An open gate offers a view into a courtyard, with a brace of fine chindos chained up behind a huddle of kimchi pots. The style of shamanism extant in Seoul is the Northern tradition, believed to be related to Chinese Taoism and Japanese Shintoism. Mudangs in this tradition do not inherit their gifts, but are believed to be possessed by spirits. The mnemonic poems mudangs chant are believed to date back to pre-history. A common task is placating wandering souls.
Many spirits crave what they enjoyed on earth -such as food or drink.
This explains why Koreans offer food and drink at their ancestors' graves. The most dangerous task a mudang can perform is to rescue a spirit lost in hell. Very few mudangs claim to be able to do this. A mudang will be hired. The mudang goes into a trance and journeys to hell to guide the spirit out.