Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Adventure thriller

Ashfall (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Ashfall (2019) movie poster

Ashfall is a 2019 adventure thriller directed by Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun, starring Ko Han-min as North Korean crowd, Ha Jung-woo and Oh Ji-young. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $61.4 million worldwide on a $17.7 million budget. Its Echo Score is 65/100.

worldwide gross
$61.4M
Echo Score
65
budget
$17.7M
Loading streaming availability…
Ashfall (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Directors
Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun
Original language
Korean
Budget
$17.7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ashfall About?

The premise of Ashfall without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a massive volcanic eruption on Baekdu Mountain, a team of individuals from different parts of Korea must embark on a perilous mission. With the nation facing imminent disaster, they race against time to find a way to prevent widespread devastation and save countless lives. Their journey tests their courage and forces them to confront extraordinary challenges in a desperate attempt to avert catastrophe.

Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Ashfall Cast & Characters

Ko Han-min leads the cast as North Korean crowd, with Ha Jung-woo as Jo In-chang and Oh Ji-young as Seoul Citizen. Directed by Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun; 64 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Ashfall

· 60 more
Show all 64 cast members
From the directors

More from Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun

More films directed by Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun: My Dictator, Cold Eyes, Castaway on the Moon and Like a Virgin.

Ratings

Ashfall Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (72) and weakest in art & craft (60).

65 /100

Ashfall Echo Score Breakdown

Ashfall delivers a competent disaster spectacle that leans on strong performances and occasional visual flair, yet it is hampered by uneven pacing and over‑extended runtime. Critics and audiences note solid acting and an engaging premise, but many point to derivative plot beats and uneven editing. The film’s sensory elements, such as its score and CG work, receive mixed reception. Consequently, the movie offers moderate entertainment value but falls short of standing out in its genre.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    Regarding direction, cinematography, and production design, Ashfall exhibits moments of visual impact, especially in its depiction of volcanic chaos and a striking color palette. Critics commend the epic musical cues and occasional effective framing, while others criticize the editing and inconsistent CGI quality. The overall craftsmanship therefore ranges from competent to uneven, resulting in a mixed appraisal of its artful execution.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    When evaluating acting and character depth, the film benefits from seasoned performers who convey commitment and forge a convincing partnership. Positive remarks highlight nuanced chemistry and solid portrayals, whereas some viewers find certain roles underdeveloped and lacking intrigue. Overall, character work leans toward proficiency, yet occasional flatness prevents it from achieving stronger emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The narrative follows a high‑stakes volcanic eruption scenario, offering an original premise intertwined with geopolitical undertones. While the premise sustains interest, critics note that pacing suffers from a protracted runtime and predictable resolution, diluting tension. Consequently, the story is viewed as engaging in concept but uneven in execution, landing in the middle of the quality spectrum.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Auditory and visual components of Ashfall receive divergent feedback. The score is praised for delivering epic moments that complement disaster sequences, and the CGI renders spectacular set‑pieces, though some find the effects overly exaggerated. Sound design supports tension, yet inconsistencies in visual fidelity cause occasional distraction. Overall, sensory impact ranges from striking to uneven, yielding a mixed sensory impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 62

    Rewatch potential for Ashfall hinges on its entertainment value and action set‑pieces. Viewers who appreciate solid performances and thrilling disaster sequences report high enjoyment on repeat viewings, while others cite uneven pacing and predictable outcomes as deterrents. The film’s mix of strong moments and notable shortcomings leads to a moderate likelihood of returning watches.

Plot

Ashfall Plot Summary

What happens in Ashfall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Paektu Mountain, a volatile volcano perched on the China–North Korea border, suddenly erupts and triggers a cascade of severe earthquakes that ripple across the Korean peninsula. The crisis sparks a race against time as officials fear further eruptions, threatening countless lives. In response, a plan emerges rooted in a controversial theory about predicting and preventing a larger catastrophe: detonate a nuclear device near a mine close to Paektu’s caldera to relieve the built-up pressure and avert catastrophic activity.

Full summary

The whole story of Ashfall, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Ashfall Box Office & Budget

Ashfall grossed $61.4 million worldwide on a $17.7 million budget, 3.5 times what it cost. $372,562 came from the US and Canada and $61 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$61.4M

3.5× its budget

US & Canada
$372.6K
International
$61M
Budget
$17.7M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

Ashfall Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ashfall.

ASHFALL Trailer (2020)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ashfall?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which volcano erupts at the beginning of the film, triggering a cascade of earthquakes?

Details

Ashfall Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “baek-du-san” and “白頭山:半島浩劫”.

Also known as
  • baek-du-san
  • 白頭山:半島浩劫
  • 白頭山:火山浩劫
  • Pioggia di cenere
  • Baekdusan
  • Monte Baitou: catástrofe volcánica
  • 白头山
  • Пеплопад
  • Гора Пэкту
  • Ashfall - The Final Countdown
  • ペクトゥサンだいふんか
  • นรกล้างเมือง
+13 more
  • 백두산
  • Đại Thảm Hoạ Núi Baekdu
  • Ashfall: Alerta Roja
  • A Fehérfejű hegy
  • Планината Пекту
  • Извержение
  • Alerta roja
  • Alerta Vermelho
  • Ashfall - Final Countdown
  • Destruction Finale
  • נשורת געשית
  • 白頭山大噴火
  • Виверження

Seen Ashfall?

FAQ

Ashfall FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Ashfall, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ashfall?

Ashfall runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Ashfall released?

Ashfall was released on December 19, 2019.

Who directed Ashfall?

Ashfall was directed by Kim Byung-seo and Lee Hae-jun.

More films by Kim Byung-seo

Who is in the cast of Ashfall?

Ashfall stars Ko Han-min as North Korean crowd, Ha Jung-woo as Jo In-chang and Oh Ji-young as Seoul Citizen, among 64 credited actors.

How much did Ashfall make at the box office?

Ashfall grossed $61.4 million worldwide ($372,562 domestic, $61 million international) on a budget of $17.7 million.

Does Ashfall have a post-credit scene?

No. Ashfall has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Ashfall in?

The original language of Ashfall is Korean.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app