"Exhuma" Spin-Off Explained: What Is the New Webtoon "Maengjong" About?

The world of Exhuma expands with Maengjong, a new prequel webtoon centred on Hwa-rim and Bong-gil (Naver Webtoon, Showbox)

More than two years after Exhuma became a box office phenomenon, the hit Korean occult universe is officially expanding. However, instead of returning with a movie sequel or drama adaptation, the franchise is heading into a new medium: webtoons.

Fans of the 2024 occult thriller were recently surprised when Naver Webtoon announced Maengjong, a brand-new spin-off project set in the world of Exhuma. The announcement has quickly generated buzz among horror and K-drama fans, many of whom have been eager to see more stories featuring the film's younger shamans, Hwa-rim and Bong-gil.

If you've been wondering whether Exhuma is getting a sequel or what exactly Maengjong is about, here's everything we know so far.

Is Exhuma Getting a Spin-Off?

Yes—but not in the form many fans expected.

Naver Webtoon has officially launched Maengjong, a prequel spin-off webtoon based on the world of Exhuma. Rather than continuing the events of the film, the new series travels back in time to explore the early lives of Lee Hwa-rim and Yoon Bong-gil, the young shamans portrayed by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the movie.

The project marks the first major expansion of the Exhuma universe since the film's record-breaking success in 2024.

Exhuma (Showbox)

What Is Maengjong About?

The webtoon follows Hwa-rim during her high school years before the events of Exhuma.

After experiencing supernatural incidents involving a mysterious snake deity known as Jin, Hwa-rim tries to live quietly while hiding her identity as a shaman. Her life begins to change when she meets fellow student Bong-gil, setting off a chain of strange and unsettling events that gradually pull them deeper into the occult world.

Unlike the film, which focused on a dangerous grave excavation and an ancient curse, Maengjong explores how the partnership between Hwa-rim and Bong-gil first began and what shaped them into the skilled shamans audiences met in Exhuma.

Bong-gil's webtoon appearance compared with Lee Do-hyun's portrayal in Exhuma (Naver Webtoon, Showbox)

Why Are Fans Excited?

One of the biggest reasons is that Hwa-rim and Bong-gil became fan-favourite characters during the film's theatrical run.

While Exhuma centred on a team consisting of shaman Hwa-rim, shaman Bong-gil, feng shui master Kim Sang-deok, and mortician Yeong-geun, many viewers wanted to learn more about the younger duo's backstory after the movie ended.

The new webtoon finally gives fans a chance to explore that untold chapter of their lives.

Who Is Creating the Webtoon?

The series is illustrated and written by Haemuri, the creator known for the psychological thriller webtoon Trapped.

According to Naver Webtoon and Showbox, the goal is to expand the Exhuma universe through a different storytelling format while preserving the eerie atmosphere and supernatural themes that made the original film such a success.

Where to Read Maengjong

Maengjong officially debuted on Naver Webtoon on May 30, 2026.

The series is currently available through Naver Webtoon's Korean platform. International release details for English-language readers have not yet been announced, though many fans are hoping the webtoon will eventually become available globally through WEBTOON's international service.

Hwa-rim's webtoon design alongside Kim Go-eun's character from Exhuma  (Naver Webtoon, Showbox)

Could This Lead to More Exhuma Spin-Offs?

While neither Naver Webtoon nor Showbox has announced additional projects, Maengjong could be the first step toward building a larger Exhuma franchise.

The original film drew nearly 12 million admissions in South Korea and became one of the country's biggest box-office hits of 2024. Given the movie's popularity and the growing trend of expanding successful Korean intellectual properties into webtoons, dramas, and animation, many fans believe more stories set in the Exhuma universe could follow in the future.

For now, however, Maengjong serves as the first official opportunity for audiences to revisit the occult world that captivated millions of viewers.

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Final Thoughts

Although fans hoping for an Exhuma 2 announcement may have to wait a little longer, Maengjong offers something equally intriguing: a deeper look into the origins of Hwa-rim and Bong-gil before they became the powerful shamans seen in the film.

With supernatural mysteries, psychological horror, and previously untold stories from the Exhuma universe, the webtoon could become a must-read for anyone who loved the original movie.

Would you rather see an Exhuma movie sequel next, or are you excited to explore the story through the new Maengjong webtoon first?

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