Seoul – “Concrete Utopia,” a Korean disaster thriller, clinched the best picture award at the prestigious Daejong International Film Awards on Wednesday. The movie, acclaimed for its apocalyptic narrative and intense visuals, also secured the best actor award for Lee Byung-hun and four additional accolades, including best supporting actress and visual effects.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Directed by Eom Tae-hwa, “Concrete Utopia” paints a gripping tale of survival and human resilience. The plot centers around the inhabitants of an apartment building in Seoul, the sole structure left standing after a devastating earthquake. The film features an ensemble cast including Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young. In a notable recognition of its cinematic excellence, the Korean Film Council has selected “Concrete Utopia” as South Korea’s entry for the best international feature film category at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards in March.
Lee Byung-hun, awarded best actor for his performance in “Concrete Utopia,” delivered his acceptance speech via a pre-recorded video due to his current commitment to filming the second season of Netflix’s popular series, “Squid Game.”
In other categories, Kim Seo-hyung won best actress for her role in “Greenhouse,” a crime thriller that delves into a myriad of social issues, including juvenile crime and sexual violence. The best director award was presented to Ryoo Seung-wan for “Smugglers,” a crime action thriller about two female divers entangled in a high-stakes smuggling operation.