K-POP and Netflix, October 2025 Korean Content Popularity Rankings and Global Trends

1. Netflix Korea Content Status

As of October 2025, Netflix (a global online video streaming service) is captivating audiences around the world with Korean content. As of the first half of 2025, the series The Squid Game ranked in the top 1-3 in North America and Europe, proving the power of Korean dramas.

In 2025, Netflix Original Korean dramas expanded viewers' options with a variety of genres, including Severe Trauma Center and Foxtrot, the latter of which was Netflix's first medical series in Korea.

1. Squid Game Season 3 (released June 27, 2025)

2. Severe Trauma Center (opening in early 2025)

3. Fooled by the Bomb (#1 in Asia)

4. Uncharted Seoul (drama starring Park Bo Young, popular in the Middle East)

2. Squid Game Season 3 Global Popularity

Season 3 of Squid Game, a survival game drama, premiered on June 27, 2025, concluding its 13-episode epic journey with Season 2. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk officially announced that it would be the final season, and fans around the world were eagerly anticipating it.

Since its release in September 2021, Season 1 has become Netflix's most-watched series of all time, winning six Primetime Emmy Awards (presented by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) and one Golden Globe Award (presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association).

1. Season 1 release date: September 17, 2021

2. Season 2 release date: December 26, 2024

3. Season 3 release date: June 27, 2025 (final season)

4. Cumulative hours watched: more than 1.65 billion hours based on Season 1 (H2 2023)

3. Analyze K-POP Billboard Charts

In the Billboard charts released on October 4, 2025, K-Pop remained a strong presence, with HUNTR/X (fictional group name) and Saja Boys (fictional group name) topping the Global 200 and Hot 100 (Billboard's main singles chart).

Along with the steady performance of girl groups such as TWICE (9-member female idol group), BLACKPINK (4-member female idol group), and KATSEYE, solo songs by BTS (7-member male idol group) members have also been charting for a long time.

1. Jin - Don't Say You Love Me (entered the Billboard charts)

2. Jimin - Who (long term chart)

3. Jungkook (Jungkook) - Seven (which is a long-term chart)

4. Jennie - like JENNIE (71st)

5. AESPA (AESPA) - Rich Man (106th)

4. the latest trends in BTS and Newzine

BTS is set to make a full comeback after June 2025 when all members complete their military service. The industry is expecting a comeback in late 2025/early 2026, and HYBE (BTS's agency) is predicting an economic impact of KRW 2 trillion in annual sales.

In 2025, NewJeans, a five-member female idol group, continued their music career amidst legal disputes and reached number one on the Billboard 200 (main album chart). They are the second K-Pop girl group to reach #1 on the Billboard 200, following BLACKPINK.

1. When BTS retires: June 2025 (all members have completed their service)

2. Estimated comeback time: Late 2025-early 2026

3. Newzine Billboard 200 #1: Mini sophomore album Get Up (August 2023)

4. What's New: We're in legal dispute with ADOR (our agency)

5. Global fan reactions and trends

In 2025, K-content has gone beyond Asia and built a strong fan base in North America and Europe. According to Netflix data, Squid Game broke through in North America and Europe, where Korean content has been less popular, ranking 1-3 on the list.

K-POP YouTube (YouTube, the video sharing platform powered by Google) views continue to rise in 2025. BLACKPINK's "DDU-DU DDU-DU" music video has surpassed 2.2 billion views and remains the #1 video of all time for a K-POP group.

1. North America: The Squid Game Season 3 Netflix Top 3

2. European markets: Squid is the only K-Content Top 100 entry in the UK

3. Asian markets: Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand topped the list of deceived users

4. Middle East markets: Seoul's undiscovered popularity in Saudi Arabia

6. frequently asked questions

Q1. What is the most popular Korean drama on Netflix as of October 2025?
A1. Season 3 of the Squid Game has been dominating the global charts since its release in June, and both Critical Trauma Center and Fooled by the Squid have also been gaining traction in their respective regions.

Q2. When will BTS make a full comeback?
A2. Expect a comeback in late 2025/early 2026 after completion of all-member military service in June 2025. The Hive is preparing an official announcement.

Q3. How strong is K-POP on the Billboard charts?
A3. As of October 2025, BTS members' solo songs, TWICE, BLACKPINK, and ESPAR have entered the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 simultaneously, maintaining a strong position.

Q4. What is the current status of Newzine?
A4. In 2025, Newzine is in a legal dispute with their agency, Adore, but they continue to make music and are a globally popular group with a Billboard 200 number one record.

Q5. Will there be a sequel to Squid Game after Season 3?
A5. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has stated that season 3 will be the final season, but the possibility of an American spin-off has been raised, with production set to begin in December 2025 in Los Angeles.

7. related reading

1. K-POP hidden gems in 2025: If you don't know them yet, you're left behind

2. K-Webtoon meets Web3: Hallyu content evolves with NFTs and blockchain

3. Secrets of the K-Pop Demon Hunters fandom viral: 1.8 billion views prove it's a winning strategy

4. Behind the Scenes of K-Dramas: 7 Secrets Netflix Hides from You

Summary of references

Key data in this article is based on the Korea Creative Content Agency's Netflix K-Content Popularity Report for the first half of 2025, Billboard Korea's October 4, 2025 chart analysis, and official Netflix statistics.

Last updated: October 7, 2025
All information in this article is based on official sources.