I Joined A Korean Cult For A Day: My First-Hand Experience

I accidentally joined a cult in Korea! Here’s my wild firsthand account of how a solo trip went wrong when I found myself trapped in a cult compound. Plus, essential tips that all solo travellers need to avoid ending up in a true crime podcast…

You’ve probably heard about cults in true crime podcasts or seen them on Netflix shows, but this story hits close to home. During my solo trip to Korea, I found myself unintentionally joining a cult for a day. Solo travel can be incredibly enlightening, offering invaluable lessons about yourself and your capabilities. However, it can also come with risks. Here’s my first-hand account of how it all went down, along with some crucial tips on how to avoid similar situations. Read on for the full story!

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They Invited Me To Join A Traditional Korean Cultural Event

While wandering around the Hongdae Shopping area, I decided to use Google Maps to hunt down a restaurant. Out of nowhere, two young university students (a guy and a girl) approached me and started speaking in Korean. They were asking for directions, but when they realised I was a tourist, they switched gears. They asked if I had visited any traditional Korean sights or tried wearing a Hanbok. They told me they weren’t from Seoul but were students from another city who often came to Seoul to volunteer and promote Korean culture to tourists. They invited me to join a traditional Korean cultural event nearby, and I was totally sold.

At 20, I was pretty naive and genuinely believed these two were just friendly students (around my age), doing some cool volunteer work. I hadn’t hit any major sightseeing spots yet, so I was super excited about this chance to explore Korea’s culture. Little did I know, I was in for quite an unexpected experience…

Arriving At The Scene And The Unexpected…

The journey took almost an hour, starting with a metro ride from Gwangmyeongsageori station and then switching to a bus. The whole time, I was bubbling with excitement, chatting away with my new friends. I even invited them to visit Hong Kong someday, and they seemed genuinely interested. They talked a lot about their studies and deep passion for traditional Korean culture, wanting to spread this love to more tourists. Their enthusiasm totally resonated with me, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

But when we arrived, my excitement turned into a sense of panic. The place was in a local area next to a wet market, and the venue was inside an old, shady walk-up building that looked anything but safe. Despite trying to keep an open mind, I couldn’t ignore the creepy vibes. There were no tourists around, and the whole scene felt off. Inside, even though the people were friendly, I felt extremely uncomfortable. The girl who brought me there forbade any communication with others, which only added to the weirdness. They explained that it was a space for studying and learning, and I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone or take photos. Suddenly, what I thought was a fun cultural event felt more like a strict, eerie gathering.

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I Noticed A Room With A Peculiar Setting

When we finally settled in, the people were incredibly friendly, offering me coffee and snacks and even dressing me in a traditional Korean Hanbok. Oddly, the Hanbok they provided for males was white. In Asian tradition, white clothing is usually associated with mourning, which added a strange twist to the experience. The bright, clean community space filled with low wooden tables where you sit on the floor did put me at ease initially, though. However, my comfort was short-lived when I noticed a strange room with a peculiar table adorned with fruits, candles and strange writings on the wall. This gave me the creeps.

They then gave me a half-hour lecture on Korean history, emphasising the importance of preserving traditions and the necessity of making offerings to receive blessings from God. They handed me a questionnaire asking for personal information about my family, claiming it was for fulfilling our wishes by God. Not buying it for a second, I scribbled some fake responses to avoid conflict.

Then Came The Non-Stop Bowing To “God”

Things took a weirder turn when I was led to a room with that same peculiar table, now accompanied by an individual in a white robe singing an unfamiliar song. Alongside another tourist from Mainland China, I was instructed to bow non-stop to “God” for about 20 minutes. The entire time, I felt like I had stumbled into a cult. I refused to participate any further and used Mandarin to express my concerns to the other tourist, which didn’t go down well with the organisers. They reprimanded me for being disrespectful, which only made me more frustrated and determined to disengage.

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How I Managed To Get Out

The “ceremony” concluded with them burning a white paper containing our “wishes”, claiming our desires would soon come true. Afterwards, they questioned my lack of cooperation. I took the chance to explain my belief in personal free will and that I couldn’t force myself to follow practices I didn’t genuinely believe in. Just when I thought it couldn’t get stranger, some members approached me with more drinks and snacks, but one of them gave a look, and they abruptly walked away (later, I found out this is when they usually ask for donations). Finally, the girl who had brought me there resumed her friendly demeanour and ensured I got safely to the bus stop for the airport line. What a crazy day!

Looking back, despite my repeated insistence that I needed to catch my flight, it was tough to convey my urgency to the organisers. My attempts to chat with others clearly annoyed them, and sensing my growing unease, they eventually offered to escort me out. They likely realised I was becoming a bit of a disruption. One of them got my WhatsApp number and firmly reminded me not to share my experience with anyone, insisting it could lead to misunderstandings about their culture. They even asked me to message them when I arrived at the airport. At this stage, I still thought they were just being nice!

Looking Back At The Unreal Experience

Back in Hong Kong, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to dig a little deeper into what I had experienced. To my shock, all the news and information online pointed to the possibility that I might have joined a cult! I tried reaching out to them again, but surprise, surprise – no reply. Either they blocked me, or they just didn’t want to deal with my newfound skepticism.

Reflecting on my unusual experience, I do feel a bit foolish and ashamed for unquestioningly following strangers. It feels incredibly unreal to have briefly been part of a cult! But after researching online, I discovered that some tourists have been scammed or coerced into joining this cult for financial gain. So, I’m truly grateful and relieved that I had the courage to stand up for myself. At least I didn’t lose any personal belongings or suffer any further losses. What a wild story to tell!

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Tips I’d Give Other Solo Travellers

From my wild adventure, I’ve picked up a few crucial lessons that I’ll be carrying with me on all future travels. First off, avoid following strangers to unfamiliar places without reliable information or a clear understanding of the situation. It’s so important to have solid information and trust before going anywhere with someone you don’t know well. Trust your instincts! If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, trust those feelings and get out of there. Your safety is the top priority, so don’t hesitate to leave if something doesn’t feel right. Don’t let feelings of awkwardness or embarrassment stop you from prioritising your safety. It’s natural to want to be polite or avoid offending others, but your well-being should always come first.

Also, keep an open communication with your friends or loved ones about your travel plans, locations and any changes to your itinerary. Regular check-ins can make a world of difference. And finally, be cautious about sharing personal information, especially with strangers. Avoid giving out unnecessary details like your home address, hotel room number or financial information unless absolutely necessary and only with trusted individuals.

Travelling is an incredible experience, but staying safe ensures that you can keep on exploring the world with confidence and peace of mind. Safe travels, everyone!

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