How I Used Traditional Korean Instruments in a Modern Occult Game BGM

A Case Study from <Ghost Deliverer>

Intro

Ghost Deliverer is a Korean occult-themed indie game centered around a high school girl who can see spirits. I worked as a composer on one of the daily background music tracks, “School Walk,” which plays during the early exploration scenes at school.

This article is a short case study about how I approached using traditional Korean instruments in a way that feels modern and natural, without sounding old-fashioned.

Project Context

The track “School Walk” is used in the early stages of the game, when the player explores the school environment for the first time. Although the game deals with themes such as exorcism, shamans, and supernatural events, this particular scene needed to feel peaceful, bright, and everyday-like.

The main character is a modern high school girl, so the music had to support that tone rather than lean too heavily into folklore or historical imagery.

The Challenge

One of the biggest challenges was deciding how much “Korean-ness” the music should have.

Traditional Korean instruments can easily create a strong cultural identity, but when placed too prominently, they can also feel old or mismatched with a modern teenage setting. The director also expressed a preference for a contemporary sound rather than a strictly traditional one.

The goal was clear: add a subtle Korean flavor without breaking the modern atmosphere.

The Approach

Instead of using traditional instruments as the main focus, I decided to treat them as ornamental elements.

• The geomungo was used only for short ornamental phrases rather than melodic leads.
• The lines were written with a pentatonic feel, avoiding overly traditional gestures.
• In the mix, the geomungo was placed slightly behind the main elements to blend naturally with the synth-based arrangement.

The core of the track relies on modern synth leads, electric piano, and light percussion, while the traditional element functions more like a background color than a statement.

This balance helped maintain a youthful and contemporary tone while still hinting at the game’s Korean cultural background.

Tools & Instruments

Main Instruments & Plugins

• KONTAKT — Cheesy Lead
• Arturia Analog Lab — Funky Lead, Kalimba Keys
• Diamond — Electric Keys, Vintage Organ
• Moonshell — Bright Ballad
• DISCOTECA DRUMS — Claque de Cristal
• KONTAKT — CR-78 Kit

Traditional Instrument

• Geomungo (Virtual instrument library developed by the Center for Arts & Technology, Seoul National University)

Result & Status

The track was selected and sold as part of the Daily BGM (Category A) for Ghost Deliverer. At the time of writing, the game is scheduled for a major content update in Q2 2026, where this track is expected to be implemented.

You can find the game on Steam here.

[embed]Ghost Deliverer on Steam One day, A girl accidentally gets involved with the 'KEA (Korean Exorcist Association)' and the evil organization…store.steampowered.com

Closing

This project reminded me that cultural elements don’t always need to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, subtlety creates a stronger and more natural connection between music and narrative.

If you’d like to hear more of my work or discuss collaboration, feel free to reach out.

📩 Contact: contact.studioatdawn@gmail.com