This K-Drama Surpassed a ₩60 Billion Blockbuster to Hit No. 2 on Netflix Worldwide

Just two weeks after its release, a Korean drama has climbed to No. 2 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV Series chart—surpassing even a ₩60 billion ($45 million USD) blockbuster. The show is gaining major attention both domestically and internationally.

On April 16, Netflix announced that five Korean titles were featured in its Global Top 10 Non-English Series rankings. Among them, Karma (Korean title: 악연), starring Park Hae-soo and Shin Min-a, ranked second in its second week on the platform. Meanwhile, the variety show Kian’s Bizarre B&B entered the chart at No. 6 right after release.

Despite its massive ₩60 billion production budget, the IU and Park Bo-gum drama When Life Gives You Tangerines ranked third and has remained on the chart for six consecutive weeks. Weak Hero Class 1 also secured a spot for the third week in a row ahead of its second season, and newly released Resident Playbook (also titled Wise Resident Life) debuted on the chart as well.

Netflix commented, “Global interest in K-content is clearly reflected in the numbers. The international success of Korean series continues to grow.”

Karma is a thriller that delves into the interwoven fates of six characters bound by crime and circumstance. The show recorded 4.8 million total viewing hours and entered the Top 10 lists in 35 countries.

Recently released stills tease major plot twists—Park Hae-soo’s character, once seen in a suit, is now shown with full-body burn scars, hinting at the devastating consequences of his unchecked desires. Shin Min-a’s tearful expression captures her lingering trauma, and her reunion with the "witness" character suggests a toxic fate that keeps pulling her back.

Other stills show Lee Hee-jun's character tied to an operating table, implying life-threatening debt consequences, while his interactions with Park Hae-soo reveal unexpected connections. Kim Sung-kyun’s character, seen both inside and outside prison, reflects a cycle of entanglement that doesn’t end with release. Lee Kwang-soo’s emotional moment after learning the truth about a car accident adds to the suspense. Gong Seung-yeon’s character also transforms significantly later in the series, shifting the tone entirely.

Photos featuring Kim Nam-gil and Jo Jin-woong hint at yet another dark, irreversible connection in the tangled web of relationships.

Produced by Kakao Entertainment, Karma adds another hit to the company’s impressive lineup, following titles like Dark Nuns (January) and When Life Gives You Tangerines (March). Kakao continues to invest in its multi-studio system, collaborating with in-house labels to adapt popular webtoons and web novels into screen content.

Meanwhile, Kakao’s film The Match (dir. Kim Hyung-joo), which premiered on March 26, tells the real-life story of Go legend Cho Hun-hyun (played by Lee Byung-hun), who is defeated by his own student and fights to reclaim his legacy. The film, co-produced by Movie Rock and BH Entertainment, impressed viewers with meticulous historical detail and emotionally intense performances.

Earlier this year, Dark Nuns (dir. Kwon Hyuk-jae) drew 1.67 million viewers and was pre-sold to 160 countries. The exorcism-themed thriller was especially successful in Southeast Asia, drawing over 1 million viewers in Indonesia and holding the No. 1 spot at the Philippine box office for two consecutive weeks. It was also invited to compete at the 27th Udine Far East Film Festival.

Kakao Entertainment plans to continue expanding its slate of high-quality content throughout 2025.

Currently airing MBC drama Crushology 101 (starring Roh Jeong-eui), based on a webtoon with 170 million cumulative views, has already launched in 106 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Other upcoming titles include Disney+ original Nine Puzzle (starring Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku), Netflix’s You and Everything Else (starring Kim Go-eun and Park Ji-hyun), SBS’s Mantis: Original Sin (Go Hyun-jung, Jang Dong-yoon), and KBS2’s Eun-soo Good Day (Lee Young-ae, Kim Young-kwang, Park Yong-woo).

Kakao stated, “We will continue delivering stories that offer both laughter and emotion through IP-based projects and studio collaborations.”

Karma is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix.

Netflix Global Top 10 – Non-English Series (Week of April 19)

The Gardener: Limited Series

Karma (악연)

When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다)

The Lady’s Companion: Season 1

How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast): Season 4

Kian’s Bizarre B&B (대환장 기안장)

Weak Hero Class 1 (약한영웅 Class 1)

Caught: Season 1

Friendly Rivalry (선의의 경쟁)

Resident Playbook (Wise Resident Life) (언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의생활)

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!