Jakarta Film Week 2024 Explores the Creative Process Behind the Success of ‘Exhuma’, A Big Hit Korean Movie in Indonesia

On the final day of Jakarta Film Week 2024, a talk program titled “Showcase: Exhuma, The Megahit Emerges” was held, featuring Exhuma’s producer, Kim Young Min. The event, hosted by Agung Sentausa, Director, Producer, and Chairperson of IFDC Association, took place at the Mercure Hotel in Cikini, Central Jakarta, and was open to the public. This allowed fans and curious viewers to delve into the production and creative process behind Exhuma.

Exhuma, a Korean horror film, has become the highest-grossing Korean film in Indonesia, with five times more viewers than in Korea. This highlights the strong enthusiasm of Indonesian audiences for this film.

In response, Jakarta Film Week 2024 organized this talk program with Kim Young Min, offering fans and filmmakers the opportunity to learn firsthand about the creative journey behind Exhuma—from pre-production to post-production. During the session, Kim Young Min discussed the complex challenges in achieving a natural flow and visual style.

Kim Young Min explained each stage of production, from storyboarding and selecting filming locations to create a chilling atmosphere, to designing the film’s poster. He emphasized the importance of lighting and sound effects in creating a suspenseful atmosphere, as well as the use of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) to enhance the horror experience without sacrificing the film’s authenticity. “We used CGI, especially for the characters and locations, to help us create the scenes and visuals we wanted,” he explained.

The session concluded with a Q&A, where the audience eagerly seized the rare opportunity to ask Kim Young Min direct questions. Interestingly, Kim turned the tables by asking the audience about their views on Exhuma’s success in Indonesia. He suggested that the film’s themes of mysticism and witchcraft might strongly resonate with local beliefs and culture. Additionally, Indonesians are known for their curiosity and interest in exploring other cultures, including Korean culture, especially when the storyline reflects similarities with local traditions.

Through this session, Kim Young Min brought the audience closer to the creative process behind Exhuma, offering valuable insights for fans and filmmakers in Indonesia. This program is hoped to open collaboration opportunities between Indonesian and Korean filmmakers, adding new dimensions to the film industry.

Many exciting events await at Jakarta Film Week 2024. For more information, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow @jakartafilmweek on social media. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this international film celebration in Jakarta this year!

Asia Khairunnisa Luthan | Nanda Hadiyanti