"The Silent Sea": Korea's Ambitious Sci-Fi Gamble
Netflix's star-studded space thriller delivers stunning visuals but stumbles on story
? Episodes
8 (Binge-released)
? Stars
Gong Yoo, Bae Doona
Netflix's "The Silent Sea" (고요의바다) arrived with sky-high expectations - a sci-fi thriller starring Korea's A-list actors Gong Yoo and Bae Doona, written by Park Eun-jo of "Mother" fame. The result? A visually stunning but narratively uneven space odyssey.
? First Impressions: My reaction alternated between "Huh?" and "This..." throughout all 8 episodes
What Works
?
Production Value
The special effects and cinematography set a new standard for Asian sci-fi
?
Cast Chemistry
Gong Yoo and Bae Doona elevate every scene they're in
?
Ambition
Pushes boundaries of Korean genre storytelling
What Doesn't
- ? Plot Holes - Several logic gaps in the sci-fi premise
- ? Pacing Issues - Some episodes drag while others rush
- ? Worldbuilding - The dystopian Earth setting needed more development
Memorable Opening

The series opens with a haunting depiction of resource scarcity:
- ? An orderly line descends into chaos at a hospital
- ? Police warnings go unheeded as people scramble for supplies
- ? Establishes the desperate Earth the astronauts left behind
The Verdict
While flawed, "The Silent Sea" represents an important step forward for Korean sci-fi. Its failures are more interesting than many shows' successes - proof that Asian filmmakers are pushing into new frontiers.
Will you brave the silence?
Stream on Netflix