The Silent Sea is a 2021 South Korean science fiction thriller series that premiered on Netflix on December 24, 2021. Directed by Choi Hang-yong, the show consists of eight episodes and is based on his 2014 short film The Sea of Tranquility. The series stars Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, and Lee Joon in leading roles.
Set in a near-future Earth plagued by severe desertification and water scarcity, the story follows a team of elite personnel on a perilous mission to the Moon. They are tasked with retrieving samples from an abandoned lunar research facility known as Balhae Station, where a tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 117 personnel five years prior. Among the crew is Song Ji-an (Bae Doona), who is motivated by personal ties to the previous incident, as her sister was one of the victims.
The crew, led by Han Yun-jae (Gong Yoo), faces various challenges as they uncover secrets surrounding the research station and its experiments with lunar water. The narrative intensifies as they encounter unexpected dangers and moral dilemmas regarding their mission and the implications of their findings.
The Silent Sea received generally positive reviews for its intriguing premise, strong performances, particularly from Bae Doona and Gong Yoo, and high production values. The series effectively blends elements of thriller and mystery with science fiction, exploring themes such as survival, sacrifice, and the ethical implications of scientific exploration.
The show has an IMDb rating of approximately 6.9/10 and has been praised for its suspenseful storytelling and visual effects. While some viewers noted pacing issues and predictability in certain plot elements, it remains a notable entry in the sci-fi genre within Korean television.
Overall, The Silent Sea stands out for its ambitious approach to storytelling in a sci-fi context, appealing to fans of both thriller and speculative fiction while addressing contemporary issues related to environmental challenges.