Korean content ranks second globally on Netflix, surpassing UK and Japan
Korean content ranks as Netflix’s most-watched non-U.S. programming. Courtesy of Netflix
Korean dramas and films are now the most-watched non-U.S. content on Netflix, second only to Hollywood productions in global viewership, according to a new report released by global media analytics firm Ampere Analysis on Tuesday.
Based on Netflix viewing data, Ampere found Korean content has accounted for 8 to 9 percent of total Netflix watch time since 2023, trailing behind U.S. content (56–59 percent) but ahead of the U.K. (7–8 percent) and Japan (4–5 percent).
This shift marks a notable moment in global media consumption. While the U.K. has traditionally supplied high-quality drama series and Japan boasts a strong following for its animation, Korean titles have overtaken both in terms of global streaming hours on the platform.
According to Ampere, 85 out of Netflix’s top 500 most-watched non-U.S. programs and films — or 17 percent — are Korean. The firm cited major hits such as “Squid Game” Season 2, which racked up over 619 million streaming hours in the second half of 2023, as well as the romantic drama “Love Next Door” and the cooking reality show “Culinary Class Wars.”
Long-standing favorites like “Squid Game” Season 1, “Queen of Tears” and “Crash Landing on You” also continue to maintain steady global viewership.
Ampere attributed this sustained success to Korea’s well-established content production and licensing strategies. More than half of the Korean titles in Netflix’s global top 100 during the second half of 2023 were Netflix Originals, and 31 percent were platform exclusives. Many of these titles were supplied by Korean media powerhouse CJ ENM.
The report also highlighted Netflix’s pledge to invest $2.5 billion in Korean content by 2028, forecasting that the funding will help sustain the current Korean content boom.
“Korean content has played a central role in Netflix’s global success, not just with breakout hits like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Kingdom,' but by consistently driving strong viewership,” said Ampere research manager Orina Zhao, in an interview with Variety.
She added that Netflix plans to continue investing in high-quality Korean productions, both original and licensed.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.