Following Alien Footprints... 'Hoop' in Reality: I Visited HoPohang [Reporter's Notebook]

*This content was translated by AI.

• 'Hoop' Filming Location: Gwangju Jeonnam Integrated Special City, Haenam County, Bukpyeong-myeon, Namchang-ri — Special Report

It all began here. The 'HoPohang' from the movie, where animal carcasses were first discovered and a desperate battle unfolded against alien attacks, still breathes vibrantly. The only change is that this space, once filled with tension on screen, has now become the daily life of residents living ordinary lives. Where film and reality coexist, traces of 'Hoop' remain intact.

In this small village with a registered population of 418, visitors follow the alien footprints carved into Culture Street in search of remnants from the movie 'Hoop'.

'Hoop' (directed by Na Hong-jin), which surpassed 3 million viewers in its second week of release and is gaining popularity, tells the story of 'Beom-seok' (played by Hwang Jung-min), a police station chief stationed in HoPohang near the Demilitarized Zone. After hearing from local youths that a tiger has appeared, the entire village goes on high alert as he encounters an unbelievable reality.

The HoPohang village was filmed after remodeling the area of Namchang-ri, Bukpyeong-myeon, Haenam County, Jeollanam-do, where actual residents live. Filming took place over approximately three months in a massive HoPohang set that recreated not only alleys and streets but also shops, plazas, and bus terminals throughout the village.

The spaces depicted in the film remained in reality even after filming concluded. Haenam County developed the site into 'Bukpyeong HoPohang Movie Street', bringing the screen world into real life.

An old terminal building has been renovated with a police station concept from the film, and shop signs have been replaced to match their appearance during filming. Additionally, murals of the lead actors, alien sculptures, and the Stella police car featured in the movie have been installed, allowing visitors to experience the world of the film firsthand.

Walking along the alien footprints carved into the ground, the alleys and streets where 'Beom-seok' desperately ran appear before your eyes as if blurring the boundary between reality and cinema.

An official from Haenam County explained, "Since filming had to be completed in a short period, most signs were made of wood. Although they were temporary signs created for filming, some shops still use them today because they have a nice retro atmosphere."

Notably, the Stella police car, an iconic prop from the film, was reproduced exactly as it appeared in the movie. The official stated, "The displayed vehicle is not the one actually used during filming; the original filming car was already damaged. However, there is a collector in Haenam who owns a Hyundai Stella. We were able to produce a replica identical to the film version by borrowing his car free of charge. We are truly grateful for their generous cooperation."

A convenience store that served as residents' daily space transformed into 'Seonil Supermarket' in the movie. After filming ended, it returned to its original state, but now displays photos taken together with director Na Hong-jin and actors Hwang Jung-min and Jung Ho-yeon, along with a sign reading "Wishing for Hoop's Success," drawing attention.

When asked directly, resident Mr. Kim said, "I originally lived here, but this is the first time so many tourists have visited." He added with a smile, "My mouth hurts from guiding everyone around." He then expressed his wish: "I hope 'Hoop' becomes even more successful and attracts even more visitors."

The actual filming site also left special memories for the actors. Hwang Jung-min, who starred in 'Hoop', recently appeared on YouTube's 'Na Young-seok's Na-bul-na-bul' and recalled the filming period. He said, "We kept the real buildings intact and erected thick temporary walls in front of them to recreate the era depicted in the film. The surrounding area is where local elders live. When residents would say 'Ready, Action,' we waited until they called 'Cut' before moving out. I felt this scene had to be filmed perfectly."

Since the filming site was special for the actors, it also became an unforgettable memory for the residents.

An official from Haenam County stated, "As shops cooperated with the filming, the production company provided appropriate compensation. For residents, this is something rarely experienced in rural villages, so they accepted the filming process with joy. They found it fascinating and fun that actors ran around in front of their homes during filming and even borrowed restrooms. Although there may have been some inconveniences during filming, today they speak fondly of the experience of lead actors like Hwang Jung-min and Jung Ho-yeon visiting the village for scenes. Thanks to this, residents' cooperation proceeded smoothly."

Once known as a 'backward area', this space has now transformed into a street preserving '1980s nostalgia' and is emerging as a new tourist destination. In fact, supermarkets, coffee shops, and nearby restaurants in Namchang-ri have seen a significant increase in customers compared to usual.

The official added, "It would be ideal if the influx of tourists brings vitality to local restaurants and cafes, generating revenue that benefits the regional economy. Namchang was once perceived as a backward village, but through this film, its vintage atmosphere and retro charm have become unique attractions. Our hope is not for it to be a fleeting tourist spot, but to establish itself as a place where people consistently visit."

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*This content was translated by AI.