Tunnel

The events unfold in contemporary times, with modern rescue equipment, communications, and news crews on-site. The story emphasizes the immediacy of urban disaster response and the lengthy, tense timeline of a real-world rescue operation. The sequence spans several days as crews work to locate and extract the trapped individual.

The setting centers on the Hado Tunnel beneath Seoul, a recently opened transit artery. The collapse traps a car inside, turning a routine commute into a claustrophobic survival ordeal. Outside, a temporary rescue camp and media presence frame the site of the disaster, highlighting the contrast between engineering ambition and human peril.

🧭 Survival

The narrative centers on the struggle to stay alive against overwhelming odds. Jung-soo must ration water, conserve his phone battery, and endure isolation. Small acts of hope—like a distant signal or a reminder of his family—keep him moving forward in the darkness.

🛟 Rescue

A coordinated rescue operation drives the plot, blending engineering prowess with urgent decision-making. The team marks a reference point on the ventilation system and orchestrates a difficult excavation to reach Jung-soo. The effort showcases teamwork, risk, and the fragile line between success and tragedy.

🎭 Media vs Reality

Media attention tests the rescue process as journalists chase sensational moments while rescuers prioritize a life at stake. Public perception swings between hope and doubt, illustrating how press coverage can influence the pressure surrounding real-life crises.