Secret organization works to keep monsters hidden in occult fantasy

"Once Upon a Time" by Bae Ye-ram (Safehouse)

"Once Upon a Time"

By Bae Ye-ram

Safehouse

Set in a Korea where monsters and spirits roam unseen by the public, a secret organization works tirelessly to maintain balance. Officially registered as the Korean Cat's Cradle Association, the covert Korean Monster Management Association is tasked with managing and protecting supernatural beings.

With five branches across the country, the KMMA operates much like an ordinary corporation -- except its employees possess special abilities to deal with the supernatural.

Among them is Kang Bo-ni, an employee who lacks the “hands” needed to manage monsters but possesses the rare “eyes” to see spirits.

For three years, Bo-ni has been stuck in an office-bound role, overshadowed by colleagues who excel in fieldwork. But when a monster unexpectedly appears at the headquarters, her life takes an unexpected turn. Together with Ji-un, a rookie recruit, she is assigned to an emergency dispatch team.

The novel draws on the rich tapestry of Korean folklore, reimagining familiar tales and legends of mythical creatures. The duo faces a series of missions involving bizarre and enigmatic beings, from "dokkaebi" -- mischievous creatures in Korean folklore akin to goblins -- to eerie spirits.

While Bo-ni embarks on her own quest to uncover the truth about her missing grandmother, she and Ji-un clash over a fundamental question: Should humans control these creatures, or is coexistence possible?