Native Title	콘크리트 마켓
Also Know as	Konkeuriteu Maket
Director	Hong Ki-Won
Writer	Kwak Jae-Min
Distributor	Wavve
Air Time	Tuesday
Content Rating	15+ - Teens 15 or older
Runtime	7 episodes
Genre	Thriller, Action, Sci-Fi, Disaster, Dystopia
Language	Korean
Country	South Korea
Release Date	2025-12-23
End Date	2025-12-30

In the shadowed ruins of a quake-ravaged Seoul, Concrete Market unfolds as a pulse-pounding seven-episode dystopian thriller, where survivors in a fortified apartment-turned-bartering bazaar navigate treacherous alliances, mounting debts, and a cunning outsider's arrival that ignites a powder keg of betrayal and raw ambition. This 2025 South Korean gem on Wavve masterfully weaves action, moral ambiguity, and sci-fi grit into a bingeable saga of power's perilous pull.

Overview

"Concrete Market" is a 2025 South Korean web miniseries blending action, drama, and sci-fi elements in a post-apocalyptic thriller. Directed by Hong Ki-won, it spans seven episodes (each around 30 minutes) and aired exclusively on Wavve from December 23 to December 30, 2025. Rated for viewers 15 and older, the series expands on a shared dystopian "Concrete Universe" lore, delving deeper into the chaos following a massive earthquake. With its focus on bartering economies and moral gray areas, it offers a binge-worthy exploration of power's corrupting influence in isolation.

Plot Synopsis

Following a catastrophic earthquake, the last intact apartment complex evolves into Hwanggung Market, a vital trading post where survivors barter for life's necessities amid scarcity. In this enclosed world, a rigid hierarchy emerges, ruled by fear and favoritism, until the arrival of a cunning outsider upends the status quo. As debts mount and loyalties fracture, characters grapple with temptations of rebellion and revenge, leading to a web of betrayals and brutal confrontations. The narrative builds to a crescendo of survival instincts clashing with hidden agendas, all set against a backdrop of crumbling concrete and flickering hope.

Cast & Characters

Main Cast

Lee Jae-in as Choi Hee-ro: The strategic outsider whose quiet menace and ulterior motives ignite the market's powder keg.
Hong Kyung as Kim Tae-jin: A conflicted debt collector torn between duty to his boss and the allure of seizing power for himself.
Jung Man-sik as Park Sang-yong: The domineering market overlord whose grip on information and resources enforces a tense peace.
Yoo Su-bin as Park Cheol-min: A scheming enforcer whose ambition rivals Tae-jin's, fueling explosive rivalries.
Kim Gook-hee as Mi-seon: A grounded resident entangled in the escalating conflicts.
Choi Jung-un as Se-hee: The emotional anchor for Hee-ro's high-stakes journey.

Reception

Viewer Resonance

The series has resonated with viewers for its intricate character studies and atmospheric tension, securing a 7.3 out of 10 average from nearly 200 ratings.

Fan Appreciation and Challenges

Fans appreciate the expanded runtime's room for subplot development, though its niche streaming release kept initial viewership contained.

Fun Facts & Highlights

Restored Complete Edition

This "complete edition" version restores the original seven-episode structure after the material was trimmed for a prior theatrical release, adding richer backstories and world details.

Weekly Release Schedule

Episodes drop weekly on Tuesdays, building anticipation with cliffhangers centered on market trades gone wrong.

Core Themes and Storytelling Elements

The series incorporates tags like betrayal, natural disasters, and age-gap dynamics, enhancing its layered storytelling.

Connections to the Concrete Universe

It connects to the "Concrete Universe" through shared earthquake lore, offering Easter eggs for franchise followers.

Content Warning and Target Audience

With a content warning for intense themes, it's tailored for more mature audiences seeking dystopian depth.

Final Thoughts

"Concrete Market" shines as a riveting miniseries that transforms a simple survival premise into a profound commentary on ambition and alliance. The episodic format allows for delicious slow-burn tension, elevated by unforgettable performances and a vividly realized ruined world. Perfect for a weekend binge, it leaves you pondering the thin line between order and anarchy – highly recommended for thriller enthusiasts.

Where to Watch

Streaming Access

South Korea: Wavve.

Gallery

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