While Ted Sarandos may be facing challenges in the U.S., he was in high spirits during his recent visit to Korea over the weekend.
The co-CEO of Netflix delivered remarks at a celebration in Seoul, commemorating the streaming giant’s tenth anniversary in Korea, a nation that has produced hits like Squid Game, Kpop Demon Hunters, and Kingdom. Investing in Korea has been a significant move for Netflix, and the country has emerged as one of its key markets.
“A decade ago, we envisioned great things, but none of us could have predicted the profound impact Korean stories would have on audiences worldwide, positioning them at the heart of global culture,” Sarandos expressed.
“For Netflix, Korea is not just another market. It represents a realm of untapped possibilities, where we’ve learned how far a story can reach, making it one of our most cherished partnerships for the future we are crafting together. A heartfelt thank you to every creator, actor, crew member, and fan in Korea.”
Sarandos offered these thoughts during a challenging phase for Netflix, marked by a decline in stock prices, despite respectable performance in their third-quarter results. Investor concerns loom large amidst significant layoffs and a waning share value throughout 2026.
In response to criticism regarding its U.S. performance, Netflix highlighted international hits such as Plastic Beauty, The Secret Woman, and The Perfect Lie, which are on track to achieve record-breaking viewership in Japan, Denmark, and the Netherlands, respectively.
The event in Korea was uplifting for Sarandos, featuring appearances from stars like Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Park Hae-soo from Squid Game, as well as Ahn Hyo-seop from Kpop Demon Hunters, among others, at the Korea Fan Festival held at Sangnam Oil Tank Culture Park on October 24 and 25.
Celebrity guests from upcoming series such as Possible Love, Tantara, Grand Galaxy Hotel, She, Wolf (previously titled Beauty in the Beast), All of Us Are Dead Season 2, and Solo Leveling also graced the occasion, where Netflix showcased numerous statistics underscoring their local impact.
Leading in Non-English Content
Netflix stated that Korean content ranks as the top non-English programming on its platform, with over 80% of its subscribers engaging with it. The company launched its services in Korea on January 6, 2016.
The streaming service noted that more than 200 Korean titles have reached its Global Top 10 chart in the past five years, with Squid Game Season 1 holding the record for the longest stay at 32 consecutive weeks. Additionally, Teach You a Lesson has emerged as the tenth most-watched non-English title in the platform’s history, with all three seasons of Squid Game appearing in the top ten.
Other notable figures released include collaborations with over 80 Korean production companies, filming in more than 100 locations across the region, and a third of its original programming being created by first-time writers and/or directors.
Read more about this topic:
Ted Sarandos Marks Netflix’s 10 Years In Korea
