iWorld
K-dramas rank second on Netflix, just behind US content: Ampere research
MUMBAI: South Korean content is delivering knockout streaming figures for Netflix, now accounting for a whopping 17 per cent of the platform’s top 500 non-US shows and films, according to fresh research from Ampere Analysis.
The streaming giant’s Seoul-mates now rank second only to American content for total viewing hours, a relationship that’s proving rather lucrative as Netflix pursues its ad-tier strategy and battles subscriber churn.
In the latter half of 2024, viewers devoured 7.7 billion hours of Korean content—roughly 8 per cent of all Netflix viewing—outpacing entertainment heavyweights like the UK, Japan and Spain. Squid Game Season 2 topped global charts with a staggering 619.9 million streaming hours, while romance drama Love Next Door and cooking competition Culinary Class Wars also cooked up impressive numbers.
The streaming service isn’t playing hard to get, either. Netflix has pledged a cool $2.5 billion to Korean content between 2024 and 2028, having already established relationships with local broadcasting titans CJ ENM, JTBC, KBS, SBS and MBC. Meanwhile, local production capacity continues to expand with facilities like Studio 139 and Samsung Studio now operational.
Korean media powerhouse CJ ENM is riding this global Hallyu wave with gusto, earmarking $818 million for content in 2025 while eyeing international expansion through Netflix exposure, partnerships with global studios, and potentially launching its streaming platform Tving worldwide.
“Korean content plays a pivotal role in Netflix’s international success, driving both breakout hits and sustained viewing time,” notes Ampere Analysis research manager Orina Zhao. “South Korean content owners are well-positioned to capitalise on the global Hallyu phenomenon, maximising worldwide audience reach through strategic distribution and collaborations.”
As the Hallyu wave shows no signs of crashing, Netflix’s Korean romance appears set for quite the happy ending.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
