Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary () is a 2024 South Korean independent satirical comedy horror film written and directed by Kim Min-ha, and starring Kim Do-yeon, , Jeong Ha-dam, and Kang Shin-hee. The film had its world premiere at the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) on July 7, 2024. It had its theatrical release on November 6, 2024.
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.
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.
Cast Kim Do-yeon as Ji-yeon, an aspiring film director 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
Production During its development stage in July 2023, the project participated in the 16th Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) Project Market, where it won the NAFF Korean Award and a cash prize of KRW 10 million.
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.
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, Weird Weekender International Film Festival Stuttgart: IFFS (2025) in Germany, and Yangpyeong Bridge Film Festival (2026) in South Korea.
Theatrical release It was released theatrically on November 6, 2024, in South Korea by Studio Santa Claus Entertainment.
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 US$178,458 from 30,109 admissions.
Accolades Award ceremony Year Category Nominee Result Blue Dragon Film Awards 2025 Best New Actress Kim Do-yeon Best New Director Kim Min-ha Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2024 Korean Fantastic Director Watcha's Pick Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary Jecheon International Music & Film Festival 2025 Music Insight Jury Special Mention Lee Geon-ho Wildflower Film Awards Best Low-Budget Genre Film Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary
References
External links Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary at IMDb Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary at HanCinema Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)