Concrete Market
WriterKwak Jae-min
DirectorHong Ki-won
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Num episodes7
Runtime27–32 minutes
NetworkWavve
First airedDecember 23, 2025
Last airedDecember 30, 2025

Concrete Market () 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).[1]

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[2]
The person who Hee-ro strives to protect.
Hee-ro's ally.

Production

Development

Concrete Market was developed in October 2021 as a drama.[3] Produced by Climax Studio and Andmarq, 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).[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

Casting

In October 2021, Hong Kyung and Lee Jae-in were reportedly cast as lead for the series.[3] 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 have confirmed their appearances.[7]

Filming

Principal photography began on November 14, 2021.[7]

Release

In March 2024, it was reported that the series was supposed to be released on Paramount+ in the second half of 2024.[1]

Concrete Market was first premiered its film version on December 3, 2025,[8] in a limited number of 170-180 screens, word-of-mouth is steadily increasing its audience.[9] The original seven-episode series is scheduled to be released on Wavve on December 23.[6]

References

  1. ^ Kim, Bo-ra (March 28, 2024). "ko:[단독] '댓글부대' 홍경·김동휘 주연 '콘크리트 마켓', 파라마운트+ 2024 하반기 공개" [[Exclusive] 'Troll Factory' Stars Hong Kyung and Kim Dong-hwi's 'Concrete Market' to Premiere on Paramount+ in the Second Half of 2024] (in Korean). Osen. Archived June 26, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  2. ^ Jung, Eugene (November 16, 2021). "ko:이재인·홍경·정만식·유수빈 등, '콘크리트 마켓' 캐스팅...촬영 돌입" [Lee Jae-in, Hong Kyung, Jung Man-sik, Yoo Su-bin, and Others Cast in 'Concrete Market' as Filming Begins] (in Korean). News1. Archived December 15, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  3. ^ Production: * Kang, Nae-ri (October 15, 2021). "ko:홍경, 새 드라마 '콘크리트 마켓' 주연 발탁...'홍천기' 이어 열일행보" [Hong Kyung Cast as Lead in New Drama 'Concrete Market'...Continues Busy Streak Following 'Lovers of the Red Sky'] (in Korean). YTN. Archived December 4, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025. * Kang, Nae-ri (October 18, 2021). "ko:'라켓소년단' 이재인, '콘크리트 마켓' 여주인공 낙점...11월 첫 촬영" ['Racket Boys' Star Lee Jae-in Cast as Female Lead in 'Concrete Market'...First Filming Begins in November] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  4. ^ Jo, Hyun-na (November 14, 2026). "ko:[coming soon] 콘크리트 마켓" [[coming soon] Concrete Market] (in Korean). Cine21. Archived December 6, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Lee, Ju-in (November 6, 2025). "ko:[단독] 홍경X이재인 ‘콘크리트 마켓’, 연말 극장으로...이병헌 잇는다 [종합]" [[Exclusive] Hong Kyung and Lee Jae-in's 'Concrete Market' Heads to Theaters at Year's End...Following in Lee Byung-hun's Footsteps [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Archived December 6, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  6. ^ Lee, Seung-mi (December 10, 2025). "ko:이재인·홍경 '콘크리트 마켓', 23일 웨이브에서 '완전판 시리즈'로 공개" [Lee Jae-in and Hong Kyung's 'Concrete Market' to Be Released as a 'Complete Edition Series' on Wavve on the 23rd] (in Korean). Archived December 11, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  7. ^ Lee, Seung-mi (November 16, 2021). "ko:[공식]이재인·정만식·홍경, '콘크리트 마켓' 캐스팅...14일 크랭크인" [[Official] Lee Jae-in, Jung Man-sik, and Hong Kyung Cast in 'Concrete Market'...Filming Begins on the 14th] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived January 3, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  8. ^ Bae, Hyo-joo (November 7, 2025). "ko:이재인·홍경 ‘콘크리트 마켓’ 12월3일 롯데시네마 개봉" [Lee Jae-in and Hong Kyung's 'Concrete Market' to Open at Lotte Cinema on December 3] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived December 5, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  9. ^ Choi, Jae-wook (December 9, 2025). "ko:[단독] '콘크리트 마켓', 영화 아닌 시리즈로 12월23일 웨이브서 공개" [[Exclusive] 'Concrete Market' to Be Released as a Series, Not a Film, on Wavve on December 23] (in Korean). Ize. Archived December 9, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
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