A First for K-Content? Korean Film and Drama Both Hit No. 1 on Netflix

Korean content has once again proven its global power—this time with both a film and a series topping Netflix's global charts at the same time.

The film Revelations and the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines each claimed the No. 1 spot in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for Non-English Films and TV Series, respectively. It's a rare feat for two Korean titles to dominate the platform simultaneously, highlighting the strength and diversity of K-content.

Revelations, directed by Yeon Sang-ho with executive production by Alfonso Cuarón, is a psychological thriller exploring the collision between distorted beliefs and personal truths. It follows Pastor Kim Hyung-woo (Ryu Jun-yeol), who believes a missing persons case is tied to a divine revelation, and Detective Min-chan (Shin Hyun-bin), who searches for the truth behind her brother’s death. The film unravels the intense tension between faith and reality, amplified by powerful performances and immersive direction.

Ryu Jun-yeol masterfully captures a character teetering between inner madness and outward devotion, while Shin Hyun-bin delivers a grounded performance as a detective chasing emotional and existential truths. Rising actor Shin Min-jae also plays a pivotal role that intensifies the suspense.

Within just three days of release, Revelations racked up 5.7 million views and entered the Top 10 in 39 countries, including South Korea, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Argentina, Japan, and Indonesia. Viewers have praised it as “more than just a crime thriller—a philosophical take on belief,” and hailed Ryu Jun-yeol’s performance as “a new standard for psychological depth in Korean cinema.”

Meanwhile, When Life Gives You Tangerines—a Netflix original series with a distinct Jeju dialect title—is captivating audiences with its nostalgic, emotionally rich storytelling. The series follows the lives of Ae-soon (IU), a rebellious dreamer, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), a steadfast and kind-hearted man, from the 1960s to the present day.

Told across four acts symbolizing the seasons of life, the story explores adolescence and rebellion (Act 1), the trials of adulthood and social changes (Act 2), responsibility and personal growth (Act 3), and the final stage of life, to be revealed in the upcoming Act 4.

With finely tuned emotional arcs and relatable themes, the drama has struck a chord with viewers across generations. As of the release of Act 3, it has accumulated 5.5 million views and entered the Top 10 in 42 countries including Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Turkey.

International viewers have praised the series as “profoundly emotional and beautifully shot,” and called Jeju Island “a silent character in its own right.” The show has steadily climbed the charts—from No. 4 with Act 1, to No. 2 with Act 2, and finally reaching No. 1 after Act 3—fueled by strong word of mouth.

Both Revelations and When Life Gives You Tangerines are now streaming on Netflix.