrounding Gonjiam.
Many ghost hunters and thrill-seekers visit Gonjiam Asylum, drawn by the terrifying stories linked to the site. Some of the most chilling reports include:
- Disembodied Voices: Visitors claim to hear whispers, screams, and laughter echoing through the abandoned halls.
- Mysterious Shadows: Shadowy figures are often spotted moving in the darkness, disappearing when approached.
- Doorways That Slam Shut: Several explorers have reported doors shutting violently on their own, as if an unseen force is present.
- Unexplained Temperature Drops: Sudden drops in temperature and cold spots are commonly felt, even in the summer months.
The legend of Gonjiam gained international fame after the release of the 2018 horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. The found-footage style movie follows a group of YouTubers who enter the asylum to live-stream their paranormal investigation, only to experience terrifying supernatural events. The film was a huge success and further cemented Gonjiam’s reputation as one of the scariest places in the world.
For years, Gonjiam Asylum was a hotspot for urban explorers, despite being private property. 2018 the building was officially demolished to prevent trespassing and ensure safety. While the physical structure no longer stands, the stories and mysteries of Gonjiam continue to haunt the imagination of horror enthusiasts worldwide.