Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice.

Disney+ will launch a deeper partnership with the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) to bring Korean esports to a wider global audience through livestreaming, the content giant said Monday.

The platform will broadcast a larger range of major esports events in 2026, including the Esports Championships Asia, the League of Legends (LoL) KeSPA Cup and national team matches ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as part of the new deal.

The move follows Disney+'s exclusive livestream of the 2025 LoL KeSPA Cup and reflects its broader strategy to strengthen fan-driven live content and diversify its entertainment offerings.

As part of the partnership, Disney+ will globally livestream the Esports Championships Asia Jinju 2026, scheduled to take place from April 24 to 26 at Jinju Indoor Gymnasium in South Gyeongsang.

The tournament, which began in 2021 as a competition among Korea, China and Japan, expanded last year to include more Asian countries. This year's event will feature seven nations: Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Mongolia.

Six official titles will be contested, with K-pop dance game Stepin included as a demonstration event.

Disney+ will exclusively stream competitions between players of four video games — Street Fighter 6, The King of Fighters XV, Tekken 8 and the eFootball series — as well as serving as an official broadcaster for PUBG: Battlegrounds and Eternal Return, providing global coverage of all matches.

ESPN branding will be incorporated into the broadcasts, offering what the company described as an enhanced sports viewing experience.

Disney+ will also exclusively livestream the esports national team send-off ceremony and evaluation matches scheduled later this year in preparation for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

"Building on strong support from viewers at home and abroad, we are pleased to present a broader range of dynamic esports content on Disney+ this year," said Kim So-yeon, head of The Walt Disney Company Korea and its direct-to-consumer business. "We hope this collaboration will help further promote the value of Korean esports globally and contribute to the growth of the industry."

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

For Kat Turner, a Korean American adoptee born in Busan, discovering BTS was not simply a matter of finding a band. It was, she says, a way of rediscovering herself.

Now in her 60s — chic with silver hair and a black Celine shirt — Turner has been a devoted member of the group's global fandom, known as ARMY, since 2020. Her connection runs deeper than mere admiration, however, as it marked a turning point in a lifelong negotiation with identity.

"It took until 2020 and people like BTS for me to see, 'Well, being Korean is a good thing'," she said, her voice catching.

"I didn't know what 'Arirang' meant until BTS named their album this," she added, pointing to the septet's latest full-length release, "Arirang," named after a collection of beloved Korean folk songs.

"So many people are learning more about Korea and Korean culture — but specifically for me, my journey, that ['Arirang'] was my song without knowing."

Turner spoke beside mannequins dressed in the group's stage costumes for its March 21 comeback performance at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, now displayed on the second floor of Gallery Noir Songzio. There, Turner grew visibly emotional as she recalled her childhood in the United States, where, she said, being Korean often made her a target for ridicule.

"Growing up in the U.S., you're just being made fun over being Korean," she shared. "And finally, you see examples of, 'Oh my gosh, we can be proud to be Korean.'"

Such realization has since set something in motion.

"So, my journey to learn about Korea and where I was born started in 2020."

ARMY goes silver-purple

Turner is part of a significant contingent within BTS's global fandom that skews older, with some calling themselves "Silver ARMY."

While the fandom remains famously diverse across ethnicity, age and identity, the visibility of older fans has become increasingly difficult to miss. That shift was evident at the group's March 21 comeback event at Gwanghwamun Square, where the crowd extended well beyond the young women who have traditionally dominated K-pop audiences.

Interspersed among them were fans in their 40s, 50s and older — mostly women, but also men — forming a multigenerational audience that was once considered atypical for a K-pop act.

Data backs the trend.

According to data tech company IGAWorks, of the 163,964 individuals who passed through the vicinity of Gwanghwamun Square on the day of "BTS the Comeback Live: Arirang," women in their 40s made up the largest share at 21.8 percent, followed by men in their 40s at 13.3 percent. Women in their 50s made up 12.2 percent, and women in their 30s 12.1 percent.

Compared with other K-pop acts — whose audiences still skew younger — BTS stands out for its unusually broad age range.

Among tickets purchased for boy band Seventeen's April concert, fans in their 20s made up the largest share at 34.6 percent, followed by those in their 30s at 33.7 percent, according to data from NOL Interpark as of Thursday. Fans aged 50 and over accounted for just 1.9 percent.

