SHOWBOX presents
a SHOWBOX, PINETOWN PRODUCTION production
EXHUMA
Miss, we will be landing soon.
Would you like some more wine?
No, I'm all right.
And just so you know...
I'm Korean.
I understand. I apologize.
Have a pleasant flight.
Our representative...
Well, his main business is real estate.
He owns quite a lot of land in Korea,
and he also does investment business across various places in the US.
Well, you know the sort of people I'm talking about.
People who were born rich.
Exorbitantly rich people.
How am I supposed to trust them?
You should have considered my opinion, too.
These are totally different circumstances.
I don't get it. Just do whatever you want.
He's calmed down now because of the medication,
but he hasn't stopped crying since he was born.
The renowned medical staff has tried everything,
but they say there's nothing wrong from a medical point of view.
We've already been informed.
Excuse me, could you leave us alone in the room, please?
Excuse me?
By the words of the Heavenly Venerable, I summon the 9 inner spirits:
the celestial birth, the spirit of absence, the mysterious pearl,
the central righteousness, the cinnabar elixir, the spirit of cyclic change,
the elixir of the source of life, the great abyss and the spirit of youth.
I call upon the 3 core essences:
the great brightness, the invigorating spirit and the imperturbable essence.
When the 5 yin organs are disturbed, when the 6 meridians are shaken,
when the limbs lose their harmony, when the joints are in distress, recite this scripture.
There must be other family members suffering from the same illness.
The baby's father...
And the baby's grandfather.
Is she talking about my husband and my father-in-law?
The expressions on their faces...
Yes.
How they've changed from suspicion to astonishment...
People always live in bright places, and only look towards radiant ones.
CHAPTER I: YIN-YANG AND THE FIVE ELEMENTS
The world must be bathed in bright light
for it to be visible to our eyes.
And people...
They believe only in the things they can see and touch.
A world bathed in bright light...
And what lies beyond it.
People have known about those dark beings since ancient times.
They've given them various names.
Ghosts, devils, goblins, monsters...
They ceaselessly yearn for bright places, harboring envy,
so from time to time,
they resort to tricks to cross over.
And when that happens, people come to me.
In between yin and yang,
in between science and superstition,
the people who find themselves right in between these contrasts.
I am Lee Hwarim, a shaman.
I received word from my wife.
I'm Park Ji-yong.
My older brother...
He ended up committing suicide in a mental hospital.
Since then, I...
As well as...
my newborn son, we've been going through this.
When I close my eyes, someone screams.
And chokes me.
It's something the eldest grandchildren experience.
At first they usually suspect a hereditary disease.
Later on they suspect issues with the house foundation and decide to move.
The shadow.
As soon as I walked in, I noticed a shadow in this house.
The shadow of one of your ancestors.
It's most likely the shadow of your grandfather.
My grandfather?
Simply put, it's deterioration of the grave.
It's usually referred to as a misfortune related to the grave.
In other words, one of your ancestors
is complaining about the discomfort he's experiencing.
Are you sure?
Yes.
One hundred percent.
Then...
What should I do?
You need to spend money and hire people.
I can't do it on my own.
We need to call in experts...
Damn it...
Their creepy faces already come to mind...
The grave has been opened!
The deceased is waking up, stop staring.
Oh, we're sorry.
Let's go.
Come on, quickly.
One, two, three!
The water hasn't seeped in.
We apologize for waking you up.
Well, it's clean.
And fragrant.
Why did they put so much stuff in here?
All these...
Unbelievable.
I keep telling people not to put metal objects inside.
Causing discomfort to the deceased...
Director Kim.
Your mother and all your family elders resting here,
I've taken care of all of them, right?
Yes, you sure did.
And I assume everyone's healthy and business is thriving.
Yes, all thanks to you.
Even if I dig up this place again...
This is one of the most auspicious burial sites I've found in my 40-year career, you know that?
Look, the Five Elements are in perfect harmony.
I'm telling you.
And I gave it to you cheap.
Damn it.
That's true...
So don't worry.
You're doing the right thing reburying her.
If you say it, then it must be so.
But...
Why does she keep appearing in my children's dreams?
Lately, even my wife says she sees her mother in her dreams.
Mortician Go!
Still not done?
Hey, I'm hungry.
So am I, and so is this person.
The one in charge of the shrouding didn't check, did he?
- Do the numbers match? - Yes.
Very well.
Someone has taken Grandma's dentures.
I said someone is in possession of Grandma's dentures.
Did you...
Did you take Grandma's dentures?
Sang-hyun, you...
That thing in your closet...
Those were Grandma's dentures?!
But why would you...
All of Grandma's things were burned...
Now that Grandma's gone...
Dad...
I had to keep something...
Little buddy!
Grandma says she's hungry, you need to return them to her.
If I do...
Then how will I remember Grandma?
I don't have anything else that belonged to her.
Did you say your name's Sang-hyun?
Sang-hyun...
Your Grandma...
is always by your side.
Blood ties.
They bind us, even beyond death.
- Sis... - When individuals have common genes,
they share a common body and a collective mind.
When the human body ends its activities, it becomes dust and earth.
And we inhale that dust, and tread on that earth.
Living, dying, and being reborn.
A cycle that repeats endlessly.
In other words,
the earth connects us and makes everything circulate.
Those who call it superstition or fraud, screw them all!
Because for the select 1% who represent Korea's elite,
feng shui means both religion and science.
I'm a geomancer.
I find and dig up lands for both the living and the dead.
My name is Kim Sang-deok and I'm a feng shui expert.
A survey has revealed that many domestic companies
perceive the current economic situation as a long-term recession.
According to the survey, Korea...
Wait until it's cooked!
Why should I wait for it?
When it starts sizzling, it's just right.
To be honest, that place we stopped by today...
That place...
- Is it really an auspicious burial site? - What in the world...
What are you saying? He's a regular client, after all.
But seeing that grave...
Well, the Black Tortoise up north looked kind of ambiguous,
and the shape of the White Tiger out west was...
I'm not really sure.
You think you're a feng shui expert now?
If you're so knowledgeable,
go ahead and do it on your own from now on.
