Netflix recently released the global viewing rankings for the first half of 2024. “The Queen of Tears,” starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, topped the chart for Korean dramas with 29.2 million views, making it the number one non-English language program.
“The Queen of Tears,” starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, was a sensation when it first aired. According to Nielsen Korea data, the drama concluded with a remarkable 24.9% viewership on its 16th episode on April 28 this year. It surpassed the 21.68% viewership of “Crash Landing on You” starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, becoming the highest-rated drama on tvN in 17 years.
At the same time, “The Queen of Tears” on Netflix garnered 29.2 million views and 680 million hours of viewing time, earning it the top spot for non-English language works. Of note, viewers spent an average of 23 minutes and 22 seconds watching the drama, indicating high engagement.
Following closely behind “The Queen of Tears” is the Korean drama “Parasite: Grey Unit,” ranking second among Korean dramas on Netflix with 25.4 million views. The drama, directed by Yeon Sang-ho following “Train to Busan” and “The Drug King,” adapted from the classic work “Parasite” by Hitoshi Iwaaki, which has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. It held the top spot on the Netflix global drama chart for several consecutive weeks during its broadcast period, especially with a surprise cameo by Japanese star Masaki Suda setting up hints for the second season.
The idol drama “Deal with the Devil,” starring Kim Yoo-jung and Song Kang, ranks third among Korean dramas on Netflix with 17.7 million views. The drama initially had modest viewership when aired on SBS in Korea but generated significant discussions and interest when it was released on Netflix, showing a notable contrast.
Rounding out the fourth to tenth spots for Korean dramas are: “The Arrival of the Goddess,” “The Embarrassment of a Killer,” “Rock Bottom Doctor,” “The Stairway to the Elite,” “Monsters in the Capital,” “Welcome Back to Sandara,” and “Welcome to the Kingdom.” These works all feature star-studded casts and intriguing storylines. “The Arrival of the Goddess,” starring Cha Eun-woo and Moon Ga-young, ranks fourth with 14.7 million views; “Welcome to the Kingdom,” featuring Lee Jun-ho and Rho Eun, known for their on-screen chemistry, ranks tenth with 10.7 million views.