Which Korean folklore figure does the name “Saja” evoke in KPop Demon Hunters?

In KPop Demon Hunters, “Saja” evokes the Korean folklore figure comparable to the Grim Reaper.

The reference is to the jeoseung saja, a supernatural messenger associated with guiding the dead. The Saja Boys’ name therefore carries a meaning beyond their identity as a fictional idol group.

Their visual design reinforces the connection. During “Your Idol,” the members wear black hanbok and traditional horsehair hats, recalling the imagery of the jeoseung saja. Their lion-head logo adds another layer because “saja” can also refer to lion in Korean.

The term should not be confused with other Korean legendary beings such as the dokkaebi, a goblin-like creature, or the gumiho, a nine-tailed fox. Those figures belong to Korean folklore too, but they are not the specific reference behind the Saja Boys’ name.