Kim Hye Yoon's Horror Debut 'Salmokji' Reviews

The movie 'Salmokji' is set to be released on April 8. Directed by Lee Sang-min, 'Salmokji' is a film that depicts the horror experienced by a film crew as they head to a reservoir, a forbidden space, to investigate an unidentified entity captured by Road View. The movie highlights the horror of 'water' and features Kim Hye-yoon's first foray into the horror genre since her debut.

The movie begins with 'Road View.' Director Lee Sang-min conceived the story of 'Salmokji' after noticing a broken point on Road View during his regular viewing and imagining what might have happened there. The setting, where technology used to record real spaces becomes the starting point of horror, is a key feature.

The horror in 'Salmokji' does not solely rely on the appearance of ghosts. It creates psychological tension by combining spatial unease, where the boundary between water and land blurs, with devices that detect traces of unseen beings. The film's distinctiveness lies in its horror design that utilizes the characteristics of water, such as reflection images on the water's surface and sounds heard from the water's edge.

The movie's main setting is the reservoir 'Salmokji,' which is plagued by continuous strange rumors. The filming location was set in a cluster of large willow trees, where trees resembling human heads grow and the atmosphere starkly contrasts between day and night. Stone pagodas lined up as if they were people further enhance the eerie atmosphere of the space. Additionally, devices inspired by the settings of Road View filming and horror exploration, such as 360-degree panorama cameras, motion detectors, and ghost boxes, add to the unease and creepiness.

Actress Kim Hye-yoon plays the role of PD Soo-in, leading the drama with restrained emotional expression. Kim Hye-yoon stated, "The subject of water ghosts was fresh, and Soo-in's restrained demeanor felt appealing. Since many scenes required expressing emotions through gaze and facial expressions rather than actions, I acted after many discussions with the director." The co-stars praised Kim Hye-yoon's performance, saying, "Her energy and stamina coming from her small frame were astonishing," "Her gaze, crucial in horror films, was incredible," and "She had the power to carry the film with a weighty presence."