Netflix’s 2022 Korean slate received lots of love from fans all over the world. In fact, more than 60% of our global Netflix members watched K-content throughout the year of 2022.
From high school zombies to extraordinary attorneys, there were so many riveting shows that captured our hearts and minds. Check out all these Korean shows that cracked the Weekly Top 10 in over 90 countries.
The series revolves around a group of students trapped at their high school amidst a zombie virus outbreak. All of Us Are Dead captivated viewers worldwide, garnering 124.8 million viewing hours in merely 3 days of its release. Ranked fourth in the Netflix Global Top 10’s Most Popular TV (Non-English) ranking of all time and a remarkable 10 weeks in the Top 10 TV list in Malaysia, the series proves that the K-zombies virus might just be here to stay.
Set primarily in the ‘90s, Twenty Five Twenty One follows a teenage fencer and a young man who develop a special kindred spirit relationship. Full of nostalgia, humour, and emotion, the series got audiences totally invested in the story and the main characters. The relatable story of how youth grow up through challenges while chasing after their dreams proved to have comforted and touched fans, spending at least 10 weeks in the Top 10 TV list across markets in Southeast Asia.
Business Proposal is the perfect series for those who cherish the classics. Full of all the K-drama tropes we enjoy, the rom-com portrays Ha-ri going on a blind date in disguise with the intention of scaring away a potential suitor. As we would expect from the K-drama cliches, her plans go amusingly awry when he turns out to be her CEO. Since its release, this quirky and lighthearted series has reached the Top 10 TV (Non-English) lists in 58 countries and was also ranked #1 in the Top 10 TV lists for five weeks in Malaysia.
4. Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area
Given the popularity of the original Money Heist series, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area was highly anticipated when news of it was released and it did not disappoint. The Korean remake stayed true to the Money Heist story we all knew and loved while spicing it up with its own distinctly Korean flavours. This group of thieves was not only set to rob money but also hearts when it took first place in 5 markets across Southeast Asia.
5. Carter
Carter was a treat for the adrenaline junkies. Waking up with no memories, Carter follows a mysterious voice from a device in his ear and sets off on a dangerous hostage rescue mission. The well-crafted stunts in every fight sequence paired with incredible cinematography will leave you feeling completely immersed in no time. Action aficionados all around the world rejoiced and sent this movie well on its way to the Global Top 10 Film lists in 92 countries.
6. Seoul Vibe
Seoul Vibe definitely hit the sweet spot with its blend of retro, action, and comedy. The comedic antics, slick driving moves, and vintage vibes will take you back in time to experience what Seoul was like back in 1988, alongside a team of drivers and mechanics who are roped into going undercover to dismantle a massive money-laundering ring. Seoul Vibe proves that retro are back in trend when it spent 3 weeks in the top 10 ranking in Malaysia.
No K-drama list is complete without at least one historical drama. Fantasy historical drama Alchemy of Souls delivered all the feels with its spellbinding story about a powerful sorceress’ soul trapped in a blind woman’s body. In search of regaining her powers, she encounters a man from a renowned family who wishes to change his destiny. The charming piece of Korean entertainment managed to stay on the Global Top 10 list for 15 weeks!
8. Little Women
Little Women tells the story of three sisters with a strong bond but never enough money. When a complex relationship with the wealthy and missing money gets involved, they quickly realise that money isn’t the only thing they’ll discover along the way. The addictive series gained serious mileage as the show accumulated over 133 million hours watched while spending 11 weeks on the Top 10 TV list, both in Malaysia and also globally!
9. Narco-Saints
Inspired by true events, Narco-Saints tells the unbelievable tale of how an ordinary entrepreneur ended up on a secret mission with the secret intelligence to capture a drug lord. The plot begins when a man running a seafood business in South America crosses paths with a pastor who also happens to be the head of a large drug trafficking ring. Narco-Saints made the Top 10 TV lists in 82 countries thanks to its stellar cast and compelling story.
20th Century Girl had viewers on an emotional roller coaster with its beautiful depiction of first love and friendship. Taking us back to 1999, a teen girl intended to keep close tabs on a boy on behalf of her deeply smitten friend, but she gradually finds her heart becoming entangled as well. This sweet story of young love and friendship tugged at all of our heartstrings and stayed on the Global Top 10 Films for four weeks in a row.
11. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Extraordinary Attorney Woo captured our hearts with the adventures of a brilliant attorney with autism spectrum disorder. Covering a range of different cases, the show highlighted various societal issues while showing us Young-woo’s growth as a lawyer and a person. Young-woo delighted viewers with her prodigious intelligence when it spent a remarkable 21 weeks on the Global Top 10 list and ranked #1 in the Country Top 10 TV lists for at least five weeks across Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
K-content truly thrived in 2022 and this is just the start of it. With an amazing lineup of Korean content this December like The Glory, the second season of Single’s Inferno, and Part 2 of Alchemy of Souls, we are most definitely o-K! Also, don’t forget to check out some of our own K-drama moments shared here and here, and if you K, you K!
