Real Exhuma Filming Locations You Can Visit in Korea

Where Dark Folklore Meets Real Korean Landscapes

When over 11 million cinema-goers packed Korean movie theaters in early 2024 to watch Kim Go-eun perform a bone-chilling shamanic ritual in the misty woods, nobody expected a supernatural horror film about grave exhumation to trigger a nationwide travel trend. Exhuma (파묘), directed by occult cinema master Jang Jae-hyun, captured global attention by weaving traditional Korean shamanism (Muism), geomancy (Pungsu-jiri), and dark colonial history into a gripping mystery. Starring Kim Go-eun, Lee Do-hyun, Choi Min-sik, and Yoo Hae-jin, the blockbuster stands out not just for its star power, but for its intense, grounded atmospheric setting.

Unlike heavily CGI-driven horror films, Exhuma relied heavily on real, tangible places across South Korea to evoke an unsettled, ancient energy. From towering bamboo groves hidden in Busan to historic luxury hotels in the heart of Seoul, these real-life destinations let you step directly into the eerie world of Hwarim, Bong-gil, Sang-deok, and Yeong-geun. If you are planning a trip to South Korea and want to experience the hauntingly beautiful spots featured on screen, this travel guide covers the most memorable exhuma movie filming locations open to the public.

Ahopsan Forest in Gijang, Busan

In the film, dense and towering green forests set an uneasy tone as the shamanic team navigates sacred, untouched wilderness to prepare for complex spiritual rituals. The dark canopy and rustling leaves feel almost alive, mirroring the unseen ancient spirits watching every movement from the shadows.

In reality, this atmospheric woods scene was filmed at Ahopsan Forest (아홉산숲), located in the quiet Gijang-gun county on the northern outskirts of Busan. Spanning over 520,000 square meters, Ahopsan Forest is a privately owned and preserved woodland that has been carefully tended by the Nami Eun family for over 400 years across nine generations. Unscathed even during Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War, the forest features massive groves of giant bamboo (Maengjongjeuk), red pine trees, and hinoki cypress. Because it remains a private ecological sanctuary, visitors are required to stay strictly on designated walking trails and respect the natural preservation rules. Be sure to verify current seasonal opening hours and entry policies online before heading out.

How to get there

To reach Ahopsan Forest using public transport, start from central Busan. Take Busan Subway Line 1 north to Nopo Station (Exit 2). From Nopo Station Transfer Center, board Village Bus Maeul-bus Geumjeong-gu 2-1 or local Bus 1008 and get off at the Midong Village (미동마을) bus stop. From there, follow the clearly marked walking signs up the gentle hill for about 10 minutes to reach the main entrance gate. Alternatively, taking a taxi from Nopo Station or Line 1’s Beomeosa Station takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.

The Plaza Hotel Seoul in Sogong-dong

When the wealthy Korean-American family calls upon the team to investigate a mysterious curse affecting their newborn baby, key indoor drama unfolds inside a high-end luxury hotel suite. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer a sweeping view over central Seoul, creating a sharp contrast between modern urban wealth and ancient supernatural dread.

The location used for these sleek hotel scenes is The Plaza Hotel Seoul, Autograph Collection, located in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Positioned directly across from Seoul City Hall and Deoksugung Palace, this premier five-star hotel is famous for its boutique interior design and prime downtown views. You do not necessarily need to book an executive suite to experience the ambiance; visitors can enjoy coffee or afternoon tea at the ground-floor lounge or admire the striking geometric architecture from the exterior plaza while exploring central Seoul’s historical landmarks.

How to get there

The Plaza Hotel is exceptionally easy to reach via the Seoul Metropolitan Subway network. Take Subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall Station. Follow the signage underground toward Exit 6, which connects directly into the hotel’s lower level lobby. If you are coming from Myeongdong, it is a pleasant 7-minute walk westward along Sogong-ro street.

Bogwangsa Temple in Paju

As the mystery surrounding the nameless grave deepens, quiet atmospheric sequences feature ancient temple courtyards, traditional wooden architecture, and stone statues standing guard against mountain winds. These moments allow the characters—and the audience—to catch their breath before the next chilling revelation.

These serene yet heavy mountain temple visuals were captured at Bogwangsa Temple (보광사), situated on the slopes of Mount Goryeong in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Established in 894 AD by Master Doseon during the Unified Silla Kingdom, Bogwangsa is one of the most historic Buddhist temples in the region surrounding Seoul. The temple is especially famous for its unpainted wooden main hall (Daeungbojeon), which preserves centuries-old woodcarvings, as well as its massive standing stone Buddha image. Surrounded by dense pine forests, Bogwangsa offers a peaceful, slightly solemn atmosphere that fits the movie’s spiritual themes perfectly.

How to get there

From Seoul, take Subway Line 3 north to Gupabal Station. Leave via Exit 2 and walk to the bus stop to catch local Bus 333. Ride the bus for approximately 40 minutes and get off directly at the Bogwangsa Temple stop (보광사 정류장). The temple entrance sits just a short 3-minute walk up the paved mountain path from the bus stop.

