Concrete Utopia and earthquake in Taiwan

Recently, the world was startled by a large-scale earthquake in Taiwan and other places as well. Earthquakes around the world often surprise people when least expected.

On one hand, such events may remind us of past movies or dramas that featured earthquakes. It seems that similar incidents often occur after movies or dramas are produced.

One movie that comes to mind is Netflix K-Movie “Concrete Utopia,” released on August 9, 2023. This movie is based on the popular webtoon series “The Happy Wangddu,” specifically its second part, “The Happy Neighbor.”

Against the backdrop of a city devastated by a massive earthquake, it tells the story of the residents of the surviving “Hwangung Apartments.” While it is a disaster movie, it delves into social criticism and philosophical elements.

In Korea, the majority of ordinary people prefer apartment living. While this might be difficult to understand in other countries, in Korea, apartments have become sought-after residences and investment opportunities due to various factors since modernization. Consequently, apartments can be categorized into various types.

Similarly, in dramas, there are three categories of apartments: those living in luxury apartments, those living in lower-quality apartments, and those who aspire to live in such apartments.

The drama portrays the invisible class divisions and characteristics of Korean society regarding real estate, based on Korean realities. It intertwines a disaster like an earthquake to shed light on issues that may exist anywhere in the world.

Amazing Characters”Concrete Utopia”

The characters in this movie, with its heavy and abstract themes, are what make it engaging. The character of Yeongtak, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun, is depicted as a figure with whom Koreans can easily empathize and immerse themselves.

Starting as a taxi driver who worked hard to own a house, he later purchases an apartment and becomes the resident representative. Initially portrayed as a naive character, he discovers courage and leadership he didn’t know he had when he gains power.

However, he gradually becomes a dictator, abusing his power and ruling over others for his own gain. On the other hand, Minseong, portrayed by Park Seo-joon, represents the ordinary Korean. Initially appearing as a typical civil servant in the movie, he reluctantly goes along with the residents’ selfishness to survive.

The Difference Between the Movie “Concrete Utopia” And the Webtoon “Concrete Utopia”

In the original webtoon, the protagonist Seo Dong-hyun enters the Woo-kyung Apartment and faces horror, but the movie depicts the process of the Hwanggoong Apartment establishing rules right after the disaster.

In the original webtoon, Yeong-tak is portrayed as a complete villain, ruling as the king of the apartment and looting convenience stores and supermarkets. However, in the movie, the character Yeong-tak, played by Lee Byung-hun, is depicted as a universal figure who must make unavoidable decisions in the face of life and death.

Additionally, in the original webtoon, the protagonist Dong-hyun was a student, but in the movie, the character, now named Min-seong, is portrayed by actor Park Seo-jin and has been reimagined as a civil servant.

Furthermore, in the original webtoon, Su-hyun, who escaped with Dong-hyun, appears as Myeong-hwa, played by Park Bo-young, in the movie. The difference lies in the fact that the two characters, who originally escaped school together, have now become a married couple.

For those who have read the original webtoon first, it adds to the enjoyment of discovering the differences in the movie.

Filming Location of Concrete Utopia

The location of the Imperial Palace Apartment is near Geumho Station on Line 3. Not only the specific geography of the Imperial Palace Apartment but also the configuration of the surrounding apartment complexes were adapted from an actual map. The place where Minseong faces the earthquake is also set in the vicinity of Yaksoo Station.

Google Maps location of Geumho Station

Google Map location of Yaksoo Station

The actual apartments featured in the movie “Concrete Utopia” were filmed on a set. It is said that the set was constructed over approximately five months to create apartments that were three stories high in real size, with details ranging from corridors to stairs, vividly portraying Korean apartments. When you see them in the movie, the apartments look so realistic that you wouldn’t believe they are sets. Additionally, to block the view of outsiders in front of the Hwangung Apartments, furniture and household appliances were stacked up, perfectly replicating the actual items you might see in our neighbors’ homes. Each scene is truly astonishing.

Throughout the story the movie raises questions about deep issues of family, disaster like earthquakes, and the themes of love and survival. If your heart feels heavy with the news of the earthquake, how about trying to answer the questions posed by this movie?