EXCLUSIVE: Showbox, the South Korean studio behind blockbuster Exhuma, is introducing international buyers at the EFM to upcoming horror feature Salmokji: Whispering Water.
The story takes place at Salmokji Reservoir, a well-known haunted site in Korea, and begins when a mysterious figure is captured in an online street-view image. A group is sent to shoot a clearer image, headed by team leader Su-in in place of a colleague who has vanished. But as they set to work, the crew begin to experience disturbing phenomena as a sinister presence from below the water surfaces.
It marks the feature directorial debut of Lee Sang-min and the cast is led by Kim Hye-yoon, who won acclaim for 2022’s The Girl On A Bulldozer as well as series Lovely Runner and Extraordinary You. Further cast includes Lee Jong-won of popular series Knight Flower and Brewing Love.
It is produced by The Lamp, known for box office successes A Taxi Driver and Escape, and is presented by Showbox. A local release is set for April 8.
South Korea has a wave of horror titles set for release this year, many of which are being showcased at the EFM, in the wake of Jang Jae-hyun’s Exhuma. The occult horror, produced and distributed by Showbox, premiered at the Berlinale in 2024 before going on to take nearly $94m at the worldwide box office. It was South Korea’s highest-grossing film of 2024 and ranks as the country’s sixth biggest local film of all time.
Showbox’s EFM slate also includes Sleep No More, an Indonesian fantasy horror directed by Edwin, which has been selected to play in the Berlinale Special section of the festival; period drama The King’s Warden, which has led the Korean box office since its release on February 4, taking $9m to date from 1.36 million admissions; and virus action thriller Colony from Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho, which is being tipped for Cannes.
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