Old Gunsan Customs House

Throughout Exhuma, historical archives, colonial-era records, and local port-town textures link the present-day horror back to Korea’s tragic early 20th-century history. Several heritage buildings provided the perfect background texture for these investigative story threads.

The exterior and neighborhood atmosphere of these historical scenes were filmed around the Old Gunsan Customs House (구 군산세관) in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do. Built in 1908 using imported European red bricks and Belgian tiles, this beautiful building is one of South Korea’s three remaining classic Western-style customs structures from the early modern era (alongside the former Bank of Korea in Seoul and the former Incheon Customs). Today, the building serves as a free public museum documenting the port city’s trade and modern history. The surrounding street is part of Gunsan’s Modern History Museum district, preserved to show early 1900s architecture.

How to get there

Take an intercity bus or KTX train from Seoul to Gunsan (if taking KTX, transfer to local transport at Ik San or take an express bus directly to Gunsan Intercity Bus Terminal). From Gunsan Express Bus Terminal, board local Bus 01, 02, or 88, and drop off at the Modern History Museum (근대역사박물관) stop. The Old Gunsan Customs House sits right next to the museum building.

Make a Day of It

Visiting filming locations is always more memorable when combined with great local food and nearby sights. Here is how you can build full-day itineraries around these key Exhuma stops:

Location Area	Nearby Sights	Local Food to Try
Gijang, Busan	Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Osiria Shore Walk	Gijang Snow Crab, Grilled Sea Eel
Central Seoul	Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway, Myeongdong	Mugyo-dong Dried Pollack Soup, Kalguksu
Paju, Gyeonggi	Majang Lake Suspension Bridge, Heyri Village	Paju Jangdan Bean Stew (Kong-bijiji)
Gunsan, Jeolla	Gunsan Modern History Museum, Hirotsu House	Gunsan Jjambbong, Lee Seong Dang Bakery

If you head to Ahopsan Forest in Gijang, pair your morning forest walk with a seafood lunch at the nearby Gijang Market, famous across Korea for fresh snow crab and grilled eel. Follow that with an afternoon visit to Haedong Yonggungsa, a rare coastal Buddhist temple built along cliffs overlooking the sea.

For the Seoul locations around City Hall, spend your morning strolling along the Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway (Deoksugung Doldam-gil). For lunch, try Buk-guk (soothing dried pollack soup) in the historic Mugyo-dong food alley right behind the hotel, a classic comfort meal loved by Seoul locals for decades.

In Gunsan, walk through the historic modern architecture neighborhood. Don’t miss Lee Seong Dang, recognized as South Korea’s oldest operating bakery, to try their iconic red bean bread (Anpan) and vegetable bread (Yachae-bang).

Photo Tips

Capturing the eerie, mysterious atmosphere of Exhuma requires a few simple photography techniques:

• Ahopsan Forest: Walk deep into the Maengjongjeuk bamboo section. Lower your phone or camera near ground level and tilt upward to capture the massive bamboo trunks reaching into the sky. Visit early in the morning right when it opens around 9:00 AM; morning light filtering through the canopy creates natural mist effects without crowds in your shot.
• The Plaza Hotel Area: Position yourself near the pedestrian crosswalk by Seoul Plaza facing the hotel with Deoksugung’s traditional Taejo-mun gate in the foreground. Shooting during blue hour (just after sunset) contrasts the warm yellow city lights with the deep twilight sky.
• Bogwangsa Temple: Frame your photo looking past the ancient stone lanterns toward the unpainted wooden wall panels of Daeungbojeon. Overcast or lightly rainy days actually work best here, giving your photos the exact somber, cinematic tone seen in the film.

FAQ

Where was the actual grave exhumation scene filmed in Exhuma?

The hilltop grave site featured in the movie was a custom-built film set constructed on private mountain land in Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, combined with indoor studio soundstages for deep pit shots. The construction was temporary and completely removed after filming ended, so the grave itself is not accessible as a permanent tourist site. However, the forest scenes leading up to the site were filmed at real accessible locations like Ahopsan Forest.

Are shamanic rituals like the ones shown in Exhuma real in Korea?

Yes, the rituals depicted in the movie are based on real Korean shamanism (Muism) practices, specifically Daesal-gut (a protective ritual involving animal sacrifice to ward off malevolent spirits) and Yeongdon-gut (guiding souls safely to the afterlife). Director Jang Jae-hyun worked closely with actual Korean shamans and geomancers during production to ensure ritual props, chants, and movements were portrayed with cultural accuracy.

Do I need to make reservations to visit these locations?

Most public filming locations like Bogwangsa Temple and the Old Gunsan Customs House are open daily to the public free of charge without reservations. Ahopsan Forest requires an admission ticket purchased at the main entrance gate upon arrival. Always double-check current business hours and holiday closures before traveling, especially when taking regional transit outside Seoul.

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