Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary
2024 South Korean comedy horror film
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Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary (Korean: 아메바 소녀들과 학교괴담: 개교기념일) is a 2024 South Korean comedy horror film written and directed by Kim Min-ha, and starring Kim Do-yeon, Son Ju-yeon (WJSN Eunseo), Jeong Ha-dam, and Kang Shin-hee.[3][4] The film had its world premiere at the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) on July 7, 2024.[5] It had its theatrical release on November 6, 2024.[3]
| Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary | |
|---|---|
Theatrical poster | |
| Hangul | 아메바 소녀들과 학교괴담: 개교기념일 |
| RR | Ameba sonyeodeulgwa hakgyo goedam: gaegyoginyeomil |
| MR | Ameba sonyŏdŭlgwa hakkyo koedam: kaegyoginyŏmil |
| Directed by | Kim Min-ha |
| Screenplay by | Kim Min-ha |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Lee Hyun-jin |
| Edited by | Kim Min-ha |
| Music by | Lee Geon-ho |
Production company | 26 Company |
| Distributed by | Studio Santa Claus Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | $187,901[1][2] |
The film blends horror and comedy in a school ghost story to satirize Korea’s exam-centered education system, highlighting the extreme pressure and high stakes faced by students.[6]
It was followed by a standalone sequel, Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls and School Ghost 2, which premiered in July 2025.
Plot
A group of high school senior girls discovers a 'Ghost Hide-and-Seek' videotape recorded by their seniors in the broadcasting club. Through the tape, the girls learn about a rumor that if they survive and win in the cursed ghosts' hide-and-seek game on the night of the upcoming school anniversary, they can receive a perfect score on the college entrance exam.[2][3]
Cast
- Kim Do-yeon as Ji-yeon, an aspiring film director
- Son Ju-yeon as Eun-byul, an aspiring actress
- Jeong Ha-dam as Min-joo, a Japanese culture otaku
- Kang Shin-hee as Hyun-jung, an aspiring cinematographer
- Ha Seo-yul as Willy Minky, the ghost
- Lee Eun-hee as legendary Buddhist nun
- Ko Kyu-pil as science teacher
- Jeon So-min as homeroom teacher
- Lee Jun-hyeok as school nurse
- Yang Chi-seung as night study supervisor teacher
Release
Film festivals
On July 7, 2024, the film had its world premiere at the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in the Korean Fantastic: Features section.[5]
The film had its screening at various film festivals such as, 57th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (2024) - Sitges Family - Fantastic Teens in Spain, Kaohsiung Film Festival (2024) - Annual Theme: Trapped in Youth in Taiwan, Jakarta Film Week (2024) - FANTASEA in Indonesia, Lund International Fantastic Film Festival: LIFFF (2024) in Sweden, 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival: JIMFF (2025) in South Korea and Weird Weekender International Film Festival Stuttgart: IFFS (2025) in Germany.[2][6][7][8]
Theatrical release
It was released theatrically on November 6, 2024, in South Korea.[3]
Reception
Box Office
The film was released on 203 screens on November 6, 2024.
According to the Korean Box Office Information System (KOBIS), as of August 11, 2025, the film's total gross is $185,448 and 30,042 admissions.[2]
Accolades
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIFAN 2023 NAFF Project Market Awards | 2023 | Cash Awards - NAFF Korean Award KRW 10 million | Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary | Won | [9] |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2025 | Best New Actress | Kim Do-yeon | Won | [10][11] |
| Best New Director | Kim Min-ha | Nominated | |||
| Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival | 2024 | Korean Fantastic Director | Won | [12] | |
| Watcha's Pick | Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary | Won | |||
| Jecheon International Music & Film Festival | 2025 | Music Insight Jury Special Mention | Lee Geon-ho | Won | [13] |
| Wildflower Film Awards | Best Low-Budget Genre Film | Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary | Nominated | [14] |