Hello to all K-horror fans and mystery seekers! Today, I want to share a story that is currently chilling the hearts of many in Korea. A new movie titled "Salmokji" premiered on the 8th of this month, and it has already climbed to the #1 spot at the box office. But did you know that this movie is based on a real, terrifying location?
The Dark Origins of Salmokji
The title "Salmokji" refers to an actual artificial reservoir located in the Gwangsi-myeon area of Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. To understand the fear surrounding this place, we have to look at its name, which is written with three Chinese characters:
- Sal (殺): To kill or murderous.
- Mok (木): Tree.
- Ji (池): Pond.
Together, it translates to "a pond with dead trees" or "a place where trees carry a murderous energy." This isn't just a name; it describes the eerie Pungsu-jiri (풍수지리) of the area. In Korea, Pungsu-jiri is the traditional study of how the energy of a landscape affects people. Salmokji is said to have an incredibly dark and heavy "Yin" energy, making it an ideal place for spirits to linger.
From Local Folklore to Viral Fame
For a long time, Salmokji was a hidden spot known only to locals and brave anglers. There were constant rumors of people seeing a mysterious female ghost while night fishing. It became so notorious that, even today, most fishermen pack up their gear and leave by 10 PM.
The area gained nationwide fame in 2022 after being featured on the popular Korean paranormal show "Sim-ya-gweh-dam-hweh" (Late Night Ghost Stories). Since then, it has become a "hotspot" for ghost hunters and YouTubers. Many creators who visited the site reported strange occurrences—cameras suddenly losing focus for no reason, or drones malfunctioning and being unable to land.
Why Do We Seek the Unknown?
Interestingly, the popularity of the movie has actually led to an increase in people visiting the real reservoir. It makes me wonder: Are these visitors incredibly curious, or do they simply have no fear? What drives people to seek out such haunted "Pungsu-jiri" spots?
As for me, I am a huge fan of horror movies and ghost stories, but I would never visit these places in person. I enjoy the thrill from a distance because I firmly believe that even if they are invisible, spirits do exist.