The Elevator Game: Internet Rituals and Korean Horror Explained
The Elevator Game is a well-known internet ritual that stems from Korean and Japanese urban legends, attracting attention for its blend of superstition and horror. It is believed by some that following the precise steps in this ritual can lead a player to another world, transforming a mundane elevator ride into a chilling experience. This game’s reach has expanded through online forums and social media, fueling curiosity and unease among those fascinated by supernatural challenges.
Interest in the Elevator Game has grown as stories and personal accounts circulate, with people debating if it's just another eerie story or if there's something more unsettling behind the tradition. Its simple setup—requiring only an elevator and a sequence of button presses—makes it widely accessible, yet that accessibility is part of what makes the legend feel so immediate and real.
Origins of The Elevator Game
The elevator game is rooted in East Asian internet culture, especially in South Korea and Japan. Its evolution is informed by both longstanding urban legends and the influence of online communities.
Folk Roots and Urban Legends
Many elements of the elevator game draw on traditional beliefs about thresholds, supernatural travel, and rituals that blur the line between worlds. Folklore in East Asia often features stories about ordinary locations becoming gateways to the unknown, especially after the performance of specific steps or rituals.
Elevators, as enclosed and transitional spaces, are frequently used in ghost stories and urban myths. In these tales, the act of traveling to certain floors or pressing buttons in a particular sequence is sometimes said to summon spirits or open portals.
This backdrop of regional folklore and widespread fascination with ritual games provided a fertile foundation for the emergence of the elevator game as a modern urban legend.
Spread in South Korea and Japan
The first known references to the elevator game appeared on South Korean internet forums in the early 2010s. The game quickly gained traction as a creepypasta-style ritual, shared in blog posts and community sites across both South Korea and Japan.
Its step-by-step instructions, which direct participants to ride an elevator in a specific sequence, contributed to its popularity. Claims about traveling to an alternate reality by following these steps helped the story circulate widely online.
Japanese internet users also adopted and adapted the ritual, blending it with their own local legends and horror tropes. Today, the elevator game remains a notable example of how digital communities in East Asia can amplify and transform traditional supernatural motifs.
How to Play: Step-by-Step Rules
The Elevator Game is a modern ritual that requires careful adherence to a specific sequence of actions and decisions. Individual preparation and understanding of the procedure are considered central to the experience.
Preparation and Materials
To begin, a player needs access to a building with at least 10 floors and an elevator (the lift). The ritual should be performed alone, as extra people may disrupt the process or invalidate the results.
No specialized materials are strictly required beyond the elevator itself. For those who seek added protection, some choose to bring salt or a candle, though these items are not mentioned in all versions of the rules. The building must be empty enough that strangers do not enter the lift during the game.
Before starting, players should ensure they have reviewed the entire sequence. It is important no one interrupts the ride by entering or leaving the elevator, as this is believed to halt the ritual.
The Elevator Sequence
The sequence involves a particular set of floor buttons pressed in a specific order. The commonly cited order is: 4th floor, 2nd floor, 6th floor, 2nd floor, 10th floor, and finally the 5th floor. At each floor, the player must remain inside and not exit.
Upon reaching the 5th floor, a woman may enter. According to legend, the player must not look at her or speak to her. If the elevator rises to the 10th floor, the ritualist may step out, allegedly entering a different world.
To return, players must repeat the sequence backwards or use the lift as instructed, making sure not to lose focus. Interruptions, leaving the elevator early, or deviation from the steps are widely said to end the ritual immediately.
Entering the Other Dimension
The Elevator Game is surrounded by detailed lore, marked by specific signs and encounters that suggest the player has crossed from the familiar world into something foreign. Encounters within this other dimension include both visual cues and unusual presences, shaping much of the ritual's unsettling reputation.
Signs of Arrival
According to common accounts, arrival in the other dimension is signaled by distinct environmental changes. The most widely described sign is that the building and surroundings outside the elevator appear empty and abandoned.
Natural light is often replaced with an unnatural red or dark tint. All technology, including mobile phones, typically fails or malfunctions, removing contact with the original world.
