The Firefighters (2024 film)

The Firefighters (Korean: 소방관) is a 2024 South Korean drama film written and directed by Kwak Kyung-taek. Based on the Hongje-dong arson incident [ko], it stars Joo Won, Kwak Do-won, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Yoo-young, Kim Min-jae, Oh Dae-hwan, and Lee Joon-hyuk as a team of firefighters responding to the crisis. The film was released theatrically on December 4, 2024.^[2]

The Firefighters
Theatrical release poster
Hangul	소방관
Hanja	消防官
Lit.	Firefighters
RR	Sobanggwan
MR	Sobanggwan
Directed by	Kwak Kyung-taek
Written by	Kwak Kyung-taek
Produced by	Jeong Seung-pil Han Seung-il Go Seok-ho Lee Seong-chan Nam Ji-woong
Starring	Joo Won Kwak Do-won Yoo Jae-myung Lee Yoo-young Kim Min-jae Oh Dae-hwan Lee Joon-hyuk Jang Young-nam
Cinematography	Lee Yong-gap
Edited by	Jeong Ji-eun
Music by	Mok Yeong-jin
Production companies	Escroad Pictures Ascendio Osine Films
Distributed by	By4M Studio
Release date	December 4, 2024 (2024-12-04)
Running time	106 minutes
Country	South Korea
Language	Korean
Box office	US$25.1 million[1]

Plot

To save lives and survive, a team of firefighters faces each day as if it were their last mission. Despite the harsh conditions, they unite with a single goal to extinguish fires and rescue everyone. One day, an urgent 119 emergency call reports a fire in Hongje-dong, and the team senses the gravity of the crisis as they prepare to respond.

Cast

• Joo Won as Choi Cheol-woong^[3]
• Kwak Do-won as Jeong Jin-seop^[4]
• Yoo Jae-myung as Kang In-ki^[3]
• Lee Yoo-young as Seo-hee^[3]
• Kim Min-jae as Shin Yong-tae^[3]
• Oh Dae-hwan as Ahn Hyo-jong^[3]
• Lee Joon-hyuk as Song Ki-cheol^[3]
• Jang Young-nam as Do-sun^[3]
• Seo Min-ju as Ahn Hyo-min
• Kim Yool-ho as Team member 1
• Heo Jin as Sun-ja
• Hong Sang-pyo as Seo Kyung-ho
• Yoo Seong-ju as Team Leader
• Lee Yong-yi as Shin Yong-tae's mother

Production

Filming

Principal photography started in May 2020 and concluded in September 2020. The film's release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Kwak Do-won's drunk driving controversy.^[5]

Release

The film has initiated a charitable campaign where ₩119 will be donated for each paid ticket. This donation supports the construction of the National Fire Hospital, scheduled to open in 2025. Additionally, surpassing the break-even point will lead to further in-kind contributions from the production company.^[6][7]

Reception

Box office

As of December 8, 2024^[update], Firefighters has grossed $4,872,346 with a running total of 744,196 tickets sold.^[1]

Accolades

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Buil Film Awards	2025	Best Art/Technical Award	Hong Jang-pyo	Pending	[8]