By contrast, audiences for BTS's upcoming "Arirang" concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi, are far more evenly distributed across age groups. Those in their 40s make up 26.8 percent, those in their 20s 26.4 percent and in their 30s 25.9 percent. Notably, fans aged 50 and above account for 12.9 percent, while those under 20 represent 5.9 percent.

BTS represents culture

What, then, has driven BTS's fandom to extend well beyond the conventional bounds of K-pop?

At its core, fans point to the emotional depth of the group's music and narrative centered on the message of "Love yourself." But BTS's unique position in the global pop landscape has also played a decisive role.

For the Korean diaspora, the group has contributed to redefining representation on a global stage, reshaping what Korean identity looks like in popular culture.

In Korea, the emotional register is different — but no less intense.

Cho, a ...

This article is by Jang Seo-yun, Park Yu-mi and read by an artificial voice.

When Korea Investment & Securities (KIS) held a lecture on "How to become rich by investing in ETFs" at western Seoul's Hongik University at 5 p.m. on March 18, the lecture room was filled with some 300 students trying to get expert advice on how to do just that — make bank by pumping money into stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETF).

When the moderator asked, "Who here is currently investing?" about half of the audience raised their hands. Students immediately took out their phones to photograph the presentation slides as Yeom Jeong-in, head of digital ETF marketing at KIS, confidently said, "People used to say stock investing would ruin your life, but there has never been an easier market to become rich — there is a clear formula to becoming wealthy."

Interest in stock investing among university students is intensifying with the fear of inflation and the fear of missing out — frequently referred to by anxious investors as "FOMO" — on what seem like opportunities for a better life.

"I don't usually invest in stocks, but since everyone around me says they made money from it, I'm thinking of opening an account," said 19-year-old freshman Kim Byeol.

"These days, when I receive my part-time wages or allowance, I leave only 1 million won [$720] in cash and invest the rest in stocks. Around 80 to 90 percent of my assets are invested," said 24-year-old Park Jeong-hyeon.

"I originally planned to invest about 50 percent of my money, but when the Kospi plunged due to the Iran war, I went all in. I was confident it would eventually rebound, so I thought of it as a sale," Jang So-yeon, 22, said.

Driving the investment boom are rising housing prices and broader cost-of-living pressures, along with anxiety about the future. Many young people believe it is nearly impossible to buy a home in the Seoul metropolitan area even after saving a lifetime of wages.

"Housing prices keep soaring and loans are restricted, but it looks like many people are making money through stocks. I feel like if I don't invest, I'll be in serious trouble — like I'll end up poor," said 23-year-old Choi Jae-min.

"I don't have enough capital to buy a house anyway, so I'm trying to gradually build retirement savings instead," said fellow 23-year-old Kim Ji-min.

"Even after putting money into savings for a long time, the interest was so low that it felt pointless. It seems better to invest in index-tracking ETFs," said 25-year-old Kim Hyeong-jun.

Some students expressed regret after engaging in aggressive strategies such as leveraged investments.

"When the Kospi rose sharply earlier this year, I thought it would fall, so I bought a double-inverse product, but I cut my losses at minus 45 percent. I realized I should never have leveraged," said 24-year-old Park.

"There's an all-or-nothing mindset, I think. After losing a large amount of money in stocks, I started diversifying my investments," Kim Hyeong-jun said.

In fact, many students are reporting losses.

"I invested in a single biotech stock based on someone's recommendation, and I keep losing money. Even during class, I keep checking how much I'm losing," 22-year-old Jang said.

An analysis of brokerage accounts by Mirae Asset Securities found that younger investors tend to have lower returns.

In January and February this year, returns for people in their 20s and 30s were 1.37 percent and 2.11 percent, respectively. This was significantly lower than those in their 40s at 9.29 percent, 50s at 14.11 percent, 60s at 15.93 percent and those aged 70 and older at 19.05 percent. Considering that the Kospi rose 45 percent during the same period, younger investors failed to fully capitalize on the market rally.

A strong tilt toward overseas stocks was also evident.

"From my experience, domestic stocks don't yield good returns, and after I sell, they often rise six or seven times. Now I only invest in U.S. stocks. My friends also avoid the Korean m...

