Here’s a fresh record from Flix Patrol on the most popular Korean titles on Netflix worldwide for the first 2 weeks of January 2022:
1. Single’s Inferno (2021-2022)
Points: 1,998
No. of countries: 67
Synopsis: The show follows a group of Korean singles stranded on the deserted island “inferno” of Saseungbong, Ongjin. To leave this inferno, they must pair up with another single to escape for a date night in their paradise, a luxurious hotel away from the island.
Genre: Dating game show
No. of episodes: 8
Starring: An Yea-won, Kang So-yeon, Song Jia, Shin Ji-yeon, Kim Su-min, Seong Min-ji, Kim Jun-sik, Kim Hyeon-joong, Oh Jin-taek, Moon Se-hoon, Choi Sihun, Cha Hyun-seung
Written by: Ji Hyeon-suk, Lee Jeong-hwa
Presented by: Lee Da-hee, Cho Kyu-hyun, Hong Jin-kyung, and Jung Han-hae
Date: December 18, 2021 – January 8, 2022
2. The Silent Sea (2021)
Points: 1,979
No. of countries: 74
Synopsis: During a perilous 24-hour mission on the moon, space explorers try to retrieve samples from an abandoned research facility steeped in classified secrets.
Based on: “The Sea of Tranquility” film in 2014 created by Choi Hang-yong
Genre: Sci-fi, thriller, mystery
No. of episodes: 8
Starring: Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-young, and Lee Sung-wook
Written by: Park Eun-kyo
Directed by: Choi Hang-yong
Date: December 24, 2021
3. Our Beloved Summer (2021-2022)
Points: 1,308
No. of countries: 24
Synopsis: Years after filming a viral documentary in high school, two former lovers get pulled back in front of the camera and into each other’s lives.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Choi Woo-shik, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung-cheol, Roh Jeong-eui
Written by: Lee Na-eun
Directed by: Kim Yoon-jin
Date: December 6, 2021 – present
Network: SBS, Netflix
4. Squid Game (2021)
Points: 1,301
No. of countries: 40
Synopsis: Hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a tempting prize, but the stakes are deadly.
Genre: Survival Drama, Thriller, Fiction
No of episodes: 9
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung
Written and directed by: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Date: September 17, 2021
Network: Netflix
5. Taxi Driver (2021)
Points: 1,144
No. of countries: 17
Synopsis: Rainbow Taxi Company and the taxi driver, Do-gi regain justice that Korean society has lost by seeking revenge on criminals who get away with their evil deeds.
Based on: “The Deluxe Taxi” by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin
Genre: Action, crime
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Esom, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin
Written by: Oh Sang-ho, Lee Ji-hyun
Directed by: Park Joon-woo
Date: April 9 – May 29, 2021
Network: SBS, WAVVE
6. The Penthouse (2020-2021)
Points: 575
No. of countries: 12
Synopsis: A woman attempts to enter high society by becoming the “queen” of a luxury 100th floor penthouse apartment in Gangnam.
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Revenge, Suspense, Mystery, Crime film
No of episodes: 14
Starring: Lee Ji-ah, Kim So-yeon, Eugene, Um Ki-joon, Yoon Jong-hoon, and Park Eun-seok
Written by: Kim Soon-ok
Directed by: Joo Dong-min
Date: June 4 – September 10, 2021
Network: SBS and iQIYI
7. Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021-2022)
Points: 421
No. of countries: 15
Synopsis: The story of a woman who repeats death and reincarnation as a person for 600 years and remembers her past lives, and a man who cannot die because he has been an immortal for 600 years.
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Supernatural
No. of episodes: 16
Starring: Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Nara, Lee Joon, Gong Seung-yeon, Jung Jin-young, Park Myung-shin, Kim Woo-seok
Written by: Kwon So-ra, Seo Jae-won
Directed by: Jang Young-woo
Date: December 18, 2021 – present
8. The Devil Judge (2021)
Points: 266
No. of countries: 8
Synopsis: In a dystopian version of South Korea, the government plans out a trial judge live show where all citizens are eligible to participate and judge. A heartless head trial judge, Kang Yo-han, is appointed to a chief judge.
Genre: Mystery, Legal drama
No of episodes: 16
Starring: Ji Sung, Kim Min-jung, Park Jin-young, Park Gyu-young
Written by: Moon Yoo-seok
Directed by: Choi Jung-gyu
Date: July 3 to August 22, 2021
Network: TVN, iQIYI
9. The King’s Affection (2021)
Points: 174
No. of countries: 9
Synopsis: During the Joseon Dynasty, the Crown Princess Consort gives birth to twins but sends the girl away to spare her life. Years later, the twin son dies in an accident and his sister must assume his identity and throne, all while hiding her true self.
Based on: Yeonmo by Lee So-young
Genre: Romantic-comedy, Fiction, Sageuk
No. of episodes: 20
Starring: Park Eun-bin, Rowoon, Nam Yoon-su, Choi Byung-chan, Bae Yoon-kyung, and Jung Chae-yeon
Written by: Han Hee-jung
Directed by: Song Hyun-wook
Date: October 11 – December 14, 2021
Network: KBS2 and Netflix
10. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Points: 129
No. of countries: 4
Synopsis: At a crossroads, a dentist moves to a seaside village where she meets a handyman intent on helping his neighbours.
Based on: 2014 Mr. Hong film by Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jung-goo
Genre: Romantic comedy, Slice of life
No of episodes: 16
Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Sang-yi
Written by: Shin Ha-eun
Directed by: Yu Je-won
Date: August 28 – October 17, 2021
Network: TVN and Netflix
KORB 