Tunnel

Tunnel

Year: 2016

Runtime: 126 min

Language: Korean

Director: Seong-hoon Kim

DramaThriller

While attempting to bring home a birthday cake, car dealer Jung-soo finds himself trapped when a tunnel collapses. As rescue operations are hampered by bureaucratic delays and intense media attention, he faces a harrowing fight for survival. His family struggles to cope with the unfolding crisis, uncertain if he will be rescued or lost. The incident exposes the difficulties of emergency response and the impact of a desperate situation on one man’s family.

Tunnel (2016) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the bustling outskirts of Seoul, a brand‑new tunnel promises faster commutes and a glimpse of modern progress. The story follows Jung‑soo, an affable automobile salesperson who is on his way home with a birthday cake for his daughter, embodying the ordinary hopes and small celebrations of everyday life. The tunnel, still fresh in the public’s imagination, becomes the backdrop for a sudden, unsettling disruption that tests both its engineers and the people who rely on it.

When a section of the tunnel collapses, Jung‑soo finds himself trapped inside his car amid a maze of concrete and steel, his only link to the outside world a flickering cell‑phone signal. The incident quickly draws intense media scrutiny, turning a personal crisis into a public spectacle. Coordinating the rescue is Kim Dae‑kyung, the stoic chief of emergency operations, whose pragmatic approach clashes with the press’s hunger for drama and the bureaucracy that slows decisive action. The film immerses viewers in the claustrophobic tension of the underground rescue site while simultaneously exposing the frayed nerves of the teams above, highlighting the delicate balance between procedure and urgency.

Back on the surface, Se‑hyun, Jung‑soo’s wife, wrestles with mounting anxiety, familial responsibilities, and the weight of external expectations. Their relationship, anchored by love and the promise of a simple family celebration, becomes a quiet source of resilience amid the chaos. The tone remains grounded and suspenseful, blending stark realism with moments of humane tenderness, inviting the audience to contemplate how ordinary people confront extraordinary circumstances when every second feels like a lifetime.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 16:54

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Tunnel

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