Netflix is changing. In addition to the fun of binge-watching, it is attempting to change its content release strategy by releasing original series over a month or introducing daily variety shows.
Until now, Netflix has released original series all at once, allowing viewers to binge-watch over the weekend. The recently released medical drama 'Severe Trauma Center,' starring Ju Ji-hoon and Choi Young-woo, was also released in eight episodes at once, capturing the hearts of viewers during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Of course, there have been exceptions. 'The Glory' was released in two parts, Part 1 and Part 2, with a total of 16 episodes. However, Netflix's main strategy has been to release series with 6 to 12 episodes all at once.
Variety shows have also been released weekly, with 2 to 3 episodes at a time. Shows like 'Physical 100,' 'Black and White Chef,' and 'Solo Hell' were released in a similar manner.
Now, Netflix has announced changes for 2025.
The drama 'Poksak Sogassuda,' starring IU and Park Bo-gum, is set to release four acts containing a variety of life experiences over a month, from spring to summer, fall, and winter. Accordingly, it will meet viewers with four episodes each on March 7, March 14, March 21, and March 28.
In this regard, Baek Jong-byeong, Senior Director of Netflix's Series Division, spoke at the 'Next on Netflix 2025 Korea' event held on the 4th.
He stated, “We chose a release method that aligns with the creators' intentions through discussions with them, allowing viewers to enjoy it. We discussed with the director and writer that 'Poksak Sogassuda' would unfold in four acts from the beginning. We decided on the release method with the intention of allowing viewers to enjoy it that way,” adding, “Other past series also have various launching patterns. We determined the release method in a way that aligns with the creators' intentions and allows viewers to enjoy it the most.”
Not only series but also variety shows will see changes in their release methods. This year, five daily variety shows will be released, including talk shows, character variety shows, club explorations, and gourmet travel.
Starting on the 22nd, every Saturday, there will be a cooking talk show 'Subjective Restaurant' featuring Choi Kang-rok and Moon Sang-hoon, and from the 23rd, every Sunday, the 'Driver: Looking for the Lost Screw' team will reunite to meet viewers.
From the 24th, every Monday, Defconn will explore clubs in 'Dongmisae: Freshman Crazy About Clubs,' and from the 26th, every Wednesday, viewers can enjoy Choo Sung-hoon's talk show 'Churai Churai.' Starting from the 27th, every Thursday, a gourmet show 'Crazy Restaurant: Gourmet Friend's Favorite' featuring Korean and Japanese gourmet experts Sung Si-kyung and Matsushige Yutaka will be introduced.
Yoo Gi-hwan, Director of Netflix's Non-Fiction Division, explained, “We started with the intention of presenting fun variety shows every day. Until now, variety shows have been seasonal, where you wait a year, then get 2-3 weeks of content and it's over. In Korea, viewers are used to watching variety shows weekly on TV. We decided to try this to cater to the preferences of Korean subscribers.”
Confident in an unprecedented lineup this year, Netflix is also making various attempts in its release methods for Korean subscribers. There is keen interest in whether Netflix's new strategy will succeed.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