I've been thinking about something.
In Korea, an average of 250,000 people die annually,
of which 30% are buried.
So starting from the Joseon dynasty, in these narrow lands,
in every good spot, plenty of people have already been buried.
So claiming that there are still auspicious burial sites out there is...
- It's a bit... - Well...
I'd give that burial site 65 points.
So not one hundred.
Now the seeds have dried, they're long gone.
Listen, all the funeral directors like yourself
are working for funeral service companies,
while geomancers like me who make a living digging up the earth,
they all end up working on construction sites.
It's the final lap!
We are the last survivors.
- I'll pour you a drink. - Hold on.
Did they arrive this quickly?
Oh my, you're early.
Hey, it's been a while.
- Hi. - Hey.
- Come in. - Sure.
Oh, my!
The scent of pine mushrooms has reached Seoul.
- I must bear with it. - He already ate them all.
What are you saying?
- How have you been? - Welcome back.
I should have contacted you more often.
It's all right, you're a busy man.
But...
Bong-gil has gotten even more handsome!
Oh, really?
That's right.
The girls always take him for walks.
It's becoming a bad habit.
How long has it been?
- About 3 years? - Yes.
Time flies.
So...
How's business going these days?
So-so.
- It's off-season now. - So here I am,
- visiting the elders again... - Wait a minute.
I smell something.
Don't you smell anything?
What kind of smell? The smell of money?
Yeah, I think that's what it smells like.
Damn it...
I tried to hide it, but...
You got me.
Come on, spill the beans.
How did he catch on so fast?
After a trusted doctor introduced them to me,
I visited a strange family living in the US.
Someone named Park Ji-yong.
His family lineage is Korean up to his father,
but from him onward, they have American nationality.
Simply put, he's...
Rich, filthy rich.
That's a good start!
The eldest grandchildren suffer from spiritual illnesses.
Even a newborn.
Oh, boy...
He endured it for quite a while.
Isn't it possession?
Hasn't reached that point yet.
From what I've seen...
It's deterioration of the grave.
Are you really gonna dig up your grandfather's grave?
It's been almost one hundred years.
I don't need your approval.
I've made up my mind.
You really believe in such things?
And you think your aunt in Korea will agree on this?
I'm the head of the family.
So I make the decisions.
First of all, I don't trust those people.
If something goes wrong, things will only get worse.
The baby will get better soon.
Let's pray together,
and continue the treatment.
We just...
All we need to do is live quietly and away from it all.
Why would it matter if her belly shows during the wedding?
There's no better dowry than that!
But still. Me having a grandson?
Not to mention that he'll have blonde hair.
And his blue eyes will glow like headlights!
What an outdated mindset.
But will Yeon-hee continue living in Germany after getting married?
What are you talking about? She has to live in Korea.
Speaking of which...
I was somewhat worried about money, given Yeon-hee's marriage,
- but we've landed a major catch this time. - That's right.
Our Savior,
he even takes care of my pension at the right moment.
Amen!
But how rich is this guy,
that he's paying us 500 million won each to relocate the grave?
You think that's all? He likely paid more.
What? More?
You know how cunning Hwarim is.
You think she didn't secure a little extra for herself?
That's true.
She seems naive but she's not.
First of all, I'd like you to tell me your grandfather's name and his hometown.
Typically I inquire about the reputation of the family members as well as their jobs,
but since you said it's urgent...
Shouldn't the person receiving the money be the one to prove he's trustworthy?
Oh...
Trust?
Fine, then.
If you don't want to do this, let's just forget about the whole thing.
Would you please follow just two things?
Please ensure that today's events remain private.
And please carry out the cremation right away.
With the coffin intact.
Intact?
You're saying not to open it at all?
Does it make any difference?
Even if you relocate it,
it still ends up being cremated anyhow.
Listen to me.
Usually this needs to be reported to the district office first.
After the coffin is opened, the funeral director gathers the remains,
then it needs to be moved to another location to be cremated.
Do you understand?
Anyway, for now...
Let's see the burial site first.
My parents and the other relatives are quite against it,
so I'd like to get it over with as soon as possible...
I said let's see the burial site first.
CHAPTER II: UNNAMED GRAVE
It's in the northern part of Gangwon Province...
That's rather unsettling.
But the fact that we can't open the coffin,
that's pretty strange.
Shouldn't we be checking the remains?
This means the shrouding is out of the question.
Could there be something in the coffin?
BOGUKSA TEMPLE
Have you ever seen a grave on top of a mountain?
It's uncommon.
Do you know this mountain?
It's my first time here.
For someone who has traveled to every corner of the country,
are there still places you're not familiar with?
Because I only look for the auspicious ones.
The dragon's energy stretches out far and wide!
Good.
Even North Korea is visible from here. See?
You can see North Korea.
The grave looks plain compared to its surroundings.
Is there anything written there?
It's unnamed.
Could you please tell me who suggested this burial site?
A famous monk at the time.
In recognition of my grandfather's great contributions to the country,
he told my father that he found the most auspicious burial site for him.
A monk?
Yes.
His Buddhist name was Gisune.
Gisune?
A very bizarre Buddhist name.
But the grave looks quite plain.
Grave robbers were rampant in those days,
so I heard he was sent off quietly in an unassuming manner.
What do you think?
Shall we set the date right away?
What's wrong?
Sir...
I'm afraid I can't carry out this task.
Here we go again.
Sang-deok!
- Who's he to decide? - What's going on?
Is it that bad?
Isn't there some way to figure this out?
Why aren't you saying anything?
But...
The mountain's shape is fine, so what's the problem?
Have you forgotten how much this deal is worth?
Sir, why are you doing this?
You guys know all too well...
what happens when you disturb a grave that shouldn't be meddled with.
I've been digging up lands for a living for 40 years,
but this grave is like nothing I've ever seen before.
It's the most ominous place imaginable.
A person should never be buried in a place like this under any circumstances.
If we mess with the wrong thing in a place like that,
everyone from the geomancer down to the laborers will die one by one!
Don't chime in unless you know what you're talking about.