This article is by Lee Jae-lim and read by an artificial voice.

Analysts project nearly 70 trillion won ($46 billion) in combined first quarter profits for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the world's two largest memory makers, saying the record-breaking performance is merely a prelude to even bigger earnings in the upcoming quarters this year.

Samsung Electronics is expected to post 38.1 trillion won in operating profit on revenue of 117 trillion won, while SK hynix is forecast to record 31.6 trillion won in operating profit and 46.6 trillion won in revenue, based on the FnGuide market consensus.

Samsung Electronics is scheduled to announce its preliminary earnings on Tuesday, which will include combined results from its smartphone, household appliance and semiconductor businesses, with the semiconductor segment expected to be the primary driver. In contrast, SK hynix does not provide preliminary guidance, and its reported earnings are derived solely from its semiconductor operations.

That is nearly a sixfold surge in operating profit for Samsung and a more than fourfold rise for SK hynix compared to the same period last year. Analysts say the companies are moving decisively into a semiconductor upcycle, as projected quarterly profits near full-year levels.

The strong performance is largely attributed to rising memory prices, as supply shortages have expanded from dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) to NAND flash, pushing up average sales prices (ASP). NAND prices, in particular, have tightened rapidly since last year.

Conventional DRAM bit growth, which refers to the total number of memory bits shipped, increased 4 percent on quarter while ASP surged 62 percent, according to Mirae Asset Securities. NAND bit growth grew 8 percent during the same period, with ASP climbing 53 percent.

On the demand side, increased capital expenditure by North American cloud service providers for data center expansion has played a crucial role. Shipments of high-performance chips, such as high bandwidth memory (HBM), are being absorbed by AI data center customers, while emerging applications such as edge AI and smart robotics are expected to further boost demand.

Market consensus points to a steady buildup in profitability through the end of the year. Samsung Electronics' operating profit is forecast at 51.45 trillion won for the second quarter, rising to 59.7 trillion won in the third and 62.2 trillion won in the fourth, while SK hynix is expected to post 41.6 trillion won, 47.7 trillion won and 50 trillion won, respectively.

Analysts cite U.S. customers' shift toward long-term supply agreements, even amid sustained increases in memory prices, as a key driver of earnings momentum.

KB Securities has set the highest target prices for both companies, at 320,000 won for Samsung and 1.7 million won for SK hynix. The firm estimates that capital spending on AI by four major U.S. tech companies — Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft — surged 76 percent on year to 1 quadrillion won, driving demand for AI semiconductors.

"Second-quarter price negotiations have recently begun, and major customers are prioritizing stable supply despite the sharp price increases seen in the first quarter," said KB Securities analyst Kim Dong-won. "Leading Big Tech firms are competing to secure mid- to long-term memory supply by offering large upfront payments and including penalty clauses to secure three to five-year contracts."

Both chipmakers are ramping up capital investment to expand HBM wafer production capacity this year. Samsung plans to allocate at least 110 trillion won in capital expenditure, including research and development, in 2026, a record high for the company as it has never exceeded 100 trillion won in this area before. SK hynix has not disclosed a specific figure but said it plans to "significantly increase" spending compared to its 2025 level of 30.17 trillion won.

Meanwhile, Samsung's contract chip manufacturing division is still expected to post ...

Roh Jeong-tae

The author is a writer and senior fellow at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) was an idealist. Like many aristocrats and intellectuals of 19th-century Europe, he was drawn to the culture of ancient Greece. When German archaeologists excavated the ruins of Olympia and confirmed that the ancient Olympic Games were not merely a legend but a historical reality, Coubertin's ambition deepened, and beginning in 1892, he set out to persuade others of his vision.

In 1894, together with Greek business owner Dimitrios Vikelas, he founded the International Olympic Committee and revived the ancient Games, once confined to texts and ruins, as a modern sporting event. On April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympics opened in Athens.

The ancient Olympics are the oldest recorded athletic competition in written history. While their origins likely predate surviving records, cross-referenced sources indicate that the Games took place every four years from 776 B.C. The earliest event consisted of a single race, the stadion, a 192-meter (630-foot) sprint. The first recorded victor was Koroibos. Over time, additional events were introduced, and more winners emerged.

