Korean Shaman Films: A Guide to Exploring Mudang Horror from EXHUMA to THE WAILING

Kapanlagi.com - Korean shaman films have been increasingly discussed following the success of EXHUMA (2024), which brought the theme of Korean shamanism to the attention of a global audience. This film, which highlights rituals, traditional beliefs, and elements of occultism, is not a new genre, as stories about mudang or Korean shamans have been part of the Ginseng country's cinema since the 1970s.

For viewers who are just getting to know this genre through EXHUMA, there are many other titles that can serve as gateways to understanding the world of Korean horror cinema. From THE WAILING (2016) to THE PRIESTS (2015), these films offer different approaches in depicting spiritual rituals, cultural conflicts, and mysteries related to the supernatural.

EXHUMA itself has achieved great success by attracting over 10 million viewers in South Korea within just 32 days of release. The film then became the highest-grossing Korean film of all time in Indonesia. This success has reignited interest in the genre of Korean shaman films, which has been developing for decades.

1. Understanding the Journey of Korean Shaman Films and Mudang Culture

In the Korean film industry, the figure of the mudang has appeared in various genres, ranging from horror, thriller, to comedy. This development has given rise to the term "musok film", which is a subgenre of film focusing on Korean shamanistic practices.

One of the early works that became an important part of the development of this genre is A SHAMAN'S STORY (1972). The film tells the story of Mohwa, a local mudang who faces social changes as Christianity begins to spread in modern Korean society. The story is adapted from a novel by Kim Dong-ree, one of the great novelists in modern Korean literature.

The tradition of Korean shamanism, or Muism, becomes a key element in many films with shamanistic themes. In this tradition, mudang are known as shamans who perform rituals and are believed to communicate with spirits for specific purposes, including healing, guidance, and facing misfortunes.

The majority of mudang in Korean culture are women. This role also becomes one of the aspects that often appears in various Korean cinema works as it relates to the position of women in society in the past.

The success of EXHUMA marked a significant moment for this genre. The film grossed $84,095,030 from 11,902,097 viewers globally, making it the highest-grossing Korean film of 2024 and placing seventh among the highest-grossing Korean films of all time.

2. Three Korean Shaman Films That Can Be the Beginning of Your Watching Journey

For viewers who want to explore this genre further, there are several films that can serve as a starting point. Each has a different storytelling approach, ranging from mystery investigations to spiritual conflicts.

THE WAILING (2016) is one of the important films in the Korean horror genre. The film, written and directed by Na Hong-jin, stars Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, and Chun Woo-hee.

The story centers on a police officer investigating a series of mysterious murders and a strange illness that plagues a remote village. The investigation is conducted to save his daughter from an inexplicable threat.

This film is known for its layered storytelling and strong elements of mystery. THE WAILING also received a score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Meanwhile, EXHUMA (2024) presents a story about a grave excavation that brings terrifying consequences. This South Korean horror film is written and directed by Jang Jae-hyun, featuring a cast including Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Do-hyun.

The film combines elements of mystery and occultism through a story about rituals and supernatural events related to a tomb.

Another film to consider is THE PRIESTS (2015). This debut work by Jang Jae-hyun tackles the theme of exorcism, blending Catholic exorcism rituals with elements of Korean shamanism.

The film also features Park So-dam, who later gained recognition through the Oscar-winning film, PARASITE (2019).

3. How to Expand Your References on Korean Shaman Films After Three Main Titles

After getting to know basic films like THE WAILING (2016), EXHUMA (2024), and THE PRIESTS (2015), the journey of watching can continue with various other titles that are still related to the themes of shamanism, rituals, or supernatural elements in Korea.

In the early stages, viewers can try classic horror films with shamanism themes like SVAHA: THE SIXTH FINGER (2019). This film tells a story about an investigation related to a cult and shamanism from the perspective of a detective.

Another option is THE CURSED: DEAD MAN'S PREY (2021), which has elements of black magic and showcases shamanistic practices from Korea and Indonesia. There is also THE 8TH NIGHT (2021), which narrates the journey of a monk and a detective facing the resurrection of a demon that has been sealed for centuries.

In addition to feature films, Korean drama series also have several titles with themes of shamans and evil spirits. THE GUEST (2023) received a rating of 8.7/10 on MyDramaList and follows the story of three evil spirit hunters facing a phenomenon called "Son".

Meanwhile, REVENANT (2023) tells the story of a female student who receives an heirloom from her father, who was a shaman. Another series that can be watched is THE HAUNTED PALACE (2025), which raises the story of the granddaughter of a famous shaman who tries to resist her spiritual destiny.

For viewers who want to understand the cultural context more closely, the documentary MUDANG directed by Park Ki-bok can be an option. This documentary is narrated by actor Sol Gyung-gu and follows several female mudangs as they perform death ceremonies and act as intermediaries between the human world and the spirit world.

The viewing journey can also continue with other works such as ALONG WITH THE GODS (2017-2018), a blockbuster fantasy film adapted from a webtoon that portrays the Korean afterlife. There is also KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, an animated film that has connections to Korean folklore.

