[Full] 극한직업 - 쇳물 주조 공장 20140820

Summary

The documentary follows two Korean foundries where workers make street manhole covers, traditional cast-iron pots and lids, and aluminum cookware. Their work combines extreme heat, heavy lifting, skilled handwork, and constant danger.

Making manhole covers in Taebaek

The foundry in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, produces about 14 tons of molten iron and roughly 80 covers each day. Compressed scrap from automobile parts is melted, tested, and poured into molds. Accurate temperature and material checks are essential because products used in public infrastructure must meet precise specifications.

During one incident, the molten-iron level unexpectedly dropped. Workers suspected a possible furnace failure and moved the metal while preparing for an explosion. The danger eased once the temperature reached about 1,580°C, but the incident showed how quickly conditions can change.

Making traditional cookware in Gumi

In Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, workers make cast-iron pots and cauldrons using carefully prepared and compacted sand molds. The molds are assembled by hand, and even a small crack or alignment error can ruin hours of work. When one large mold broke, the team had to start again.

Molten iron, at around 1,500°C, can solidify in minutes, so pouring requires precision and teamwork. Workers remove impurities and pour at a steady rate, relying on experience to judge the flow. Moving a heavy ladle takes strength and careful coordination; losing one’s grip could cause a serious accident.

Hazards and physical toll

Rain creates an added risk because water and molten metal are a dangerous combination. During night work, rain entered the workshop, and workers hurried to protect the area while continuing production to meet orders.

Aluminum work is hazardous too. Although aluminum melts at a lower temperature, splashes can cling to skin and continue burning. In one close call, a splash narrowly missed the production crew but burned a hat.

Workers describe burns, embedded metal stains, and impaired eyesight. One veteran had spent nearly 49 years in casting. Many newcomers reportedly leave quickly because the heat and danger are difficult to endure.

Rest and daily routine

After long shifts, workers shower and spend time together in the dormitory or over a meal. One veteran describes lining his socks with newspaper to absorb sweat and help keep his feet dry.

Notable locations, products, and people

• Locations: Taebaek, Gangwon Province; Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province
• Products: Manhole covers; traditional cast-iron pots, cauldrons, and lids; aluminum cookware
• People: Lee Myung-woo, identified as a furnace manager; Yoo Young-man, a veteran caster whose work dates back to 1966