Smugglers

The story unfolds in 1974, a time when coastal communities rely on traditional fishing while facing rapid industrial development. Pollution and economic pressures push residents toward riskier livelihoods. The era’s law enforcement and smuggling networks shape the characters’ choices.

Guncheon is a small coastal village where haenyeo divers make a living from the sea. The community faces economic hardship as pollution from a nearby chemical plant spoils catches. The coastline and underwater smuggling operations become a means to survive.

💰 Criminal Economy

Poverty and desperation drive the haenyeo to participate in smuggling, turning their livelihood into a high-stakes trade. The film follows how illegal gains reshape a fishing community and attract power players. Rival networks and cash incentives push characters into dangerous alliances. The story emphasizes the moral costs of pursuing money over safety.

👭 Female Solidarity

The haenyeo form a tight sisterhood, relying on each other as they navigate danger and profit. Betrayals test loyalty, but alliances persist across guns, tides, and borders. The female-led operations show resilience in a male-dominated underworld. The narrative centers their collective agency and bond.

🏭 Environmental Decay

Pollution decimates the villagers’ livelihoods, pushing them toward smuggling as an economic lifeline. The chemical plant’s byproducts become a catalyst for crime, forcing residents to choose between survival and conscience. The coast’s deterioration mirrors the characters’ moral compromises. The environment shapes the plot as much as the people.

🗡️ Revenge & Betrayal

The betrayal between Chun-ja and Jin-sook underpins much of the conflict, fueling cycles of revenge. Do-ri and Kwon Pil-sam’s power struggle escalates toward violent ends. Characters weaponize information and mistrust to outmaneuver rivals. The pursuit of retribution drives key confrontations and resolutions.