What Netflix's 1st decade in Korea means for future of K-content

It has been 10 years since Netflix entered the Korean market. Over that decade, the platform has become deeply embedded in everyday life. The way Korean content is produced and how it is perceived by overseas markets have both evolved. Korean content, known as “K-content,” is now no longer an unfamiliar term. Netflix's impact over the past decade has been significant.

A decade ago, the variety of works available on a single platform was not as extensive as it is today. With Netflix's entry into the Korean market, creators gained more options. This change became particularly evident with the emergence of unconventional works that would have been challenging to produce through traditional investment models or conventional success formulas.

"Okja," a 2017 Netflix original film directed by Bong Joon-ho, stands out as a prime example of this shift. Its unique premise, involving a giant corporation and a genetically modified animal, was not a common storyline in conventional commercial films. The decade has seen the boundaries of genres and storytelling expand, paving the way for a new era in the global perception and production of Korean content.