Hwarim, you've seen the foxes, too.
Foxes and graves don't mix, it makes no sense.
It's the most ominous place of them all.
That was the last time I saw my son smiling.
The truth is...
I had two children before him,
but both ended in miscarriages for unknown reasons,
so he was conceived late in life after much effort.
Professor Kim, do you have any children?
Yes, I do.
I have a daughter who's getting married soon.
Congratulations.
No need for that...
Is your daughter in a similar line of work?
My daughter majored in aerospace engineering at KAIST,
and now she works for an airline in Germany.
But now that she's getting married, it's all chaos.
Interesting.
The father is a geomancer, while the daughter is an aerospace engineer...
Here's the thing.
If you carefully analyze these two fields,
you'll find many similar aspects.
The concept of the Five Elements,
it takes the earth as the starting point and includes water, fire, metal and wood,
which are studied as the essential elements constituting nature.
- And when it comes to aerospace engineering... - Then...
Please, save my son.
Mr. Park Ji-yong, are you keeping something from us?
- What do you mean? - 38.3417°,
128.3189°.
Latitude and longitude.
The numbers engraved on the back of the gravestone.
That monk named Gisune...
I don't know who that fellow is,
but he was unnervingly accurate.
Evidently he had a clear purpose.
No...
I don't know.
And I'm not hiding anything from any of you.
I'll say this again.
Relocating the grave from such a peculiar and ominous place is extremely dangerous.
It's like digging up a landmine with your bare hands.
Let's substitute the negative energy through a ritual.
I knew it.
We'll perform the ritual and relocate the grave simultaneously.
Why are you acting like this? You already knew the answer.
I don't believe in things I haven't tried.
Although it would be the first time doing the ritual while relocating the grave,
in theory, it's not impossible.
Wait a minute.
Why are we asking Professor Kim for permission?
It's not like he's the only geomancer in Korea.
That's why it's hard to work with old geezers.
Hey...
Look, he says his child is sick. Okay?
This hotel has good positioning.
- Good. - Let's go!
It's a sort of deceitful ritual, also called "redirecting the misfortune".
First, we create a connection between 5 workers born in the year of the Pig and 5 pigs,
then we let the 5 men dig up the grave.
The principle is to direct the negative energy emerging from the earth towards the 5 animals,
which I will then dissipate.
Your aunt is here.
It seems like your mother shared what's happening.
In the year of the Water Tiger,
on the new moon of October,
I, Go Young-geun,
respectfully stand in the presence of
the deceased Mr. Park from Miryang.
May the spirits grant protection.
Let there be no future hardships.
Please accept these offerings.
33 realms of the heavenly palace, 28 constellations of the earthly palace
In the 33 realms where all Buddhas and heavenly beings dwell, everything aligns
Our great ancestor ascended to the throne after the founding of the Joseon dynasty
Our foundation faces southward, in alignment with the solar noon
Mount Gwanak is our guide, Mount Inwang becomes the Azure Dragon
Stretching ten thousand li to the east, behold the White Tiger!
Let's go!
Very good!
- Up the mountain! - Up the mountain!
Exhumation!
There it is.
The grave has been opened!
Thank you for your hard work.
My goodness.
The cold here is brutal.
It's been so long, it's barely visible.
Wait, what is this?
Hey, it's a juniper wood coffin!
In the past, only the royal family used this kind of wood.
We had something like this here?
For real?
Lifting the coffin!
Yes, that's good.
Just like that. With a little more strength!
Lower it.
- Slowly, slowly. - Lower.
The coffin must be loaded intact into the hearse.
We're going straight to the crematorium.
You fellas bury the gravestone and wrap up everything here.
Let's change the ropes.
And don't eat meat today.
Yes.
I'm leaving after handling it with consideration.
Yes.
A deceased person lies inside and we can't even shroud his corpse.
Let's at least show him the proper respect.
Gosh...
I'm the man who even shrouded the corpse of an ex-president.
It's all over now. Loosen up, okay?
Let's see...
There's nothing there.
Let's go.
What's this?
Shit!
What is this?
Unbelievable.
- I'll talk to him. - Then I'll call the director.
Mr. Park.
It suddenly started raining out of the blue,
so we'll have to delay the cremation for a while.
How come?
It's not like we're cremating him outdoors.
If cremated on a rainy day,
the deceased won't be able to depart to a good place.
Call it superstition if you want,
but I'm telling you this as a matter of professional ethics.
These things do happen sometimes, yes.
In such cases,
the remains are placed at the morgue of a nearby hospital,
and the cremation is scheduled for the next auspicious day.
If we go to the hospital, won't we have to file a funeral report?
Sang-deok!
Sang-deok, I just got off the phone, it's all taken care of!
You can go straight away!
Don't worry about that.
We're acquainted with the staff there.
What do you mean by bringing an unopened coffin after relocating the grave?
Apparently the chief mourner doesn't allow us to open it.
- Here you go. - Oh, no need.
What in the world?
What's wrong with you?
- Take it, quickly. - Gosh...
The last team just left today, so it's quiet.
Oh, that's good.
My goodness... Rain on the cremation day...
It's difficult for him to depart for the other world.
- Do we need to set a new date? - Yes.
But can you really trust those people?
I gave them just enough and told them only what was necessary.
There is no need for concern.
Now that we have some time,
let's think of a way to bury him peacefully at the Yeoju Cemetery.
I'm still against the idea of cremating him.
He's my father, so I have the right to decide.
Go get some rest for now.
Since you're not allowed to open the coffin,
you can just leave it here.
I just need to set the humidity.
Thank you.
Wow... This coffin...
The deceased must have held a high position in the government.
- How have you been? - Hey, it's been a while.
The chief mourner and the rest of the family have all gone back to Seoul.
Hwarim says she's on her way here.
Since it's freezing outside,
you should go and have a bowl of hot soup.
I'll be back after going somewhere.
All right.
BOGUKSA TEMPLE
I don't think we've met before. How may I help you?
Oh, excuse me.
I was passing by and saw the sign on the road.
Oh, I see.
I'm here because...
