Get ready for some chills! The occult horror film ‘Shrine: Whisper of the Evil Spirit,’ which blends Korean shamanism with Japan’s unique horror vibes, has announced its theatrical release for June 17. Along with the date, the first poster and main trailer have been unveiled, kicking off the summer horror fever.
Set in an abandoned shrine in Kobe, Japan, the movie begins with the mysterious disappearance of three college students on a field trip. Myung-jin (played by Kim Jaejoong), a shaman with extraordinary spiritual powers, tracks the truth behind the vanishings and engages in a desperate battle against an unidentified evil spirit.
The first poster showcases an old torii gate, the boundary between the divine and human worlds, and the gloomy atmosphere of the abandoned shrine. The chilling caption, “Something has started to be heard,” contrasts with the lit interior of the shrine, sparking fear about the evil spirit lurking within.
The main trailer is visually stunning, featuring an exotic and eerie mise-en-scène captured through on-location filming in Kobe. The film creates a unique aura by intertwining traditional Korean shamanism with Japanese mysticism. The tension peaks as students step into a forbidden area and vanish as if possessed. The story then follows Myung-jin, who arrives in Kobe at the urgent request of his junior Yumi (played by Gong Seong-ha), and teams up with Pastor Han-ju (played by Go Yoon-jun) to uncover the identity of the evil spirit.
Genre fans are already buzzing about the unique worldview where indigenous Japanese beliefs and Korean shamanism collide. In particular, Kim Jaejoong’s transformation into the bold character of a shaman is expected to give audiences a fresh and shocking experience.
Online reactions have been explosive since the trailer’s release. Fans on social media are counting down the days, commenting, “Summer is all about this kind of horror,” “It was worth the wait,” and “It looks scary, but I have to see it because I’m so excited for Kim Jaejoong’s transformation.”
The film is directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, whose talent is recognized worldwide. Known as a master of delicate direction, he won three awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival for ‘Yoko’s Journey’ and was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival for ‘#Manhole.’ This project, his first Korean film, has already proven its artistic quality by being invited to the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
The cast is equally impressive. Kim Jaejoong leads the film with intense energy as Myung-jin, while Gong Seong-ha, who showed solid acting in ‘Through the Darkness,’ takes on the role of Yumi, challenging herself as the next horror queen. Joining them is the talented Go Yoon-jun as Pastor Han-ju, completing a perfect acting ensemble.
