The Korean show has surpassed the record set by Netflix’s Regency era series ‘Bridgeton’, an English language series, which had 82 million accounts in its first 28 days.
Netflix confirmed Wednesday that its Korean-language show “Squid Game” has become its “biggest series launch” ever, after the survival drama garnered 111 million views less than a month after its debut .
The show, directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, premiered on the streamer on September 17.
“Squid Game” has surpassed the record set by Netflix’s Regency era series “Bridgeton,” an English language series, which had 82 million accounts in its first 28 days.
“The Squid game officially reaches 111 million fans – it’s the launch of our biggest series yet!” A tweet read on the official account of Netflix.
The nine-part show follows 456 people battling debt in Seoul who sign up to play a series of deadly competitions based on the Korean children’s game, the winner of which received 45.6 billion won (US$38 million). Will be It stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hee-soo, Wai Ha-joon, Jang Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryong.
Last week, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said that “Squid Game” is well on its way to becoming the biggest show in Netflix history.
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Like the Oscar-winning Korean-language film “Parasite” directed by Bong Joon-ho, the show has been praised for highlighting the growing gulf between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.
“Squid Game” has also attracted attention for its colorful and dreamy production design by Chai Kyung-sun; The green and pink tracksuits worn by competitors and game referees have sparked a business race, and the ‘dalgona’, the Korean dessert at the center of one of the games in the competition, has become a global rage.
According to reports, the show’s popularity in South Korea led to an increase in network traffic, which led SK Broadband to file a lawsuit against Netflix, seeking monetary damages for increased broadband usage and maintenance costs associated with the show.
One phone number used in “Squid Game” belonged to a private resident who reportedly received 4,000 calls every day from people. The report said that after the user raised the issue, Netflix said they would edit the show to remove the number.
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