Why have these records endured? The Olympics were more than a festival dedicated to Zeus. They served as a broader social function. Ancient Greeks were divided among numerous city-states that were often embroiled in conflict with one another. But during the Olympics, even warring states set aside their arms to compete in athletic contests and reaffirm their shared religious traditions and cultural identity. The Games thus functioned as a rare moment of peace.

This helps explain why Coubertin's call to revive the Olympics resonated. The idealism and internationalism that shaped late 19th-century Europe found a concrete form through contemporary interest in archaeology and the classical past. Although the Games were canceled three times during the two World Wars and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Coubertin's vision of promoting peace through sport endures.

The 34th Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in 2028. It remains to be seen whether the conflicts now affecting Eastern Europe and the Middle East will subside. The hope persists that, under clear skies, the Olympics can once again act as a stage for peace and shared humanity.

In this sense, the modern Olympics remain both a sporting competition and a symbolic institution shaped by history and aspiration. Whether they can continue to embody ideals of peace amid geopolitical tension will depend not only on athletes but also on the political will of nations involved today and global cooperation efforts.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

Lim Jong-in

The author is an honorary professor at the Graduate School of Information Security at Korea University and a member of the Reset Korea AI Innovation Division.

The center of gravity in the artificial intelligence industry is shifting rapidly. Trends confirmed at CES 2026 in Las Vegas and Nvidia's GTC 2026 conference point in a clear direction: Beyond text-based generative AI, "physical AI," which interacts with the real world, and "autonomous AI," or agentic AI, which is capable of making decisions and acting independently, are emerging as new paradigms.

In particular, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's emphasis on an "agentic AI economy" signals the arrival of an era in which AI functions not merely as a tool but as an economic actor. This marks more than a technological advancement; it represents the beginning of a transformation that will reshape the structures of labor, production and consumption, with implications extending across entire economies.

That kind of technological evolution demands fundamental changes to policy frameworks. In the past, AI policy focused on safety and accountability. Now, speed and competitiveness are becoming central. The United States is prioritizing technological leadership through deregulation, and Europe is maintaining its regulatory stance while exploring more flexible applications to prevent a loss of industrial competitiveness.

AI is no longer a single industry. It has become a strategic asset that determines national competitiveness. It is also expanding into a complex domain that integrates diplomacy, security and industrial policy, reflecting its growing importance in global competition.

Korea, meanwhile, implemented the AI Basic Act — the first of its kind in the world — in January. But as the pace of technological change accelerates to unprecedented levels, experts remain worried that rigid ex ante regulations may fail to keep up with innovation. A one-year grace period for some provisions has provided temporary relief, but underlying concerns about regulatory burdens remain unresolved in the field.

As a result, calls are growing for more fundamental regulatory reform rather than temporary adjustments. The AI industry today is not competing within fixed rules. Instead, rules themselves are still being shaped through ongoing experimentation and competition among countries and firms.

Excessive pre-emptive regulation at this stage risks discouraging experimentation and challenge, ultimately weakening industrial competitiveness. In manufacturing, in which Korea has established strengths, the adoption of physical AI presents an opportunity to significantly improve productivity and efficiency, with data accumulated in semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding and display industries constituting a critical asset in global competition.

However, the regulatory environment surrounding data use remains restrictive. Uncertainty over text and data mining, as well as limits on the use of video and biometric information, make AI training and real-world testing more difficult. These constraints slow technological progress and erode industrial competitiveness over time. A more refined balance between data utilization and protection is therefore essential.

Concerns about misuse, including deepfakes, cannot be ignored. Still, approaches that treat technology itself as an inherent risk and impose broad liability require caution. Excessive regulation can hinder corporate innovation and act as a digital barrier in global markets, potentially placing domestic firms at a disadvantage.

What is required now is a shift in regulatory approach. It may be more practical to allow technological experimentation within defined boundaries and strengthen accountability when problems arise rather than attempt to block all risks in advance.

Introducing a "safe harbor" framework could also help companies innovate in a more predictable environment. The AI Basic Act itself should not remain a fixed framework but sh...

