Ask someone outside Korea about its most popular show, and you'll likely hear one name: Squid Game. It's a fair answer. Hwang Dong-hyuk's dystopian thriller didn't just break Netflix records; it shattered them, becoming a once-in-a-decade global event. But if you ask that same question inside Korea, to someone scrolling through TV channels or domestic streaming apps, the answer gets fuzzy. It might be a weekly drama making headlines for its soaring ratings, or a variety show that's been a household staple for over a decade. The truth is, "Korea's most popular show" isn't a single title—it's a conversation about different charts, platforms, and cultural moments. Let's break down what "popular" really means in the world of K-entertainment.
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How Do We Measure a Show's Popularity in Korea?
This is the first pitfall. We often use one metric when we should look at several. A show topping Netflix's global chart is popular in a very different way from a drama that captures 20% of the Korean TV-watching audience on a Wednesday night.
| Popularity Metric | What It Measures | Typical Champion Examples | Where to Find This Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic TV Ratings | The percentage of households with TVs tuned into a specific broadcast on channels like tvN, SBS, KBS. The gold standard for traditional success. | "Queen of Tears" (2024), "The Glory" (2023), "Crash Landing on You" (2020) | Nielsen Korea reports, covered by news outlets like Soompi. |
| Streaming Platform Rankings | Most-watched titles on Korean OTT (Over-The-Top) services like TVING, Wavve, and Netflix Korea. | Shows exclusive to these platforms, like TVING's "Yumi's Cells." | Platforms' own weekly Top 10 lists (when available). |
| Global Streaming Viewership | Total hours viewed worldwide on platforms like Netflix. Measures international, not just Korean, appeal. | "Squid Game," "The Glory," "All of Us Are Dead" | Netflix's official weekly "Global Top 10" website. |
| Cultural Buzz & Paraphernalia | Social media trends, product placement success, catchphrases entering daily language, fan meet-up scale. | "Running Man" (merchandise, tours), "Squid Game" (Halloween costumes, games), "Hospital Playlist" (OST sales) | Trends on Korean platforms like Naver, Theqoo; real-world observation. |
See the problem? A show can dominate one category and be absent from another. A long-running variety show might have modest streaming numbers but sell out stadiums for fan meetings. A Netflix Original might be watched by millions abroad but be relatively unknown to your average Korean ajumma (middle-aged woman) who watches her dramas on regular TV.
The Kings & Queens of Ratings: Must-Watch K-Dramas
This is where the most heated debates happen. Korean dramas are consumed voraciously, and their success is quantified ruthlessly. Let's look at the heavyweights.
The Modern Titans (Post-2020)
Forget the classics for a moment. The current landscape is ruled by a few record-setters.
"The Glory" (Netflix, 2023) is a perfect case study. Written by star screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, it's a brutal, cathartic revenge story about school violence. It did well on Netflix globally, but its real power was in Korea. Its final episodes achieved ratings over 10% on TV for its broadcast, which is massive for a show also released on streaming. People were talking about it everywhere—the meticulous plotting, the performances, the satisfying payoff. It wasn't just watched; it was experienced as a social event.
"Queen of Tears" (tvN/Netflix, 2024) recently showcased the enduring power of the star-driven romantic drama. Starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, it achieved peak ratings of over 20%, making it one of the highest-rated cable dramas in history. It dominated water-cooler conversation for its entire run, proving that when a classic formula (marriage in crisis, corporate intrigue, heartfelt reconciliation) is executed with top-tier production and acting, it can still capture the entire nation.
But here's a nuance outsiders miss: the weeknight slot matters. A drama airing on Saturday-Sunday (like "Queen of Tears") traditionally aims for family viewership and higher ratings. A drama airing on Monday-Tuesday might target a younger demographic and have slightly lower ratings expectations, but can be just as buzzworthy online.
The Unshakeable Veterans: Korean Variety Shows
If dramas are the flashy blockbusters, variety shows are the reliable sitcoms that move into your living room and never leave. Their popularity is measured in longevity and loyal fandom, not just weekly spikes.
"Running Man" (SBS, 2010-Present) is the undisputed titan. Over 700 episodes and counting. Its concept—celebrities playing chaotic, often physical games—created a template copied across Asia. Its core members, especially Yoo Jae-suk (the "Nation's MC"), are national treasures. Its popularity isn't about hitting a ratings number anymore; it's about being an institution. It has spawned countless international fan meetings, a massive Chinese version, and a level of member chemistry that is virtually impossible to replicate. You don't just watch "Running Man"; you grow up with it.
"Knowing Bros" ("Ask Us Anything," JTBC, 2015-Present) took a different path. Set in a classroom where male hosts interact with guest stars as classmates, its popularity hinges on its bold, sometimes roasty humor. It's the show where idols and actors let their guards down. Its ratings have fluctuated, but its cultural footprint is huge—catchphrases from the show enter the lexicon, and being a good guest on "Knowing Bros" is considered a career boost.
