“Somebody help me!” High school student Dongwoon screams as a classmate burns hair curlers into her arm while two other tormentors hold her down.
The gruesome scene in the school gymnasium was one of the pivotal early moments in ‘The Glory,’ a 16-episode drama centered around bullying, status, and revenge, and a Netflix series. It is the latest work of the Korean mega hit of. Its breakout sensation, “Squid Game,” has become the streamer’s most popular series.
Released in two parts in December and March, “The Glory” is currently the fifth most popular non-English TV show on Netflix. Management said they were a little surprised to see how well the show did internationally, noting that it reached the top 10 non-English TV lists in 91 countries.
When Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol last month, he mentioned the number of South Korean hits alongside “Squid Game” and “Physical: 100.” was one.announced there $2.5 billion investment Over the next four years, it will focus on Korean content, stating that Korean-made stories are “currently at the center of the global cultural zeitgeist.”
Don Kang, Netflix’s vice president of content for South Korea, said he was excited to see the show go global. It’s a great example of a story that resonates, but it also explores themes of human psychology and social issues that audiences around the world can relate to,” he said in a statement to the New York Times.
“The Glory” revolves around Dong-Woon Moon, whose mission in life is to get revenge on those who bullied him in high school. Her scars are both a physical reminder of the pain she suffered at the hands of her bullies, as well as the motivation behind her years-long quest for revenge. She transforms from a victim to a perpetrator as she takes steps and develops a complex repayment plan.
A plot device that has animated drama for centuries by interweaving themes of bullying and revenge, “The Glory” features the spectacular sets and memorable scenes that made “The Glory” so popular. Even without the visuals, it captivated audiences hungry for justice both in Korea and abroad. squid game.
Netflix officials are happy to discover that a show focused on storylines and characters can travel just like that. He said he made the decision early on.
In a country where traditional broadcasters still censor smoking, Netflix is one of the platforms that has paved the way for content creators to delve into topics long considered too risque, says a Konkuk University communication. said Yu Kon-shik, adjunct professor at the University of Tokyo. Member of the Production Planning Committee for Seoul and Korea Broadcasting System.
Fans of ‘The Glory’ admitted it was satisfying, though some recalled the experience of bullying Watching Dongwoon turn the lives of his enemies upside down is cathartic.
“‘The Glory’ is this slow flame of vengeance,” said Amy Lou of Temple City, Calif., where children are being bullied at school. I want to see the underdog win.”
There is a reason why so many people can relate. In 2019, almost 3 in 1 of her students reported being bullied, according to a study. UNESCO reportWe also found that the prevalence of bullying is increasing in almost one in five countries. Also, while there are relatively few reports of school violence in South Korea, about 2% of students report being victims. Ministry of education The real number could be higher because many students are afraid to speak up, said Kim Tae-yeon, a Seoul attorney who specializes in the matter.
The response to “The Glory” and its themes has placed the show on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV list for 13 years. week. (It’s been on the list of major non-English shows in the US for only three weeks.) This, along with “Squid Game,” ranks his four among Netflix’s 10 most popular non-English TV shows. It became one of the Korean series. “We are all dead” and “Extraordinary Lawyer Wu”.
Now the company wants to build on these successes with its release. 30 or more This year alone, Korean series, movies and unscripted shows. At the end of March, just three weeks after the release of the second batch of episodes of “The Glory,” Netflix delivered another new Korean thriller, “Kill Boksoon.”
It’s been in the top 10 non-English movies on Netflix for the last five weeks.
The global success of Korean productions not only demonstrates the international reach of Netflix, which can subtitle and dub shows in over 30 languages, but also Seoul’s growing power as a creative hub. Netflix Vice President Kang said.
“South Korea is a storytelling powerhouse with the ability to uniquely showcase Korean culture and issues,” he said. “Conveys a universal feeling that resonates with people around the world.”
