From YA Zombies to Extraordinary Attorneys, K-content Continues to Draw A Global Audience in 2022

Netflix’s 2022 K-content slate was strong and received lots of love from all over the world. In fact, more than 60% of our global Netflix members watched K-Content in 2022. From high school zombies to extraordinary attorneys, there were so many riveting shows that captured our hearts and minds. In the last year, these Korean shows made it onto the Weekly Top 10 in more than 90 countries. While we review the biggest hits of the year, you can also hear from actors themselves on what their favorite K-content moments were this year. Check everything out below!

All of Us Are Dead

(Yoon Chan-young)

K-zombies have become a trend and class of its own, and All of Us Are Dead is not an exception. The coming-of-age story about students trapped at their high school amidst a zombie virus outbreak, enraptured viewers everywhere and achieved 124.8 million viewing hours in just 3 days. With heart-pounding action and heart-breaking moments, the series proved to be relatable across all borders and placed fourth in the Netflix Global Top 10’s Most Popular TV (Non-English) ranking of all time.

Twenty Five Twenty One

(Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk)

Set primarily in 1998, Twenty Five Twenty One centers on a teenage fencer and a young man who develop a special kindred spirit relationship. Full of nostalgia, humor, and emotion, the series got audiences totally invested in the main characters. All of the characters face a variety of obstacles and the story reflects how youths grow up through challenges and chasing after their dreams. The relatable and uplifting messages comforted and touched many fans.

Business Proposal

(Kim Se-jeong, Ahn Hyo-seop)

Business Proposal was the perfect series for those who cherish classic K-dramas. Full of all the K-drama tropes we enjoy, the show mashed them up in the most hilarious and best way. The rom-com portrays Ha-ri going on a blind date in disguise as her friend intending to scare away the suitor. Her plans go amusingly awry when he turns out to be her CEO and makes a proposal. Quirky and light-hearted, this series entertained many fans and reached the Top 10 TV (Non-English) lists in 58 countries.

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area

(Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area Cast)

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area had many fans hyped given the popularity of the original Money Heist series. The Korean remake didn’t disappoint as it stayed true to the Money Heist story we know and love, while adding on a distinctly Korean quality. With the unique setting of a unified Korea, a group of thieves overtake the mint and trap hostages. The series rose to No. 1 in Top 10 TV lists for 6 countries within just 3 days. Look forward to Part 2 coming on December 9th.

Carter

(Joo Won)

Carter was an absolute adventure for adrenaline junkies. The awesome fight sequences along with the incredible cinematography sets the movie apart from others. Waking up with no memories, Carter is directed by a mysterious voice from a device in his ear and he sets off on a dangerous hostage rescue mission. The camera angles and stunts are well-crafted, and leave you feeling like you’re immersed in a real-life video game. Action aficionados all over the world rejoiced with the movie making the Global Top 10 Film lists for 92 countries.

Seoul Vibe

(Lee Kyoo-hyung, Ong Seong-wu, Yoo Ah-in, Park Ju-hyun)

The retro trend was big this year, and Seoul Vibe definitely hit the sweet spot with its blend of retro, action, and comedy. A team of drivers and mechanics are roped into going undercover to dismantle a massive money-laundering ring. The comedic antics, slick driving moves, and vintage vibes will take you back in time to experience what Seoul was like in 1988.

Alchemy of Souls

(Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min)

No K-drama list is complete without a historical drama. Fantasy historical drama Alchemy of Souls delivered all the feels with its spellbinding story about a powerful sorceress’ soul entering 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. While helping each other with their respective goals, their relationship evolves and fun developments keep viewers on their toes. The series amazingly managed to stay on the Global Top 10 list for 15 weeks!

Little Women

(Kim Go-eun)

Little Women followed the story of three sisters who are full of love for one another but strapped for cash. They find themselves embroiled in a complex relationship with a wealthy family and the search for a large amount of missing money. Mysteries unravel and plot twists intertwine as the sisters seek the truth. The addictive series gained serious mileage as the show accumulated over 133 million hours watched while spending 8 weeks on the Global Top 10 list!

Narco-Saints

(Ha Jung-woo, Park Hae-soo, Yoo Yeon-seok)

Inspired by true events, Narco-Saints tells the unbelievable tale of an ordinary entrepreneur joining a secret government mission to capture a drug lord. The astonishing story begins when a man running a seafood business in South America crosses paths with a fraud pastor who is the head of a large drug trafficking ring. After getting implicated in a cocaine shipment, he ends up working with secret intelligence to try to take down the drug king. With top-notch actors and a striking story, Narco-Saints entered the Top 10 TV lists for 82 countries.

20th Century Girl

(Kim You-jung, Byeon Woo-seok)

20th Century Girl put viewers through a wide range of emotions with its beautiful record of first love and friendship. Taking us back to 1999, a teen girl keeps close tabs on a boy at her school on behalf of her deeply smitten friend. In the process of reporting all her findings about this boy, she gets swept up in a love story of her own. The sweet story of youthful love and friendship undeniably pulled on all of our heartstrings.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

(Park Eun-bin)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo made waves all over the world with the adventures of a brilliant attorney on the autism spectrum. Viewers got to see Woo Young-woo’s journey as she tackles her new job as a rookie lawyer at a law firm. 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 and decidedly impressed and spent 17 weeks on the Global Top 10 list.

The Glory

The Glory is one of the newest series on this list, but surely one of the most buzzworthy. With top creators like star writer Kim Eun-sook of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and Mr. Sunshine, and An Gil-ho who directed Stranger S1 and Memories of the Alhambra, there was a lot of excitement from the get-go. On top of that, we have popular actors Song Hye-kyo and Lee Do-hyun displaying great chemistry. The story of a painful childhood and the subsequent carefully planned revenge have us on the edge of our seats.

Have you checked out all of these Netflix shows that truly thrived in 2022? Be sure to watch them all as well as other upcoming K-content shows like the second season of Single's Inferno, and the new story of Alchemy of Souls only on Netflix. Also, don’t forget to hear some of your favorite stars’ favorite K-content moments as well!