The dalgona set featured in the Korean Netflix drama "Squid Game" is being sold for $33 on the online auction site eBay. [Photo by eBay capture]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Netflix's Korean drama 'Ojingeo Game' (Squid Game) is gaining huge popularity overseas, and related merchandise has even appeared on online auction sites, attracting attention.
On the 24th (local time), Squid Game-related products began appearing one after another on the online auction site eBay.
The T-shirts worn by the main characters of Squid Game were listed at $39.95. Including the shipping fee ($3.99), the total exceeds 50,000 KRW.
These T-shirts are a kind of uniform worn during the survival game where the main characters compete for the 45.6 billion won prize. The number 456, which was printed on the T-shirt worn by Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) in the drama, was faithfully reproduced.
The 'nostalgic aluminum lunchbox' used by the main character during meal distribution is being sold for about $35 (approximately 41,000 KRW). This is about 10 times more expensive than the price sold on domestic online platforms.
The T-shirt worn by the main character Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) in the Korean Netflix drama "Squid Game" has appeared on the online auction site eBay. [Photo by eBay capture]
In addition, the dalgona candy picking set, which was used as a game in the drama, is showing signs of becoming a craze. The 'Dalgona Kit,' which includes tools and ingredients, is being sold for about $33 (approximately 39,000 KRW).
Videos of making dalgona candy are gaining popularity on social media platforms such as YouTube. A video by a YouTuber imitating scenes from Squid Game surpassed 300,000 views in less than a day after being uploaded.
As more overseas fans want to try making dalgona candy themselves, sales of related products are expected to increase further.
With the dalgona merchandise craze spreading overseas, netizens responded with comments like "Dalgona will continue the myth of Parasite's Chapaguri," and "I want to teach people to shake the lunchbox before eating."
Meanwhile, Squid Game became the first Korean drama on Netflix to achieve the number one spot in global viewership rankings on the 24th. According to the online video service (OTT) ranking site FlixPatrol, Squid Game scored 788 points, ranking first in the Netflix TV program global ranking.
It showed a narrow lead over second place, 'Sex Education Season 2' (764 points).
Other shows such as 'Lucifer' (507 points), 'Money Heist Season 5' (352 points), and 'Riverdale Season 5' (197 points) followed, but the gap between first and second place was significant.
This is the first time a Korean drama, including films, has taken the number one spot in Netflix's global rankings. Notably, this record was achieved within a week of Squid Game's release, topping charts not only in Korea but also in the United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, and other countries.
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