Netflix has unveiled its official mid-year viewership report, and once again, Korean content is making waves across the globe.
According to the 2025 Engagement Report, Netflix users clocked in a staggering 95 billion hours of total watch time in the first half of the year. And among the standout performers? Korean dramas, webtoon adaptations, and even K-pop-fueled animation.
Topping the list once again is the cultural juggernaut Squid Game. Both Season 2 and the newly released Season 3 landed in the platform’s Top 10 most-watched series globally for the first half of 2025. Combined, the franchise racked up an eye-popping 231 million views in just six months.
Squid Game Season 3, which dropped on June 27th, managed to pull in 72 million views in just three days—before the reporting period ended on June 30th. Even more impressive? It became the first-ever series to hit No. 1 in all 93 countries tracked by Netflix’s Top 10 list during its debut week.
But it wasn’t all about survival games. Set against the scenic backdrop of Jeju Island, When Life Gives You Tangerines charmed global audiences with its heartfelt tale of Ae Soon and Gwan Shik. The drama pulled in a solid 35 million views in the first half of the year.
Webtoon-inspired dramas also drew strong numbers. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, set in an intense medical center, pulled in 34 million views. Meanwhile, action series Weak Hero Class 1 and Class 2 followed closely behind with 22 million and 20 million views, respectively.
Korean animation also made a splash. KPop Demon Hunters recorded 37 million views—despite premiering less than a month before the end of the tracking period. The movie sparked a global frenzy, with its in-world idols’ songs charting on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes. The soundtrack currently holds the highest-charting spot for any film OST on the 2025 Billboard 200.
Interestingly, Netflix revealed that less than 15% of the Korean titles featured in the report are based on IPs owned by the streamer. This indicates Netflix’s continued commitment to a flexible mix of originals, pre-buys, and licensed works—expanding the reach of K-content across global audiences.
>> K-Content Reigns: ‘Squid Game’ Dominates Globally, ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ Holds Strong at No.2
Source: Netflix
