Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was all smiles in Seoul this weekend as the streamer marked 10 years in Korea — a market that has delivered Squid Game, KPop Demon Hunters and Kingdom and become one of Netflix’s most important bets worldwide.
Ted Sarandos at Netflix Korea Fan Festival (Credits: Deadline)
Sarandos took to the stage at Netflix Janchi, the two-day fan festival held October 24-25 at Sangam Oil Tank Culture Park, where thousands of fans gathered for themed attractions, games, merchandise and live music celebrating a decade of Korean stories.
Ted Sarandos Marks Netflix’s 10 Years in Korea
“Ten years ago, we dreamed big, but none of us could have imagined that Korean stories would move hearts around the world, and land right at the center of global culture,” Sarandos said, opening with a simple thank you to Korean creators and fans.
Korea was one of Netflix’s biggest financial bets, and it has paid off spectacularly. Squid Game became a global phenomenon, KPop Demon Hunters a worldwide hit, and Korean dramas a permanent fixture at the center of streaming culture — a transformation Sarandos credited to creators telling new kinds of stories and fans loving them harder than anyone.
The stage reflected that decade: Squid Game stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun and Park Hae-soo appeared alongside Ahn Hyo-seop for KPop Demon Hunters, plus stars from D.P., Hellbound, Mask Girl and The Devil’s Plan.
What’s Next: Tantara, All of Us Are Dead Season 2, Solo Leveling
The anniversary showcase also previewed what’s next. Lee Chang-dong’s Venice winner Possible Love bows November 6, followed by Tantara, starring Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo and Kim Seol-hyun, on December 11. Still undated are Grand Galaxy Hotel, She, Wolf, All of Us Are Dead Season 2 and the live-action Solo Leveling with Byeon Woo-seok.
Fans hoping for a wave of new footage were left waiting — beyond the Possible Love trailer, the showcase was largely cast introductions, with no first teaser for All of Us Are Dead Season 2 or Solo Leveling and no release dates for the 2027 titles. But the message from Seoul was clear: after ten years, Netflix’s Korean chapter is still expanding.
Also Read: Your Letter Streaming on Crunchyroll: Korean Animated Film Lands on October 23 and Korea Box Office: Chiikawa Remains Unstoppable as Yeon Sang-ho Thriller Paradise Lost Debuts
Source: Deadline — read the full story there.
