Tidal Wave

Haeundae 2009

Haneundae is one of the most visited places on the East Sea coast in Busan, southeast of the Korean Peninsula, and its beaches attract 1 million visitors a year. Man-sik, a native of Haeundae, lost a colleague in a tsunami four years ago while fishing in the open sea. Since then it has never sailed again. He leads a simple life by running a small seafood restaurant and is preparing to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Yeon-hee. Man-Sik's brother works for the Coast Guard. One day, he saves the life of a high school student from Seoul who attacked him. As this daily association unfolds, geologist and tsunami researcher Kim Hwi is noticing signals of activity similar to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami from the East Sea. Despite the Disaster Prevention Agency's warnings, it claims it did not target Korea and would not cause harm. When it detects a megatsunami heading towards the Korean Peninsula, it quickly moves towards Haeundae. He meets his ex-wife, whom he has not seen for seven years, who organizes a cultural event there. He also sees his little daughter, unaware that she is her father. Finally, Kim announces that a deadly wave has arrived, with ten minutes to escape. Busan's vacationers and residents are basking in the hot summer sun as the mega-tsunami hit Haeundae at 800km/h.