Netflix's 'Girigo' storms to global No. 1… K-death game craze takes off

No. 1 in the non-English TV category with 7.5 million views in two weeks. What made this teen death-game thriller such a hit in 64 countries.

Netflix's original series 'Girigo' rose to the global top in its second week after release, once again demonstrating the strength of Korean content.

On 5 May, Netflix's official ranking site "Netflix Top 10" reported that 'Girigo' recorded a total of 7.5 million views (measured by dividing total viewing hours by the show's runtime) and claimed the No. 1 spot in Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows.

The series topped the chart in 24 countries worldwide, including South Korea, and made the top 10 in 64 countries, demonstrating overwhelming popularity.

'Girigo' is a young adult (YA) horror drama that follows the fierce survival struggle of high school students who are marked for death by the curse of a mysterious app that grants wishes. It has been praised for successfully combining the everyday familiarity of smartphones with the chilling tension unique to death-game thrillers, maximising viewer immersion.

Analysts say the rise to global No. 1 reflects the show's solid genre thrills and the fresh acting chemistry of emerging performers, which have resonated with viewers worldwide. With 'Girigo' enjoying strong momentum from the outset, industry watchers in South Korea and overseas are watching closely to see how long its success will last.