425% Viewership Surge… Now This K-Drama Is Heading to Europe

Coupang Play’s original series Family Matters has been officially invited to compete in the International Panorama section at the 2025 Series Mania Festival, making it the only Korean drama selected among global entries.

The series follows a mother with the ability to manipulate memories as she embarks on a revenge mission against villains alongside her family. With its unique premise and intense storytelling, the show captivated audiences, fueled by stellar performances from Bae Doo-na, Ryu Seung-bum, and Baek Yoon-sik. Family Matters is considered one of Coupang Play’s most successful original series.

Series Mania Festival is Europe’s largest event dedicated to television series, attracting top creators, industry professionals, network executives, and journalists from around the world. This year’s festival will be held in Lille, France, for eight days starting March 21.

The International Panorama section, where Family Matters has been nominated, highlights the best series from various countries. Competing against shows from France, Spain, Italy, the U.S., and Canada, Family Matters’ selection reaffirms the growing recognition of Korean dramas on the global stage.

Record-Breaking Success for Family Matters

Created by Kim Jung-min, the series quickly became a sensation upon release. It saw an astonishing 425% surge in viewership compared to its opening score, breaking records in total watch hours and unique viewers. The drama’s exceptional production quality and direction sparked enthusiastic responses from audiences, leading to widespread online discussions and calls for a second season.

Coupang Play has been strengthening its presence in both domestic and international markets with high-quality originals. Other notable successes include Boyhood, which won Best Drama and Best Actor at the 2024 Blue Dragon Series Awards and 2024 Asia Contents & Global OTT Awards, and SNL Korea, which has dominated comedy categories for three consecutive years at major ceremonies, including the Baeksang Arts Awards.

With Family Matters making its mark in Europe, Coupang Play is further solidifying its global footprint.

“Being the only Korean drama invited to the 2025 Series Mania Festival is a great honor,” said Coupang Play’s Head of Original Productions, Ahn Hye-yeon. “This international recognition reaffirms our commitment to producing high-quality, distinctive storytelling, and we will continue to push boundaries in content creation.”

Family Matters remains one of Coupang Play’s top-ranked shows, and all episodes are currently available for streaming on the platform.