Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
INTERVIEW Park Hae-soo embraces Netflix’s ‘Great Flood’ as testament to human resilience, growth
Actor Park Hae-soo / Courtesy of Netflix
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Park Hae-soo has built a reputation as one of Netflix’s most recognizable Korean stars, thanks to standout roles in Season 1 of “Squid Game,” “Money Heist: Korea — Joint Economic Area” and “Narco-Saints,” earning him the nickname “Netflix civil servant.”
Though well-acquainted with international success, the overwhelming response to his latest Netflix project, “The Great Flood,” has struck a deeper chord. Park sees its global popularity — ranking No. 1 in 71 countries — as a sign of the world’s growing interest in Korean-style storytelling, which combines spectacle with emotional depth.
“I am truly thankful that the film is being well-received in English-speaking regions. It feels like a testament to the high expectations and genuine interest people now have for Korean productions,” Park told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul on Tuesday.
Directed by Kim Byung-woo, known for “The Terror Live” (2013), “Take Point” (2018) and “Omniscient Reader” (2025), “The Great Flood” is a sci-fi disaster film that showcases a desperate struggle for survival. The movie was released on Dec. 19.
The movie centers on An-na (Kim Da-mi), an artificial intelligence (AI) researcher trapped in a sinking apartment, and Hee-jo (Park Hae-soo), a security operative attempting to rescue her.
According to global streaming analytics site FlixPatrol, the film ranked in Netflix’s top 10 in 92 countries, including Korea, as of Monday. It reached No. 1 in 71 of those markets, demonstrating the global appeal of Korean-made disaster films.
Actor Kim Da-mi, in a white T-shirt, in a scene from the Netflix movie “The Great Flood” / Courtesy of Netflix
Park admitted that the script was far from a kind or easy read, which was precisely what garnered his interest.
“It wasn’t written to be easily understood at first glance. There were parts even more complex than what the director eventually visualized,” Park recalled. “That sparked a sense of challenge in me. I wanted to see how this story, which is more about An-na’s internal journey than just a simple sci-fi disaster, would be realized.”
The movie focuses on AI technology, a topic that has become a much bigger trend now than when the film was shot in 2022. Park felt a personal connection to the story’s focus on growth and learning, as it reminded him of raising his own son.
“Even beyond the concept of AI, what resonated most with me was the idea of how a child and an adult grow through repetitive interaction. As parents raise a child, they themselves become more like adults and parents through that painful yet beautiful process,” he explained, noting that his son was only 1 year old during filming.
The movie shoot was tough because the actors had to work underwater in the middle of winter. Park admired his co-star Kim’s hard work, saying she was truly dedicated to her role even in such difficult conditions.
“The water was heavy and exhausting. Even when I thought a take was good enough, Da-mi would ask to go again. Her affection for the movie was truly admirable,” he said.
Actors Park Hae-soo, right, and Kim Da-mi in a scene from the Netflix movie “The Great Flood” / Courtesy of Netflix
Recognized as one of Netflix Korea’s go-to actors, Park once worried he might be seen only as a Netflix favorite. But now, he trusts that audiences pay attention to his acting, not just the platform he appears on.
“I choose projects based purely on the strength of the script and my own gut feeling,” Park said. “I want to be an actor that people stay curious about, no matter the platform. Instead of being distant or difficult, I want to keep trying new things and stay close to the audience.”
As Korean shows and movies stay popular around the world, Park believes this interest is not just a short-lived trend. Instead, he feels that Korean creators now have a responsibility to keep making high-quality work.
“It’s a great opportunity. I hope we continue to produce works that blend our unique sensibilities with diverse genres, creating stories that are both commercially appealing and artistically significant,” he said.