K-Content Dominates Netflix: 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and 'Squid Game' Season 3 Top Global Charts

Netflix, the world's largest OTT platform, has seen its global film and series charts topped by K-content.

The Netflix film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' is an action fantasy animation that follows K-pop superstars 'Lumi,' 'Mira,' and 'Joy' as they secretly protect the world behind their glamorous stage personas.

Since its release on the 20th, 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' has held the top spot on the global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol for nine consecutive days since the 21st. It also ranks number one in domestic film charts.



Although produced by Sony Pictures Animation, not domestically, the film impressively integrates traditional Korean culture and the distinctive traits of K-pop idols.

The film features elements like tigers, magpies in hats, royal palaces, Namsan Tower, ramen, kimbap, and popular snacks, blending past and present. Its unique 'exorcism action' combining K-pop and traditional rituals, addictive music for K-pop fans, and dynamic camera movements reminiscent of music shows contribute to its popularity.



Notably, TWICE's Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung performed 'TAKEDOWN' as 'HUNTRIX,' and the 'Golden' clip from 'HUNTRIX' surpassed 10 million views within six days of being uploaded to the official channel. The debut song 'Soda Pop' by their rivals 'Lion Boys' features real K-pop idols, drawing attention.

The success of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' extends to music charts. On the 29th (local time), Billboard announced that the film's OST album debuted at number 8 on the main 'Billboard 200' chart, marking the highest position for an OST album released this year.

Tracks from the album have charted on domestic music charts and global platforms like Spotify, with a growing fandom demanding additional music videos, fan cams, and a second season.



Before 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' rose to fame, the final season 3 of 'Squid Game,' beloved worldwide since 2021, was released on the 27th. It tells the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who re-enters the game with personal motives and loses his closest friend, the Frontman (Lee Byung-hun) who infiltrated the game in disguise, and the fate of the survivors in the brutal game.

As of the 29th, 'Squid Game 3' claimed the top spot in Netflix's global TV program category and ranked number one in 93 countries within a day of its release, proving its worldwide appeal.

'Squid Game' season 1 not only set a record for the highest viewership on Netflix with 2.2 billion hours watched but also became the first non-English work to win the Best Drama Series at the Emmy Awards, achieving six awards in total.



However, seasons 2 and 3 have received mixed reviews from critics and viewers both domestically and internationally, with some feeling they lacked the shock, excitement, and emotional impact of season 1. Despite this, 'Squid Game' continues to hold its place as a groundbreaking work in Korean content history.

With the emergence of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and anticipation for its sequel, expectations are high for new 'K-content' that will surpass these hits.

사진 = 넷플릭스

This article was originally published in Korean on Xportsnews and was translated into English using AI.

by Kim Sooa