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An introduction featuring the global success of K-dramas

Since the start of the month, the internet has been raving with the news of how the sensational South Korean series, Squid Game, had rapidly amassed the support of viewers across the globe. With less than one month since its debut on the 17th of September this year, this series has garnered over 111 million fans and broken a record on Netflix as the most-watched show, previously held by Bridgerton (2020). According to Netflix, people have spent more than 1.4 billion hours watching the show! That is massive – even without the other billion views on illegal streaming sites. 

 A snip inside the new Netflix's K-drama series ' Squid Game'. Source: Netflix

Thus, this tremendous fame has once again directed the attention of many to the South Korean film industry, particularly after the 2019 Academy’s Best Picture film, Parasite made its global impact. And now, people are venturing into the unparalleled world of K-dramas (short for South Korean television series) to get their fix of Korean stories on the small screen

As someone who has watched more than 300 K-dramas over the past ten years, I am here to give you a comprehensive yet straightforward beginner guide that allows you to grasp a sense of its charm and structure before you venture into this world on your own.


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