In the production process of EXHUMA, director Jang Jae-hyun chose to use real locations and practical effects rather than relying on CGI. This approach becomes one of the technical aspects that can be considered when analyzing Korean horror-themed films.

4. Viewing Habits That Help Understand Korean Shaman Films

Korean shaman films have a different approach compared to horror that relies on sudden shocks. Many works in this genre build tension through atmosphere, cultural symbols, and a slow story development.

One thing to note is not to skip the subtitles. The terms ritual, mantra, and spiritual dialogue in Korean play an important role in understanding the plot.

Viewers are also advised not to rush to leave films with long durations. THE WAILING (2016), for example, has a duration of 156 minutes with a slowly progressing story. The film employs a slow burn approach with an atmosphere resembling an investigative drama like MEMORIES OF MURDER by Bong Joon-ho, including the use of a relaxed tempo and a wet brown color palette.

For beginners, watching with friends can be an option to discuss after the film ends. Additionally, understanding the cultural background of mudang for 15-20 minutes before watching can help recognize story elements related to Korean traditions.

After watching around 10-15 titles, viewers can start taking notes about the films they have watched, giving personal ratings, and noting the story patterns they find.

Some content formats that can be created from this experience include:

• Twitter/X thread about the journey of Korean shaman films from the 1970s to the present.
• 60-second TikTok video comparing rituals in several films.
• Blog article about cultural symbols in a specific film.
• Discussion podcast after watching with the community.

5. Cultural Elements That Can Be Observed While Watching Mudang-Themed Films

Korean shaman films not only contain horror elements but also present various cultural elements related to the history and society of Korea.

One of the elements that often appears is the gut ritual, which is a shamanistic ceremony that becomes an important motif in various stories. This ritual often becomes part of scenes depicting the relationship between humans and the spirit world.

Viewers can also pay attention to the conflict between tradition and modernity. In several Korean films, mudang are often placed in opposition to the influence of Western culture or changes in modern society.

Another aspect that frequently appears is the role of women. The majority of mudang in Korean culture are women, so their characters are often related to the journey of facing social positions and inherited traditions.

Additionally, there is the concept of Han, which is a feeling of bitterness or sorrow passed down through generations. In several stories, the mudang's duty relates to the process of reconciling these feelings.

For those who want to delve into this genre more seriously, understanding the cultural background of Korea can help interpret the symbols, characters, and conflicts that arise in the films.

6. Estimated Cost of Enjoying Korean Shaman Films for Six Months

Making Korean shaman films a hobby does not require a large budget to start. With internet access and several streaming platforms, viewers can already enjoy various titles with themes of horror, mystery, and Korean shamanism.

The investment calculation for six months includes the following needs:

With this cost, viewers can finish at least 15-20 films and 3-4 series, with each series consisting of 16 episodes. This amount can serve as a basis for building a film reference collection or creating content themed around Korean cinema.

In addition to subscription costs, viewing duration can also be adjusted. One film generally takes about 2-2.5 hours, while one drama episode takes about 1 hour.

Korean shaman films can also be enjoyed in various situational choices. This genre is suitable for watching alone or with a group of adults aged 15 and above, especially during the rainy season, as the dark atmosphere and sound of rain can accompany the viewing experience.

7. From Viewer to Creator of Korean Horror-Themed Content

Once you understand at least 20 film titles and the cultural context behind them, the viewing experience can be developed into various forms of creative work.

One option is to create film review content. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts provide space to discuss films briefly with a focus on a specific niche, such as Asian horror films or Korean occult films.

Another option is to write articles for blogs or online media that discuss Korean cinema. A wide range of viewing references can serve as material for creating reviews or discussions about cultural elements in films.

For those interested in language, fan communities also open opportunities as translators or subtitle enthusiasts. Understanding the cultural context of Korea can aid in the translation process of content.

Additionally, this hobby can be developed through themed movie-watching events. These events can be held in cafes or co-working spaces with discussion sessions after the film screening. The entry tickets range from Rp 35,000-75,000 per person, including snacks and drinks.

The estimated time to start generating income from these activities is 3-6 months after consistently creating content.

8. Platform and Community for Deepening Korean Films with Shaman Themes

For viewers who want to discuss or seek additional references, there are several online communities that can be joined. Some of them include the Facebook groups "Korean Movie Lovers Indonesia" and "Drakor Addict Indonesia".

For discussions in English, the Reddit community r/koreanfilm can also be a place to share information about Korean films.

Another resource that can be utilized is the Korean Film Council through its film database and English-language analysis articles. Additionally, the Korean Film Council's YouTube channel provides official trailers as well as interviews with filmmakers.

To find ratings and audience reviews, the MyDramaList platform can also be used as a reference, especially for supernatural-themed Korean drama series.

Meanwhile, for legal viewing access with Indonesian subtitles, several platforms that offer options for Korean films and dramas include:

• Netflix
• Vidio
• Viu
• WeTV
• Disney+ Hotstar

In addition, Shudder also has a special collection of horror available in certain regions.

(kpl/mda)