Some describe an overwhelming sense of loneliness or a "wrongness" in the atmosphere. Doors or floors within the building may be inaccessible, suggesting spatial inconsistency typical of this different world. Every floor may look almost identical but subtly altered, enhancing the sensation of disconnection from reality.
Common Signs Description Emptiness No people or signs of life Unnatural lighting Sky or rooms bathed in red/dark coloration Device malfunctions Phones and electronics stop working properly Altered architecture Floors and doors appear or behave abnormally
The Woman and Other Presences
Players frequently warn of encountering a female figure, usually described as entering the elevator on the fifth floor. The ritual's rules specify that she should never be spoken to or looked at directly.
The woman is said to possess an uncanny or distorted appearance, such as unnatural eye movement or clothing that does not fit the era. Engaging with her in any way may either trap the player in the other dimension or provoke unknown dangers.
In addition to the woman, some versions mention vague presences—spirits, monsters, or subtle forces that amplify the feeling of being watched. Witnesses report hearing footsteps, faint whispers, or sensing invisible entities nearby.
Survival advice suggests acting calmly and strictly following the ritual's steps. Interacting with any presences can risk permanent entrapment or disorientation within this threatening other world.
Dangers and Consequences
The Elevator Game is associated with reports of unsettling experiences, emotional distress, and urban horror themes. Participants often describe intense feelings of fear, the threat of supernatural events, and uncertainty about returning from the ritual.
Psychological Effects
Many players describe anxiety and paranoia during or after the game. The ritual’s rules and atmosphere can heighten fear, especially when performed in the dark or alone.
Some have reported vivid hallucinations or sensations of being watched. Nightmares are also common, particularly those featuring dark figures, spirits, or lost environments from the “other world.”
Prolonged fear may cause insomnia or intrusive thoughts. In rare cases, players claim lasting unease, drawing parallels to those who experience traumatic events in horror-themed situations.
Potential Encounters
Accounts suggest that participants may encounter spirits or unexplained entities while playing. These encounters are typically described as sightings of shadowy figures or feeling the cold presence of something otherworldly.
Storytellers often mention the risk of facing hostile or unresponsive beings in the so-called another dimension. No confirmed evidence of monsters exists, but some reports warn of figures that should not be engaged or confronted.
Direct combat or physical confrontation is rare, but the psychological impact of such perceived encounters can be intense. The possibility of losing touch with reality is a widely-shared concern.
Return Precautions
Returning safely from the Elevator Game is a central focus in the ritual. Rules frequently warn that speaking to strangers, answering unknown voices, or exiting on the wrong floor can lead to being trapped in another dimension.
Most instructions emphasize following the ritual sequence exactly and staying calm if disoriented. Panic or deviation from the protocol is believed to increase the risk of not returning as expected.
Some players recommend having an emergency plan, such as carrying a phone or informing someone about the ritual. Although no evidence supports the existence of supernatural risks, these precautions highlight the anxiety tied to the experience.
The Elevator Game in Korean Horror Culture
The Elevator Game has become a recurring theme in contemporary South Korean horror, reflecting the nation’s fascination with the supernatural and urban myths. Its unsettling premise appears across a range of modern media, connecting audiences with familiar yet eerie urban environments.
Depictions in Films and Web Novels
South Korean horror films have adapted the Elevator Game ritual as a central plot device. Directors use the game's rules to create suspense, with detailed scenes that mirror the online legends. This ritual has also been featured in web novels, where authors expand the story by exploring the psychological impact on characters who participate in the game.
Media portrayals often highlight:
Isolation and fear inside modern apartment buildings
Uncertainty of reality after the game is supposedly completed
Viewers and readers see characters lose their sense of security in everyday spaces. These stories contribute to the larger genre of Korean horror by weaving folklore with real locations.
Busan and the Urban Setting
Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, provides a fitting backdrop for Elevator Game stories. Skyscrapers and high-rise apartments dominate its cityscape, mirroring the environments described in the ritual’s instructions.
Urban legends circulate on online forums from Busan, giving the game a distinctly local flavor. Some stories describe characters entering elevators in nondescript residential towers, reflecting the city’s blend of modernity and isolation.
