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FIREFIGHTERS

FIREFIGHTERS

2024 · Film · South Korea · Drama

Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek · 106 min

Cheol-ung grows through field experiences alongside several senior colleagues and clashes with Jin-seop. The film builds an ensemble narrative centered on rookie Cheol-ung and veteran Jin-seop. In the released version, the scene is used to reinforce Cheol-ung’s realization.

B

OVERALL TRUTH BASIS · Fact-based dramatization

Directly based on the March 4, 2001 arson and building-collapse disaster at a house in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The historical framework of 6 firefighters dying in the line of duty, 3 being injured, and the re-entry and collapse is factual, but the major characters, including Cheol-woong, Jin-seop, and In-gi, and their personal histories are adaptations that reassign and combine stories of firefighters who died in the line of duty.

2001 Hongje-dong House-Fire Disaster

In the early hours of March 4, 2001, firefighters sent to search for people at the scene of a fire in an aging house in Hongje-dong were trapped when the building collapsed. Six died in the line of duty and 3 were injured. Those who died were Park Dong-gyu, Kim Cheol-hong, Park Sang-ok, Kim Gi-seok, Jang Seok-chan, and Park Jun-woo.

Event details →

FACT / FICTION

Verification 24

Fact / Fiction verification

24 records
FactConfidence High

Firefighters is a South Korean drama film released on December 4, 2024, with a runtime of 106 minutes and directed by Kwak Kyung-taek.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
The corresponding metadata is registered in the KOFIC film database.
View 1 sources
  • FIREFIGHTERS (2024)KOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The film is directly based on the Hongje-dong house-fire disaster of March 4, 2001.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
After receiving a 119 emergency call, firefighters from Seobu Fire Station head to the scene of the Hongje-dong fire.
Verified record
Both KOFIC and the director’s interview confirm that the film is based on the 2001 Hongje-dong arson incident.
View 2 sources
  • FirefightersKOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The report of the Hongje-dong fire was received, and the fire occurred, at around 3:47–3:48 a.m. on March 4, 2001.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film also depicts the call to 119 about the Hongje-dong fire as coming in during the 3 a.m. hour.
Verified record
Reports from the time and materials introducing the film place it at around 3:47–3:48 a.m.
View 2 sources
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  • [연말 한국영화 기대작②] 〈소방관〉 신파 없이 정공법으로 돌파하다!씨네플레이 · Creator interview · Grade BOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The actual disaster took place at a two-story house in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film also depicts a house fire in Hongje-dong.
Verified record
Reports on the day of the incident identify the location as a two-story house in Hongje 1-dong, Seodaemun-gu.
View 2 sources
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  • 홍제동 화재참사 문제점과 대책서울신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

Six firefighters died in the actual Hongje-dong disaster.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The disaster is recreated in the latter part of the film, with crew members becoming casualties during rescue and firefighting efforts.
Verified record
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and media reports from the time name the 6 firefighters who died in the line of duty as Park Dong-gyu, Kim Cheol-hong, Park Sang-ok, Kim Gi-seok, Jang Seok-chan, and Park Jun-woo.
View 2 sources
  • 영웅들의 마지막 발자취…희생정신 깃든 홍제동 '소방영웅길'서울특별시 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

In addition to those who died in the Hongje-dong disaster, 3 firefighters were injured.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film depicts the rescue of surviving and injured crew members after the collapse.
Verified record
A Korea Economic Daily report from the time says that 3 of the 9 people trapped were rescued.
View 2 sources
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  • [연말 한국영화 기대작②] 〈소방관〉 신파 없이 정공법으로 돌파하다!씨네플레이 · Creator interview · Grade BOpen source →
FactConfidence High

After rescuing civilians, the firefighters who died in the line of duty went back inside after being told, “There’s someone in the building,” and were killed when it collapsed.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The central tragedy in the film also unfolds with a collapse after the firefighters re-enter to search for people.
Verified record
The Seoul Metropolitan Government says that the 6 firefighters re-entered after rescuing 7 civilians and died when the building collapsed.
View 1 sources
  • 영웅들의 마지막 발자취…희생정신 깃든 홍제동 '소방영웅길'서울특별시 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The possibility of arson in the actual fire was investigated immediately after the incident.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film is set against the Hongje-dong “arson incident.”
Verified record
Media reports at the time said police were investigating the possibility that a son had set the fire after a dispute within the family living there, and the director’s interview refers to the incident as the Hongje-dong arson incident.
View 2 sources
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The key circumstances—that an aging building collapsed during the fire and firefighters were trapped—match the actual incident.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The building collapses during firefighting and search efforts.
Verified record
Reports from the time say that a brick building more than 30 years old collapsed, trapping 9 people.
View 2 sources
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  • 홍제동 화재참사 문제점과 대책서울신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

Illegally parked vehicles made it difficult for fire engines and equipment to reach the scene.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film reflects how narrow alleys and poor emergency-response conditions hindered rescue efforts.
Verified record
Reports on the day of the incident say parked vehicles on a 6-meter-wide side street made it difficult for fire engines to get through.
View 2 sources
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  • 홍제동 화재참사 문제점과 대책서울신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
DramatizedConfidence High

The film’s major firefighter characters, including Cheol-woong and Jin-seop, are not biographical portrayals corresponding one-to-one with actual firefighters who died in the line of duty.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film builds an ensemble narrative centered on the rookie Cheol-woong and the veteran Jin-seop.
Verified record
Director Kwak Kyung-taek explicitly explained that the characters’ individual stories were assigned differently from the stories of the firefighters who died in the line of duty.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
DramatizedConfidence High

