“Exhuma” has officially become the Korean film with the largest number of viewers in Indonesia. As of March 9, this horror film had been watched 800 thousand times in Indonesian cinemas, surpassing “Parasite” (2019), which previously reached around 700 thousand viewers. This figure continues to rise as of the time of writing.
Along with its success, various aspects of this film continue to pique the audience’s curiosity, including the giant figure of a Japanese general portrayed by Kim Byung Oh, who hunts Kim Go Eun and her friends in the film.
The giant actor later appeared and joined in a stage greeting at the “Exhuma” screening event. Let’s delve into information about Kim Byung Oh, the actor behind the giant Japanese general in the film “Exhuma.”
1. Short Bio of Kim Byung Oh, Who Portrays the Giant Japanese General in “Exhuma”
Cast of giant Japanese generals in Exhuma (Instagram.com/showbox.movie)Name: Kim Byung Oh
Place of birth: Seoul
Date of birth: September 5, 1990
Education:
- Dunsan Elementary School
- Daejeon High School
- Chung Ang University
Tall: 220.8 cm
Heavy: 122kg
Size shoe: 53
Profession: basketball player (center), actor
2. Not CGI, the Japanese General’s Body is Super Tall Because Kim Byung Oh Stands at 2.2 Meters
Cast of giant Japanese generals in Exhuma (Instagram.com/showbox.movie)For those who have watched “Exhuma,” you undoubtedly remember the demon figure who served as the “enemy boss” in the horror film. Throughout almost half the duration of the film, Choi Min Sik, Kim Go Eun, Lee Do Hyun, and Yoo Hae Jin have to risk their lives to defeat the giant figure guarding the stake on the border of South and North Korea.
The demon is depicted in the form of a samurai, nearly twice as tall as an ordinary human being, clad in armor from the Japanese feudal era. It’s not CGI; the actor portraying this giant samurai general is genuinely that tall. He is Kim Byung Oh, a former basketball player.
With a height of 220.8 cm, Kim Byung Oh is noted as the second-tallest basketball athlete in South Korea, after Ha Seung Jin (221.6 cm). He began his career in high school and earned a spot on the Chung Ang University basketball team. Unfortunately, declining performance and injuries prevented him from joining the KBL, also known as the South Korean Basketball League, in 2013 and 2014.
3. Revealing the Facts About the Scene of Eating Raw Fish and Filming Barefoot on a Mountain in Winter
Exhuma film trailer (doc. Showbox/Exhuma)In his interview with Sports ChosunKim Byung Oh shares the behind-the-scenes challenges of playing a monster in a film Exhuma. He also expressed the kindness that the main stars did for him.
One of the iconic parts that the audience remembers most is the scene involving the saba fish (silverfish). A giant Japanese general is seen squeezing and eating the fish alive in the film Exhuma.
“Saba fish (silverfish) that was snatched by hand in the burial ground was really a live fish. The smell is very fishy. “But, if the saba fish that is eaten alive is actually a delicious jelly prepared by the property team, how come,” said Kim Byung Oh, as reported by Sports Chosun on Saturday (9/3/2024).
“It was tough acting with bare feet and hands in the mountains in cold weather,” he recalled. “However, senior Choi Min Sik looked after the fire and senior Yoo Hae Jin talked to me when I was alone, chatting warmly with me and making sure I was comfortable on set, Kim Byung Oh continued.
4. Minimal CGI, Director Jang Jae Hyun Aims to Create Realistic Charisma and Horror
Exhuma film trailer (doc. Showbox/Exhuma)Kim Byung Oh admitted to being surprised about why he was needed to play this giant figure. According to him, everything could be achieved with CGI nowadays. For instance, in the film “Avatar” (2009), players could be transformed into figures 3 to 4 meters tall using computer effects.
“So when I was invited, I wondered why I was needed, but upon watching the film, I understood. Ah! That’s it! It took 6 hours for makeup on the face and 2 hours to remove it. That’s how much effort the director put into directing the film,” he said.
According to Kim Byung Oh, director Jang Jae Hyun aimed to make the cruel figure, the main enemy in the film, realistically charismatic and tall. Not only that, but the director also employed practical effects to achieve a realistic horror effect.
“That demonic fireball is real too. The large fire was suspended from cranes and spun around in the air to warm up the cold shooting location,” he said.
5. Admitting to Goosebumps and Being Moved by the Expertise of the Main Actors in “Exhuma”
Exhuma film trailer (doc. Showbox/Exhuma)Apart from being touched by the attention and kind treatment of Choi Min Sik and Yoo Hae Jin, Kim Byung Oh was also moved by the quality of acting from the main actors, particularly when acting alongside Kim Go Eun.
“I got goosebumps witnessing the actors’ skills,” he said.
“There was a scene in the film when I approached her in horror and Kim Go Eun backed away crying. That’s how it went from ‘Ready, Action!’ Suddenly, it became so deeply immersed in the scene that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. ‘Cool, I want to study acting too,’ I thought,” explained Kim Byung Oh.
Despite the challenges, he admitted that his experience of playing a giant figure in “Exhuma” was a pleasant one.
“I felt joyous on set while working on this project. Although the shooting process was tough, it was very enjoyable. I want to learn and challenge myself. If given the opportunity in the future, I would like to pursue acting further.”
It turns out that the actor behind the giant Japanese General’s figure is a former basketball player whose height truly stands above average! It’s not surprising that the effect is chilling as well!