Ashfall

When the long-dormant Baekdu Mountain suddenly erupts, people across the Korean peninsula are thrown into chaos. A mismatched band of experts and ordinary citizens come together, pooling skills, grit, and shaky trust to try to limit the destruction and protect as many lives as possible. The story follows several interlocking missions, from daring rescues to risky fixes aimed at preventing further catastrophe, all set against collapsing infrastructure and mounting political pressure. The film keeps the suspense tight, focusing on teamwork, split-second decisions, and the human cost of a disaster that refuses to obey borders, without giving away how it all ends.

Directed by Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun, Ashfall was released in 2019 and was developed from an original screenplay by Lim Joon-hyung, Kim Tae-yun, and Kwak Jieong-duk. The ensemble cast includes Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, Ma Dong-seok, Jeon Hye-jin, and Suzy, giving the action broad star power.

The picture performed strongly at the South Korean box office, attracting large domestic audiences and becoming one of the year's higher-profile disaster action films, while also receiving distribution in several international markets.

Scenes from the eruption and the film's large-scale set pieces became talking points in pop culture, with many viewers noting its dramatic visuals of volcanic ash and collapsing cityscapes. The movie fed conversations about cinematic portrayals of natural disaster in Korea, and its location choice, Baekdu Mountain, added a symbolic layer that resonated with regional audiences.

Critics and viewers gave mixed to positive notices, praising the ambitious special effects and the chemistry among the leads, while some critics pointed out uneven pacing and a crowded plot. The film balances fast-paced action with themes of cooperation, responsibility, and sacrifice, and it holds a vote average around 6.84 out of 10 from audiences, reflecting solid appreciation from many viewers even as opinions vary.