‘Sinmyeong’, a provocative encounter between Korean politics and the occult through unfamiliar questions.

The movie ‘The Divine Fury’ has garnered attention for its exceptional format and subject matter, rising to the top of the Korean box office and demonstrating significant commercial success. The film chose the challenging genre of ‘occult political drama’ and integrated two disparate themes of occult and politics into the narratIVE, focusing on the story of Yoon Ji-hee, who seeks power through mysterious forces, and journalist Jung Hyeon-soo, who aims to uncover the truth. Furthermore, the fact that the film’s release date was June 2, just a day before the early presidential election, further enhanced the political symbolism of the movie. According to the production team, the original intention of the project was not unrelated to real politics. Producer Jung Cheon-soo explained, “During the intense production schedule of about four months, the special circumstances of the impeachment crisis influenced the direction of the film.” Director Kim Nam-kyun stated, “I wanted to create a new narratIVE at the intersection of occult and social issues,” adding that some aspects of real politics naturally found their way into the screenplay. The background of the rise in ticket sales was also influenced by the online interest that had been building up before the release. During a YouTube lIVE broadcast of ‘Open Empathy TV’ on May 31, PD Jung Cheon-soo’s statement about inviting former President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife to the VIP premiere sparked controversy. Although it was not confirmed whether the couple actually attended, the statement itself was enough to pique the public’s curiosity and further amplify interest in the movie. ‘The Divine Fury’ is currently screening nationwide with a rating of 15 and above. Audiences are interpreting the symbols and implications in the film, expanding their perspectIVE beyond simple political satire to questioning the power structures of society as a whole. With its genre experimentation and social messages, ‘The Divine Fury’ leaves a lasting impact not only in terms of popular success but also in critical interpretations.