Netflix series 'Kkulalba' (꿀알바) has claimed the #1 spot in the Global Non-English Show category just two weeks after its release, showcasing the worldwide competitiveness of K-content.
According to Netflix's official TOP 10 website, Tudum (Tudum), 'Kkulalba' surged from #4 in its debut week to #1 in viewership during the November 2-8 tracking period. The SBS drama 'Doctor X: Mafia in White' (닥터X: 하얀 마피아의 시대), starring actress Kim Ji-won (김지원), also entered the charts at #4, demonstrating the dual success of K-content.
'Kkulalba's' Record-Breaking Run Captivates Global Viewers
According to Netflix Tudum, 'Kkulalba' recorded 8.7 million views from November 2-8, securing the #1 spot in the Global Non-English Show category. It reached #1 in 22 countries, including Korea (한국), Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and entered the TOP 10 in a total of 76 countries (MediaFine). A notable aspect of this achievement is that lead actor Lee Jae-wook (이재욱) is currently serving in the military (군 복무 중).
https://www.mediafine.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=95064,,시청수 (2026.11.2-8) 870만
1위 달성 국가 22개국
TOP 10 진입 국가 76개국
K-Content Expands Beyond Asia to Europe and Latin America
The success of 'Kkulalba' is highly significant because its popularity is spreading beyond its initial stronghold in Asia to Europe and Latin America. This demonstrates that K-content is gaining universal appeal among viewers worldwide, extending its influence beyond specific regions in the global market. It serves as a prime example of K-drama's proven competitiveness, transcending language and cultural barriers through the Netflix platform.
Actress Kim Ji-won's Influence and the Popularity of K-Medical Dramas
'Doctor X: Mafia in White,' starring actress Kim Ji-won, is also enjoying steady popularity, ranking #4 on Netflix's Non-English Show list. This drama, which achieved a peak domestic viewership rating of 18.5% in October (Facebook Ysivemosdoramas), proves that Kim Ji-won's acting prowess and the immersive storytelling characteristic of K-medical dramas are effective with global audiences. Alongside 'Kkulalba,' this case highlights both the genre expansion of K-content and the global impact of its actors.
The consecutive global successes of 'Kkulalba' and 'Doctor X' suggest that K-content is expanding its competitiveness in the world market through a diverse range of works and actors, not limited to specific genres or stars. These achievements will be crucial considerations for the future direction of K-content production and the formulation of global distribution strategies.
