Korean Content Dominates Global Streaming, Drives $2.5B Netflix Investment

As of August 8th, 2025, the global entertainment industry is witnessing a paradigm shift, with Korean content no longer just being exported, but now emulated, adapted, and localized worldwide. According to data from Parrot Analytics, the leader in global media and entertainment analytics, Korean titles were the second-largest driver of global revenue among all non-English-language originals across streaming platforms in the fourth quarter of 2024, trailing only Japanese content.

This signals that Korean content is not just gaining international acclaim, but also delivering measurable financial returns. In response, Netflix has committed $2.5 billion to Korean content over the next four years, a clear indication that this is a long-term strategic play for the platform. The influence of Korean entertainment extends far beyond licensing and production budgets, as it is now shaping creative decisions across borders.

For example, the Netflix animated film "KPop: Demon Hunters," released in June 2025, is steeped in Korean aesthetics and narrative sensibilities, despite being produced in the U.S. The film, which follows a fictional girl group that doubles as a secret team of demon slayers, reached the second-highest global demand peak of any streaming original film in 2025 so far. Its soundtrack also surged to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, illustrating the synergistic power of combining music, genre storytelling, and youth culture.

As Korean content continues to break down linguistic and cultural barriers, it is also strengthening South Korea's soft power, boosting tourism, and increasing the country's cultural awareness. For streamers, studios, and creators, betting on Korean IP is no longer a niche strategy, but a blueprint for global relevance.