'Salmokji': Korean Horror Film Makes History

The film 'Salmokji' is on the verge of breaking the all-time highest-grossing record for Korean horror films, having surpassed 3.13 million cumulative viewers. It is expected to surpass the 2003 film 'A Tale of Two Sisters,' which recorded 3.14 million viewers, as early as today (the 17th).

The success of 'Salmokji' is considered unusual, as it has attracted a broad audience, surpassing 3 million viewers despite the limited mainstream appeal of the horror genre. This achievement is particularly significant given the recent downturn in the Korean horror film market over the past few years.

Notably, 'Salmokji' succeeded not just as a scary movie, but by gaining word-of-mouth as an "experiential entertainment content" where audiences share the horror experience together in the theater. Among viewers, reactions like "It's fun to scream together" and "I was too scared to watch it alone, so I went back with a friend" have been common, and SNS virality, particularly short-form and reaction videos, also contributed to the film's widespread popularity.

The industry analyzes this success as a sign that the way horror films are consumed has fundamentally changed. Horror films, once considered a niche genre for enthusiasts, are now being consumed like experiential content, especially by the younger generation. The high influx of female viewers in their 20s and 30s and the increased demand for date-night and late-night viewings are cited as key factors driving the film's success.

'Salmokji' is a horror film that depicts the story of a film crew who head to a reservoir to uncover the truth behind an unidentified figure captured on road view, only to confront something in the dark, deep water. The film is directed by Lee Sang-min and features a cast of distinctive actors including Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won, Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan, and Jang Da-ah.