Over 20 original Korean dramas and films are set to arrive on Netflix in 2022, and the streaming giant has just dropped a new trailer highlighting the upcoming releases. Since its early days, Netflix has provided access to international programming that wasn’t previously very easy for viewers to access. In recent years, there’s been a marked increase in international fare on the streamer – particularly from nations such as Korea, Japan, and India.
As entertainment becomes more global than ever in the streaming era, calls for diversity have affected not only the casting and issues dealt with in TV and film, but also what audiences have access to. For decades, critically acclaimed films and television programming have thrived outside of the heavily saturated Hollywood model, though many of these productions have either not been widely available or were only provided with a very limited distribution model. Licensing issues have also played a role in determining which programs and films were given a broader release, and for those who love to see a well-plotted Korean drama or a lavish Bollywood spectacle, watching such productions through entirely legal means has often been a frustrating experience. As the Korean entertainment industry continues to prove itself a major draw internationally, streamers like Netflix have begun to respond by giving audiences what they want.
Proof of Netflix’s push to deliver more Korean fare than ever before has never been more clear, as 2022 shapes up to be a landmark year for Netflix and Korean entertainment. In a new trailer highlighting what’s in store for subscribers in 2022, via The Swoon’s official YouTube channel, Netflix boasts of “so much K-content” as it runs through a fast-paced display of more than 20 different upcoming productions. While some of the highlights include apocalyptic zombie series, All Of Us Are Dead and Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, there’s plenty here with the potential to succeed in a big way. Check out the video below:
Arguably one of the biggest factors in opening up the wonders of the Korean entertainment industry to international audiences was filmmaker Bong Joon Ho’s historic 4-Oscar run for his 2019 film, Parasite. The 52-year-old had long since established a global fanbase, with popular hits such as The Host and Snowpiercer, but it was Parasite that truly opened up that fanbase and even introduced the concept of international filmmaking to many people. In the wake of Bong Joon Ho’s success, Netflix has delved into Korea in a much bigger way, with programs like Mr. Sunshine and the wildly popular Squid Game, proving that there is indeed a big demand for the fresh and unique productions currently coming out of South Korea.
Most recently, Netflix has announced subscription rate increases for its North American customer base. While this is to be expected to some degree, the increase now makes Netflix the priciest streaming service currently available. If the streamer is to avoid frustrated customers dropping out over price increases, the best possible option is to provide enough content to make sticking around worthwhile. For many subscribers, the addition of so much Korean content in 2022 is definitely worth Netflix’s price rise. However, it remains to be seen if this new slate of programming will deliver the sort of hits that keep subscribers happy.
Source: The Swoon