Settings like Busan reinforce the credibility of the game’s legend by grounding the supernatural in recognizable everyday life. This urban context helps Korean horror connect global audiences to specifically South Korean fears and experiences.
Similar Rituals and Global Connections
Paranormal games and rituals often cross cultural boundaries, sharing features like strict rules, symbolic items, and warnings of potential danger. Several practices mirror the Elevator Game’s structure and methods, revealing common beliefs about spirits, protection, and otherworldly experiences.
Daruma-san Fell Down
Daruma-san Fell Down is a Japanese ritual centered on summoning the spirit of a woman who slipped and died in a bathtub. Participants perform the ritual in a bathroom at night, repeating specific incantations while closing their eyes and imagining the event.
After the ritual, the spirit is said to follow the player throughout the next day. Participants must avoid being caught by the spirit, using a “dodge” motion if they feel her presence. The game ends with a specific verbal command to release the spirit.
This ritual emphasizes precise rules and timing, similar to the Elevator Game. It also features strong psychological effects, with many reporting feelings of being watched or followed. The connections between Daruma-san and the Elevator Game include cultural warnings and the importance of respectful participation.
Mirror and Candle Rituals
Throughout many cultures, mirrors are believed to act as portals or gateways to the supernatural. Ritual games often pair mirrors with candles to encourage spirit communication or summon entities, reinforcing the atmosphere and focus required for these practices.
Popular examples include “Bloody Mary” and “The Dark Mirror Ritual,” both of which use a candlelit room and a mirror as the main tools. Participants often perform chants or specific movements in front of the mirror while maintaining eye contact with their reflection.
Candles are used for light, ambiance, and as a spiritual conduit. These rituals share with the Elevator Game the idea of accessing another realm or contacting unknown forces. The emphasis on setting, tools, and a sense of risk is consistent across these practices.
Salt and Protective Practices
Salt is a common protective element found in numerous rituals worldwide. In folklore, salt is seen as a barrier against negative spirits or energies. Rituals may require a line of salt around doors, windows, or the participant themselves before starting a supernatural game.
Table: Common Protective Uses of Salt
Practice Usage Circle of Protection Create safe space Barrier for Doors Block entry/exit Cleansing Rituals Purify objects
Many games, including the Elevator Game, recommend salt as an added precaution. Players might use it to end the experience or prevent spirits from lingering. Salt’s presence reflects an enduring belief in its power to ward off harm during risky rituals.
Online Communities and Contemporary Influence
Digital platforms have fueled the continued fascination with the elevator game, allowing for widespread sharing and reinterpretation. Online spaces have also introduced competitive elements and increased scrutiny of personal experiences.
Sharing Experiences
Users on platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok frequently share firsthand accounts of attempting the elevator game. Some post detailed instructions, while others upload reaction videos or written blurbs that describe their feelings during and after the ritual.
Community forums often host lengthy discussions dissecting reported experiences. Skeptics and believers alike comment, analyze, and ask follow-up questions. This exchange of information helps stories gain traction and credibility, even as they remain unverified.
Below is a typical discussion format appearing in elevator game threads:
User Type Common Contribution Skeptics Point out logical flaws Believers Validate experiences First-timers Ask for clarification or advice Storytellers Share elaborate personal accounts
Individuals seeking advice or emotional support often find responses and suggestions, creating a feedback loop that sustains interest and myth-building. The amp of engagement from these communities creates a unique folklore ecosystem.
Rise of Competitions
In recent years, online communities have turned the elevator game into a competition, not just a solitary challenge. Users organize events to see who can perform the ritual most accurately or capture the most unusual results.
Competition rules can vary. Some communities require evidence, such as video footage verified by timestamps or live-streams hosted under set conditions. Others score participants on creativity, detail of narrative, or community votes.
Platforms sometimes set up formal amp events—online challenges or prompt-driven competitions. While the authenticity of these claims is often questioned, they contribute to the persistence and evolution of the ritual in digital culture. This trend continues to attract both new participants and long-term enthusiasts who document their outcomes for community review.
