Netflix to release record 25 Korean-language originals this year

 Global streaming service Netflix said Wednesday that more than 25 Korean-language works, including five original films, will be released in 2022, expected to fuel the stellar drive led by the global sensation “Squid Game” last year.

“In a bid to continue the successful Korean storytelling, Netflix will release more than 25 Korean contents this year,” Netflix said in a statement. “We will provide Netflix-exclusive creative stories and high quality that meets viewers’ demand.”

Last year, Netflix provided 20 Korean-language shows, including the survival drama “Squid Game,” the fantasy horror “Hellbound” and the sci-fi thriller “The Silent Sea,” all of which topped the company’s official weekly viewership chart for non-English TV shows.

In particular, “Squid Game” made history to become the most successful Netflix show in history. It was viewed for more than 1.65 billion hours in the first four weeks after its release on Sept. 17.

This combined image provided by Netflix shows the streamer’s 2022 lineup. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

“The partnership helped South Korean shows settle at the center of the global industry trend.”

It said demand for Korean content rose sharply in 2021 as Netflix subscribers spent six times more time watching Korean shows at the end of last year than the past two years.

“Squid Game” saw about 95 percent of its total streaming hours come from foreign countries including the United States, Brazil and France.

Netflix said the successful year has boosted Korea’s international reputation as a content hub and led to more confidence in competition against its global rivals, like Apple TV+ and Disney+, who launched their Korean business in November.

“Korean content has become so important for Netflix, and many global streamers are also aware of the fact,” Don Kang, the company’s vice president of Korean content, said in an online press conference.

“Netflix has its competitiveness. We’ve worked with Korean creators and built up partnership for six years,” he said. “And Netflix Korea has many veteran Korean officials who are experts in the local content industry. We are good at working with Korean creators.”

Among its 25 Korean-language slates for 2022, the dystopian zombie series “All Of Us Are Dead” will be the first to make its global premier on Jan. 28. Adapted from the longtime popular webtoon “Now at Our School,” the show is set in a high school where a zombie virus outbreaks.

The crime thriller “Juvenile Justice,” starring Kim Hye-soo and Lee Sung-min, and the fantasy “The Sound of Magic” with Ji Chang-wook in a starring role, will come next.

“Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area,” a Korean adaptation of the hit Spanish series “Money Heist” is also on the list.

Moreover, Netflix, which has not produced films in South Korea since its entry, said there are five original films on its 2022 timetable. Its 2017 original film, Bong Joon-ho’s adventure “Okja,” was produced in the United States.

The five are the romance “Moral Sense,” the action film “Carter,” the action blockbuster “Seoul Vibe,” the sci-fi film “Jung-E” and the romance “20th Century Girl.”

Kang, the Netflix official, said this year’s program includes TV series and movies featuring a more diverse range of genres than the previous years.

Netflix has focused more on horror, thriller or action titles in South Korea, as the country is famous for those genre shows, like the zombie thriller “Kingdom” and the fantasy horror “Hellbound.”

“I know many of our originals were fit into these specific genres,” he said. “But we have new titles in various genres ranging from romance to drama, like ‘Moral Sense.’”

He also said his company is in talks with local theaters to screen its original films as part of its strategy to provide its content in various formats.

Last year, seven Netflix films released via the streaming platform without a theatrical run, including “Time to Hunt,” “The Call” and “Space Sweepers,” were shown in theaters of CJ CGV, South Korea’s biggest multiplex chain.