What is a Jeoseung Saja?

Jeoseung Saja is the Korean Grim Reaper, a psychopomp from Korean mythology and shamanism who guides souls from the mortal world to the afterlife.

What is the traditional hat called?

The hat is called a 'gat.' It is a traditional Korean hat worn by men along with hanbok during the Joseon Dynasty, made from horsehair and bamboo.

Can I make this costume modern?

Yes! Modern interpretations (like those in K-dramas) often feature a sleek black trench coat, a black fedora, and a dark suit instead of the traditional hanbok.

AI-generated example

Jeoseung Saja Costume

Embody the chilling elegance of Korea's traditional guide to the afterlife.

The Jeoseung Saja is the grim reaper of Korean mythology, tasked with guiding departed souls to the underworld. This striking look has surged in popularity thanks to Korean dramas and K-pop concepts, blending historical attire with a dark, supernatural aesthetic. The costume centers around a flowing black robe, a traditional wide-brimmed hat, and an eerie, pale complexion.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~45 min
Budget: $40–120

See yourself as Jeoseung Saja →What you need Buy the Jeoseung Saja costume

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See yourself as Jeoseung Saja

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Jeoseung Saja costume — Example look · AI-generated

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Result

What you need for a Jeoseung Saja costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Jeoseung Saja costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.

Shop Jeoseung Saja at Spirit ↗

Black Hanbok or Flowing Robe
A traditional Korean black hanbok (jeogori and baji) or a sleek, floor-length black wrap robe with wide sleeves.
DIY: Use a long black wrap cardigan or a black martial arts uniform secured with a wide black sash.
Amazon
Korean Gat Hat
A traditional semi-transparent black cylindrical hat with a wide brim, historically made of horsehair and bamboo.
DIY: Craft a wide brim from black poster board and attach a cylindrical black mesh crown to the center.
Amazon
Wide Black Sash or Belt
A thick black fabric belt wrapped tightly around the waist to secure the robe.
DIY: Cut a strip of black fabric or use a black martial arts belt.
Amazon
Black Undergarments
A simple black crewneck long-sleeve shirt and black trousers to wear underneath the robe.
DIY: Use any plain black long-sleeve tee and black sweatpants from your closet.
Amazon
Dark Beaded Necklace
A long necklace made of dark wooden or black beads, draped over the chest.
DIY: String large dark wooden beads onto a black cord.
Amazon
Black Shoes
Simple black slip-on shoes, boots, or traditional Korean-style cloth shoes.
DIY: Wear clean black canvas sneakers or black dress shoes.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Jeoseung Saja costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the black long-sleeve crewneck shirt and black trousers as your base layer.
2
Slip on the black hanbok or flowing robe, wrapping it left-over-right across your chest.
3
Tie the wide black sash firmly around your waist to secure the robe and create a clean silhouette.
4
Drape the long dark beaded necklace around your neck so it hangs prominently over the front of the robe.
5
Apply pale face makeup and dark eyeshadow to create a cold, ghostly, supernatural appearance.
6
Place the black gat hat on your head, securing the chin strap under your jaw.
7
Put on the plain black shoes to complete the grim, unified look.

Makeup & hair

Apply a foundation or face powder that is two shades lighter than your natural skin tone for a pale, ghostly complexion. Add subtle dark gray or purple eyeshadow around the eyes to create a hollowed-out, sleepless look, keeping the lips pale or neutral.

Jeoseung Saja for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair up as a Jeoseung Saja and a colorful Gumiho (nine-tailed fox) or a ghost in a white traditional sobok.
group: Form a squad of Saja Boys in matching black robes and gat hats for an intimidating, coordinated group look.
kids: A miniature version featuring a lightweight black robe and a soft felt replica of the traditional gat hat.
Plus size: Flowing wrap robes and adjustable fabric sashes offer a comfortable, highly customizable fit for all body types.
pet: A small black pet hanbok paired with a lightweight, miniature mesh hat secured with an elastic strap.

Tips

Secure the gat hat with bobby pins or by tying the chin strap snugly, as wide-brimmed hats easily catch the wind.
Keep the makeup matte to maintain a cold, deathly appearance under camera flashes.
Wear comfortable black shoes, as the long robe will draw focus away from your feet anyway.
Practice a calm, stoic, and unblinking expression for photos to match the character's eerie demeanor.

Jeoseung Saja costume FAQ

What is a Jeoseung Saja?: Jeoseung Saja is the Korean Grim Reaper, a psychopomp from Korean mythology and shamanism who guides souls from the mortal world to the afterlife.
What is the traditional hat called?: The hat is called a 'gat.' It is a traditional Korean hat worn by men along with hanbok during the Joseon Dynasty, made from horsehair and bamboo.
Can I make this costume modern?: Yes! Modern interpretations (like those in K-dramas) often feature a sleek black trench coat, a black fedora, and a dark suit instead of the traditional hanbok.

Did you know? While traditionally depicted in Joseon-era robes, modern Korean media like the drama 'Goblin' popularized the Jeoseung Saja wearing chic, modern black designer suits and fedoras.