22 Billion Hours Record Not Impossible... Mating Games and Other Trends Predicted [Return of O-Game②]

Netflix's All-Time No.1 in Viewing Time 'Ogeum'
Hit Series, Sequels Gain Even More Popularity
Season 1's Popularity Matched... Rich in Content
Gongginori, 'Dunggeulge Dunggeulge' Expected to Attract Attention

'Squid Game' Season 1 is the highest-grossing K-content. Released on Netflix in September 2021, it was watched for 1,650,450,000 hours over 28 days. Converted to years, that amounts to 188,000 years. About 95% of the viewing time was from overseas. It was most watched in ninety-four countries including Korea.

Due to unprecedented popularity, attention is also focused on the performance of Season 2, released on the 26th. Season 1 holds the undisputed first place in Netflix's all-time viewing hours ranking. As of early this month, it recorded 2,205,200,000 hours. It shows a significant gap compared to the highest-grossing English-language series such as 'Stranger Things' Season 4 (1,803,800,000 hours) and 'Wednesday' Season 1 (1,718,800,000 hours).

A solid viewer base inevitably leads to success. Four follow-up works have entered the top 10 of Netflix's all-time English-language series popularity rankings. They are 'Stranger Things' Season 4, 'Bridgerton' Season 3 (846,500,000 hours), 'Stranger Things' Season 3 (716,100,000 hours), and 'Bridgerton' Season 2 (797,200,000 hours). All of them gained popularity as the seasons progressed.

'Money Heist,' the second highest-grossing non-English series, also saw more interest in its follow-up works such as Season 4 (710,200,000 hours), Season 5 (907,000,000 hours), Season 3 (519,800,000 hours), and the spin-off 'Berlin' (372,600,000 hours).

'Squid Game' Season 2 is just as popular with the public as Season 1. Beyond the masks and the bloodied, distorted faces, the wondrous complexity of human nature still appears. This is not a problem limited to a specific culture or country. It is a universal human issue.

The series of stories also touch on reality. Questions raised about the games, the emotions and choices of the characters, the various game rules, and life outside the game world vividly and concretely show the things that trouble us in everyday life. It captivates not only fans of traditional action films but also those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said, "I think watching 'Squid Game' is not particularly detached from looking at this world."

The production budget was four times that of Season 1, with 100 billion won invested. The visual spectacle is correspondingly rich. Especially, the symbolic game set has become larger and more elaborate. The color and design were carefully adjusted to induce visual immersion.

The games and Korean culture featured in the drama also attract attention. 'Squid Game' already created a syndrome with Season 1. The Dalgona candy-making set and the green tracksuits worn by the game participants sold like hotcakes in many countries around the world.

Korean games such as 'Mugunghwa Flower Has Bloomed,' 'Ttakji Chigi,' and 'Marble Game' were enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. The city of Los Angeles (LA) in the United States even designated September 17, the release date of Season 1, as 'Squid Game Day' to honor the achievements of 'Squid Game' and its influence on American popular culture.

Through Season 2, games like Rock-Paper-Scissors with one hand removed, tombstone knocking, Gonggi (Korean knucklebones), Jegichagi (Korean shuttlecock kicking), spinning tops, Ttakji Chigi, five-person six-legged race, and pairing games are expected to become popular. Songs familiar to Koreans such as the late Shin Hae-chul's 'To You' and the children's song 'Round and Round' may also become widely known.

Netflix has already put all its efforts into promotional marketing, and the effects are becoming visible. The '○△□' symbol from 'Squid Game' can be seen in various fields. Sportswear company Puma produced and sold the tracksuits featured in the series, and McDonald's Australia created a 'Squid Game' menu. Netflix also released a video game with the same name.

The domestic situation is no different. Kia created The New Sportage goods alongside 'Squid Game' Season 2, and CJ CheilJedang introduced limited edition packages featuring characters for dumplings, kimchi, and seaweed snacks. Promotional campaigns are also being held in fourteen countries including the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan.

'Squid Game' Season 2 was recognized for its artistic quality even before its release. On the 10th, it was nominated for Best TV Series Drama at the Golden Globe Awards in the United States. Oh Young-soo, who played Oh Il-nam in Season 1, won the Best Supporting Actor award at this ceremony three years ago. That year, Season 1 also won six awards at the Emmy Awards, the most prestigious in the American broadcasting industry. It swept awards including Best Drama, the first non-English work to win, as well as directing, acting, production design, and visual effects awards.