Netflix has begun to focus on ‘personal preferences’ while expanding its pursuit of diversity. With the determination to target countless ‘personal preferences’, Netflix brings a variety of genres and tastes. Will Netflix in 2025 succeed in appealing to the tastes of global viewers beyond Korea?
On the morning of the 4th, the ‘Next on Netflix 2025 Korea’ event was held at the Grand Ballroom on the B1 floor of the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, introducing Netflix's lineup of works for 2025.
The event was attended by Kang Dong-han, VP of Netflix Korea Content, along with Kim Tae-won, Director of Netflix Films, Yoo Gi-hwan, Director of Netflix Non-Fiction, Bae Jong-byeong, Senior Director of Netflix Series, writer Lee Na-eun of ‘Melomovie’, director Kim Won-seok of ‘Poksak Sogaksuda’, director Lee Il-hyung of ‘Akyun’, director Yoo Young-eun of ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’, and director Lee Chang-min of ‘Cashier’.
‘Next on Netflix 2025 Korea’ is an event that introduces the 2025 lineup of Korean and global works and shares its vision. The representative lineup that Netflix will unveil in 2025 includes a variety of Korean works armed with diverse genres such as ‘Poksak Sogaksuda’, ‘Revelation’, ‘Mantis’, ‘Crime Scene Zero’, ‘Melomovie’, and ‘The Price of Confession’, along with global anticipated titles like ‘Squid Game’ Season 3, ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5, ‘Wednesday’ Season 2, and ‘Frankenstein’.
The keyword emphasized by ‘Netflix 2025’ was ‘personal preferences’. In the flood of countless content, Netflix's goal this year is to present works that match individual preferences, as stated by Kang Dong-han, VP of Korean Content, who emphasized, “As there are various preferences, we will showcase diverse content.”
Kang Dong-han VP highlighted that Korean works have consistently ranked in the global top 10 lists throughout the year, stating, “There is no doubt that Korean content has become the center of global entertainment,” and added, “Netflix's goal this year is to be there when you encounter your favorite content.”
Kang Dong-han VP, who confidently claimed that this is undoubtedly the best lineup in his seven years at Netflix, captured attention by unexpectedly announcing the release date of ‘Squid Game’ Season 3. The release date for ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 is June 27. Kang Dong-han VP stated, “In ‘Squid Game’ Season 3, the most shocking games in the history of ‘Squid Game’ will begin,” raising expectations.
Expressing both excitement and pressure regarding the newly unveiled lineup, Kang Dong-han VP said, “Honestly, I’m very nervous. In the process of preparing any work, both creators and the public’s evaluation can be nerve-wracking. I’m very grateful and proud that we could start the year well with ‘Solo Hell 4’ and ‘Severe Trauma Center’,” and added, “This year, I think there are really interesting works, and I’m looking forward to it. The works feel like my children.”
We are now in the era of streaming services. Various competing platforms, including Netflix, Tving, Wavve, Disney Plus, and Coupang Play, are enticing viewers by unveiling their original series. Among them, Wavve and Tving are hinting at a ‘merger’, signaling the birth of a ‘Korean-style OTT giant’. When asked if he is wary of this, Kang Dong-han VP replied, “I hear a lot about it in the news, and I’m always working closely with the parent companies and studios that are actually providing the service. I continue to hear about it. I believe that these changes are not the end and that there will be more changes in the future. While the streaming era is settling in, we are continuously thinking about combinations that can satisfy viewers.”
Regarding the ‘strategy of diversity’, he stated, “Netflix's global subscriber count has surpassed 300 million. It has become a service viewed by over 700 million. In Korea, various staff announcements have been made compared to the past, but other streaming services have also become popular,” and emphasized, “Viewers no longer need to wait. They should be able to find what they want to watch when they want to watch it. Quality is a given, and we aim to present diverse and numerous works. To find something delicious (that matches their taste) as a viewer, we need to set a good table.”
Netflix films, which have captivated fans with new materials and stories regardless of genre, will return in 2025 with a variety of genres from thrillers to action, romantic comedies, sci-fi, animation, and drama.
Kim Tae-won, Director of Netflix Films, confessed that it has been five years since Netflix released Korean films, stating, “We have worked hard to prepare seven works this year so that they can be remembered when thinking of Netflix Korean films. We ask for your great expectations and warm interest.”
From the new work ‘Revelation’ directed by Yeon Sang-ho, with Alfonso Cuarón, director of ‘Roma’ and ‘Gravity’, as executive producer, to Netflix's first Korean animated film ‘This Star Needs’, a thriller about mysterious noise complaints, ‘84 Square Meters’, a youth romance ‘History of Confession’, a spin-off of Netflix film ‘Gyeongbokgung’, ‘Mantis’, an unpredictable airplane landing operation drawn by director Byeon Seong-hyeon, and a sci-fi disaster film ‘Great Flood’ depicting the last day of Earth engulfed in a massive flood. Netflix is expected to deliver fun with works that have expanded diversity and enhanced enjoyment and artistry.
“We have worked to expand diversity and enhance enjoyment and artistry,” said Director Kim Tae-hyun, adding, “We were able to expand the diversity of genres from drama, thriller, rom-com, to animation. We are ready to enhance enjoyment and artistry and target personal preferences.”
One of the standout works among many lineups is that Netflix will present its first domestic animation in the second quarter of 2025. The animated film ‘This Star Needs’, depicting the long-distance romance between astronaut Nanyoung and musician Jay, features Kim Tae-ri, who has dreamed of being an astronaut, as ‘Nanyoung’, making her first voice acting challenge. The role of musician ‘Jay’, who falls in love with ‘Nanyoung’, is played by Hong Kyung, who is rising as a popular actor through films like ‘Cheongseol’ and the series ‘D.P.’ and ‘Weak Hero Class 1’.
It remains to be seen whether ‘This Star Needs’, an animation representing ‘diversity’, one of the ‘personal preferences’ emphasized by Netflix, will successfully appeal to global viewers’ tastes.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
