Movie 'Chiaksan' Controversy Goes to Court... Wonju City "Will File Injunction to Ban Screening"

Decision to Take Legal Action Over Producer's Refusal to Change Title
Wonju Mayor: "The City Will Step Up to Prevent Citizen Harm"

Controversy surrounding the movie 'Chiaksan' is expected to escalate to the courts. Wonju City in Gangwon Province plans to take strong legal actions, including filing for an injunction to ban the screening of the film, which uses an actual place name as its title.

On the 27th, Wonju City announced its intention to file a lawsuit seeking damages for all tangible and intangible harm that may arise from the screening of the movie, along with the injunction request. Previously, Wonju City held two meetings with the film's production company, demanding a change of the movie title and the partial deletion of scenes featuring the line 'Chiaksan,' but the production company refused, leading to this decision.

Movie 'Chiaksan' Poster [Image Source=Toho Entertainment]

The production company expressed reluctance, stating, "Accepting Wonju City's demands would require reshooting the entire film from the beginning as the story's continuity would be disrupted." They also noted that one of the main actors is currently serving in the military, making reshooting impossible.

In response, a Wonju City official expressed strong regret toward the production company, saying, "During the meetings, they appeared to accept the city's proposals, but then turned around and used them for marketing purposes, which makes us doubt the sincerity of their negotiations."

Scheduled to be released on the 13th of next month, the movie 'Chiaksan' is a horror film based on a fictional urban legend about ten dismembered bodies found over several days in Chiaksan in 1980, and the strange events that happen to members of a mountain biking club visiting Chiaksan.

Wonju City and local residents are concerned that the film, inspired by a fictional legend rather than an actual event, will damage the image of Wonju City and Chiaksan. Moreover, with recent violent crimes such as stabbing incidents and sexual assaults on hiking trails, there is growing anxiety among locals that screening a horror film depicting brutal serial murders could lead to copycat crimes.

In response, Guryongsa Temple in Chiaksan National Park plans to issue a statement opposing the film's release on the 28th, and the Wonju City Council of Social Organizations, along with agricultural, livestock, and tourism industries using the 'Chiaksan' brand, have also decided to join the campaign against the screening.

Won Kang-su, mayor of Wonju City, stated, "We are concerned that the image of Wonju, known nationwide as a top safe and healthy city, will be tarnished by an unheard-of urban legend. We will respond strongly at the city level to ensure that none of the 360,000 citizens suffer any harm due to the film's release."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.