The sign for Boguksa Temple is marked with a feng shui symbol.
It seemed a bit strange, so I thought I'd stop by.
Are you a geomancer?
Yes.
I was a disciple of Master Choi Eui-jung.
Even though currently I'm barely making a living on my own by digging the earth.
It may look worn out now,
but this place has been around for over 100 years.
The head monk who first built this temple here
was very skilled in feng shui and made quite a name for himself.
Oh, I see.
I can tell just by looking at this place.
So, I was wondering...
The name of that head monk...
Is it Gisune, by any chance?
Gisune?
No, he was Venerable Wonbong.
But why do you ask?
Ah...
On top of that mountain over there,
there is an unnamed grave.
- Do you happen to know anything about... - Of course.
I'm not sure if it's still talked about,
but I heard numerous rumors a long time ago.
What kind of rumors?
Instead of sitting alone in the dark,
why don't you go across the street and have a bowl of beef soup?
Sure, don't worry.
- Okay, I'm leaving. - Good job. See you.
Why do they always insist on deciding the menu for me?
There was a rumor of a treasure buried inside that grave.
A treasure?
Another rumor claimed that the grave belonged to the wealthiest man from the Joseon era.
There were also rumors suggesting it was an unknown royal tomb.
That's why, in the past, many grave robbers were lurking around it.
Grave robbers?
But they were all suddenly captured, and...
Apparently a few of them crossed the border to the North, or something.
So in the end, they failed to rob it?
They likely didn't even get a chance to attempt it.
Perhaps due to being a high-ranking person's grave, it was heavily guarded.
I heard they couldn't even get close to it.
These are...
The tools those people left behind.
But...
Why are you asking about that grave?
Today, I...
dug up that grave.
And well?
Was there a treasure buried there?
Excuse me!
What are you doing?
Hey!
Professor...
Professor!
Hey!
CHAPTER III: SPIRIT
What?
What do you mean?
The coffin has been opened?
He and his damned hands...
I've given him plenty, he really shouldn't be doing things like that.
No wonder he's got such an off-putting stare.
Oh...
What happened?
Something passed by her side.
What exactly passed by?
Something came out of there.
Something very threatening.
Dad...
My dad...
Jong-soon...
My son...
Open up for me, please.
Dad...
Come in.
Dad...
Our smart little puppy...
Here it flows with milk and honey,
while your father is hungry and cold.
Forgive me...
The spirit is probably wandering wildly at this very moment.
The chief mourner will be in danger.
Professor, please go to Seoul quickly ahead of me.
Meanwhile, we will summon the spirit back here.
Hold on, are you going to summon it back here?
For a century it wailed from beneath the ground,
yet no one pulled it out.
The spirit harbors nothing but hatred.
It will hunt down all of its relatives.
Talk about a mood killer...
Outside it's raining, the coffin lid gets opened, a ghost comes out...
I really don't wanna do this...
What on earth is going on?
Is it all right to do this on the same day as the energy redirecting ritual?
It's fine.
Elder Go, you must get the timing right.
- You need to take hold of it as soon as it enters. - Got it.
In the Sahā world of endurance, the land of all living things.
The Joseon Dynasty of the East Sea, the Republic of Korea.
Gangwon Province, 26 Bureaus;
The county is Goseong,
and the township is Jukwang.
We've come to officiate the rites for the deceased of the Park family.
At the first altar, five spirits;
At the second altar, one thousand catties;
At the third altar is the soul-summoning space, please return quickly.
Return to the space between the physical and spiritual world,
return to the space between life and death.
Come, come quickly!
Is it perhaps difficult to return due to the water being too deep?
Or is it due to an illness that you are bedridden and unable to return?
You should...
If you can't return because you have no clothes, return wearing mourning clothes.
If you can't return because you have no crutches, return using a bamboo cane.
If you can't return because you have no shoes, return wearing straw shoes.
If you can't return because you're thirsty, return after drinking 3 glasses of alcohol.
If you can't return because you have no dwelling, you are welcome at the shaman's residence.
If you can't return because your body has decayed,
let your spirit grab onto the pine needle branch.
If you can't return because you can't speak,
borrow the shaman's voice and return, even if only for a moment.
Reflecting on the past and present,
we all get gray hair and the only inevitable thing is death.
Possess him!
Yes, it's coming, it's on its way!
- It possessed him, he's possessed! - Bong-gil!
Let it in!
Grandpa...
Who are you?
Well?
Bong-gil, don't let it escape!
Oh, dear...
What made you feel so wronged?
Let's hear it.
- Well? - Shit...
Vent out all your repressed anger here today before you leave.
Don't go anywhere else.
My kin...
I'm taking them with me.
You can't do that.
We've lost it.
What do we do now?
Hello?
Ah, it's me, Kim Sang-deok, sir.
Is everything all right?
Yes.
How may I help you?
Oh, I'm glad.
Well, something came up, and...
I'm rushing over to you right now.
I know it's late, but can we talk for a moment?
Sure.
What's going on?
Mr. Park Ji-yong, you are staying at the same hotel as before, right?
Yes, I'm almost there.
I'll head up shortly.
Hold on.
Who is it?
Yes, it's me, Kim Sang-deok!
What?
Hello?
What is it? What happened?
Professor Kim, are you already at the door?
Excuse me! Director Park!
Ah, no, no, no! No!
That's not me.
This is happening because your grandfather's coffin has been opened.
Mr. Park Ji-yong!
It's an urgent matter, please open the door!
- My grandfather's coffin? - Ah, yes...
I apologize for the way things have developed.
Has anything happened inside?
With that said,
do not open that door under any circumstances and stay still.
- I'm almost there. - Mr. Park Ji-yong!
From this moment on,
you must follow only my instructions and remain calm.
Mr. Park Ji-yong, listen carefully.
Move away from the door and take shelter near the window.
Open the door, first.
It's urgent, I need to explain the situation to you as soon as possible!
Don't answer him.
Don't even listen to him!
First, go to the window and open it.
Your grandfather will protect you,
you just have to let him in.
Excuse me! Mr. Park!
Trust me! Hurry up!
Open it!
