“Noroi: The Curse” presents itself as a found footage documentary featuring Masafumi Kobayashi, a paranormal researcher determined to uncover the truth behind a series of inexplicable events.
The story starts with Kobayashi investigating strange phenomena connected to a woman named Junko Ishii and her young son, who are surrounded by eerie occurrences such as mysterious baby cries in a house where no infants live, sudden disappearances, and a trail of dead pigeons.
As Kobayashi digs deeper, he encounters individuals with psychic abilities and witnesses unsettling supernatural episodes, leading him to learn about an ancient evil known as Kagutaba, a demon once worshiped and imprisoned by villagers in the now-destroyed Shimokage village.
This curse seems to reach out through time, attaching itself to people who interact with it, especially those with psychic sensitivities.
Throughout the film, Kobayashi interviews a variety of characters, including the clairvoyant Kana Yano, actress Marika Matsumoto (who suffers disturbing possession-like episodes), and the mysterious psychic Mitsuo Hori, all connected by their encounters with the unseen force of Kagutaba.
The investigator’s quest becomes increasingly dangerous as those around him either disappear, die by apparent suicides, or become mentally unwell, trapped by the curse’s relentless grip.
Story Dynamics: The Ancient Curse and Human Tragedy
Central to “Noroi” is the curse of Kagutaba, a demon bound by ancient rituals that the villagers once performed annually to contain its malevolence.
The film reveals that Junko Ishii, formerly involved with nursing and illegal abortions, tried to replicate these rituals using stolen fetuses, attempting to summon or perhaps control the demon again. This act breaks the seal and revives the curse’s influence.
Kagubata’s influence inflicts a growing horror: people around Kobayashi experience psychological torment, manifesting in sleepwalking, waking nightmares, and eventual possession. Marika’s sleepwalking loops, strange voices, and repeated nooses point to the curse’s attempt to pull her into its fold.
The uncovering of ritual sites such as the Shimokage shrine, mutilated animals, and symbolic arrangements of wires and pigeons deepens the sense that an ancient evil has unleashed a cycle of death and madness. Kobayashi, driven by his investigative instincts, follows these clues despite the mounting danger and loss around him.
In a dramatic turn, the cursed boy Junko’s son, or perhaps Kagutaba itself in human form, emerges as the vessel of the demon. The final sequences show how possession leads to destruction; Kobayashi’s wife, Keiko, suffers a tragic, fiery death while Kobayashi himself disappears, with footage suggesting violent attacks and supernatural transformations.
Ending Explained: The Unstoppable Curse
The climax and closing scenes of “Noroi” leave the audience in chilling uncertainty. Kobayashi’s disappearance, the burning of his home, and the possession-induced deaths illustrate the inescapable nature of Kagutaba’s curse.
Footage recovered after these events reveals Mitsuo Hori, the psychic linked deeply to the curse, turning violent, attacking Kobayashi and the possessed boy. The boy briefly morphs into a demon-like entity as spectral figures, including the ghost of Kana, appear simultaneously.
Noroi: The Curse (Credit: Prime Video)
The chaos unfolds in a nightmarish crescendo that ends with Keiko’s self-immolation and Kobayashi’s anguished cries.
The film concludes with text confirming Kobayashi remains missing, underscoring that the curse persists beyond the scope of the documentary and the lives it destroyed. There is no resolution or containment, only the acknowledgment that Kagutaba’s malevolent force continues to haunt and consume.
Themes: Human Curiosity and Supernatural Doom
“Noroi: The Curse” closely examines the consequences of seeking truths that are better left buried. The film explores the tension between human curiosity and forces beyond comprehension, revealing how ancient myth and present-day tragedy collide.
Kobayashi’s relentless pursuit of knowledge drives him into the heart of darkness, illustrating that some mysteries bring only devastation.
The motif of possession and loss of control emphasizes how curses bridge the spiritual and physical worlds, erasing boundaries and identities. People touched by Kagutaba lose themselves, becoming conduits of chaos. The depressive suicides, possessions, and horrifying deaths highlight a spiral of doom that haunts anyone who comes close.
The intersecting stories of psychics, victims, and the possessed demonstrate a world where disbelief and skepticism falter in the face of relentless evil.
Yet, the ancient rituals and abandoned shrines remind audiences of humanity’s fragile role in containing malevolence, a balance easily upset by reckless actions like Junko’s illegal and dark experiments.
Cultural Significance: Japanese Folklore and Modern Horror
The film’s foundation in Japanese folklore infuses its horror with cultural depth. Kagutaba, while fictionalized in the movie, draws inspiration from traditional yokai and demon myths centered on nature spirits, spiritual balance, and ritualistic control.
The story’s focus on rural village rituals, spiritual possession, and the impact of broken traditions evokes anxieties about modernization’s disconnect from the past.
Additionally, “Noroi” reflects modern Japan’s fascination with paranormal investigation and psychic phenomena, blending documentary-style storytelling with mythic dread to heighten realism.
