The movie brings together spiritual beliefs and modern-day thinking in an action-heavy storyline. It focuses on spirit chasers who confront dangerous supernatural forces.
Dr. Cheon, who pretends to be a shaman while being a fraud, stumbles upon a troubling situation that causes him to rethink everything he once believed.
As he gets deeper into this world, he comes face to face with a powerful force known as Beom-Cheon. Suspense, comic relief, and reflections on the spiritual world are skillfully balanced throughout. Please note: spoilers are included below.
What starts as a fake haunting soon reveals truths that cannot be ignored (Photo: Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman/CJ ENM Studios and CJ Entertainment)Story Summary of Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman (2023)
At the start of the movie, an old man is seen trying to rescue his grandson, Dong-soo, inside a dimly lit cave. A small bell tied to his hand rings suddenly, suggesting the presence of a ghost. At this moment, Dr. Cheon is seen waking up in a car beside In Bae. They are about to handle what appears to be a ghost disturbance in someone’s home.
Inside the home, a distressed mother tells them her daughter’s behaviour has changed drastically—she used to be polite, but she now behaves badly. She suspects possession. Even though Dr. Cheon’s bell shows no spiritual activity, he claims he smells evil energy and goes on to narrate several personal things about the family that surprise them. Impressed, they believe in his powers.
Noticing a stone outside, Dr. Cheon instructs In Bae to begin preparations there. In Bae warns the family to stay inside his drawn boundary. They go ahead with their ghost-cleansing act, which is actually staged using remote controls and fake effects.
Their scheme runs into a hitch when the car providing their Wi-Fi is towed, limiting their connection. Nonetheless, they improvise, deliver a good show, and collect their fee. Dr. Cheon insists that most of what people feel is psychological.
A flashback reveals how he prepared by checking the girl’s online presence to learn about her situation beforehand. Later, he hands over a golden toad from the house to Mr. Hwang in return for cash. During their discussion, Mr. Hwang advises Dr. Cheon to stop deceiving people, especially as he comes from a respected family of shamans. Offended, Dr. Cheon walks away.
In another scene, In Bae is seen working on a video edit when a woman named Yoo Kyung enters. In Bae is instantly drawn to her. But when she requests help, Dr. Cheon refuses, telling In Bae in private that she likely cannot afford them.
To their surprise, she throws a bundle of cash at them and asks again for their services. Later, Dr. Cheon and In Bae follow her to her eerie hometown.
On arrival, they meet residents dressed like spiritual practitioners. Inside the home, Yoo Kyung explains her younger sister, Yoo Min, is under possession. Dr. Cheon approaches the girl, planning the usual performance. But when he tests his bell, it rings—something that has never happened before. Startled, Dr. Cheon watches as the spirit inside the girl moves toward Yoo Kyung.
Yoo Kyung reveals she has the gift to see spirits. She informs him that the entity confronting them is Beom-Cheon. Acting quickly, Dr. Cheon grabs a broken sword and wards off the spirit. He later sends In Bae to Mr. Hwang while he stays behind. After watching the recorded video, Mr. Hwang advises caution.
But Dr. Cheon insists they meet at a hotel. While on the way, Mr. Hwang shares details about Dr. Cheon’s background with In Bae, explaining his grandfather was a master shaman and that Dr. Cheon had a younger brother named Dong Soo.
Because Dr. Cheon declined the family role, Dong Soo assumed the responsibility. However, Dong Soo vanished mysteriously. Beom-Cheon was found to have possessed him. Their grandfather tried to intervene using a talisman and a spiritual sword sealed inside. This clever move allowed him to contain Beom-Cheon temporarily.
Eventually, both the grandfather and Dong Soo were found dead. Meanwhile, Yoo Min sleepwalks out of the house. Dr. Cheon finds a talisman under her pillow.
He and Yoo Kyung chase after her and battle more possessed individuals, but Yoo Min is taken. Beom-Cheon controls people by jumping into their bodies. Each time Dr. Cheon breaks one of his tools, Beom-Cheon reacts with anger, often lashing out at his helpers.
The team then visits a well-known spiritual guide with Mr. Hwang. During the visit, a fairy appears and takes over the fortune teller. Only Yoo Kyung can see this fairy.
Through the possessed fortune teller, they learn Beom-Cheon’s location and discover that only Yoo Kyung can read the talisman in reverse, which is the key to destroying it.
Beom-Cheon is hunting for Yoo Kyung to gain her spiritual eyesight. The fairy warns Dr. Cheon that even someone like his grandfather couldn’t seal Beom-Cheon.
But Dr. Cheon trusts in his swordsmanship and Yoo Kyung’s vision. They agree to combine their efforts. She also explains that the talisman is divided into two halves. The group then heads toward the mountains.
Upon reaching, In Bae sets off a flare to help Yoo Kyung locate the second talisman. Beom-Cheon’s loyal follower observes their actions. At a small, hidden house, Yoo Kyung identifies both the spirit and the talisman.
Inside, Dr. Cheon is suddenly overtaken by Beom-Cheon and experiences illusions of his family’s past. Regaining his senses, he manages to come out of the possession with the talisman in hand.
Driving to their next destination, the team splits into two cars but faces an ambush by the possessed. Unfortunately, Yoo Kyung is captured again. Dr. Cheon and the rest proceed to an ancient site where his grandfather once placed a protective charm.
Dr. Cheon tells Mr. Hwang and In Bae to be ready to detonate explosives if needed, in case he doesn’t survive. He enters the building and sees the talisman alongside the magical sword.
Inside, Yoo Kyung and Yoo Min are tied up. Beom-Cheon compares Dr. Cheon to his grandfather. A fierce battle follows. While In Bae prepares to destroy the building, Dr. Cheon believes he has defeated Beom-Cheon. But a new host is taken over by the same evil, reviving Beom-Cheon for a second fight.
Final Scenes and Conclusion
With Dr. Cheon wounded and his sword fallen, Mr. Hwang continues drumming rhythmically outside. The broken sword and the blade embedded in the talisman begin vibrating, merging together.
In a town of spiritual mystery, Dr. Cheon faces the supernatural he once mocked (Photo: Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman/CJ ENM Studios and CJ Entertainment)In Bae uses a bright light to distract Beom-Cheon and manages to pull Yoo Kyung, Yoo Min, and Dr. Cheon to safety. Beom-Cheon follows, but Yoo Kyung activates a remote, triggering an explosion that flings him backward.
In Bae retrieves the talisman. Dr. Cheon places the sword over it, causing an enormous structure to rise. Fiery chains shoot out and entrap Beom-Cheon.
When he tries to escape, the chains wrap tighter, pinning him to the wall. The spirit is bound, and his physical form collapses. Once Dr. Cheon removes the sword, the threat ends. All the talismans catch fire and vanish.
From the beginning, “Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman” suggests spiritual tools like talismans may be psychological, but by the end, Dr. Cheon’s journey forces him to face truths he once denied. His final confrontation reveals the power of belief, courage, and family legacy, even for someone who started as a fraud.
