The earliest known documentation of dokkaebi is in the Silla-era tale of "Lady Dohwa and Bachelor Bihyeong" from the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms compiled during the Goryeo period.

[5] Dokkaebi are different from deities, divinities, spirits or ghosts, called gwishin (귀신) in Korean, in that they are not formed by the death of a human being, but rather by the spiritual possession of an inanimate object such as old discarded household tools like brooms, or objects stained with human blood.

In some cases, they are considered harmless but nevertheless mischievous, usually playing pranks on people or challenging wayward travelers to a ssireum (Korean wrestling) match for the right to pass.

[citation needed] Dokkaebis have short bodies covered in thick, fluffy fur, with two arms and two legs extending from their generally oblong torso.

These are some common types: Based on the folktale of dokkaebi, the South Korean cable network tvN showcased a television series called Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비) starring Gong Yoo as title role and written by Kim Eun-sook, a notable writer in the industry.

In 2017, K-pop girlgroup CLC released a song called Hobgoblin (도깨비), which lyrics seem to be casting a spell through seducing so it holds the attention of the listener.

[8] The formerly cute group brought a darker and sexier concept, as well a fresh EDM Trap sonority.

[9] In 2018, a novel called Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint by Sing Shong came out, in which the dokkaebi play a big role as antagonists.

Her nickname is a reference to her ability to tamper with the opposing team's phones, by causing them to vibrate, revealing their location.

Using that, their choreographer found a way for them to use traditional Korean wrestling in their choreography as well as in their clothing styling and set imagery.

[12] In August 2021, the K-pop boy group Stray Kids made a dokkaebi-themed video for their comeback song "Thunderous".

[13] In March 2023, the K-pop boy group Xikers debuted with their song "Tricky House" (도깨비집) and first introduced their dokkaebi related lore with a dokkaebi-themed MV.