Squid Game Star Leads Netflix's Newest Korean Legal Drama Sensation

In late July 2025, Netflix's new Korean legal drama Beyond the Bar has quickly become a global sensation. The series, which features Squid Game actor Lee Jin-wook in the lead role, has climbed the platform's Top 10 non-English language shows for the week of late July to early August 2025.

Beyond the Bar, which follows the journey of veteran lawyer Yoon Seok-hoon and newcomer Kang Hyo-min, has attracted significant attention worldwide. According to Flixpatrol, the show ranked number 10 globally, amassing 3.1 million watch hours from 1.8 million viewers. The series has also made its presence known in several countries, including South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Venezuela.

The incredible success of Beyond the Bar underscores the ever-expanding global reach of Korean dramas. This uptick in popularity is part of a larger cultural shift that began with the unprecedented success of Squid Game, which not only captured the attention of audiences everywhere but also changed the discourse around South Korean entertainment, establishing a global footprint.

In response to this growing demand, Netflix has ramped up its commitment to South Korean content as part of its overall strategy to claim the lion's share of a broadening global appetite for this type of content. With an increasing trend of South Korean influence in entertainment globally, it's no surprise that Netflix is planning for a future in which Korean entertainment is front and center.