Concrete Utopia is a 2023 South Korean disaster-thriller film that explores the aftermath of a massive earthquake that destroys Seoul. The film follows the survivors who gather at the Hwang Goong Apartment, a concrete building that remains standing amid the ruins. The film is based on the webtoon Pleasant Bullying by Kim Soongnyung¹, and is directed by Um Tae-hwa, who also wrote the screenplay with Lee Sin-ji. The film stars Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-joon, and Park Bo-young as the main characters, who have to face various challenges and conflicts in their struggle to survive.
The film’s plot revolves around Yeong-tak, a leader who works to protect the apartment from outsiders; Min-seong, a public servant who becomes more courageous as he encounters crises; and Myeong-hwa, Min-seong’s wife and a former nurse, who cares for the injured and sick. The film also features other characters, such as Geum-ae, the daughter-in-law of the apartment owner; Hye-won, a high school student survivor; and Do-gyun, an uncooperative resident. The film depicts how the survivors cope with the harsh reality of living in a post-apocalyptic world, where resources are scarce and dangers are everywhere. The film also examines the themes of class warfare, human nature, morality, and hope.
The film was released on August 9, 2023 in South Korea, and received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film was praised for its impressive production design, inventive set pieces, and memorable characters. The film also received several accolades, including being selected as South Korea’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards². The film was also invited to various international film festivals, such as the Sitges International Film Festival and the Hawaii International Film Festival³. The film was a box office success, grossing US$28 million worldwid
