Migliore Dongdaemun in Seoul, one of the locations featured on the “Backrooms Map”LEE AH-MI
Past the maze-like rows of clothing stores on the first floor of Migliore Dongdaemun in eastern Seoul, a worn elevator stands tucked away in the back of the building.
That Wednesday, on the building's 17th floor, dim fluorescent lights illuminated a row of long-vacant office doors stretching down an empty corridor. With few people in sight, the space had an eerie atmosphere. The repetitive hallways surrounding a central atrium spanning the 13th to 20th floors evoked scenes from this year’s horror film "Backrooms."
Since the Korean release of "Backrooms" in May drew more than 1 million moviegoers, a growing number of fans have been visiting real-life locations that resemble the film's unsettling settings and sharing their experiences online.
The trend, dubbed "Backrooms tours," centers on so-called liminal spaces, places such as empty office buildings or deserted shopping malls that feel familiar but unsettling because something expected appears to be missing. The concept originated in online communities during the 2010s and serves as one of the film's central motifs.
The growing popularity has even led to the creation of a "Backrooms Map" website, which catalogues around 100 locations across Korea based on user submissions. The list includes Migliore Dongdaemun, Gangbyeon Techno Mart, Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, as well as various tunnels and underground parking garages. Each location includes descriptions, user-generated ratings for atmosphere, perceived fear level and safety.
A still from the film “Backrooms”BY4M STUDIO
Social media users have also begun documenting visits to sites featured on the map. One blogger described a pedestrian passage connected to Kwangwoon University Station as resembling the iconic "Yellow Rooms," often referred to as "Level 0" in Backrooms lore.
"I didn't expect much since it's inside a subway station, but it had more of the right atmosphere than I expected," the blogger wrote, giving it three out of five points.
The phenomenon is the latest example of screen tourism, in which fans visit real-world locations associated with films or television shows. Earlier this year, visitors flocked to Salmokji Reservoir in Yesan County, South Chungcheong, after the release of the film "Salmokji: Whispering Water,”
The Migliore Dongdaemun in Seoul, one of the locations featured on the “Backrooms Map”LEE AH-MI
Experts, however, caution that many of the locations attracting Backrooms enthusiasts are isolated or lack verified safety measures, raising concerns about trespassing and accidents.
"The film's popularity has increased curiosity about its settings and created demand among younger audiences to experience similar spaces firsthand," said Heo Chang-deok, a sociology professor at Yeungnam University. "Many people are also looking for unusual experiences to share on social media, which can lead them to underestimate potential risks. Visitors should make sure locations are safe and accessible before entering."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
