The helpful Google search engines continues to be the go to platform for anyone seeking information and the Korean search words in 2021 helps understand what was on people’s minds in Korea. Without splitting by category or top, only 2 entertainment related names made it on the overall Top 10 search terms in Korea – Squid Game was number 3 … Continue reading →
The year 2021 is definitely the yet of Netflix K-dramas, and if you asked me in January which of the K-dramas Netflix produced that would be the big breakout hit I would not have necessarily picked Squid Game. I’m still amazing at how BIG this drama got worldwide, and feel it’s both the right timing and also the right drama … Continue reading →
Every few years K-drama will get super popular in Japan, the trend starting with the granddaddy of them all Winter Sonata and continuing most recently into Crash Landing on You, with plenty in between. But those standalone hits did not seem indicative that K-dramas were fully mainstream there which makes sense since J-doramas are still being churned out in droves. … Continue reading →
Looks like the Joynews Best Of insider poll this year has split the television programs with the streaming only programs. That’s fine though it would be interesting to see the same program stacking up against each other since where it aired doesn’t matter as to quality. The entertainment industry group selected Netflix drama Squid Game with 120 runaway votes as … Continue reading →
This feels so blatant, and illegal, that I wonder who thought it could be gotten away with? Chinese streaming platform Youku, one of the big sites, announced today a new program called Squid’s Victory that combines story narrative with team advancement using childhood games as the basis for mental and physical challenges. The above is the title and logo design, … Continue reading →
The watch numbers are in and it may actually be more than even that. Netflix announced that it’s hit K-drama original series Squid Game has officially become it’s most watched original show EVER. It hit 111 million household viewership this week, but per household may actually be more than one person in said household watching so it’s just a lot … Continue reading →
Netflix original drama Squid Game isn’t just a K-drama anymore, it’s officially THE BIGGEST SHOW worldwide currently as the series just achieved the first ever All Kill on the streaming platform. As of Saturday this week it is #1 in every single country that Netflix airs in, all 83 countries. Two days earlier it was nearly there taking #1 in … Continue reading →
This is the broadest media coverage I have ever seen for a Korean drama with what is happening with Squid Game, and formerly it was Crash Landing on You when it became a pan-Asia hit last year and got mainstream viewership as well on Netflix. The Netflix drama premiered on September 17th and in the two weeks since has topped … Continue reading →
The success of Netflix drama Squid Game is like the gift that keeps on giving, bringing more recognition of Korean dramas worldwide and now also being a platform for rising and/or perennial supporting leads to step up into the broader popularity. Case in point the three younger actors in Squid Game – Jung Ho Yeon, Wi Ha Joon, and Lee … Continue reading →
It’s a fascinating case study on the domestic South Korea response to hit Netflix survivor game drama Squid Game. After a weekend dominating the streaming platform in multiple regions and getting as high as #1 in the worldwide rankings, one would think K-netizens would be proud. Instead the commentariat has remained focused on and frustrated by the same concept and … Continue reading →
I’m not surprised that worldwide audiences tuned in for this past weekend’s premiere of Squid Game on Netflix, it’s highly watchable and just that combination of action, thrillers, and terror perfect for binge watching. The highest ranked K-drama to premiere on Netflix thus far has remained Sweet Home which got as high as 4th worldwide ranking in December 2020 when … Continue reading →
It’s always fascinating to see how different cultures view the same product and just premiered Netflix drama Squid Game is generating opposite reactions from inside and outside South Korea. Unlike it’s predecessor D.P. (Deserter Pursuit) which got rave reviews and reception domestically, even reviving Jung Hae In‘s career and perception with K-netizens and rocketed Koo Kyu Hwan to a new … Continue reading →
Oh heck, I didn’t even get to write about the press conferences this week and BAM! all four dramas dropped on me this Friday. Goes to show what a busy work week can do for keeping on top of other things. This Friday was one of those rare events now, a multi K-drama premiere that used to happen all the … Continue reading →
