[WEEKEND GETAWAY] 4 'Exhuma' filming locations we think you'll dig

K-campus

Published: 22 Mar. 2024, 17:01 Updated: 25 Mar. 2024, 15:20

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] 4 'Exhuma' filming locations we think you'll dig

Supernatural occult film ″Exhuma″ introduces multiple scenes that capture dark forest trails. [SHOWBOX]

"Exhuma," the supernatural occult film that hit the screens on Feb. 22, is just one step below the 10 million audience record, attracting some 9.5 million viewers to the cinema as of March 22, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

While the name is derived from exhumation, the movie revolves around Korean history and the supernatural spirits surrounding the Baekdu-Daegan, a symbolic mountain range of the Korean spirit. Although the space surrounds this northern area of Korea in Goseong, Gangwon County, the film was shot across multiple parts of Korea, including Seoul, Busan, South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla.

Whether you have already enjoyed this captivating mystery thriller or are considering watching it, here are four filming locations that will enhance your appreciation of the film.

The Plaza Hotel
더 플라자 호텔 서울

The view from the Plaza Hotel in Jung District, central Seoul [HANHWA HOTEL & RESORTS]

"What a great site this hotel is in."

The Plaza Hotel in Jung District, central Seoul, is the hotel where the Feng Shui master Kim Sang-deok, played by Choi Min-sik, comments on its great location. Although the hotel was depicted as a dark place in the movie, the hotel gained recognition from the audience thanks to the quote, with even some jesting about product placement.

Located near Seoul City Hall and the City Hall Station, subway Lines No. 1 and 2, the Plaza Hotel stands at a site where some iconic moments in history took place. One example was the national football team's fan club Red Devils street cheering for the 2002 World Cup, which flooded the entire plaza in front of the hotel in red shades.

The scene from the hotel overlooks a panoramic view stretching from Sejong-ro, beyond the Gyeongbok Palace, Blue House to the far Mount Bukhan. The Plaza Hotel is a monumental place for the main actor Choi Min-sik too since his wedding took place at this hotel in 1999.

@theplazaseoul
119 Sogong-ro, Jung District, central Seoul
(서울 중구 소공로 119)
Phone number: 02-771-2200
Website: https://www.hoteltheplaza.com/en/

Gyeongsang Village
경상마을

The 500-year-old zelkova tree in Gyeongsang Village, Damyang County in South Jeolla, is the spiritual tree that appeared in Hwa-rim's flashback. [KIM JAE-RYEON]

A mystical tree large enough to hide Hwa-rim played by Kim Go-eun, behind its trunk, appears in her flashback scene. The enormous tree with a holy aura is Dangsan Tree in Gyeongsang village, a small village in Damyang County, South Jeolla. It is a zelkova tree that has nestled in the spot for over 500 years. The size is significant, with a height of 35 meters (115 feet) and a width of 8 meters.

Dangsan Tree is a common term used to call an old tree that is deemed to contain a spiritual meaning. Regarded as a guarding deity of the village, Dangsan Tree is a name not only given to the one in Gyeongsang Village but to many others found in the rural towns of the Korean Peninsula. The residents believe the tree has a holy spirit and host an annual village ritual dangsanje, a festival held in the South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang provinces on the day of the Lunar New Year to wish for their well-being and the region's prosperity.

This specific zelkova tree in Gyeongsang village has a special myth surrounding the Korean War (1950-53). "Legend says that the tree let out cries of regret before the war began," said the village headman Kim Jae-ryeon.

Gyeongsang village sits on the boundary between the sixth and the seventh course of Mudol-gil, a 51.8-kilometer (32-mile) long trail that encircles the foothills of Mt. Mudeung. Damyang County is home to the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh courses of Mudol-gil, the rest of the trails stretching to Gwangju.

Gyeongsang-ri, Gasamunhak-myeon, Damyang County, South Jeolla
(전라남도 담양군 가사문학면 경상리)

Ahopsan Forest
아홉산숲

Ahopsan Forest in Gijang County, Busan, is a private forest that opened to the public in 2015. [AHOPSAN FOREST]

Ahopsan Forest in Gijang County, Busan, is a private forest that appeared in the scene where the crew headed up the mountain trail to arrive at the grave. The forest was named after the nearby Mount Ahop. Ahop means nine in Korean while san means mountain, with both words thrown together in the name to symbolize the nine valleys in the mountain.

The forest has over 400 years of history, which has only been open to the public since 2015 after the owners decided to allow visitors. Towering pine trees, cypress trees, bamboo trees and oak trees are some of the multiple floras you can find in the forest. The once aloof forest is now gathering crowds of visitors after its appearance in some historical pieces, like "Kundo: Age of the Rampant" (2014) and "Memories of the Sword" (2015), in which actor Kim Go-eun stars as well.

The entire forest trail takes around an hour or two to complete. You can book tickets through the Naver Map app or the website. If you are into strolling in nature and clearing your mind, try following the forest trail for a refreshing walk under the densely packed trees at Ahopsan Forest.

37-1 Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang County, Busan
(부산광역시 기장군 철마면 미동길 37-1)
Operation hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Last admission at 5 p.m.)
Admission fee: 8,000 won ($6) for adults aged between 18 and 63, 5,000 won for children and students up to high school and those with disabilities, 7,000 won for seniors 64 years old or older and groups of 30 or more
Phone number: 051-721-9183
Website: http://www.ahopsan.com/

Daeunsan National Recreation Forest Camping
대운산자연휴양림

Some of the forest scenes in ″Exhuma″ are from Daeunsan Natural Recreation Forest Camping in Yangsan, Gyeongsang County. [SHOWBOX]

The film portrays multiple eerie forest scenes on the way to the grave in the mountain. One of them was shot in Daeunsan National Recreation Forest Camping in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang.

Sitting over 300 meters above sea level in Mount Daeun, the forest runs camping decks and wooden cottages for accommodation. A hiking trail starts here and leads to the peak of Mount Daeun, but those who are not keen on hiking may as well take a stroll around the open trail in the forest instead. A reservoir and a clear waterfall are not far from the forest, catering as recommended destinations to stop by after a night at the recreation forest.

Daeunsan Natural Recreation Forest Camping in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang [SCREEN CAPTURE]

There are a total of eight small camping decks that are equipped with electricity and 56 without them, but are slightly bigger. If you are not a fan of camping but are still open for a night out in the natural surroundings, wooden houses can accommodate 7 to 10 people.

The national recreation forest will undergo maintenance from May 7 until June 30, so you'd better hurry if you want to catch the spring view of the forest this year.

270 Tapgol-gil, Yangsan, South Gyeongsang
(경상남도 양산시 탑골길 270 대운산자연휴양림)
Phone number: 055-379-8670
Website: https://www.foresttrip.go.kr/indvz/main.do?hmpgId=ID02030038

BY BAEK JONG-HYUN, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]