The film is not a work that directly recreates the personal histories of the firefighters who died in the line of duty based on interviews with their bereaved families.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
The film gives each character emotional wounds and a family history.
Verified record
The director said he did not meet with the families because he felt it would be wrong to ask them to revisit painful memories.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
DramatizedConfidence High

Cheol-woong’s coming-of-age story and his generational and ideological clashes with Jin-seop are creative elements of the film’s narrative structure.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
Cheol-woong grows through experiences with several senior colleagues and at various scenes, and clashes with Jin-seop.
Verified record
The director explained that the film’s broad structure is Cheol-woong’s coming-of-age story and that it reflects generational conflict.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FictionConfidence High

The scene in which Cheol-woong confesses to Jin-seop that he did not submit his answers after taking the officer’s exam is a cinematic construction whose placement was changed during editing.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
In the release version, the scene is used to strengthen Cheol-woong’s realization.
Verified record
The director said it was originally a flashback, was omitted from the first cut, and was placed back into the release version.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FictionConfidence High

The scene in which In-gi lies in the emergency room while suppressing his grief is an emotional scene staged during the film’s production.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
It is presented as an emotional scene involving In-gi in the latter part of the film.
Verified record
The director’s interview explains that the scene was filmed on the first day of shooting and describes how he directed actor Yoo Jae-myung’s performance.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The fire scenes were filmed using both real fire and CGI.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
Director Kwak Kyung-taek explained that the use of real fire and CGI was roughly evenly split.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

To prepare for the demanding fire scenes, the special-effects and CGI teams repeatedly conducted advance tests.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
The director said they conducted multiple test shoots starting in pre-production.
View 1 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The film was shot and produced in 2020 but released in 2024.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
KOFIC lists the production year as 2020 and the release date as 2024-12-04, and its 2024 year-end review also explains that the release was delayed because of COVID-19 and issues involving the lead actor, among other things.
View 2 sources
  • FIREFIGHTERS (2024)KOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
  • 2024년 전체 영화 박스오피스KOFIC · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

Park Dong-gyu, Kim Cheol-hong, Park Sang-ok, Kim Gi-seok, Jang Seok-chan, and Park Jun-woo were the actual firefighters who died in the Hongje-dong disaster.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
The same 6 names are confirmed in Seoul Metropolitan Government records and reports from the day of the incident.
View 2 sources
  • 영웅들의 마지막 발자취…희생정신 깃든 홍제동 '소방영웅길'서울특별시 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
  • 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence Medium

Firefighter Senior Officer Kim Cheol-hong was the firefighter who, according to accounts, was the first to rush into the flames at the time.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
A Yonhap News report published a month after the incident says Kim Cheol-hong was reportedly the first to rush into the flames at the time.
View 1 sources
  • 홍제동 화재 사망 소방관 영혼결혼식 올린다연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The Hongje-dong disaster later became the direct historical context for the designation of “Firefighters’ Heroes’ Road” in Seoul, honoring the 6 firefighters who died in the line of duty.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
In 2024, on the 23rd anniversary of the firefighters’ deaths, the Seoul Metropolitan Government designated a 382-meter stretch near the scene as Firefighters’ Heroes’ Road.
View 1 sources
  • 영웅들의 마지막 발자취…희생정신 깃든 홍제동 '소방영웅길'서울특별시 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
DramatizedConfidence High

Although the film follows actual records for the central circumstances of the casualties and rescue, the individual characters’ personalities, family histories, and mentor relationships should not be read as factual as depicted.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
Based on an actual incident, the film builds personal dramas around characters including Cheol-woong, Jin-seop, and In-gi.
Verified record
Because the director explicitly stated that the stories of those who died in the line of duty were assigned differently to each character, there is insufficient basis to directly match individual film characters with specific firefighters who died in the line of duty.
View 2 sources
  • [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
  • 영웅들의 마지막 발자취…희생정신 깃든 홍제동 '소방영웅길'서울특별시 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

Firefighters ranked among the top 10 films in KOFIC’s overall annual box office for 2024.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
In KOFIC’s 2024 annual box office data, Firefighters ranked 7th overall.
View 1 sources
  • 2024년 전체 영화 박스오피스KOFIC · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
FactConfidence High

The Netflix Korea page currently indicates that Firefighters cannot be watched in South Korea.

On screen · Verified record
On screen
—
Verified record
The Netflix KR title page displays “currently isn’t available to watch in your country”.
View 1 sources

CHARACTER ↔ PERSON

Characters and real people

3 characters

인기

Fictional composite character

진섭

Fictional composite character

철웅

Fictional composite character

Other related people

Sources used

  1. FIREFIGHTERS (2024)KOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
  2. FirefightersKOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
  3. [인터뷰] ‘아는 척하지 않아도 되는 이야기’, <소방관> 곽경택 감독씨네21 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
  4. 소방관 6명 불끄다 사망 .. 홍제동 주택 생존자 찾던중 붕괴 매몰한국경제 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  5. [연말 한국영화 기대작②] 〈소방관〉 신파 없이 정공법으로 돌파하다!씨네플레이 · Creator interview · Grade BOpen source →
  6. 홍제동 화재참사 문제점과 대책서울신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  7. 영웅들의 마지막 발자취…희생정신 깃든 홍제동 '소방영웅길'서울특별시 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
  8. 2024년 전체 영화 박스오피스KOFIC · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
  9. 홍제동 화재 사망 소방관 영혼결혼식 올린다연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
  10. FirefightersNetflix · Other · Grade AOpen source →