Hwang Jung-min Stars in New Film “Hope” as Filming Location in Haenam Is Built Into an 1980s-Themed Street

At the Cannes Film Festival, director Na Hong-jin’s new film “Hope”—the filming site in Namchang-ri, Bukpyeong-myeon, Haenam County, South Jeolla Province—is set to get an eye-catching cultural street.

On the 27th, Haenam County said the county has begun in earnest a project to create a themed street that recreates the landscapes of the 1970s and 1980s in the Namchang-ri area.

The site is the real stage for the DMZ’s “Hopo Port”, a major backdrop in the film. From October 2023 for about three months, major actors including Hwang Jung-min and the production team stayed there and filmed.

Beyond simple environmental improvements, the county plans to combine the film’s narrative with local cultural resources to transform the area into a nationally known tourist destination.

The existing bus terminal at the center of Bukpyeong-myeon will be fully remodeled with a police station concept, a symbolic place from the film.

The newly revamped terminal is expected to serve as an information center welcoming visitors and as a hub for communication.

Throughout the street, retro signs used during filming will be hung, and special sculptures—such as alien-like creatures that appear in the movie—will be installed to add visual enjoyment.

In particular, by placing the “Stella” police car used as a film prop, alien-related sculptures, and a variety of hands-on experience content, the county will offer visitors an immersion that makes them feel as if they have stepped into the movie.

Infrastructure will also be significantly expanded to improve convenience for tourists and deliver an engaging story.

At the entrances to the street and major hubs, information boards featuring the film’s settings and behind-the-scenes stories will be installed, along with an intuitive route guidance system optimized for walking tourism.

In addition, the county plans to build a range of photo spots by linking existing historical resources in the Namchang area—such as Dalryangjinseong Fortress and HaeWolru—with the coastal deck walking path, boosting tourism competitiveness further.

A Haenam County official said, “Through the film ‘Hope,’ we will showcase a new win-win tourism model by fusing the original cultural content unearthed with the region’s own unique resources.”

“Hope” is a SF action thriller depicting the story of Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the manager on an assignment at the Hopo Port office near the DMZ, as he faces an unknown presence.

Invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival and generating buzz, the film is currently in post-production and is set for release in South Korea next July.