Have you watched “Exhuma”? Are you interested in getting an extraordinary experience beyond just watching the film? How about experiencing the eerie atmosphere in real life? What if we tell you that all these are possible? How? By visiting the real filming locations of “Exhuma” Korean movie in real life. Today, we will invite you to a journey you will never forget. Prepare yourself to enter the shamanic universe of “Exhuma” Korean movie and breathe into the same air as Hwa Rim and Bong Gil in these mystical filming locations!
“Exhuma” Korean Movie Used Real-Life Filming Locations Instead of CGI
The latest Korean movie masterpiece, “Exhuma,” has captivated moviegoers at home and abroad. The gripping storyline and the impressive visualization of South Korean shamanic culture have made “Exhuma” the first-ever successful Korean occult movie in history.
Unlike other Korean horror and thriller movies, “Exhuma” reportedly used very minimum CGI for its production. Instead, the team filmed all the scenes, especially the ones related to the shamanic rituals, at real-life locations.
And yes, you can actually visit some of these mystical filming locations of “Exhuma” Korean movie in real life. If you’re interested, let’s dive deeper into some of the best locations in the movie that you must visit to get that real-life, thought-provoking experience during your travels to South Korea.
Most Mystical Places You MUST Visit to Enter the Shamanic Universe
THE PLAZA HOTEL, Seoul
Don’t call yourself a fan of “Exhuma” if you haven’t visited The Plaza Hotel Seoul at least once! Yes, this is the hotel that Master Kim Sang Deok (Choi Min Sik) praised for its impressive location.
At first, you might not recognize this hotel as the movie depicts the place as dark and eerie. But since it became one of the most iconic filming locations of “Exhuma” Korean movie, this hotel gained more recognition, especially after Kim Sang Deok’s praise. Some people even thought the movie was inserting the line on purpose for product placement.
The Plaza Hotel Seoul has been a long-standing historical venue in South Korea. Not only was it used for cheering events for the 2002 World Cup, it was also the place where “Exhuma” actor Choi Min Sik (Kim Sang Deok) held his wedding in 1999.
📍119 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Dangsang Tree at Gyeongsang Village, South Jeolla
Remember that giant mystical tree in Hwa Rim’s flashback scene? It was a real living tree located at Gyeongsang Village of Damyang County, South Jeolla.
This Dangsang tree is a 115-feet zelkova tree, possessing this strong magical aura spanning 500 years of history. Dangsang tree is a term for an ancient tree that is believed to possess spiritual meaning. This one is believed to have guarded Gyeongsang Village as long as it stands.
Therefore, locals hold the tree in high regard, believing it embodies a sacred spirit. Every Lunar New Year, the community comes together for the dangsanje festival—a cherished tradition in the South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang provinces. It’s a vibrant celebration where everyone prays for personal well-being and prosperity for the entire region.
And during the Korean War, the village chief stated that this tree let out cries of regret before the war began.
Gyeongsang Village, South Jeolla
📍 Gyeongsang-ri, Gasamunhak-myeon, Damyang County, South Jeolla
Ahopsan Forest, Busan
The next among filming locations of the “Exhuma” Korean movie you must visit is the Ahopsan Forest in Gijang County, Busan. This is the forest where the “Exhuma” crew walked on the mountain trail and headed to the grave.
Ahopsan Forest is a natural forest that has been preserved for almost 400 years. You can enjoy the serene natural atmosphere of bamboo, cypresses, cedar trees, ginkgo trees, and even Geumgang pine trees aged 100 to 300 years. This is also one of the filming locations used for “The King: Eternal Monarch” Korean drama.
Since Ahopsan Forest is a private place that opened recently in 2015, only a limited number of visitors are allowed to get in after making reservations in advance.
In Ahopsan Forest, while the focus is on preserving the natural environment, there’s still plenty of fun to be had! You can’t roam wildly, but you can enjoy the forest through specially designed experiences that don’t harm its beauty. There are cool activities for kids and informative forest programs that make learning fun for visitors.
The forest trail itself is a gentle journey, taking just an hour or two to complete. It’s perfect for anyone looking to decompress and enjoy nature. If you’re keen, you can grab your tickets via the Naver Map app or directly on their website. So, if you’re up for a peaceful walk under the lush canopy of Ahopsan Forest, why not give the trail a go? It’s a refreshing way to reconnect with nature and clear your mind.
Ahopsan Forest, Busan
📍 37-1 Midong-gil, Cheolma-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea.
Daedunsan Recreation Forest, South Gyeongsang
Finally, “Exhuma” Korean movie features numerous scenes that make your blood run cold, and some of the scenes’ filming locations actually took place at the Daedunsan Recreation Forest.
Daedunsan Recreation Forest is a famous camping site located in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang. In this place, you can enter the mystical world of “Exhuma” while spending the night camping or hiking and strolling along its open trail that ends up at the peak of Mount Daeun.
Not only that, but you can also immerse in the mystical atmosphere of the “Exhuma” Korean movie around the filming locations, including the reservoir and the clear waterfall.
Unfortunately, this camping site will conduct maintenance from May 7 to June 30. Therefore, you may want to visit one of these mystical filming locations of the “Exhuma” Korean movie after they complete the maintenance next month.
Daedunsan Recreation Forest, South Gyeongsang
📍 6 Daedunsan-ro, Jinsan-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea.
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