Korean disaster film Concrete Utopia stands out from other disaster movies for its unique setting— an apartment complex, normally a peaceful and safe place, becomes the world’s last remaining refuge.
Featuring an impressive ensemble cast, including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young, Kim Sun-young, Park Ji-hu, Kim Do-yoon and more, the movie depicts diverse characters with different sets of values in a realistic manner.
Produced by Climax Studio, the production house known for their creative storytelling and exceptional directing in Netflix’s Hellbound and D.P., this new disaster movie promises to enthrall audiences worldwide once again.
Synopsis
After a massive earthquake, Seoul has swiftly been reduced to rubble. Everything in the city has collapsed, except for one building. Hwang Gung Apartments remains standing, as it was before that day.
When survivors from the outside hear of this, they begin to gather at Hwang Gung Apartments. However, the original residents of the building start to feel threatened. Banding together for the sake of their survival, they elect ‘Young-tak’ as their Resident Delegate. Under his leadership, they strictly ban entry by outsiders and draw up a new set of Resident Regulations.
Thanks to this, in contrast to the hellish nightmare outside, Hwang Gung Apartments stands as a safe and peaceful utopia for its residents.
But amidst the continual threats to their survival, unexpected conflicts begin to arise among them…
Rules of survival for those who have lived: Obey the regulations, or leave.
Review
‘Concrete Utopia’ is set to be one of the biggest disaster-themed Korean movies of all time. Freshly released in Korea two weeks ago, it topped the box-office opening charts and received countless praises, especially for Lee Byung Hun’s stellar acting.
An unknown catastrophic event at the beginning sets the context clearly and launches the theme of survival as the main subject of the movie. Despite the dire circumstances, the occupants of the apartment were able to establish a seemingly well-oiled system to bring about some semblance of order. However, as time goes by, the scarcity of resources heightened the fear of survival, which inevitably brought out the uncomfortable truths and selfishness of humans.
Although the movie was 129 minutes, it did not feel too long or draggy as the storyline was well-paced with backstories and flashbacks which were introduced at the right timing and scene.
The acting from the star-studded cast (including Park Seo Jun, Park Bo Young) was superb and their emotions were so raw and relatable that often, you find yourself questioning what you would have done if you were in their shoes. Without divulging spoilers of the movie (as you have to watch it yourself), the movie also paints a picture of real issues in Korea – house ownership, money scams, power and greed; and how people would be willing to sacrifice for the people they love.
Apart from the creative cinematography of the film which I really enjoyed, the sound production was also memorable. I wouldn’t be surprised if this movie sweeps up some awards at the year-end shows.
Concrete Utopia airs in Singapore cinemas on 24 August 2023.
