Firemen embody rare courage as they face danger head-on, and risk their lives for strangers. The Korean movie “Firefighters” shines a spotlight on these unsung heroes. Inspired by the tragic 2001 Hongje-dong fire in Seoul, the film portrays the incident in which an arson attack led to the collapse of a residential building and resulted in the deaths of six first responders and serious injuries to three others. 

Originally set for an earlier premiere date, the movie was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only to face further postponement when one of the lead actors Kwak Do-won (Jin-seop) was arrested for drunk driving in 2022. This incident led to significant damage to Kwak’s reputation and career, and it wasn’t until 2024 that its release was finally confirmed. Despite the hiccups along the way, “Firefighters” finally made its way to the box office on Dec 4, 2024 and brought forth a story that blends intense action with tear-jerking emotion.

Well-received by the public, the motion picture earned a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Just five days after its launch, the film hit 74 million viewers and 3.7 shortly after. For every ticket sold, a total of 119 won was donated to improve conditions for rescue workers, which meant that a minimum of 88 million KRW was dedicated to this cause.

The story follows rookie Chul-woong, who joined a seasoned team led by Jin-seop. On his first mission, a fire erupts in a crowded villa, only to come to an abrupt stop when Chul-woong breaks the window that triggers an explosion. This results in an unexpected catastrophe, which left Hyo-jong severely injured and his Yong-tae with no choice but to sacrifice himself to save a child. 

In terms of authenticity, the movie succeeded in the realistic portrayal of the environment many work under. One detail that stood out was how the crew entered the blaze with only simple rubber gloves instead of heat-resistant ones. It sheds light on the lack of proper safety measures, insufficient support for the job, and the fact that the profession was not classified as a national government position (국가공무원) until 2020. It angered me to think about how much these heroes sacrifice while they receive so little in turn. 

However, though the film stayed true to the real-life events, many of the key characters lacked a sufficient backstory and development. Despite his role as the lead, Chul-woong initially seemed distant and disconnected. Then, out of nowhere, he resurfaced through a sudden “awakening,” and claimed he can’t give up his right to save lives. The rushed, awkward progression created a hollow character and left little room for genuine growth. On top of this, certain elements of the story felt too familiar. His arc followed the typical “guilt, self-doubt, and redemption” formula, which made certain moments feel too predictable. 

This issue also arises in two other key players, if for different reasons.

Although Yong-tae’s sense of duty pulls on your heartstrings, his character development suffers from gaps and lack of depth. The movie only scratches the surface of his struggles, and despite his key role, his internal conflict is not fully explored.

In addition, the pace of Jin-seop’s arc felt off. Due to the controversy surrounding the actor, many of Jin-seop’s scenes were cut, which made the storyline feel disjointed. This left his emotional journey somewhat underdeveloped, despite his pivotal role in the plot.

Aside from the story, the technical execution perfectly captured the harsh working conditions of many firefighters.

Visually, the fire scenes felt terrifyingly realistic. The way the flames swallowed the building, the thick smoke clouded every shot, and the explosions shook the screen, made every rescue scene feel urgent and high-stakes. The special effects made the danger feel real and further heightened the immersion for viewers. Though some moments felt a bit stretched out, the cinematography was exceptional nonetheless. 

The moment Park Hyo-shin’s “Hero” played at the end credits, it felt as if the entire film’s emotions were poured out through the song. The lyrics carried deep gratitude and respect for firefighters and left an impact that lingered beyond the final scene.  

Overall, I enjoyed the “Firefighters”, as it paints a vivid picture of the personal and professional struggles behind the heroism of the emergency responders. It serves as a powerful reminder of their humanity, and that these seemingly invincible figures of bravery carry the weight of fear, trauma, and loss as well.