Mr. Park Ji-yong!
Mr. Park Ji-yong.
Are you all right?
Admirable young people of the peninsula!
Do you hear the roar of hundreds of planes and cannons?
March forth, sons of the Empire!
Lift your silver guns and swords in the radiant glow of the Rising Sun Flag!
For the new unity of Greater East Asia,
offer your very beings to the great Empire!
Ambulance...
Call an ambulance...
Please call an ambulance.
Okay?
Call an ambulance!
I saw it with my own eyes!
If we just stand by, it'll be one funeral after another.
- I'm going to the crematorium! - Okay, go!
And you need to get the cremation consent, I'll be right there on standby.
Right now...
- Your grandfather's coffin has been... - The fox has broken the tiger's spine.
Excuse me?
The fox has broken the tiger's spine.
I said the fox has broken the tiger's spine.
Mother-in-law.
Are you not feeling well?
She must be worn out from her trip to the countryside.
I need to rest for a bit.
Joseph's condition seems to be better today, doesn't it?
Eunice, I cannot reach anyone at home, so I'll go back home and check.
Sure, I'll be here.
Buddy, I'm asking you this because it's urgent!
When have I ever asked you for such a favor?
Bro, now is really not the time!
I'll be there shortly, so please hurry, will you?
And with this rain pouring down, what's this about a cremation?
What does the chief mourner have to say about this?
Something's come out of the coffin, man!
You get what I'm saying, right?
It needs to be cremated immediately.
Please contact the family in the US right away.
Excuse me?
What do you mean?
You saw it too.
The baby is the next one in danger.
On the treetop,
when the wind blows,
the cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
the cradle will fall,
and down will come baby,
cradle, and all.
No one is answering the phone at the US residence.
Then...
What is this?
You didn't shroud the corpse after relocating the grave?
Are you planning to burn it entirely?
If the district office finds out about this, there will be an uproar.
My father's coffin?
Yes, I don't know the reason either.
But they said it has to be cremated immediately.
What does that mean?
Hello, ma'am.
We need to act fast.
Your father is heading towards the newborn in the US as we speak.
- I'll cremate him. - No, wait.
The representative of the bereaved family hasn't given consent yet, wait a moment.
There's no one answering the phone at the US residence.
Therefore, you need to give us permission to cremate him.
Is this really the only way?
All right.
Cremate him.
Yes.
Burn it.
Oh dear, what a tragic fate...
He won't be able to depart to a good place.
Hitting the road
The beach roses along Myeongsasimni's shores
They wither, their leaves fall, harbor no sorrow
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, hey, oh-ho
Which enlightened being started it all?
Why did the notion of death come into existence?
Oh-ho, oh-ho
Oh-oh, oh-oh, hey, oh-ho
You've deviated from the route, restarting the search.
CHAPTER IV: SPIRITUAL RETRIBUTION (DISTURBED EARTH)
Sang-deok, you know Chang-min, right?
After relocating that grave,
he seems to have gotten quite sick.
Stop by and see him when you have time, okay?
Turn left
The hospital can't figure out what's wrong, either.
They just keep doing tests and draining my wallet.
I have these sinister dreams...
I even see things...
Sang-deok...
I think it's retribution for having angered a spirit.
It's just that...
Right after the exhumation that day, I saw something.
It looked strange.
That snake...
What? A snake?
Damn it, I should have just ignored it.
Sang-deok.
I want to ask you a favor.
Please find that snake cut in half, and perform a ritual offering for it.
I really didn't want to go there that day.
I truly didn't.
Sang-deok.
Something there felt off from the very beginning, don't you think so?
Why would there be a grave in such a place?
Stacked coffins.
Yes... I'm busy now.
I'm studying the Bible with some people from the church.
50,000 won.
Here you go.
Deal.
What?
Stacked coffins?!
Yes, it was right underneath.
But... Elder Go.
Have you ever seen a coffin standing vertically?
Hello.
Professor Hwarim?
Now the V-ups.
In a two-beat rhythm.
When the ground shifts, it does end up vertically sometimes, but...
Isn't it too big?
What's this?
What's that thing?
These...
It seems these were placed to prevent opening from the outside.
- Or if not... - If not, what?
Probably the other way around.
First, let's pull it out and have a look.
We're not pulling anything out.
First, the right thing to do is to inform the chief mourner.
We have to talk about our money as well.
Let's...
Let's not meddle with this.
Let's pull it out, first.
He has to be a family member.
We can't just leave this fellow here.
But this thing, how...
Let's just pull it out, go get the rope.
The sun is setting.
When I say one, two, three, pull hard.
One! Two! Three!
Is that even a human's coffin?
Where are we going?
BOGUKSA TEMPLE
What is happening?
As I've told you on the phone, I had to relocate a grave unexpectedly.
I will remain indebted to you for your help today.
The chief mourner said she's on her way here.
Is there a suitable area where we could place the coffin?
What on earth...
This... what is this?
Excuse me, Venerable, but do you happen to have some glutinous rice?
Bong-gil.
Go to the car and bring the horse blood.
You know this can't be anything good.
What do you mean by stacked coffins?
What in the world is that thing?
Please tell us everything you know.
I don't know.
I really don't.
I don't know why that thing was buried there,
and I don't know why my father's grave was in such a terrible place, either.
I saw what was inscribed on the funeral banner.
"Marquess Park Geun-hyun, Vice Chairman of the Privy Council."
Your father was infamous for selling out our country.
So as punishment, that monk chose for your father the most...
I know!
That's why I don't know anything else.
That monk named Gisune...
He wasn't Korean.
He was Japanese.
- What?! - He was Japanese?
His name was...
Murayama Junji.
I heard he knew every corner of Joseon's eight provinces like the back of his hand.
So why would he choose such an ominous burial site for my father who had been loyal to them?
I just can't wrap my head around it.
I've been notified that the baby in the US is feeling well.
I will prepare the remuneration that Ji-yong promised to you.
And as for that coffin...
Take care of it as you see fit.
As I have learned, the Buddha spoke of preserving life.
To relieve the suffering and illness, recite this scripture with reverence.
