Clash Between Filmmakers and Local Authorities Sparks Protests and Legal Action

DOHO ENTERTAINMENT

Wonju City and the creators of the upcoming horror film "Mount Chiak" are embroiled in a contentious battle, with the city authorities expressing concerns that the movie's use of a real mountain's name could damage tourism and the city's reputation. This escalating dispute has culminated in protests and a legal request to ban the film's screening.

"Mount Chiak," based on an urban legend alleging gruesome murders, dismemberments, and burials at the actual Mount Chiak in Wonju, Gangwon, in 1980, has faced opposition from the regional government. Notably, the urban legend has no basis in historical events, as confirmed by the Wonju Police Station.

Wonju City has persistently demanded that the film's title be altered and all references to Mount Chiak be removed, citing potential harm to the mountain's image and the city itself. Furthermore, the city administration insists that the movie should include a disclaimer at the beginning, clearly stating that the depicted events are entirely fictional.

However, the film's producer, Oh Sung-il of Doho Entertainment, has expressed practical challenges in fully meeting these demands. With primary filming already completed, it is impossible to erase all mentions of the mountain's name from the dialogue or move the disclaimer to the beginning of the film.

During a screening of "Mount Chiak" on Thursday, a disclaimer asserting the purely fictional nature of the events was displayed at the end of the film. Plans are underway to edit the digital cinema package to position the disclaimer at the film's outset.

In response to the conflict, Wonju City and four social groups are exploring the possibility of seeking an injunction to prevent the screening of "Mount Chiak." Social groups have already filed for such an injunction as of Thursday, while the city government contemplates a separate application.

Despite the tensions, the film's producers remain hopeful for an amicable resolution. Oh stated, "We still have some time before the film's release, and we wish to resolve this matter on friendly terms." He also believes that the film's content would not dissuade viewers from visiting the actual mountain.

In a show of protest, social groups from Wonju staged a demonstration in front of the cinema where the press conference for "Mount Chiak" was scheduled to take place, calling for the conference's cancellation, the film's non-premier, and the exclusion of the mountain's name from the movie.

Doho Entertainment has taken down promotional material for "Mount Chiak" from social media accounts related to the film and has proposed a special screening with Wonju residents featuring the film's main cast.

This dispute echoes previous instances where film titles or content raised concerns about harming a region's image, as seen with "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" (2018) and "The Wailing" (2016). The issue extends beyond films to TV series, as exemplified by Netflix's "Narco-Saints," criticized for its portrayal of Suriname.

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