| Native Title | 대홍수 |
| Also Know as | Daehongsu |
| Director | Kim Byung-Woo |
| Writer | Kim Byung-Woo, Han Ji-Soo |
| Distributor | Netflix |
| Air Time | Friday |
| Content Rating | 15+ - Teens 15 or older |
| Runtime | 108 minutes |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Time Loop, Virtual Reality, Apocalypse |
| Language | Korean |
| Country | South Korea |
| Release Date | 2025-12-19 |
“The Great Flood” (native title: “대홍수”) is a South Korean a sci-fi disaster thriller, which had its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on September 18, 2025, followed by its global online debut on Netflix on December 19, 2025.
Directed by the acclaimed Kim Byung-woo and produced as a Netflix original, it falls under the science fiction disaster genre, exploring the fragility of human existence in a world on the brink of extinction.
In a world ravaged by an unprecedented catastrophe, “The Great Flood” unfolds on what could be Earth's final day. A massive tsunami engulfs the planet, submerging entire cities and trapping survivors in a desperate bid for life. The story centers on the inhabitants of a sinking apartment building, where the line between salvation and doom blurs.
Key characters An Na, an AI development researcher, and Hee Jo, head of a human resource security team, fight to endure the rising waters. Hee Jo's mission to rescue An Na raises intriguing questions: Why is he so determined to save her specifically, and what hidden forces are at play?
As the floodwaters rise, the narrative shifts to a high-stakes struggle to protect a child amid the chaos, forcing characters to confront moral dilemmas and the essence of survival. The teaser poster evocatively captures this tension, showing an adult and child embracing underwater in a submerged high-rise, lit by faint rays piercing the depths. The tagline – "The last day on Earth, The one choice for survival" – hints at profound choices that could redefine humanity's legacy.
Early news coverage of “The Great Flood” has generated positive buzz, praising the star-studded cast and director's vision.
Fan discussions are just beginning, with many excited about the blend of disaster spectacle and sci-fi intrigue.
Post-release, expect it to climb rankings quickly, given Netflix's track record with Korean originals like “Squid Game” and “All of Us Are Dead”.
Kim Byung-woo is a master of confined-space thrillers – think the high-tension newsroom of “The Terror Live” or the tactical ops in “Take Point”. “The Great Flood” continues this trend with its claustrophobic apartment setting, amplified by underwater visuals.
Director Kim Byung-woo emphasizes that the film transcends mere disaster tropes*: "This film does not end with disaster. My initial idea was, 'Let's begin a story that could be complex or simple through the genre of disaster.'"
* Early reports suggested elements of a time loop, but the confirmed storyline leans into emotional, real-time peril.
Kim Da-mi was the first confirmed lead in June 2022, with her agency ANDMARQ noting she was "positively considering" the offer. Park Hae-soo joined shortly after in August 2022, solidifying the film's star power.
The poster's submerged apartment evokes classics like "The Poseidon Adventure" but with a modern K-film twist, emphasizing human bonds over spectacle.
As an original, it's tailored for global audiences, potentially breaking language barriers with subtitles in multiple languages.
Beyond floods, the story probes AI's role in humanity's fate, tying into An Na's profession and broader existential questions.
“The Great Flood” arrives at a poignant time, mirroring real-world anxieties about climate disasters while delivering escapist thrills through stellar performances and innovative storytelling. With Kim Da-mi and Park Hae-soo's emotional depth anchoring the chaos, and Kim Byung-woo's direction promising more than meets the eye, this could be one of Netflix's standout K-movies of 2025. If you love survival epics with a sci-fi edge, mark your calendars – it's set to make waves.
It debuted in festival on September 18, 2025.
The film premiered worldwide on December 19, 2025 exclusively on Netflix.
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