"Want to See Ghosts?" Nighttime Visits Surge After "Salmokji" Film Success, Yesan County on Safety Alert

Surge in Visitors as Urban Legends and Movie Success Draw Crowds
Rising Safety Concerns Amid Spread of Nighttime Experiences

With the success of the horror film "Salmokji," the Salmokji Reservoir in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province, where the movie was filmed, is drawing attention. Originally known for rumors of being haunted, the location gained increased interest after being featured in the movie, and with the film's box office success, the number of visitors has surged, prompting the Yesan County authorities to implement safety measures.

The appearance of Salmokji Reservoir featured in the movie "Salmokji". Showbox

On April 16, Yesan County in South Chungcheong Province announced that it has put in place safety accident prevention measures in response to the recent surge in visitors to Salmokji Reservoir, which became widely known as the setting of the horror film "Salmokji."

Well-known as a fishing spot, Salmokji has long been the subject of strange sightings and drew attention as a "paranormal attraction" after being featured on the 2022 MBC program "Late Night Ghost Stories." This background was used as the theme for the movie, boosting interest, and as the film has become a hit, the number of visitors to the actual location is rapidly increasing.

In particular, reviews and experience content such as "I visited myself" are spreading on social media and online communities, leading to visits not only during the day but also late at night. Some visitors reportedly come at off-peak hours specifically to experience the eerie atmosphere.

In response, on this day, the county held a joint countermeasure meeting with relevant agencies such as the fire department, police, and Korea Rural Community Corporation to assess the risks associated with the increase in visitors.

The county and related agencies have decided to restrict vehicle access around the Salmokji area and improve warning signs in dangerous zones around the reservoir to ensure visitor safety. In addition, they plan to increase patrol personnel to strengthen joint inspections and are considering expanding nighttime lighting facilities and installing additional closed-circuit (CC)TVs.

Authorities also plan to intensify crackdowns on illegal cooking or hazardous activities. The cooperation system with the fire department and police will be further strengthened to enable swift response in case of emergencies.

Due to the characteristics of the reservoir, there are particular risks of falling or drowning, so extra caution is needed. An official from Yesan County urged, "Please actively cooperate by using designated pathways and following nighttime control and other safety rules."

Meanwhile, as of the morning of April 16, the movie "Salmokji," which premiered on April 8, had attracted a cumulative audience of 930,000, continuing its box office success. It surpassed the break-even point by drawing over 800,000 viewers within just seven days of its release.

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