Explore the Horror Behind July Return: A Cultural Day Trip Through Hong Kong’s Oi Man Estate

When July Return premiered in the summer of 2025, it quickly became one of the most talked-about horror films of the year. Starring Keung To from MIRROR, the movie transformed Oi Man Estate—one of Hong Kong’s most iconic public housing communities—into a haunting stage of ghostly memories and psychological trauma. Set in a space familiar to many locals, the film blends urban nostalgia with creeping dread. 

This travel guide takes you into the heart of the filming location, offering a cultural itinerary through Oi Man Estate, where cinematic horror meets architectural history. 

Why Oi Man Estate Was Chosen for Filming 

Located in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Oi Man Estate was built in 1975 and is often called “royalty among housing estates.” Its cross-shaped atrium design, maze-like corridors, dim lighting, and limited ventilation create the perfect setting for psychological horror. In July Return, protagonist Heung Wing returns from Canada to care for his mother and confront past traumas inside his childhood home in Oi Man Estate’s Ka Man House. This setting becomes a symbolic battleground between memory and fear. 

Filming Spot Itinerary: One Day at Oi Man Estate 

1. Ka Man House  The open atrium and corridors of Ka Man House deliver visual impact and spatial tension. The film’s most intense supernatural scenes occur here, where light filters through narrow openings, casting eerie shadows and enhancing the atmosphere of confinement. 

   
   

2. Winter Mushroom Pavilion Food Court  Beyond horror, this location showcases daily Hong Kong life. Stop for local favorites like wonton noodles, rice rolls, and milk tea while soaking up the communal energy of the estate’s residents. 

   
   

3. Oi Man Plaza  Known also as Oi Man Commercial Complex, this is the estate’s social hub. It preserves 1970s architecture and layouts, offering both a retro aesthetic and key visual cues seen in the film. A must-visit for fans tracing the movie’s settings. 

   
   

4. Victoria Harbour Viewpoint  Some higher-level corridors in Oi Man Estate offer hidden vantage points overlooking Victoria Harbour. These views become symbolic in the film—contrasting Hong Kong’s glittering skyline with the darkness of unresolved family pain. 

Cultural Significance: More Than Just a Haunted Set 

Oi Man Estate is a reflection of Hong Kong’s post-war housing success and the collective memory of its working-class communities. Over the decades, it’s been featured in dramas, documentaries, and urban legends. In July Return, it becomes both the setting and a character—holding space for healing and confrontation with one’s inner ghosts. 

Extended Experience: Watch July Return on KTSF 

Haven’t seen the movie yet? KTSF will air July Return on Friday, July 4, from 8 PM to 10 PM. Whether you’re a fan of urban legends, psychological horror, or simply feel a connection to Hong Kong’s landscapes, this film offers a deeply resonant viewing experience. 

After watching, walk through Oi Man Estate yourself and see how space and memory intertwine. 

Mapping the Soul of the City 

In ever-changing Hong Kong, neighborhoods like Oi Man Estate are not just residential—they’re carriers of urban emotion and historical resonance. July Return reawakens public interest in these hidden city corners and invites travelers and cinephiles alike to view the city through a different, more introspective lens. If you seek a touch of unsettling beauty in your next Hong Kong itinerary, Oi Man Estate is a must-see.