Korean and Korean-descent actors are taking over global hits across TV and film. Despite swirling tax-evasion allegations, actor Kim Seon-ho's drama Can This Love Be Translated? held onto No. 6 on the global chart, keeping its momentum.
According to global OTT ranking tracker FlixPatrol on the 3rd, as of the 2nd, Bridgerton ranked No. 1 among TV shows. A flagship seasonal drama for Netflix, Bridgerton boasts a rock-solid fandom worldwide, including in Korea.
Notably, Season 4, released on the 29th of last month, stars Korean-descent actress Yerin Ha in a lead role, drawing major attention from Korean fans. This marks the first time in the Bridgerton series that an East Asian woman has been cast as the female lead. Ha is also known as the granddaughter of veteran Korean actress Son Sook.
Set in 19th-century British high society, Season 4 tells a love story that breaks class barriers. Free-spirited artist Benedict meets a mysterious woman in a silver dress at his mother's masquerade ball, who is revealed to be Sophie, a maid and the illegitimate daughter of an earl. Their forbidden romance unfolds against the harsh reality of a nobleman and a low-born maid.
Following the release of Bridgerton Season 4, fans praised Yerin Ha's wardrobe for evoking hanbok-inspired silhouettes and celebrated the pride of seeing a Korean-descent actress become the franchise's first East Asian female lead in a global megahit.
Meanwhile, as with the previous week, no Korean films appeared in this week's movie rankings. Instead, the Hollywood title The Rip, starring Korean American actor Steven Yeun, took the No. 1 spot.
Since its release, viewers have reacted by saying, "The action is weaker than expected" and "It lacks tension at times, but it's an easy, watchable movie."
While Netflix originals dominated the TV show category, two films—The Rip and The Big Fake—made the movie chart. Based on the true story of a painter-turned-genius forger, The Big Fake hooks viewers with high-stakes, dramatic tension.