Netflix Ramps Up Korean Slate

Netflix has unveiled its largest slate of Korean content to date, with plans to launch more than 25 shows and films this year.

“From the iconic jumpsuits of Squid Game to the supernatural beings of Hellbound, Korean shows dominated global popular culture in 2021, and we’ve got the numbers to prove it,” said Don Kang, VP of content for Korea at the streaming giant, in a blog post. Kang pointed to the huge gains in global viewership of its Korean slate, led by Squid Game, which at its peak was the most-watched Netflix series in 94 countries. “In fact, 95 percent of Squid Game’s viewership came from outside Korea, and many of these viewers went on to explore other Korean content,” Kang said, noting that Hellbound was among the top ten Netflix shows in 93 countries.

“Credit for this growing global interest goes to the talented Korean creators we have been working with for the past few years. From 2016 to 2021, we launched more than 130 Korean titles. As a result, Netflix has become a compelling destination for fans of Korean content, who know that this is the home of diverse and high-quality Korean storytelling.”

The new slate includes the zombie thriller All of Us Are Dead; the youth drama Twenty Five, Twenty One; the romance Forecasting Love and Weather; Money Heist: Korea—Joint Economic Area; and the film Seoul Vibe, set against the backdrop of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

“We believe this is a slate that showcases more of the inventive and gripping Korean storytelling that the world has come to love. To do that, we will continue to invest in Korea’s creative ecosystem and, together, we will keep on showing the world that ‘Made in Korea’ means ‘Well-Made,'” Kang said. “This year, we look forward to the new conversations that will be sparked by a new wave of stories, as we help Korean content find homes in the hearts and minds of our global audience.”