A screenshot from JUNG-E
Netflix, the streaming giant, has been doing really well lately with its offering of international movies and TV shows. Personally, I find it really fun to watch what other countries produce, and Netflix is just giving us more and more of that type of content. And now, it looks like Netflix is going all-in on Korean content and we’ll be seeing more in 2023.
Netflix is planning to add up to 34 new and returning South Korean titles this year, announcing the news on Tuesday. Netflix also revealed that over 60% of all Netflix members watched Korean titles in 2022. That’s a pretty big figure when you consider how many millions are subscribed to Netflix.
It’s also pretty clear that people love Korean shows and movies. There’s been a heightened interest in K-Dramas and more since Squid Game launched, and it looks like that excitement is not slowing down anytime soon.
Squid Game released back in 2021 and became Netflix’s top show on the global scale in that same year.
Netflix’s vice president of Korean content, Don Kong, said in a statement that “over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever are from Korea.”
Netflix has also been investing big dollars in Korean content, investing about $500 million in 2021. Add that to the $700 million from 2020 as well. Netflix didn’t say what the investment plans are for 2023, but we can assume that it’s going to be well in the hundreds of millions as well.
What Korean Content Can We Expect in 2023?
Netflix will release content from Korea that ranges anywhere from dramas to thrillers, so there’s definitely going to be a show or movie for you.
On Friday, we’ll be getting the first piece of the new Korean content. It’s called JUNG-E, and it’s a sci-fi thriller.
It will also be releasing new shows like Destined With You, a romance between a lawyer and a civil servant. Sweet Home is returning with its latest season as well.
Netflix Isn’t Alone
Other companies have started to notice that Korean content is making big profits. Even Disney has invested in some new South Korean content, with original shows featuring K-pop band BTS coming to its Disney+ streaming service.
It just shows that people are becoming interested in new, original and interesting content from other countries too.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
