[Edaily Reporter YUN GI BACK ] “Where was the movie filmed?”

At a supermarket in Namchang-ri, Bukpyeong-myeon, Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, there has recently been a sharp increase in visitors from out of town asking this very question. Tourists—coming in groups of families and couples—have been streaming into this rural store, which was previously frequented only by locals, to buy drinks and ask about the filming locations for the movie “Hope.” The store owner said he gets so tired of pointing out the direction to the alley and the old bus terminal several times a day that “my throat hurts.”
Since the release of the movie “Hope,” Namchang-ri—the actual filming location—has seen a steady stream of visitors embarking on what’s been dubbed a “filming location pilgrimage.” According to Haenam County on the 22nd, an average of about 200 visitors per day came to Namchang Village during the three-day Constitution Day holiday (17th–19th). This means that in a small village with a registered population of 418, nearly half the number of residents were outsiders in a single day.

The village’s atmosphere has also changed. In the alleyways lined with retro-style signs, visitors took photos while alternately gazing at scenes from the movie and the actual scenery. It was common to see people placing their hands on the giant footprints of an alien creature recreated on the ground to gauge its size, or chatting among themselves, asking, “Isn’t this where that chase scene took place?” A steady stream of visitors also gathered to take commemorative photos in front of the trick art depicting the Stella police car driven by Beom-seok and Seong-ae, as well as the building destroyed by the alien attack. An empty commercial space behind the old Namchang Intercity Bus Terminal was transformed into the “Hopo Police Station” from the movie, capturing the attention of visitors.
Namchang Village served as the backdrop for the fictional “Hopori” and “Hopohang” near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the film. For about three months starting in late 2023, lead actors including Hwang Jung-min filmed key scenes battling alien lifeforms in the village alleys and nearby fields, and many of the dilapidated shops, alleys, and old buildings were captured on screen exactly as they appeared in real life.
An official from Haenam County said, “Namchang-ri is a residential area, not a tourist destination, so there were almost no out-of-town visitors before,” adding, “Since it became known as the filming location for ‘Hope,’ visitors have been coming from all over the country.”

The pilgrimage to the filming locations is also breathing new life into the local business district. Supermarkets, coffee shops, and nearby restaurants in Namchang-ri have seen a significant increase in customers compared to usual, and restaurants that used to be quiet even on holidays are now bustling before lunchtime. Residents also say, “Our once-quiet village is coming alive again for the first time in a long while,” and are hoping the film’s success will lead to a revitalization of the local economy.
To coincide with the film’s release, Haenam County has created the “Bukpyeong HOPE Movie Street” in the Namchang-ri area. The old terminal building was renovated to resemble the police station featured in the film, shop signs were replaced to match their appearance during filming, and murals of the lead actors, alien sculptures, and a Stella police car were installed. The county also plans to develop the area into a destination for extended stays by creating sightseeing routes that connect with nearby attractions such as Dallangjin Fortress, Haewolru Pavilion, and the coastal boardwalk.

An official from Haenam County stated, “Since this is still the first week of the film’s release, the real surge in tourism demand is just beginning,” adding, “We expect even more tourists to visit as this coincides with the vacation season. We plan to continuously enhance related content so that the film’s popularity can lead to the revitalization of the local business district and tourism.”
Meanwhile, while “Hope” has been praised for its overwhelming scale and visual beauty, opinions remain divided regarding its plausibility and ending. Amid this, the film continues its box office success, recording a cumulative audience of 2,400,1626 as of the 21st (according to the Korean Film Council’s integrated computer network).