Yesan County in South Chungcheong has announced a drastic response after the horror film Salmokji: Whispering Water went unexpectedly viral: a blanket nighttime access ban on local reservoirs.
The film Salmokji: Whispering Water is a horror title centered on bizarre incidents at a rumor-shrouded reservoir. It opened on the 8th and shot straight to No. 1 at the box office, holding the top spot on powerful word of mouth. The story captures an unidentified figure on camera, unleashing a series of events that defy science and throw the protagonists into chaos.
In particular, as Salmokji Reservoir in Yesan became the movie’s real-life backdrop, visitor numbers reportedly spiked. In response, the county imposed a nighttime curfew. On the 14th, through its official social media, Yesan County announced, "To prevent nighttime safety accidents, all visits to Salmokji will be fully restricted from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day." The restrictions also include strict enforcement against basic-order violations such as camping and cooking within the reservoir area, fishing, and littering.
The move follows viral posts showing long lines of cars near Salmokji late at night after the film’s release. On online communities, photos even showed queues of vehicles heading to the reservoir past 3 a.m., drawing massive attention.
Some netizens reacted, saying, "Salmokji just became a K-tourist spot" and "A must-visit landmark when traveling in Korea?"—signaling the site’s sudden rise as a new attraction.
Salmokji was created in 1982 to supply agricultural water and has long been associated with chilling folklore about water spirits.