Korean Film Crushes 160 Billion-Won Blockbuster to Take No.1 Spot on Netflix

The power of Korean cinema has once again proven itself on the global OTT platform Netflix.

The film 'The Firefighters,' which made a major impact at the Korean box office last year, is now showing its strength in the streaming world as well. Released on April 3, 'The Firefighters' climbed to the No.1 spot on Netflix Korea’s “Top 10 Movies” list within just one day. Notably, it overtook the big-budget Hollywood blockbuster 'Venom: The Last Dance,' which reportedly had a production budget of 160 billion KRW.

Based on a true story, 'The Firefighters' impressed viewers by outperforming a flashy, CG-heavy film with a more grounded, heartfelt approach. First released in Korean theaters on December 4 of last year, the film drew a total of 3.85 million moviegoers. Made with a modest budget of about 7 billion KRW, it far exceeded its break-even point of 2.5 million viewers and became a commercial success.

The film was inspired by a real-life fire disaster that occurred in Hongje-dong in 2001. It realistically portrays the dangerous conditions firefighters faced at the time, committed to a single mission: saving lives and containing the fire, despite the dire circumstances. From day one, the film made its presence known by drawing 81,678 viewers and immediately topped the box office, beating out heavy contenders like 'Moana 2' and 'Wicked.'

It continued to rise steadily, surpassing 1 million viewers in 8 days, 2 million in 15 days, and 3 million in just 24 days. Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek, the film also benefited from the powerful performances of actors like Joo Won, Kwak Do-won, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Yoo-young, Kim Min-jae, Oh Dae-hwan, Lee Jun-hyuk, and Jang Young-nam. Particularly, Joo Won, returning to the big screen after nine years, delivered a standout performance as rookie firefighter Chul-woong. His character, a strict rule-follower, often clashes with veteran firefighter Jin-seop (played by Kwak Do-won), who prioritizes saving people over protocol.

Their contrasting philosophies added depth to the story. Audience reactions were overwhelmingly emotional, with many viewers expressing how deeply moved they were by the firefighters’ real-life dedication. Comments ranged from “I couldn’t stop crying” to heartfelt messages from actual firefighters, like “As someone on the job, I will carry the dedication and sacrifice of my seniors with me. I truly enjoyed the film. Thank you and stay safe.”

The film currently holds an audience rating in the 8s out of 10. One viewer wrote, “I was worried the film would feel too heavy since it’s based on a true story, but that wasn’t the case. It really hit home how underappreciated firefighters are and how strong their sense of duty is. Great film,” with over 1,100 likes on the comment. Another viewer wrote, “Respect and thank you. This is a must-watch,” while others added, “Thank you to all Korean firefighters who always put others first,” and “Grateful to those who protect our lives and homes.”

Beyond just entertainment, 'The Firefighters' has become a meaningful reminder of the respect and gratitude the public holds for those in the profession. Reflecting on his return to the screen after nine years, lead actor Joo Won shared, “I didn’t even realize it had been that long, but it turns out this was my first film in nine years. That made me even more excited. Personally, I really liked the movie and hope many people will see it. As a cast member, I do hope it performs well.”

On waiting so long for its release, he said, “I waited more for this than for any other project. There was COVID, and other delays, but this one felt special to me from the very beginning. When the director first called me, I felt something different. Since it was based on a true story, I think everyone involved felt a sense of duty. When they suddenly announced the release, I was honestly just so happy.” When asked whether that sense of duty ever felt like pressure, he replied, “It didn’t feel like a burden. If anything, I just kept thinking, let’s make sure people know about this story.”

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