When fantasy became fatal

Human fascination with mysticism and the afterlife has endured for millennia -- from protective spells in ancient Mesopotamia to prohibitions against magic in the Hebrew Bible, from necromancy in folklore across cultures to the hysteria of the Salem witch trials, where more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft.Today, few people would still believe it is truly possible to cast a curse or summon the dead. But in 2012 in South Korea, a small group of teenagers and young adults became engrossed in just such ideas.This episode examines how an online forum devoted to summoning spirits crossed the line from dark fascination into deadly action, culminating in the murder of a 20-year-old college student — once one of their own. Related article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10702769CreditsReporting & writing: Yoon Min-sikEditing: Lee Sun-young, Devin WhitingHosts & guests: Devin Whiting, Yoon Min-sikProducer: Park Jun-heeAudio editing: Noh Seong-minArtwork: Yu Soo-in