From ‘Disaster’ to Global Hit
Okay, so there’s this brand new Korean film on Netflix called ‘The Great Flood’ (대홍수) that has been the talk of the town here in Seoul, and the story behind its success is just wild. The movie, which reportedly had a massive budget of 30 billion won, stars the incredible actress Kim Da-mi. It starts as a pretty intense disaster flick where she’s trying to save a child from an apartment that’s rapidly sinking in a massive flood.
But here’s where it gets crazy. The movie takes a sharp turn and suddenly becomes a sci-fi film. This twist was so abrupt that after its release, social media and forums blew up. Many viewers were NOT having it, calling the plot confusing and nonsensical. The movie’s rating on Naver (Korea’s Google) was initially in the gutter, sitting at a brutal 4.12 out of 10.
The Sci-Fi Twist That Divided a Nation
So, what was the big twist? **(Spoilers ahead!)** It turns out the ‘disaster’ is actually a sophisticated AI simulation. Kim Da-mi’s character is part of an experiment to develop an ’emotion engine,’ specifically a mother’s protective instincts. The whole flood scenario is a repeating test to perfect this AI. When this was revealed, audiences were split right down the middle.
Critics called it a ‘disaster’ for its lack of philosophical depth and clunky genre shift. However, a growing number of viewers started defending it, praising the film for trying something new and fresh in the Korean movie scene. Film critic Heo Ji-woong argued that it didn’t deserve the intense backlash it was getting. This heated debate created a ton of viral buzz, making everyone curious to see what all the fuss was about.
How Controversy Fueled Its #1 Spot
Isn’t it ironic? The very thing that made people hate the movie is what likely propelled it to the top. All the arguments and discussions acted as the best possible marketing. According to the streaming tracker FlixPatrol, ‘The Great Flood’ shot to the #1 spot in the Netflix global movie charts just a day after its release and stayed there for over a week, topping the charts in 72 countries.
This whole situation is a fascinating look at how a movie’s success is measured now. Even with terrible initial reviews at home, a film can become a massive international hit. It proves that a little controversy can go a long way on a global platform like Netflix.
The Takeaway
‘The Great Flood’ is a perfect example of a movie that people either love or hate, with almost no in-between. While some are still calling it a ‘well-made disaster,’ you can’t deny its incredible global success. It’s a testament to how streaming can turn a domestic controversy into an international phenomenon. Have you seen it yet? I’m dying to know what my American friends think of that twist!