Lee Hyun-sang

The author is a columnist at the JoongAng Ilbo.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's warning that he would open the "gates of hell" and impose a firm deadline for negotiations, Iran has remained unmoved. Instead, Trump is the one who appears increasingly pressed as he faces growing antiwar sentiment at home. In a recent column, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman sharply criticized the situation, arguing that the very fact Iran's leadership holds leverage over the United States reflects Trump's inability to manage the crisis.

The deeper concern lies in Trump's erratic behavior and repeated distortions of fact, which make any rational prediction difficult. The volatility of global stock markets reflects this uncertainty. Some interpret his unpredictability as a calculated negotiation tactic designed to keep opponents off balance, but recent developments have raised doubts about whether he fully grasps the situation himself. On social media, he has repeatedly exaggerated the number of United States Forces Korea personnel, citing figures exceeding 40,000 when the actual number stands at around 28,500. The gap is too large to dismiss as rhetorical exaggeration.

John Gartner, a psychologist and former Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine professor, recently warned on YouTube of the possibility that Trump may be showing signs of frontotemporal dementia. He pointed to symptoms such as paraphasia, or word substitution, and confabulation, in which memory gaps are filled with fabricated details. These, he argued, may indicate an organic deterioration of brain cells rather than a normal symptom of aging. While Gartner is known for his critical stance toward Trump and his claims warrant caution, the broader concern remains clear: The mental fitness of the leader of the world's most powerful nation carries global consequences.

One immediate concern is Trump's shifting stance on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies. At times, he suggested that countries relying on the strait should manage the situation themselves. Soon after, he reversed course and declared that the United States would ensure the flow of oil by reopening the strait. It is difficult to imagine the United States relinquishing control over such a strategic chokepoint. Doing so would undermine the foundations of the so-called Pax Americana and the dollar's dominance.

Since abandoning the gold standard in the 1970s, the United States has supported the dollar's credibility through the petrodollar system, under which Middle Eastern oil is traded in dollars. If Washington were to abandon its role as a provider of security in international waters, it would also weaken its longstanding claim to uphold freedom of navigation, including in regions such as the East China Sea.

Trump's apparent detachment is partly rooted in confidence in the United States' shale oil industry. However, that sector has already seen many marginal firms driven out by Saudi Arabia's low-price strategy aimed at defending market share. Restarting facilities and increasing production would take considerable time, making it unlikely that tangible results could be achieved within Trump's current term.

In effect, the conflict has only reinforced the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for Iran. From the perspective of geopolitical theorist Nicholas Spykman, Iran occupies a key position in the Rimland, the coastal fringe of the Eurasian continent. The United States' inability to assert control even over such peripheral regions is fueling doubts worldwide. It raises questions about how Washington could confront major continental powers such as Russia and China. Trump's harsh rhetoric toward allies increasingly resembles the frustration of a hegemonic power facing a turning point.

During Trump's first term, figures such as James Mattis, a former U.S. secretary of defense, acted as moderating influences. Today, critics argue, those restraints have w...

French and Japanese vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz last weekend despite its closure following the outbreak of war involving Iran. Tehran has allowed passage for ships from friendly countries such as China and Russia, and the Philippine government stated that it also secured safe transit. These cases suggest that those countries engaged in swift, targeted negotiations with Iran, which has imposed selective controls on maritime traffic rather than a complete blockade.

In contrast, 26 Korean vessels remain stranded in international waters near the strait, with about 170 crew members unable to leave. The situation highlights the limited progress achieved so far through Korea's diplomatic efforts.

Korea has engaged Iran through multiple channels, but the results have been minimal. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on March 23 to request guarantees for safe passage. Two days later, the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee met with Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi. But aside from one trainee seafarer returning home by air, there has been little visible progress.

Japan's response offers a useful comparison. Like Korea, Japan is a U.S. ally facing pressure related to the conflict. However, Tokyo activated independent communication channels with Tehran in the early stages of the crisis, allowing it to move ahead with negotiations more quickly. Diplomatic observers say Japan made active use of high-level contacts, including Araghchi, who previously served as ambassador to Japan.

Although Japan has publicly framed the outcome as a result of corporate-level coordination, it is difficult to assume that private companies alone could secure such arrangements with Iranian authorities. Japan's longstanding economic and energy cooperation with Iran likely contributed to its ability to obtain favorable treatment in this case.