A newer force is "The Devil's Plan" (Netflix, 2023). This isn't a traditional variety show but a high-stakes, cerebral game show. It tapped into the global appetite for strategic competition (think "The Genius" or "Survivor") but with a distinctly Korean flavor—intense, emotionally charged, and brilliantly designed. Its popularity, especially among international viewers, shows the genre evolving.
The Global Streaming Giants: Hits Beyond Borders
This is the category that changed everything. Netflix's deep investment in Korean content created a pipeline for shows to become global sensations overnight.
"Squid Game" (2021) stands alone. With over 1.6 billion hours viewed in its first month, it's not just Korea's most popular show by this metric—it's one of the most popular shows in the world, ever. Its success is a mix of a universally relatable theme (desperate debt), visceral games, stunning art direction, and flawless timing. It made Korean content "mainstream" in markets that had previously been indifferent.
But here's the non-consensus part: While "Squid Game" is the peak, it didn't create a template. The shows that followed found success in different ways. "All of Us Are Dead" (2022) tapped into the evergreen zombie genre. "Physical: 100" (2023) reinvented the competition show with an almost mythological quest for the "perfect physique." "The Glory", as mentioned, was a classic, well-told melodrama that happened to be exceptionally dark and well-made.
The key insight? Netflix's Korean strategy works because it greenlights diverse, high-quality projects, not because it's trying to clone "Squid Game." The next global hit could be a romance, a sci-fi, or a comedy.
Beyond Viewership: Shows That Become Cultural Phenomena
Sometimes, popularity transcends screens. It's about what the show does to the culture.
"Hospital Playlist" (tvN, 2020-2021) is a great example. A medical drama about five doctor friends who form a band? The ratings were very good, but not record-breaking. Its true popularity was in its warmth and its soundtrack. Every song they covered in the show shot to the top of Korean music charts. It fostered a sense of community among viewers, with weekly watch parties and deep dives into the characters' lives. Its popularity was gentle, deep, and enduring.
"Shows like "I Live Alone" (MBC, 2013-Present) popularized the "celebrity real-life" format to an extreme degree. It didn't just show celebrities' homes; it influenced interior design trends, food trends, and pet trends across the country. A product used by a cast member could see sales skyrocket overnight—a power usually reserved for major drama product placements.
From my own experience, the shows that stick aren't always the flashiest. I've seen more people in Seoul wearing merchandise from the calming, music-focused "Begin Again" (a traveling busking show) than from some major dramas. Popularity has a quiet side too.
Your Burning Questions Answered (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions About Popular Korean Shows
Is Squid Game still the most popular show from Korea?
In terms of raw, global cultural impact and viewership records, yes, it's the undisputed champion. It's the show that changed the global perception of Korean television. However, "most popular" is time-bound and metric-specific. Within Korea right now, a drama like "Queen of Tears" might have higher domestic TV ratings and daily conversation share. Squid Game is the global icon; other shows rule the domestic charts.
Besides Squid Game, what Korean shows on Netflix are must-watches?
Start with "The Glory" for a masterclass in tense, satisfying revenge. For romance, "Crash Landing on You" is the modern classic that hooked millions. If you like zombies, "All of Us Are Dead" and "Kingdom" are top-tier. For non-fiction, "Physical: 100" is an incredibly gripping competition, and "Single's Inferno" is the quintessential addictive dating show. Don't sleep on "Moving" either—a superhero family drama that blends action, emotion, and mystery brilliantly.
What Korean variety show is best for a beginner?
"Running Man" is the foundational text. Pick any episode from the last few years; the games are explained, the chemistry is instant, and the humor is largely physical and visual. For a more modern, structured entry, Netflix's "The Devil's Plan" is perfect—it's a self-contained, 12-episode strategic game that requires no prior knowledge of the cast or Korean variety conventions.
How do I find new popular Korean shows as they air?
Follow the data. For traditional TV dramas, check the weekly ratings round-ups on sites like Soompi or Koreaboo—they translate Nielsen Korea data. A drama consistently above 5-6% on cable (tvN, JTBC) is doing well; above 10% is a major hit. For streaming, Netflix's public Top 10 list for South Korea is your best real-time indicator of what the country is binge-watching. Also, pay attention to which shows are trending on the Korean side of social media platforms; if a show's hashtag or a character's name is constantly popping up, it's caught the public's attention.
So, what is Korea's most popular show? It's the drama breaking rating records on Wednesday night. It's the variety show that's been a weekend ritual for 14 years. It's the Netflix thriller that captivated the planet. The beauty of Korean entertainment right now is that there isn't one throne—there are many, each representing a different way to capture an audience's heart, whether it's across the street or across the world. Your next favorite show is waiting in one of these categories.
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