Since Korean entertainment has succeeded on American grounds, it has only continued to expand. Forbes even has an extensive list of 30 great Korean movies worth watching.
The top three positions are occupied by Burning (2018), Parasite (2019), and Oldboy (2003). Well, that’s encompassing every possible genre. What about those who want some high-stake action along with a compelling message? It’s time to jump onto the bandwagon of disaster movies.
This article will discuss three must-watch Korean disaster movies to get the thrills, chills, and valuable lessons.
1. Tidal Wave (2009)
At the time of its release, this movie was considered Korea’s first-ever disaster movie. It follows the story of geologist, Kim Hwi, who discovers that a great underwater earthquake is about to trigger a tsunami.
He even tried to warn the authorities about it but his pleas fell on deaf ears. The Sea of Japan is gradually displaying activity similar to the Indian Ocean at the time of the 2004 earthquake.
A tsunami suddenly arises and people are forced to run for their lives. With the waters engulfing nearby areas at the speed of 500 mph, Kim only has 10 minutes to save his ex-wife and son.
Although experts have critiqued the movie’s production, its message is strong and compelling. It emphasizes the importance of disaster preparedness even for areas traditionally considered to be low-risk.
The unheeded warnings of the marine geologist highlight the importance of quick disaster response. They also expose certain loopholes in the South Korean disaster management team. Just in 2023, nearly 40 people succumbed to floods caused by torrential rains.
These deaths occurred in less than a week’s worth of rainfall. The movie may be dated but it continues to hold relevance due to the lack of preparedness still visible. You may find a few comical flaws in the movie but the characters are well-developed and their fates are super engaging.
If you haven’t watched this movie yet, we recommend starting here. It will also help you understand how South Korean disaster movies have evolved through the years.
2. Firefighters (2024)
Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek, Firefighters is based on the real incident of Hongje-dong arson. It all starts with a terrifying 119 emergency call at a fire department.
The news is that of a massive fire in Hongje-dong. Immediately, the firefighting team unites to carry out the single-eyed mission of saving as many lives as possible. The Korean Times states that this movie was directed to honor the fallen heroes.
The fire that broke out in a two-story residential building not only killed six firemen but also severely injured three. The purpose behind this movie is not just to depict the real-life tragedy but to give a sneak peek into the challenging lives of brave professionals.
They must face their mission each day as if it were their last. There are many seen and unseen dangers to battle so that others can be safe. Speaking of unseen dangers, it’s not just the fire that threatens to claim firefighter lives.
Sometimes, even their fire suppression equipment may put their lives at risk. Such is the case with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) or Class B firefighting foam. It’s extremely toxic for firefighter health, something that went unnoticed for decades.
According to TruLaw, firefighters have now come forward, reporting injuries like cancer of the bladder, testicles, and kidneys. They are hoping to get compensation through an AFFF lawsuit. The same tool that has been used for decades to save millions of lives turned against the rescuers.
The latest AFFF lawsuit update states that the litigation is ongoing and trials will begin soon. Besides the physical and psychological trauma firemen must endure, there’s the added pressure of fighting legal battles.
Amid such difficulties and the thankless nature of the job, what remains constant is an unwavering commitment to saving lives. This aspect is something that the movie highlights remarkably.
3. Train to Busan (2016)
To condense this movie in a nutshell, it is a unique take on the classic zombie genre to highlight issues of social inequality. Seok-woo and his daughter board a train to Busan to celebrate her birthday.
The purpose of their journey is to meet Seok-woo’s wife. Unbeknownst, the journey turns into an absolute nightmare as the two find themselves trapped amid a zombie outbreak.
An uneventful train journey then becomes a struggle for survival for passengers traveling from Seoul to Busan. A couple of themes are evident throughout this movie, namely love, sacrifice, and putting others before yourself.
You will get to see the astonishing ways in which people can respond during adversity. It’s been rightfully said that a man’s true character reveals itself during tough times. When the apocalypse is at the doors, the question is not just about life or death.
A more pressing dilemma is whether we will be insensitive and self-centered or compassionate and helpful. As some characters display great heroism, sometimes it’s better to sacrifice oneself for the greater good.
Interestingly, you will also see how the theme of class is explored throughout the movie. Some characters selfishly use others below them in class to stay alive. It’s a dirty game of survival in which one must not only choose between life and death but also how one wishes to die.
Each year, thousands of movies are released across South Korea. In 2024, around 2,406 movies were released out of which 999 were Korean. Disaster and apocalyptic genres are among the most popular.
However, not many such movies are released on average every year. Our list walks you through the first to the latest, with a sensational one in between. One thing is clear: South Korea has truly stepped up its production game as far as high-stake action and special effects are concerned.