This format creates an immersive experience that makes the horror feel intimate and credible, as if viewers are uncovering the haunting themselves.
The ending of “Noroi: The Curse” defies clear closure. Instead of resolution, it offers a bleak cycle of possession, death, and disappearance. Kobayashi’s fate is left ambiguous, the curse’s power is unbroken, and those who encountered Kagutaba are forever changed or lost.
This unresolved darkness is the film’s core strength, leaving audiences with lingering questions and a deep sense of unease. “Noroi” uses its slow-building tension, ancient ritual motifs, and relentless supernatural force to unsettle viewers on a primal level.
Ultimately, the film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of meddling with dark forces and the price of obsession. The curse of Kagutaba is not just a ghost story but a reminder of invisible horrors that dwell beneath the surface, persistent, hungry, and impossible to escape.
What was meant to be a triumphant and emotional chapter in G-Dragon’s solo world tour turned into a moment of tension and frustration after fans attending his Ubermensch concert in Hong Kong were spotted holding up controversial signs that read “Bring Seungri Back.”
The incident has ignited a firestorm online, with countless fans expressing deep disappointment and outrage over what they are calling a blatant show of disrespect—not just toward G-Dragon, but toward the healing journey of the entire BIGBANG fandom.
The signs, written in Korean (and reportedly grammatically incorrect), were held high during multiple moments throughout the concert, clearly visible to those in the crowd and, unfortunately, also to G-Dragon himself.
According to attendees and fan accounts shared online, the K-pop legend noticed the signs and appeared visibly affected, even turning away and composing himself mid-performance.
“Several times throughout the videos you can see him trying to look away from the signs and compose himself,” one fan account shared.
G-Dragon (Credit: Pinterest)
“Please, do not mention former members who have no connection to him anymore.”
Social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Weverse erupted shortly after the concert footage began to circulate.
Fans of G-Dragon—known as VIPs—expressed anger, disbelief, and sorrow over the signs, which many see as reopening old wounds and disrespecting G-Dragon’s journey since the scandal that tore BIGBANG apart years ago.
The Controversy Around Seungri
To fully understand the weight behind this outrage, one must consider the history.
Seungri, the former maknae (youngest member) of BIGBANG, left the group and retired from the entertainment industry in 2019 following his central involvement in the notorious “Burning Sun” scandal.
He was accused and later convicted on multiple charges, including prostitution mediation, illegal gambling, and embezzlement.
His actions not only destroyed his career but also severely impacted BIGBANG’s reputation and unity at the time.
While other members such as Taeyang and Daesung have slowly returned to the public eye and G-Dragon launched his world tour to much fanfare, Seungri remains a deeply divisive and largely condemned figure in the K-pop community.
Many fans consider him permanently estranged from the group, and any mention of him in association with BIGBANG is considered highly disrespectful—especially in a public setting like a solo concert.
“Shame On You”: Fans Speak Out
Outraged fans didn’t hold back. Many posts called out the sign-holders directly, accusing them of selfishness, ignorance, and blatant disregard for the artist’s emotions.
“To the people who thought it was funny or clever to bring up Seungri, a convicted sex offender, at GD’s concert: you’re vile,” one fan wrote. “You didn’t just disrespect GD, you disrespected the pain, struggle, and healing it took for him to stand on that stage again.”
Others questioned the organizers’ preparedness and called for tighter security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Some fans began tagging concert management company GALAXY and urging fellow VIPs to send emails or messages requesting better sign monitoring at upcoming shows.
“This is intolerable and not the first time,” one post read. “GD clearly saw it in today’s video. Please repost and let more people see.”
The backlash also extended to so-called “OT5” fans—those who continue to support the idea of BIGBANG as a five-member group, including Seungri.
Many long-time VIPs took issue with this sentiment, arguing that any desire to bring Seungri back disregards the seriousness of his actions and the emotional toll they took on the other members.
“The worst thing you could do to BIGBANG is to ask them to bring back Seungri,” another post read. “Have you forgotten what he alone has done to the group? You only care for Seungri, not BIGBANG.”
G-Dragon’s Unspoken Pain
While G-Dragon did not address the signs publicly during the concert, fans have continued to dissect footage that suggests he saw them and was emotionally affected.
Known for his composed, artistic demeanor, G-Dragon’s quiet reaction—turning away and steadying himself—spoke volumes to fans who have followed his journey through heartbreak, scandal, military service, and personal struggle.
His decision to move forward with a global tour was seen by many as a symbol of personal strength and healing.
The Hong Kong incident, however, reminded everyone just how fragile that recovery can be—and how damaging thoughtless actions by a few can be to an artist and their loyal supporters.
In the end, the controversy over the “Bring Seungri Back” signs is more than just a fan scandal.
It is a stark reminder of how idols are people too, deeply affected by betrayal, scandal, and public opinion.
And as G-Dragon stands tall again on international stages, fans are rallying behind him—not just as an artist, but as a survivor of the storm who deserves support, respect, and peace.
