South Korea Selects Disaster Epic ‘Concrete Utopia’ For The Oscars’ Best International Film Category

The disaster thriller Concrete Utopia, starring Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun, was chosen by South Korea for the Best International Feature Film Oscar category in 2024. The Tae-hwa Eom-directed film follows a group of survivors who start over in Seoul after a devastating earthquake. Concrete Utopia had its debut in Korea on August 9, 2023. It earned $16.8 million over the course of its first weekend in theaters. 

The Korean Film Council announced its choice on August 17, stating Concrete Utopia was “selected unanimously by seven judges, considering that it would be able to appeal to North America without being unfamiliar with the trend of K-culture and K-movie,” adding, “We tried to select a film that is Korean yet aims for a global standard, strikes a good balance between artistry and popularity, and appeals without resistance to the Academy Awards, which are also called somewhat conservative. The selected film is the director’s second feature film, and actor Lee Byung-hun has an excellent reputation at home and abroad.”

The Korean Film Council selection committee included the Chairman of the Jury Bang Eun-jin, Kim Yun-mi, Kim Cho-hee, Kim Hyung-Seok, Kim Hyung-jun, Lee Kyung-min, and Lee Yun-Seok. Korea won its first Oscar with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite in 2020, making even further history by scooping Best Picture and Best Director. The 2023 pick was Park Chan-wook’s Cannes Competition title, Decision To Leave.