In 2021, Squid Game exploded onto Netflix and changed everything. A Korean survival thriller no one saw coming suddenly became the most-watched show in Netflix history, racking up 1.6 billion hours viewed in just 28 days. Overnight, K-dramas went from niche favorites to global must-watches. But here’s the big question: What comes after Squid Game? Can Netflix capture lightning in a bottle again? The answer, if Netflix’s current strategy is any indication, is a resounding yes.
The Squid Game Effect
Let’s be clear—Squid Game wasn’t just a hit, it was a cultural event. Halloween costumes sold out, memes flooded the internet, and even luxury brands jumped on the pink-suit trend. But the true impact was this: Squid Game proved that Korean content could not only travel globally, it could dominate Western markets like the US and UK.
Netflix’s Billion-Dollar Bet
After Squid Game, Netflix doubled down on Korean content, committing billions of dollars to local production in South Korea. The company set up state-of-the-art studios, partnered with top Korean creators, and expanded its pipeline to include every genre imaginable—horror, romance, sci-fi, action, even historical epics. The goal? Not just to repeat Squid Game’s success, but to build an entire empire of global K-drama blockbusters.
What Makes a Global K-Drama Hit?
Netflix has cracked the formula. Successful K-dramas usually share a few traits:
- High-stakes storytelling (All of Us Are Dead, Sweet Home)
- Unique cultural flavor that feels fresh to Western audiences
- Short, binge-friendly seasons that keep viewers hooked
- *Characters you can’t stop rooting for—or against
And let’s not forget the social media factor. Clips from these shows trend on TikTok and Twitter within hours, pulling in curious viewers who can’t stand missing out.
The Next Big Phenomenons in the Making
Netflix isn’t sitting back and waiting for another Squid Game to happen by chance—it’s actively building the next wave. Titles like Sweet Home 3, All of Us Are Dead Season 2, and the long-awaited Goodbye Earth are designed with global audiences in mind. Then there’s Parasyte: The Grey, a creepy sci-fi thriller based on the legendary manga that’s already buzzing in fan communities worldwide. Any of these could be “the next big one.”
Why the US & UK Are All In
For American and British viewers, K-dramas scratch a very specific itch. They offer the grit and spectacle of shows like Breaking Bad or Black Mirror, but with a twist: unpredictable plots and emotional storytelling that hits harder than most Western dramas. And because Netflix drops them globally at once, fans on both sides of the Atlantic can join the conversation together, fueling that feeling of “must-watch TV.”
The Future Looks Even Bigger
The Squid Game sequel is already in the works, but Netflix’s real focus is on building a library of K-dramas so strong that audiences don’t just show up for one blockbuster—they stay for the entire lineup. With billions invested and global demand rising, it’s not a matter of if Netflix finds the next phenomenon—it’s when.
Final Take
Squid Game may have started the fire, but Netflix is fanning the flames into a full-blown global takeover. For viewers in the US and UK, that means more late-night binges, more viral moments, and more shows you’ll be texting your friends about. The next obsession is coming—it’s just waiting for you to press play.
