At a press conference in early January, the streaming giant announced it had invested over half a billion dollars in Quranic content in 2021. Netflix also released a series of figures explaining the upsurge in Korean content. For example, Netflix stated that the global “watching hours” for Korean series have increased sixfold compared to 2020. “Squid Game” became the most-watched Netflix series of all time, with 95 percent of viewers coming from outside of Korea. Crucial to the streaming provider’s strategy is that “many of these viewers then viewed other Korean content.”
“We’re excited to continue working with Korean storytellers to help push the K-wave to new heights,” said Don Kang, Netflix’s vice president of content for Korea.
Although Netflix has established a leading position for fans of Korean content with the success of “Squid Game”, international competitors are following suit. For example, Disney+ introduced seven original Korean titles when it launched in South Korea and other Asian countries last fall.
Upcoming Korean Series and Movies
“Twenty Five, Twenty One” is a Korean series that will premiere on Netflix on February 12. According to Hollywoodreporter.com, the series is “a drama about teenagers who have lost their dream to the 1998 zeitgeist, a drama about their dilemma and growth”. The series is said to have 16 episodes, with one episode appearing on the streaming service each week on Saturdays and Sundays.
One Qur’anic film coming to Netflix this year is Remarriage & Desires, a satire on Korean society ruled by desire. Starring Kim Hee-Seon, Lee Hyun-Wook and Jung Eungene, “Remarriage and Desires” deftly portrays the commercialized dating and marriage business and the perception of the society in which we live.
Other Korean series and films such as “Glitch”, “The Accidental Narco”, “A Model Family” or “Black Knight” are also expected to expand Netflix’s range this year.
Philipp Weimer / Editor finanzen.net
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