'Exhuma' reportedly attracting massive popularity in North Korea

According to media outlet DailyNK, the South Korean mystery/horror film 'Exhuma' (2024) is garnering massive popularity in North Korea. 

An informant told DailyNK that the popularity of 'Exhuma' is spreading rapidly via word of mouth among civilians in North Hamgyong Province, who are known to use Chinese mobile phones. 

Hamgyong Province is located on the northernmost tip of North Korea, bordering China. Many of the civilians there use mobile phones brought in from China for business, making them more susceptible to news and information from beyond the border. They frequently also act as deliverers of cross-border cultural products to deeper parts of North Korea, acting as agents who participate in the selection of contents which are introduced to North Koreans.

According to DailyNK, the demand for the South Korean film 'Exhuma' is increasing rapidly in cities such as Hoeryŏng in North Hamgyong Province, with the word spreading quickly to other parts of North Korea. Particularly, many teens are supposedly showing interest in the film upon hearing that it was a widely popular film in South Korea, attracting over 11 million moviegoers.

The informant stated, "North Koreans also share the custom of seeking advice from fortune-tellers about how to care for their ancestors' graves when there are bad occurrences or illnesses in the household. This is due to the traditional superstition that misfortune falls on a household when the ancestors are discontent with their resting places. That is why the story of this film appeals to many North Koreans." 

Existing North Korean laws prohibit civilians from believing and practicing superstitious customs. Yet, as the customs were passed down from the pre-modern period, many North Koreans risk breaking the law to seek advice from fortune-tellers. 

According to one "illegal audiovisual content distributor" based in Hoeryŏng, "I was reminded once again that no matter how sternly the government cracks down on illegal activities and instills fear in the people, the people's craze over South Korean films cannot be stopped. The young people come to me everyday, asking me for this film. If I had the file, I would be making good money right now." 

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