Invoking the spirit of the Wood Dragon to remove earthly misfortunes.
Seven thousand Buddhas shall deliver us from life's adversities.
Invoking the spirit of the Wood Tiger to liberate us from entanglements.
Seven thousand Buddhas shall break us free from mental and spiritual constraints,
and through the sexagenary cycle we shall be guided to deliverance.
Let's burn it right away.
Okay.
Let's burn it as soon as dawn breaks.
Yes, let's do that, it would lift a weight off my chest!
For real.
Excuse me...
I've boiled some noodles inside, come in and warm yourselves up.
Oh, yes. We appreciate it.
- All right. - This way.
Right from the start I had a bad feeling about that grave.
That mountain's shape just stretches on and on...
Come to think of it, I haven't eaten all day.
All right.
Please, have a drink.
Thank you.
Thank you, I will enjoy it.
Here's to everyone's good health!
The scent is unmatched!
This is a treasure of a drink.
- Let me pour you a glass, Venerable. - This is boiling hot.
- Yes. - I'll pour you a drink.
Do you also have some acorn jelly? Just kidding, I was trying to be funny.
CHAPTER V: GHOSTLY FIRE (ONI)
Yes, Murayama Junji.
Don't you remember?
Our teacher used to mention it from time to time.
In Japan... What was it called...
- A yin-yang master known as The Fox. - I remember.
The yin-yang master, Murayama.
Teacher said he even met him once, a long time ago.
He said his spiritual energy was so overwhelming that he wasn't a human being.
That he was, in fact, a fox cub.
But why do you ask?
Where are you now?
Nevermind.
All right.
Thank you, Gwangshim.
Talk to you soon.
Grandma.
I feel strange.
He took my liver.
My liver...
He took my liver.
Some bastard took my liver.
The bastard took my liver.
He took my liver.
Where are my clothes?
My clothes... my clothes... my clothes...
- Where are my clothes? - Shit...
Some bastard took my liver.
My clothes... my liver...
He took my liver.
Hwarim!
Damn it.
Shit, this stench of meat...
Because of the seal, it pierced through the ceiling.
This thing... right now...
What's the matter, you rascal? Speak!
This thing, right now it's...
I think it's in the pigsty down the valley.
Wake everyone up.
Yes.
The seal has been broken.
Are there humans here?
I've come to retrieve my helmet.
Are there humans here?
No.
There aren't.
There are no humans here.
I'm your subordinate.
Is that so?
Then,
did you bring sweet fish or melon?
Are the words of your Lord not reaching your ears?
I've beheaded the enemy commander.
No...
I'll prepare the sweet fish for you.
You're a human.
Run.
Bong-gil.
Bong-gil...
A pagoda.
Bong-gil...
Bong-gil.
Bong-gil! Bong-gil!
Wake up!
700,000 won to Kim Young-ja from the Sunsine Tea House...
170,000 won at the electronic appliance store...
I have to pay 2 million won to the Thousand Days funeral service company...
Minus 5 million won to the Mirae Asset company...
Professor, help me!
Help me!
Help me...
Bong-gil, wake up!
Try to wake up, Bong-gil...
This morning in Goseong County, Gangwon Province,
wild bear attacks resulted in casualties...
The fever still hasn't subsided, so I will administer a fever reducer.
At the damaged livestock barn in the village,
dozens of pigs were found with their abdomens torn open,
and two additional bodies were discovered having suffered the same attack.
The victims are a monk from a nearby temple,
and a migrant worker employed at the livestock barn.
Officials from the county office stated that the local government and military units
are working together to track down the wild bears.
Forgive me.
I shouldn't have suggested pulling him out of there...
Because of that, Bong-gil...
And the monk...
Bong-gil underwent the spiritual affliction when he was a baseball player and had to quit.
When he came looking for a teacher after being abandoned by his family,
I tried my best to stop him from becoming a shaman,
but he said he would be fine as long as he is with me.
That he had nothing to fear.
I was frozen with fear and I couldn't do anything.
It left footprints.
And it had a shadow.
In shamanism, there's this widely accepted theory.
Given that the spirit is incomplete and lacks a physical form,
ultimately the body and mind of a healthy person can never be defeated.
But that thing... is of a very different nature.
It's not just any spirit, but one bound to an object.
Bound to an object?
It emerges when the spirit becomes attached to an object and they evolve in tandem.
It's something that should never exist in our country.
I couldn't feel anything.
Neither its identity,
nor where it came from,
nor the reason why it dwelled at the Park family's grave.
He has many injuries in the abdominal area.
He also lost a lot of blood.
The problem is that his spine was also affected,
so let's send him to a larger hospital right away.
Since the injuries were caused by wild animals...
THE BACKBONE OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (BAEKDU-DAEGAN MOUNTAIN RANGE)
The fox has broken the tiger's spine.
Grave robbers were rampant in those days,
so a modest grave was set up for him in a place unknown to anyone.
The grave robbers' belongings are still in the storage.
"Our land, my comrades".
"Iron Blood Legion"?
We've managed to prevent organ damage in a timely manner.
We will have to conduct some additional tests,
but for now, he should have regained consciousness...
It's strange.
What happened to him?
Fortunately, he's gotten past the critical point,
but they said his spine was affected.
Can he walk?
He needs to pull through this.
Nonetheless, he's healthy.
What in the world have you been doing lately?
Tell me.
- Gwangshim. - Yes.
He reeks of meat.
I know, that's why I called you.
How about we play goblins again? It's been ages.
Park Ja-hye, what are you waiting for?
Lock the door.
CHAPTER VI: IRON STAKE
Bae Ji-dang.
Lee Chung-go.
Park Gil-ho.
Shin Pal-gyun.
Kim Jeong-bok.
Song Jong-ik.
Min Geun-ho.
Jeon Tae-hwan, Im Chung-shin.
That's right.
They look way too determined, for them to be mere grave robbers.
My goodness, ladies! It's been a while since we've seen each other!
Is everyone here?
I arrived just now.
The harvest season is over and the cold is creeping in,
so tell me, is everyone all right?
