South Korea’s critically acclaimed drama-thriller, “Concrete Utopia,” which was a box office hit and an Oscars contender in 2023, is now available for streaming in North America. Rakuten Viki, a platform specializing in Asian content, has secured exclusive rights to the film and will start streaming it to audiences in the United States and Canada from Friday.
A Stellar Cast and Gripping Plot
Starring Lee Byung-hun, known for his roles in “Squid Game” and “I Saw the Devil,” Park Seo-jun from “Parasite,” and Park Bo-young from “Strong Girl Bong-soon,” “Concrete Utopia” takes place in a Seoul devastated by a powerful earthquake. The Hwanggoong Apartment complex stands as the sole remaining building, and Lee’s character, Young-Tak, reluctantly takes charge of the residents. As the crisis unfolds, the residents’ moral values are tested, making for a gripping tale.
Critical Acclaim and Festival Appearances
The film opened in Korea on August 9th, leading the box office and grossing $28.0 million from 3.85 million admissions. It received positive reviews from critics and played at prestigious film festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Sitges International Film Festival, and Fantastic Fest.
Variety’s review by Owen Gleiberman described “Concrete Utopia” as a “fractious, blood-soaked drama about the will to survive” that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The film skillfully explores the desperate situation the characters find themselves in without spoon-feeding the audience’s thoughts, creating a thought-provoking experience reminiscent of movies like “Earthquake” and “Lord of the Flies.”
Rakuten Viki Expanding Asian Entertainment
Rakuten Viki is committed to catering to the growing appetite for Asian entertainment in the United States. Their acquisition of the exclusive streaming rights for “Concrete Utopia” is a significant milestone for the platform. Jaehee Hong, SVP of Content at Rakuten Viki, expressed their dedication to providing the latest and most buzzworthy titles to fans.
Lee Kyung Joon, managing partner at 815 Pictures, the film’s North American distributor, commended “Concrete Utopia” as a prime example of the current Korean cinema, perfectly balancing cinematic artistry and entertainment.
Building a Rich Library of Asian Films
Since launching its movie rental service in 2021, Rakuten Viki has offered over 450 films on its platform, including blockbusters like “The Point Men,” “Seobok,” “Emergency Declaration,” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Rakuten Viki’s over-the-top platform is available in more than 250 countries and territories, offering drama series, variety shows, movies, and awards shows translated into 150+ languages by an enthusiastic global fan community. The Rakuten Viki app has been downloaded over 160 million times, making it a popular choice for Asian entertainment enthusiasts worldwide.
For more information about “Concrete Utopia” and Rakuten Viki’s extensive collection of Asian content, visit F5mag.com.