K-Content Ranks 2nd in Netflix Popularity After the US... Surpassing the UK and Japan

Global Analysis Firm Report
Original Works Like "Squid Game" and "Kingdom" Gain Popularity

It has been analyzed that Korean dramas and movies are enjoying worldwide popularity on Netflix, following American Hollywood content. This is due to the global success of original works such as 'Squid Game' and 'Black & White Chef.'

Global media market analysis firm Ampere released a report titled "Korean programs are the most popular content on Netflix excluding American content" on the 15th (local time). According to Ampere's analysis of Netflix viewing data, Korean content holds an 8-9% share. This ranks second after American content (56-59%), surpassing the UK (7-8%) and Japan (4-5%).

Ampere stated, "Currently, Korea accounts for 85 (17%) of the 500 most popular non-US programs and movies on Netflix." Representative popular works include 'Squid Game' Season 2, which recorded 619 million streaming hours in the second half of last year, the romance drama 'Mom's Friend's Son,' and the cooking variety show Black & White Chef. Additionally, Ampere reported that dramas released several years ago, such as 'Squid Game' Season 1, 'Queen of Tears,' and 'Crash Landing on You,' continue to be steadily watched worldwide.

This is analyzed to be due to the original content strategy. More than half of the Korean works ranked in the top 100 on Netflix in the second half of last year were original productions, and 31% were Netflix exclusives. Ampere also pointed out that CJ ENM, a major Korean content powerhouse, provided most of the original works. They added, "Netflix's plan to invest $2.5 billion (3.57 trillion KRW) in Korean content by 2028 will help sustain the Korean content boom."

Orina Zhao, Ampere's research manager, said in an interview with Hollywood media Variety, "Korean content has played a pivotal role in Netflix's global success by continuously driving viewing hours with popular works like Squid Game and 'Kingdom.' Netflix will continue to invest in high-quality Korean productions, including original productions."