THE first episode of most Korean shows is usually enough to entice J-an Magpayo to binge watch the entire series.
The 23-year-old can’t help but be captivated by the well-executed storylines of such favorites as Hotel Del Luna, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and Crash Landing on You.
The same goes for K-drama fan Patricia Louise Ong, 23, who is also hooked on the oppas, the unnies and all the interesting characters in her favorite shows, as well as the captivating sound track.
For her, the Korean shows have perfect plot lines and high quality production values that just leave viewers like her wanting more.
“There’s always a sense of comfort and excitement from the storylines that taps the heart and emotions of the audiences, and that’s what makes me come back to watch more. They’re like a daily dose of dopamine, frankly,” she said.
These two viewers are part of the 60 percent of all Netflix members who watched Korean titles last year.
Because of the huge interest in Korean shows, the streaming service said it would be releasing its “biggest-ever lineup of Korean films and series” this 2023.
“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. This year, we’re pushing the envelope even further with the stories we tell and how we tell them. With this lineup of Korean titles, Netflix will continue to be the ultimate destination for compelling, diverse and must-watch Korean storytelling,” said Don Kang, VP of Content for Korea.
Korea’s Squid Game, which featured players in a deadly contest for a cash prize, is the streaming site’s biggest show of all time, according to reports.
Netflix said it would add 34 Korean titles to its roster this year.
Some of the new series will feature characters on survival mode, such as Gyeongseong Creature\*\*\*\*, where they will battle monsters, Black Knight where they live in a dystopian future, and Song of the Bandits where they will protect Joseon during Japanese colonial rule.
The hit showsSweet Home, D.P., and The Glory will also return this year.
Korean film fans can look forward to six movies.
Jung-E, now streaming, is a sci-fi thriller about a researcher cloning her mother’s brain to end a civil war.
The other forthcoming titles are Kill Boksoon, which is about a professional killer with conflicting maternal instincts; Believer 2, a sequel of a thriller about drug gangs; Ballerina, which is about revenge; The Match, which is about student-teacher rivalry; and Unlocked, which is about hacking.
Also coming this year are Korean reality and unscripted shows.
Fans can look forward to Physical:100, Siren: Survive the Island, Zombieverse, Nineteen to Twenty, and The Devil’s Plan.
The documentaries Yellow Door: Looking for Director Bong’s Unreleased Short Film (working title), and In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal, will also start streaming this year.
The other shows that fans can look forward to this year are the following:
“There’s truly a series, a film or an unscripted show for everyone, and we look forward to our Korean shows connecting to fans both overseas and at home,” said Kang.
There’s no stopping the Hallyu, even on Netflix.
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