Korean content ranks second globally on Netflix, surpassing UK and Japan

Yonhap News Agency reported that 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