Oh my, since we've all gathered like this,
I should whip up some pancakes or something to bring over.
Don't worry.
I already brought sorghum rice cakes and some boiled pork.
I was really wondering where this delicious smell was coming from...
I hope you brought enough.
Yes, she brought plenty!
Even if we eat our fill, there will still be some left.
Then why don't we invite over Mr. Jang from across the street, and Mr. Je-cheon as well?
Why bother inviting busy people over?
Let's just eat quietly among ourselves.
That's right, let's just eat among ourselves.
Did you also bring some sweet fish?
What's this?
I think Mr. Yoon has arrived!
What are you talking about?
Haven't you heard that Mr. Yoon is working late tonight?
That's right, there's no way Mr. Yoon could have come.
What is everyone talking about?
Just tell us already!
Don't talk to him.
I heard he had an encounter with something extremely dangerous.
How dangerous could it have been, to have him bedridden like this?
Haven't you heard?
They say he met a spiritual guest last night.
What nonsense are you even spouting?
Goodness gracious... Mr. Yoon?!
What did you see that's got you scared stiff in bed?
No way!
This guy looks completely healthy to me.
Who was it?
The spiritual guest you met.
Tell me already.
My master.
Your master?
What kind of master?
Speak, you scoundrel.
My master killed 10,000 people and became a divine entity.
That master of yours...
Where is he now?
38.3417° - 128.3189°
Cherry blossoms...
He is the general who guards that place.
What the hell?
Master!
Grace me with your attention!
Here I am,
willing to serve as your vessel!
I'll wrench that piece of flesh from you.
Ja-hye...
Come here.
Please, save me, Ja-hye...
Filthy whores.
You will all die.
Hwarim, stay out of this.
It's a Japanese ghost.
I know.
These spirits will kill you even if you have no connections to them.
They kill anyone who merely approaches.
Haven't you seen it with your own eyes in Japan, back then?
Don't go even near them!
Even if your grandmother is by your side,
you mustn't get involved.
Let's go, Ja-hye.
Then what about Bong-gil?
I'll give you a call.
Let's go.
Is that thing down there?
That means it has returned to its original place.
But why did you go back there?
Well?
Well?!
Park Ji-yong said something before he died.
"The fox has broken the tiger's spine."
What does that mean?
In feng shui,
our country is seen as having the shape of a tiger.
A tiger holding the continent in its grip.
So?
The numbers engraved on the back of that gravestone.
Latitude and longitude!
Where do you think that place is?
Exactly, right there.
Right atop the tiger's spine.
That yin-yang master known as The Fox, whom Hwarim mentioned...
That fox cub...
He went there, and...
Drove an iron stake into the ground.
Then why was the Park family's grave on top of it?
These determined-looking people
were constantly searching for and extracting such stakes from the ground,
so he covered it with the grave of a high-ranking official from that era,
to prevent anyone from approaching it.
Then...
Why does a spirit dwell there?
Well?
He is the general who guards that place.
My master.
38.3417° - 128.3189°
Perhaps...
He's there to protect that iron stake.
Lee Hwarim...
Though we have a business relationship,
- let me ask you a favor that won't cost a thing. - Hold on.
If you're harboring some absurd ideas, don't even mention them.
So they crushed the national spirit
and split the country by driving iron stakes into the ground?
Do you still believe in these things?
Those iron stakes at the temple are all for land surveying!
You know that too!
Even the academic conferences have stated that 99% of them are fakes.
And the remaining 1%?
- Elder Go. - What is it?
This isn't just an ordinary grave.
There's something meticulously calculated about it!
Not long ago, you witnessed people dying because of that grave.
Do you want to see that happen again?
Sang-deok.
Regardless of where that iron stake was driven,
we've lived just fine until now, without any issues!
So what's gotten into you all of a sudden?
That's right.
You and I,
we sold land to wealthy people and have lived well from it since.
And that's exactly why!
Elder Go, it's land we're talking about here, land!
The very land our future grandchildren will tread upon and live their lives!
And you, and I, and all of us!
And those who come after us.
Hwarim, you said it's a spirit bound to an object.
If that spirit is indeed bound to the iron stake,
doesn't it mean we simply need to remove the stake?
And once we get rid of that stake, Bong-gil might also get better!
Gosh...
But you said the general, or whatever it is, is clinging to it!
So how are we going to pull it out?
You've seen that thing at the temple, too.
The mere thought...
Lure it like a beast,
and speak to the spirit.
Do you really believe we can do this?
Some things are within our power,
- while some aren't! - I'm sorry, but that spirit...
It's not something we can get rid of.
Even if it doesn't hold grudges,
it kills everyone who approaches it.
It's a Japanese ghost.
But...
Although we can't get rid of it,
I can make it come out for a short while.
I can buy us some time.
Bong-gil!
I need more Betadine, please.
I'll sterilize the area again with saline solution before applying the bandage.
All right.
Hold on a second.
That bastard avoided the tattoos!?
What kind of tattoo is this?
A scripture to ward off evil spirits.
Excuse me.
There have been victims in the vicinity due to wild animals, so...
Oh, I...
Where...
Where are you heading to?
Oh... Well...
We've come to tidy up the grave site up there.
Ah, yes...
We've been searching that mountain with the military for the past few days.
Oh, we...
We'll head up there right away,
and return as soon as the job is done.
Oh, I see...
Clear the way for them.
We're heading back. Returning to base.
Since we've given him what he wanted,
he'll likely make a move at around 2 o'clock.
If I can lure him to the yew tree,
I'll buy us as much time as possible.
We'll pull out the iron stake right away,
so hang in there for just 30 minutes.
And you two...
After you pull out the iron stake,
I'll cleanse it with this horse blood, then I'll dispose of it.
Professor Kim.
That iron stake...
Are you sure it's there?
One hundred percent.
Gwangshim.
Please look after Bong-gil today.
If things go south, he will be in danger.
Stop staring.
She said he'll come out at around 2 o'clock.
Elder Go.
In any case, thank you for accompanying me.
"Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves,
for a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:12.
Amen.
Gwangshim.
