Teens Navigate Survival in 'Concrete Market,' A New Chapter in the 'Concrete' Universe

What happens when unseasoned youth are thrust into a disaster scenario? "Concrete Market" tells the story of adolescents forced to trade in the 'Hwanggoong Market' for survival, carrying cans instead of textbooks.

This film shares a universe with "Concrete Utopia" (2023) and "Badland" (2024). "Concrete Market" focuses on the 'aftermath' of a massive earthquake, depicting the formation of the Hwanggoong Market in the last remaining apartment complex and the ensuing events as residents begin trading to survive.

While "Concrete Utopia" exposed the raw nature of humanity immediately after the disaster, "Concrete Market" delves into how individuals adapt and survive in the new reality. The narrative centers on teenagers and young adults, including Hee-ro (Lee Jae-in), Tae-jin (Hong Kyung), and Cheol-min (Yoo Soo-bin), exploring their growth amidst the apocalypse.

The early part of the film unfolds rapidly, driven by rhythmic music, as it poses the question of how these immature individuals mature in a post-apocalyptic world.

In this desolate world, those with nothing are left with only their bodies as their currency. The 8th floor, where prostitution takes place, is managed by Cheol-min. Under Chairman Park's pyramid-like power structure, Cheol-yong and Tae-jin divide territories, and the lines of rules and morality blur, leaving only survival instincts at play.

Within this rigid power dynamic, Hee-ro becomes the 'crack.' Moving between Tae-jin and Cheol-yong, she devises a plan to bring down Chairman Park. Having been forced to mature even before the earthquake, Hee-ro quickly adapts to the Hwanggoong Market and coldly builds her survival strategy. The film interweaves the parallel growth of characters in distinct ways within the disaster.

However, the depth of the narrative leaves something to be desired. "Concrete Market" was originally produced as a 7-part drama before being edited into its current theatrical version. Cramming such a vast world into a two-hour runtime has led to simplified character relationships and plotlines.

Hee-ro's market manipulation strategies are presented simplistically, and the plot progression feels more like a general outline, lacking the necessary details for the audience to fully immerse themselves in her journey. The mysterious creatures, 'Yagwi,' who attack humans, appear throughout the film as a source of horror, but their origins remain undefined. The relationships between characters are not intricately woven, and Tae-jin's emotional arc in protecting Mi-seon (Kim Guk-hee) lacks conviction.

The 8th-floor setting also falls short. While it draws on the reality of women being pushed into sexual exploitation in extreme situations, despite foreshadowing Mi-seon's capable nature, the narrative ultimately doesn't escape the 'woman as victim' trope. Chairman Park also falls into the predictable villain archetype common in disaster films, lacking the complexity seen in Young-tak (Lee Byung-hun) from "Concrete Utopia."

Interspersed visual cues, like intense music and chapter-introducing text, often use cryptic phrases that fail to connect naturally with the subsequent plot, creating a visually striking yet tonally disjointed impression.

Despite these shortcomings, "Concrete Market" is significant for offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of youth within the disaster genre. The challenge ahead is to expand this universe more coherently and intricately in future installments.

Korean netizens shared mixed reactions to "Concrete Market." Some praised the film for its fresh take on youth survival in a disaster setting and expressed anticipation for the expansion of the 'Concrete' universe. However, others noted that the narrative felt simplified due to its transition from a drama to a movie, wishing for more in-depth exploration of certain plot points and character developments.