‘Squid Game’ Takes Korean Soft Power Up a Notch, And It’s Good for Economy Too

  • Korea’s cultural exports have grown even during the pandemic
  • ‘Squid Game’ is now the top TV show on Netflix in most markets
Squid GameSource: Netflix

South Korea has long been known for its manufacturing prowess, but the Netflix hit ‘Squid Game’ is taking the country’s cultural clout to another level that augurs well for a new driver of economic growth.

While Korean pop acts and TV dramas have been scoring hits overseas for years, only a handful -- boy band BTS, for example -- have managed to win many fans outside of Asia. ‘Squid Game,’ set to become the most-watched show worldwide on Netflix, is changing all that.