Mystery of HAUNTED HOSPITAL - GONJIAM

Situated on a hillside on the outskirts of Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, just over an hour's drive east of Seoul, Gonjiam Mental Hospital closed down after just a year of operation despite significant investment. After being recognized by CNN as one of the 7 scariest places on Earth, thousands of daring individuals annually trespassed on the premises to challenge their bravery, catapulting Gonjiam to fame and even inspiring the horror film "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" released in early 2018.

The medical facility was originally called Nanyang Neurological Hospital but underwent a change in ownership and renovation to become Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital. It was constructed, completed, and began operating in 1995 with a team of medical professionals, including experienced doctors and the latest medical equipment available at the time.

The situation was proceeding as usual until the patients started passing away one by one under mysterious circumstances, including instances of suicide. Surprisingly, several doctors and nurses also died unexpectedly while on duty, despite previous cases of suicide. The hospital was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation, causing immense anger among the patients' families. Ultimately, unable to cope with the mounting pressure, the hospital director lost control and tragically locked the patients in their rooms before taking their own life.

After that, numerous rumors circulated claiming that Gonjiam was constructed on the site where the bodies of Korean soldiers and individuals who perished in the war against Japan were laid to rest. Furthermore, authoritarian regimes in earlier times employed this area to interrogate individuals who held differing views, lacked compliance, or resisted them.

The eerie tales, partly real and partly made up, surrounding the Gonjiam psychiatric hospital prompted the Gwangju city authorities to step in, leading to the closure of the facility in 1996 for an inquiry. Seizing the chance, the hospital's owner fled to America.

It has been over 20 years since the "difficult problem" in Gonjiam first emerged and still remains unresolved. Locals speculate that this location previously served as a prison before being repurposed. However, following its transformation into a mental health facility, the patients inexplicably began to disappear.

The doctors and patients quietly departed, leaving behind an increasingly degraded Gonjiam exposed to the rain and wind amid a gloomy and melancholy atmosphere that made surrounding people not dare to visit\

The Gonjiam campus emerges along the path, blending into the serene mountain scenery like a ship breaking free from dense fog. From the exterior, the three-story building emits a somber vibe, surrounded by gray walls speckled with moss in the midst of tranquil nature.

The interior is even gloomier: Deep corridors house rooms filled with musty, old items that have grown moldy over time. Peeling windows and ceilings, as well as toppled tables and chairs, add to the dismal atmosphere. Notes, some hastily scribbled, are still visible on the walls. Debris litters the floor, potentially remnants left by the patients, as no one cleaned up after the required departure.

The most haunting thing is the dark staircase contrasting with the white blouses fluttering in the wind, making everyone hesitate and not dare to continue... Inside, the temperature suddenly dropped, the wind blew through the doors. opening and closing creates a chill down the spine. Every time it rains, tiny drops of water seep through the cracks in the building, creating strange sounds just like a horror movie.

Even though the hospital is closed with a "No Entry" sign for safety, Korean tourists, particularly daring young individuals, have trespassed to showcase their bravery, capturing footage for social media sharing.

The Korean Times reported that every year, numerous individuals trespass into this location to challenge their bravery. Many visitors here said they saw ghosts following them outside the hospital grounds, even following them into their cars. Scientists also brought equipment and obtained unbelievable indicators

Despite rumors of hauntings and demonic possession, authorities have confirmed that no spiritual events occur at this location. A real estate lawyer verified that no unusual occurrences took place at the hospital. Additionally, a police investigation revealed no major incidents, debunking the false stories of ghosts or the director's suicide. The hospital's closure was due to financial constraints and poor sanitation.

As for the incident of the hospital owner fleeing to the US, it is also completely unfounded. The founder of the hospital passed away due to health reasons, and his heirs to the hospital no longer wanted to manage it. Furthermore, at the time the movie Gonjiam was about to be released, they also filed a lawsuit against the producer, demanding that the movie not be allowed to air, but the court rejected this request.

The land was later sold for under 1 million won, and by the end of May 2018, the Gonjiam psychiatric hospital was demolished.