I hope we won't have to sacrifice it.
It will die in Bong-gil's place.
But you love eating fried chicken at Kyochon, so what's the issue?
Have you eaten your fill?
This side.
May I ask who's there?
My mountain is disturbed.
Is this your mountain?
That's exactly so. This is my mountain.
What's the deal with this damned old tree?
But why don't I hear gunshots or the clash of swords?
Those are things of the past.
The war is long over.
No!
Our war is not yet over!
What binds you to this place?
Originally, I was enshrined at the Daitoku Temple,
but that cunning fox, instead of taking me to the Namsan Shrine, he brought me here!
Gatahito's sons must have ordered him to do so.
Or maybe it was Makoto's doing...
This is now a peaceful land.
You have no reason to be here anymore.
You're wrong.
You're wrong!
We must keep heading north.
Lift your silver guns and swords and keep moving forward!
To the north.
To the north!
The valiant centipede knows not of retreat!
What is this?
Nothing turns up.
Damn it.
As the owner of this domain, I shall ask again.
How long have you been here?
Show proper courtesy!
I am the one to be feared.
This is my domain!
I shall ask again! What exactly are you?
There's nothing here.
Nothing!
There's nothing here!
You said you were one hundred percent sure!
Shit!
Damn it!
Heed my words.
Though the enemy beheaded me at Sekigahara, I've already conquered my physical form.
I am the God of War!
He is the eternal master who never decays, the blazing sword!
38.3417° - 128.3189°
That fox put a spell on me, I must guard this place!
Have you taken command of someone?
Set free the human you're controlling!
Hurry!
Please!
A human!
March forth!
That old hag!
- Have you found it? - No.
- There's nothing there! - What do you mean?
There's nothing there!
We must leave right away!
Sang-deok.
It's not possible.
It's not possible!
38.3417° - 128.3189°
Please return, my Lord!
38.3417° - 128.3189°
Kim Sang-deok!
Sang-deok!
Get out of there quickly!
Then why does a spirit dwell there?
He said he's the general who guards that place.
That means it has returned to its original place.
Have you ever seen a coffin standing vertically?
It's fire.
That fire goes into the earth.
Get out of there!
Will you become my subordinate?
If not...
Will you offer me your liver?
I memorized the full text of the Diamond Sutra inscribed on your body.
It's been over 500 years!
The iron stuck in the ground...
And the fire protecting that place.
The liver...
Please consume it!
That fresh liver...
Horse blood! The horse blood!
White horse blood...
It burns!
Please get back inside, my Lord!
You mustn't get caught again.
It's a spirit bound to an object.
The spirit becomes attached to an object and they evolve in tandem.
That's right.
It's iron.
You yourself are the burning iron.
Sang-deok!
- Sang-deok! - Wake up!
Lift him onto your back, we have to leave right away.
It's earth...
And the tree's wood.
Above the earth's energy, the elements of fire, water, wood and metal...
They complete the cycle of the four seasons.
Fire and water are polar opposites.
Metal and wood are also polar opposites.
It's done!
Burning metal...
Its polar opposite is...
Soaked wood.
Water quenches fire...
And the soaked wood...
withstands the metal!
Gwangshim, wait a minute!
The blood is black.
Now... for the last...
Bong-gil, are you all right?
Sang-deok...
- What should we do... - Professor...
What should we do?
This...
I'm on the brink of death.
Fortunately, it doesn't hurt that much.
Hey, Kim Sang-deok!
Stay with us!
I have always lived close to death.
That's right.
- This time, it's simply my turn. - 200 joules.
Death means returning to the earth.
Peacefully...
Ah, wait a minute.
My daughter's wedding.
Please, Lord, give him the strength to get through the surgery.
Embrace him in the precious blood of our Savior.
Over several days, some people have passed away,
while others have been gravely injured.
The surveillance camera footage was obtained following a tip-off from a village resident...
After a long search, the soldiers
finally managed to capture a wild bear alive.
The deliberation over saving or sacrificing the innocent bear has sparked a heated debate.
Public opinion is fiercely divided.
Initially, the plan involved sacrificing the bear to ensure the safety of the residents, but...
Oh...
He's awake.
Sang-deok!
Are you feeling better?
Yes?
Fortunately, Professor Kim recovered quickly for his age.
And Bong-gil...
Well...
Oh, we've been busted.
Are you kidding me?
This is our food!
- So you're eating without me? - Fine, have some.
I'll grab a slice.
Gonna enjoy this.
What is this, a restaurant?
Do you come here every day just to eat?
Do you think I eat because I want to?
They force me to eat! Because it's delicious.
It really is.
He's fasting, can't be helped.
Well, at least someone's got to eat to stay alive.
Sang-deok, take this as an opportunity to lose some weight.
Winter has passed,
and everyone returned to their daily lives.
As if nothing had ever happened.
Let's go!
In this world, I dwell but briefly
Singing hymns till daylight fades
Should You call me, Lord, I'll answer
Marching forth to glory's shades
Heaven's gates stand wide before me...
I clearly told them it needs to be positioned in alignment with the sun.
Merely facing it southward does not make it auspicious by default.
Then what should we do?
Next up...
The groom and bride will bow to each other.
The groom and bride will now greet.
Next up, the family members and close friends of the bride and groom will gather
- for the photo session. - Hey.
- Elder Go! - Please come forward.
Hey, come here.
Why would we squeeze in with the close relatives? Forget it!
Let's just take one photo.
Let's go and take just one photo.
- We're like family at this point. - But it's a family photograph...
The tall person in the middle,
please step back a bit.
The person on the left wearing glasses,
please move in a little closer.
Yes.
Both the father and the daughter sporting bellies...
What on earth is this? For goodness' sake.
All right, we'll take the photo.
Father of the bride...
Look straight ahead.
Yes, thank you all for your patience.
Now, everyone, smile together.
One, two, three!
EXHUMA
Choi Min-sik
Kim Go-eun
Yoo Hae-jin
Lee Do-hyun
Kim Min-jun, Kim Jae-cheol
Kim Sun-young, Kim Ji-an
a Jang Jae-hyun film