Actress Kim Da-mi spent six months soaked in water while filming the movie 'The Great Flood.' To create natural underwater scenes, she even practiced scuba diving. Intriguingly, the film includes scenes shot to appear underwater without any actual water, sparking curiosity among fans.
On the 19th, an outdoor stage greeting for 'The Great Flood,' invited to the 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, took place at the Busan Cinema Center in U-dong. Director Kim Byung-woo and actress Kim Da-mi attended the event.
'The Great Flood' is a sci-fi disaster blockbuster that depicts the struggle of humanity's last hope to survive on the final day of a great flood, as they battle within a submerged apartment building.
Director Kim Byung-woo explained, "The title itself leaves a strong impression, and I thought it would be interesting to start the story from there. However, the film won't end with just the impression of the title 'The Great Flood.' There could be variations in genre, and depending on how the element of water is utilized and portrayed in the film, the flood could be interpreted differently."
Kim Da-mi plays the role of Anna, an AI researcher. She shared, "Viewers might be curious about who Anna was initially. I wanted to ensure that Anna's personality wasn't overly revealed. I aimed to showcase her transformation and growth as the story progresses."
Kim Da-mi admitted, "Initially, I thought it would be challenging. After reading the script, I couldn't imagine it. But after meeting the director several times and watching his previous works, I became curious about the script again. I wondered, 'Can this be realized? How would it turn out under the director's vision?' Despite the difficulty, I decided to take on the challenge."
Throughout the filming, Kim Da-mi was constantly in water. She revealed, "I practiced scuba diving and trained to become accustomed to movements in water." She added, "I heard it was a first in Korea, but there were scenes shot to look like they were underwater without any water. I learned how to portray facial expressions and movements as if underwater."
Director Kim Byung-woo expressed his apologies, noting that even on days when Kim Da-mi wasn't submerged, she remained wet throughout the shoot. "She had to endure being in a wet state for six months, which must have been uncomfortable and challenging," he said. Kim Da-mi humorously added, "Eventually, I got used to it and would jump into the pool first thing in the morning."
'The Great Flood' is set to premiere on Netflix on December 19.
The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs from September 17 to 26 at the Busan Cinema Center.
Busan - Reporter Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr