Anticipated 'Concrete Utopia' film's black comedy sets it apart, says actor

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Wed, November 29, 2023 | 12:05

Films

Lee Byung-hun says black comedy element sets 'Concrete Utopia' apart from others

Posted : 2023-06-22 11:42

Updated : 2023-06-22 17:45

From left, actors Lee Byung-hun, Park Bo-young and Park Seo-joon pose during the press conference for the new movie "Concrete Utopia," held at Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

By Lee Gyu-lee

The highly anticipated disaster film "Concrete Utopia," featuring a star-studded cast including actors Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young, is scheduled for release in local theaters in August.

Lee, who plays the main character Young-tak, head of the apartment's residential committee, hinted that this disaster film will adopt a black comedy tone, setting it apart from other genre films.

"Most disaster-genre movies focus on the disaster itself as the main element throughout the film. However, 'Concrete Utopia' takes a different approach," the actor said during the press conference for the film held at Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Wednesday.

"It shows how people survive, communicate with each other and endure after a disaster. In that aspect, it possesses a strong element of black comedy."

Based on one of the episodes from the popular webcomic "Delightful Outcast" (direct translation), the blockbuster movie follows residents of the sole surviving apartment building in Seoul following a massive earthquake. Amid the chaos, Young-tak struggles to defend against outsiders, along with a married couple ― played by Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young ― who dedicate themselves to protecting each other.

The film is directed by Um Tae-hwa, who previously helmed the 2016 fantasy film "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned."

A scene from the film "Concrete Utopia" / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Lee said that he was drawn to the realistic portrayal of humans throughout the story. "Even when people work together, their individual personalities and perspectives differ. There are times when they are divided and exhibit extremes of selfishness and cruelty," he said.

"Although the circumstances may be extreme, I liked the subtle, realistic depiction of these personal dynamics."

The director highlighted the use of a familiar setting, an apartment, as the backdrop for survival.

"The concept of (the story) revolves around the devastation caused by a massive earthquake, leaving only one apartment building intact. Unlike other disaster movies, the film stands apart by being set within an apartment building," he said.

"I was born and raised in an apartment, and for most Koreans, it is a familiar and common living space. So I wrote a movie imagining what would happen in such an extreme situation within that familiar setting. And you also have options to choose the characters you relate to and empathize with throughout the film."

Park elaborated on the diverse range of emotions his character experiences.

"I found it fascinating because the role was quite different from what I've done previously. And within this character, I had a wide range of emotional fluctuations I could express. The character required delicate acting, so I'm confident to say I dedicated a lot of time and effort to it," he said, adding that one of the most interesting things for him was working with Lee.

"I've always wanted to work with Lee. So I wasn't offered a part in this project but after learning about it, I strongly expressed my interest in joining."

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr