Netflix’s South Korean sci-fi disaster film The Great Flood presents a stunning and terrifying vision of Seoul submerged by a catastrophic global flood. The movie’s intense visual reality, which makes viewers feel trapped in a sinking high-rise, is no accident. The story of where the film was shot is a masterclass in mixing real Seoul locations with advanced studio technology. While the city’s famous skyline sets the scene, the heart-pounding action was created in some of the country’s most high-tech film studios.
Where Was The Great Flood Filmed?
The production for The Great Flood was based entirely in South Korea. Filming began in July 2022 and was completed in early January 2023, lasting about six months. Although the story is set in the city of Seoul, the production team used a smart combination of real-world urban scenery and controlled studio environments to bring the disaster to life.
Seoul’s modern architecture and dense cityscape provided the perfect visual backdrop for this futuristic disaster story. The capital is a major hub for film production and has been featured in other global hits like Parasite, Squid Game, and Train to Busan. For The Great Flood, the city’s familiar look of apartment buildings and offices helped make the unbelievable flood scenario feel close and real for audiences.
The Special Effects Studios Behind the Flood
Creating a believable global flood required more than just outdoor filming. A significant part of the movie was shot inside specialized studios equipped to handle complex visual effects and water sequences.
Key indoor scenes, especially those involving the claustrophobic interiors of the flooding high-rise, were filmed at VFX Daejeon Studio Cube and at RF Semi. These facilities are known for their advanced production and post-production technology, with Studio Cube in Daejeon being a major center for Korean blockbusters and Netflix originals.
The film’s most dramatic underwater scenes, where characters navigate submerged apartments and hallways, were captured at Cine Blue in Paju’s Popraza complex. Cine Blue is one of Korea’s leading underwater filming facilities, featuring large water tanks and specialized lighting that allowed the crew to shoot realistic flood effects safely.
A Closer Look at the Story and Cast
The film is directed by Kim Byung-woo, who is known for the thriller The Terror Live. The story begins when an asteroid strike melts the Antarctic ice, causing sea levels to rise suddenly and submerge the world. The plot follows An-na, brilliantly played by Kim Da-mi, an artificial intelligence researcher trapped in her Seoul high-rise apartment with her young son, Ja-in. As water floods the building, they must fight their way to the roof for a potential rescue.
Director Kim Byung Woo said, “Water is called a ‘water demon’ in disasters, but it is also the source of life. I also thought that if human emotions were expressed visually, they might take the form of a massive, surging wave.”
An-na is rescued by Hee-jo, a mysterious agent played by Park Hae-soo, who says she is vital to a project aimed at saving humanity. The supporting cast includes talented actors like Park Byung-eun and Jeon Hye-jin, who add depth to the high-stakes narrative.
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Release and Global Availability on Netflix
The Great Flood had its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on September 18, 2025. Following its festival debut, the film became available for global streaming on Netflix starting December 19, 2025. This release strategy highlights Netflix’s ongoing commitment to distributing Korean content to an international audience.
The movie has a run time of 108 minutes and is available with multiple language subtitles and dubbing options on the platform.
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