In Episode 9 (available here), I take a look at superstitions throughout the world. How did they start? Why are some so bizarre that they almost make sense?
Out of all the strange and unusual superstitions around the globe, South Korea and its very real fear of ‘Fan Death’ may take the cake.
Wikipedia Says:
From Wikipedia – “Fan death is a belief that running an electric fan in a closed room with unopened or no windows will cause death by depriving the room of oxygen, despite fans not using oxygen to operate. Despite no concrete evidence to support the concept, belief in fan death persists to this day in South Korea, and also to a lesser extent in Japan.”
I Had Higher Expectations.
As I mention in the episode, I’m a horror fan – so hearing about something called ‘Fan Death’ makes me think of a sickening, amazing scene from Final Destination or Saw. The fan spins so fast that it breaks apart from its mount and crashes down on the couple sleeping peacefully. Sparks fly and the blades of the fan continue to spin as they slice through the unsuspecting couple like butter. But no, South Korea worries that it may cause nausea, asphyxiation, and/or facial paralysis.
That led me to wonder why there hasn’t been a movie about ‘Fan Death’ yet. So I created a quick trailer that you can hear on the podcast, as well as a movie poster for the never to be released, ‘Fan Death 4’.
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