Horror Film 'Salmokji' Hits 3 Million Viewers, Sets New Box Office Record

The film , which is writing a new history for Korean horror films, has achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing 3 million viewers. To celebrate this monumental achievement, an honest Q&A with director Lee Sang-min has been released. is a horror film depicting an unknown entity encountered at a reservoir, which the protagonist visits for reshoots after spotting a mysterious figure on road view. The film has been consistently loved by audiences since its release, continuing its box office success.

Director Lee Sang-min expressed his surprise at the unexpected record of surpassing 3 million viewers, stating, "I can't believe it's real, the number is beyond imagination." He particularly recalled the warm words of the staff on set, who said, "We hope many people will watch it," remembering that 3 million was an unrealistic goal, even to joke about at the time. He conveyed that he is currently just amazed and grateful.

The director cited the review "The director grabs you by the collar and takes you on a roller coaster ride" as a memorable audience comment. He found it impressive because it aligned perfectly with the direction he had secretly envisioned while making the film. He also found it interesting that audiences offered new interpretations of when Su-in was possessed and when 'real Ki-tae' transformed into 'fake Ki-tae'. He found the interpretation that "Su-in was already possessed before coming to Salmokji" particularly intriguing because, although the timing of Su-in's possession was clear in the script, he himself felt it became ambiguous during the filming process. Conversely, he added that the interpretation of 'from when was Ki-tae fake?' was something he had never imagined, making it impressive.

Regarding his experiences meeting audiences through GV sessions and stage greetings, the director said he truly felt the great interest and love for the film. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming love, especially to the audience members who sent him letters that gave him great strength. He also felt overwhelmed with emotion as he reminisced about the moments he worked with the actors.

The director attributed the word-of-mouth success of to its room for various interpretations. He explained that they intentionally created the narrative to allow for diverse interpretations, aiming to give audiences an experience akin to being possessed by a water ghost. He analyzed that these aspects naturally led audiences to continue discussing the story even after the movie ended. Furthermore, he emphasized that the actors' charm was the biggest strength. He specifically praised the chemistry between Ki-tae and Su-in, stating that thanks to the outstanding acting and charm of actors Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won, the unexplained aspects of the characters were transformed into significant strengths. He added that the unique performances of actors Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Jang Da-ah, and Yoon Jae-chan were also crucial elements that made the audience fall in love with the characters.