Despite worsening hostilities between the United States and Iran, the fact that selective transit through the Hormuz is now being permitted is significant. It suggests that diplomatic engagement can still produce results under constrained conditions.

Securing safe passage for Korean vessels will depend on the government's ability to intensify negotiations and pursue practical solutions. Establishing information-sharing mechanisms with countries such as Japan and France, which have successfully navigated the situation, could provide valuable guidance.

At the same time, disruptions to crude oil supply are adding to inflationary pressure. The government has moved to secure priority oil imports from the United Arab Emirates, but this alone is unlikely to be sufficient. A broader and more coordinated response by mobilizing diplomatic, economic and logistical resources is needed to address both immediate challenges and longer-term risks.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

Large electronic billboards are on display near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on April 5. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and billboard operators have agreed to shorten the operating hours of 30 large electronic billboards in the Gwanghwamun and Myeongdong areas for five days starting on April 6 as part of energy-saving measures. The operating hours will be adjusted from the current 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

This article is by Jung Hyun-mok and read by an artificial voice.

A cursed reservoir, a distorted road view image, and a film crew pulled into an unfolding mystery.

These elements set the stage for "Salmokji: Whispering Water," a Korean horror debut that favors creeping dread over sudden shocks, ahead of its Wednesday release.

The film follows a street view documentation team that travels to Salmokji. a secluded reservoir, after a strange, human-like figure appears in road footage, sparking complaints from local residents.

As producer Su-in, played by Kim Hye-yoon, and her crew arrive to reshoot the footage, they learn that a senior colleague, Gyo-sik, played by Kim Jun-han, had previously visited the site but has since taken leave and gone incommunicado.

When filming begins, Gyo-sik suddenly reappears — but something about him feels off.

Located in Yesan County, South Chungcheong, Salmokji has built a reputation among paranormal enthusiasts as a haunted site. The film draws on local urban legends, placing it in the lineage of director Jung Bum-shik's "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" (2018), though it trades that film's enclosed setting for the exposed, disorienting openness of water.

Director Lee Sang-min, 30, makes his feature debut after focusing on horror in short works, including "Hamjinabi" (2023).

"While planning a horror film set around water, I came across the Salmokji legend and began writing the script in earnest," he said to reporters at a cafe in central Seoul on March 26.

He added that the concept stood out because "the combination of a water ghost and navigation voice guidance created a form of everyday horror that felt particularly frightening."

During location scouting, Lee described the reservoir as a liminal space. "Trees growing out of the water looked eerie, and fog drifted toward the surface as if it were pulling people in," he said. "I imagined Salmokji as a threshold between life and death and searched for similar locations for filming."

The narrative centers on characters who knowingly approach danger, driven by personal motives such as revenge, guilt and desire.

"I focused on portraying how the water ghost lures people in, and from the characters' perspective, how their beliefs and judgment collapse as they step into the water," Lee said.

To build tension, the film incorporates tools commonly used by paranormal content creators, including navigation systems, 360-degree cameras, motion detectors and ghost boxes. A stone tower by the reservoir serves as a recurring visual motif, marking a boundary between life and death.

Lee also drew on shamanistic practices for added texture.

"When I consulted shaman Go Chun-ja, who advised on 'Exhuma' [2024], she said stacking stone towers near water can attract spirits because of negative energy," he said. "Details like a rice bowl pierced with a knife placed on the stone tower, straw ropes and the neotgeori, a ritual to guide drowned souls, all draw on shamanistic practices."

Among the standout sequences is a nighttime scene involving skipping stones. What begins as a casual moment escalates into sustained tension as the sound of stones skimming the surface lingers before abruptly cutting to silence — only for something to return.

"I wanted to push the tension to its limit with a level of stillness that almost stops your breath," Lee said.

The shoot itself produced its share of eerie moments.

"It was a place where phone signals were so weak you couldn't make calls, but we heard a dialing tone near a speaker," he said. "Some staff members also said they saw a child ghost near the stone tower."

Lee said his goal was to leave audiences unmoored.

"We live in an era where trust and belief have eroded, and perhaps the greatest fear is not knowing who is a ghost or a monster, or where the truth lies," he said. "I want audiences to feel the same confusion as the characters trapped in Salmokji. I plan to continue making horror films grounded in reality."

This article was o...