Concrete Market (Korean: 콘크리트 마켓) is a 2025 South Korean post-apocalyptic disaster thriller television series written by Kwak Jae-min, directed by Hong Ki-won, and starring Lee Jae-in, Hong Kyung, Jung Man-sik, and Yoo Su-bin. The series depicts a post-earthquake dystopian world where a surviving apartment becomes a marketplace. It premiered on Wavve on December 23, 2025. A film version was first premiered on December 3, screened in a limited number.

The series is part of the "Concrete Universe", a shared dystopian world including films like Concrete Utopia (2023) and Badland Hunters (2024).

Synopsis

After a massive earthquake, the only remaining apartment complex becomes home to Hwanggung Market, a bartering hub where survivors trade goods and assert power in unpredictable ways.

Cast and characters

Main

A mysterious strategist whose sudden arrival disrupts the existing order of the market.

A loyal aide to Sang-yong who becomes a key figure in orchestrating a new order within the Hwanggung Market.

The absolute ruler of the market, whose authority dominates the residents.

Tae-jin's rival and Sang-yong's right-hand man.

Supporting

A resident involved in the market's complex dynamics.

  • Choi Jung-un as Se-hee

The person who Hee-ro strives to protect.

  • Song Ji-in[ko] as So-jeong

Hee-ro's ally.

Production

Development

Concrete Market was developed in October 2021 as a drama. Produced by Climax Studio and Andmarq[ko], directed by Hong Ki-won, who helmed the short film Tylenol (2015), and written by Kwak Jae-min, who wrote Amanza (2020), Bargain (2022), and Badland Hunters (2024). Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the release was delayed and lead to the material being edited into a 122-minute theatrical film, which premiered first, distributed by Lotte Entertainment. This allowed audiences to experience the narrative in a condensed cinematic form before the series' full OTT release. After the film's release, the series was reinstated in its original episodic format for OTT distribution. The expanded version, described as a "complete edition original series", includes more detailed character arcs and world‑building than what audiences saw in the theatrical cut.

Casting

In October 2021, Hong Kyung and Lee Jae-in were reportedly cast as lead for the series. The next month, it was confirmed that Lee, Hong, Jung Man-sik, Kim Gook-hee, Choi Jung-un, Yoo Su-bin, and Song Ji-in[ko] have confirmed their appearances.

Filming

Principal photography began on November 14, 2021.

Release

In March 2024, it was reported that the series was supposed to be released on Paramount+ in the second half of 2024.

Concrete Market was first premiered its film version on December 3, 2025, in a limited number of 170-180 screens, word-of-mouth is steadily increasing its audience. The original seven-episode series is scheduled to be released on Wavve on December 23.

External links