"More than just a Sci-Fi disaster film": Kim Da Mi talks about taking on a new challenge in Netflix's 'The Great Flood'

17 Dec 2025, 23:44 by K-Soul · allkpop

Actress Kim Da Mi is set to portray motherhood for the first time. It was an unexpected casting choice—so much so that Kim herself asked the director why she had been chosen. Director Kim Byung Woo explained that this very choice was the point of the film.

Director Kim explained, "I thought it would actually help the movie if she didn’t look like a mother at the beginning. What mattered was Anna’s process of change. Kim Da Mi has always shown something new in every project, and I trusted that she would do so again this time."

Kim Da Mi shared that rather than focusing on conventional character traits, she wanted to portray how Anna changes when faced with an unprecedented catastrophe. "Love is essentially the same emotion for everyone, so I tried to trust my instincts as much as possible," she said.

Netflix’s film 'The Great Flood,' directed by Kim Byung Woo, held its press conference on December 16 at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. The event was attended by Kim Da Mi, Park Hae Soo, Kwon Eun Sung, and the director himself.

An SF Disaster Film—and More

'The Great Flood' is a Sci-Fi disaster blockbuster set on the final day of Earth after a massive deluge engulfs the planet. The story follows a group of people who engage in a desperate struggle inside a submerged apartment building, clinging to humanity’s last hope for survival.

Director Kim Byung Woo is known for his ability to capture human psychology under extreme circumstances, having earned acclaim for films such as 'The Terror Live' and 'Take Point.' This time, he adds SF imagination to the disaster genre.

While the film initially resembles a traditional disaster movie, it gradually transitions into full-fledged science fiction in its latter half.

The director explained, "It actually started as an SF film. I thought combining it with a more familiar genre like disaster would make it more accessible." As with his previous works, the story unfolds within a confined space—this time, an apartment complex. “Apartments may look uniform on the outside, but the inside is completely different. People are the same. They may look similar, but each carries a different universe within,” Director Kim said.

The theme of water throughout the film

In the film, water represents a colossal disaster, but it also carries layered symbolism. It is both a destructive force and the source of life.

Director Kim stated, "We chose the title because it best encapsulates the meaning of the film. By the time it ends, I believe audiences will reflect on that title again."

Filming wrapped three years ago, followed by an extensive post-production process to perfect the massive water effects through VFX. The cast underwent scuba diving, swimming, and underwater training in preparation for their roles.

Kim Da Mi plays Anna, an AI researcher tasked with the critical mission of creating a new form of humanity amid the impending end of the world. She endures the most intense underwater sequences.

Kim Da Mi explained, "When I first read the script, I was curious how this would even be brought to life. I worried a lot about how my face would look underwater." She also revealed some scenes required acting as if submerged when no water was actually present. “It’s difficult to film long hours in water, especially with a child actor, so we sometimes had to act as if water was there. Figuring out the movements was challenging but also fun,” Kim Da Mi recalled.

Park Hae Soo, who plays security team leader Hee Jo, shared, "There were scenes where I had to open my eyes underwater. Perception is completely different in water, so I worked hard to get comfortable with it."

Kim Da Mi's first role as a mother

Kim Da Mi takes on the role of a mother for the first time, fighting desperately to protect her son, Ja In (played by Kwon Eun Sung). Amid the unprecedented disaster, Anna loses her child and frantically searches the apartment complex in tears.

She comes into sharp conflict with Hee Jo, who is bound by duty to prioritize rescue protocols. Anna is repeatedly forced to make impossible choices. Explaining the casting, Director Kim said, "I felt it would benefit the film if she didn’t initially appear maternal. Looking at Kim Da Mi’s filmography, every role is different. I believed she would solve this challenge as well."

Kim Da Mi admitted that portraying motherhood was the most difficult aspect of deciding to take the role. "It wasn’t easy, but love is universal, so I decided to take on the challenge," she said.

She added that she spoke with friends who are mothers to better understand maternal love. She explained, "They told me they couldn’t define it at first either—it’s something you learn and grow into over time. Anna doesn’t understand it at first, but she gradually realizes her love for Jain. That’s what I wanted to show."

A Mysterious and Tender Story

Although 'The Great Flood' is positioned as a large-scale SF disaster blockbuster, emotional resonance was the filmmakers’ top priority. Director Kim explained, "Visual effects are important, but they’re ultimately just tools to convey emotion."

Park Hae Soo also echoed his sentiment and said, "At first, I wondered if this could even be realized on screen. But the more I read the script, the more emotionally overwhelming it became. That’s the heart of the film."

Kim Da Mi added, "Watching it once and watching it twice will feel very different. There are hidden stories and meanings, so I hope viewers enjoy discovering them."

In closing, Director Kim said, "It’s a film where you can fully enjoy both the SF and disaster genres. Personally, I hope audiences remember it as something mysterious and lovely."

Meanwhile, 'The Great Flood' will premiere on Netflix on December 19.

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