The global entertainment service Netflix film 'The Great Flood' and the variety show "Culinary Class Wars: culinary class wars 2" each rose to No. 1 in the global top 10 movies (non-English) institutional sector and TV shows (non-English) institutional sector, respectively, proving the power of K-content.
The science fiction disaster blockbuster "The Great Flood," which depicts the struggle of those who stake humanity's last hope for survival on the last day of the earth struck by the great flood as they battle inside an apartment flooded with water, rose to No. 1 in the global top 10 movies (non-English) institutional sector and released previously unseen stills. Since its release on Dec. 19, it recorded 27,900,000 views (the number of views calculated by dividing viewing time by the work's total running time) in just three days after release, reached No. 1 in a total of 54 countries, including Korea, Spain, Brazil, Qatar and Thailand, and appeared on the top 10 list in 93 countries, drawing global attention. In particular, it surpassed "Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man," which recorded 20,900,000 views and held the No. 1 spot in the movie (English) institutional sector, achieving the overall No. 1 spot by views, adding further significance.
Also, "it uniquely portrayed a narrative that traverses from the physical realm to the metaphysical realm" (Variety), "the most astonishing film of 2025, full of countless undiscovered hidden details" (Inverse), "Kim Da Mi's heartrending acting that does not lose its center amid the incessant torrents, and the narrative power in which those vast premises perfectly fit together like a puzzle in the latter part is tremendous" (Radio Times), "an unprecedented disaster film that made viewers 'sob in a storm'" (Daily Mail), "Kim Da Mi's emotionally drenched acting throughout the film, and the bold setup that fits astonishingly perfectly in the last few scenes" (The Guardian), "immerse yourself in the film's wondrous visuals and the unavoidable atmosphere of disaster" (The New York Times), and so on — global praise continues for "The Great Flood," whose unique worldview combines an irresistible disaster with science fiction imagination and for the passionate performances of its actors.
The released unseen stills capture the complex emotions of characters faced with the unprecedented disaster called "The Great Flood," drawing attention. First, Anna (Kim Da Mi), who has become humanity's last hope amid the great disaster, delicately shows inner conflict at the crossroads between survival and the continuation of humanity. Even in the urgent situation of having to escape the flooded apartment, her embracing Jae-in (Kwon Eunseong) and carefully holding the medicine to the end conveys Anna's deep maternal love that does not waver even in crisis. In addition, Hee-jo (Park Hae-soo), who is tasked with ensuring Anna and Jae-in escape, displays a firm will to head to the rooftop while engaging in fierce fights with agents blocking the way, raising questions about whether they will be able to escape safely. Also, the appearance of chief researcher Im Hyun-mo (Jeon Hye-jin), who disappeared while researching the emotion engine with Anna, foreshadows that their research will enter a new phase and adds tension. On the earth's last day, director of the Isabella Lab, Lee Hwi-so (Park Byung-eun), who seeks to protect humanity's last hope for survival, and Anna's back as she gazes at orange particles of unknown identity that take on a human form — all stimulate science fiction imagination about where humanity will head after leaving Earth. The passionate performances of characters in different positions fighting for the survival of a new humanity amid the disaster called the great flood, and the unpredictable, tension-filled storyline boost immersion in the work.
Meanwhile, the underground masters who try to overturn class by taste, the 'black spoons' chefs, and South Korea's top star chefs who try to preserve it, the 'white spoons,' engage in a fiery culinary class war "Culinary Class Wars: culinary class wars 2," which has also made a big impact in its first week of release. "Culinary Class Wars: culinary class wars 2" recorded 5,500,000 views from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21 and rose to No. 1 for two consecutive years in the global top 10 TV shows (non-English) institutional sector. In addition, it ranked No. 1 in places including Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, showing strength following season 1. Domestic buzz is also overwhelming. According to Good Data Corporation's FUNdex survey, it achieved the feat of ranking No. 1 in the third week of December across TV-OTT integrated drama and non-drama.
Episodes 4-7 of "Culinary Class Wars: culinary class wars 2," released on the 23rd, revealed the results of the 1:1 black-and-white showdown round 2 between Monk Seonjae and the pork gomtang that went to New York, which had drawn everyone's attention. The dignity of Monk Seonjae, who respected the chefs who put their hearts into cooking as practitioners, the unrivaled depth shown by the white chef who demonstrated the "master's taste," the bold challenge of the black chef who sought to surpass his master, and the black chef's daring that enhanced the taste with intentionally used edible "flowers" for a kick all left a deep impression. In particular, one white chef, who said, "It's good for the student if I lose," took the confrontation and sadly lost the winning chance, then said, "I reflected a lot. It was an opportunity to rethink cooking," and supported the student's future, delivering a touching moment. Also, an eliminated white chef said, "As a fan, I'm glad I lost to someone who is really good," ending a bold challenge, and ahead of the judging results said, "I hope you surpass me and become the best chef," laying out a silk road for the black chef, leaving a strong impression.
After the fierce 1:1 black-and-white match ended, a new rule and mission were introduced in the third-round black-and-white team battle. Above all, chefs chose ingredients from the giant wheel of destiny containing a variety of ingredients to create the best combinations with magical touches, and the unpredictable battle in which victory or defeat was decided by the black-and-white chefs' differing strategies and teamwork provided high immersion. In addition, a special judging panel featuring season 1's Napoli Mafia Kwon Sung-joon, Edward Lee, cooking fanatic Yoon Nam-no, Jang Ho-jun, omakase No. 1 Kim Mi-ryeong, Jung Ji-seon, Choi Hyun-seok, and Lu Ching Lai judged season 2's black-and-white chefs' competition. With twist after twist, the black team and the white team are locked in a close fight, and it was foretold that the fates of the black and white chefs would diverge thereafter, leaving global viewers on edge.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix
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