The title really does tell you what to expect. After reading a brief summary, I had a sense of how this movie would unfold—a feeling that it was attempting something new within Korean cinema, though not entirely original on a global scale. While I’ve seen many films in the genre and generally enjoyed them, this one exceeded its online ratings considerably. The story begins immediately; there's no drawn-out introduction or setup. Once the thriller and adventure elements kick in, everything essential is revealed. Clocking in at just over two hours, the narrative frequently alternates between a man trapped inside a collapsed tunnel and the efforts of those outside attempting to rescue him. Like many films with a similar premise, it incorporates familiar tropes, but there’s an evident effort to avoid them. If a character or plot point seems significant, you can often anticipate its later role. Recognizing that these moments are inevitable, the filmmakers simply sidestepped extended development in the final act. The film centers on a man's fight for survival after a disaster strikes, and remarkably, he manages to get a cell phone signal from deep within the mountain—something I personally struggle with. He communicates his situation to those above, who then mobilize to bring him out. Despite its serious subject matter, the movie isn’t entirely somber; there's a touch of satire woven in. Whether this was intentional is unclear, but it provided me with several genuine laughs. It brought to mind ‘Peepli (Live)’ and the frenzy that media creates during such events—a reflection of the competitive environment among news outlets today. > ❝Don’t be weak and say you'll die, just live.❞ The man must secure food and water to survive until rescue arrives, a process potentially taking a week or longer. The film references the recent Chilean disaster that inspired ‘The 33.’ His experience combines elements of '127 Hours,' 'Buried,' and that Chilean film. Numerous events occur—what could be described as twists and turns—and at times felt somewhat excessive in their addition, but ultimately they worked out well enough. Simultaneously, the narrative on the outside world progresses with its own characters and circumstances, offering both entertainment and commentary. The focus is particularly on media practices and how politicians exploit such incidents for publicity, along with a critique of construction firms prioritizing profit over quality workmanship. These issues are touched upon but not explored in depth, maintaining a lighter and more entertaining tone than a purely awareness-raising film. Throughout, it’s an engaging story—a lengthy film told at a brisk pace. Visually, the movie is well-crafted; everything appears natural and believable. It's difficult to distinguish between CGI/green screen work and real disaster scenes. However, some technical aspects like drilling or the space where he survives are less convincing, prompting questions about their plausibility—perhaps intended as narrative devices. The ending feels slightly abbreviated, which is preferable to dragging it out unnecessarily. The acting is strong across the board, with Oh Dal-su being a standout for me; he consistently delivers memorable supporting performances in world cinema. It’s not a masterpiece, but a good and acceptable film overall—one that ultimately proves worthwhile. I recommend it to those considering watching it or to fans of Korean films outside Korea. _7.5/10_

Source on TMDB