Korean Content Gains Global Popularity with Netflix’s ‘Culinary Class Wars’

Netflix‘s recent shows, “Culinary Class Wars” and “Gyeongseong Creature,” are demonstrating significant global appeal, emphasizing the growing impact of Korean-made content on international audiences across genres. “Culinary Class Wars” is a particularly notable success, marking an achievement in the reality television sector alongside the already popular Korean dramas.

According to a statement from Netflix on Wednesday, “Culinary Class Wars” amassed 4 million views between September 30 and October 6, securing a spot in the top 10 across 18 countries. The show reached the number one position in four regions, including South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. This success makes it the first Netflix Korea reality show to hold the number one position on the Top 10 Non-English TV Shows chart for three consecutive weeks.

The series follows a distinctive concept, with 80 lesser-known chefs, termed “black spoons,” competing against 20 renowned chefs, dubbed “white spoons.” This classification draws inspiration from traditional East Asian cultural themes of dualism, highlighted through the black-and-white dichotomy. The popularity of the show has been buoyed by compelling narratives and diverse backgrounds of the participants, which have inspired numerous online discussions and memes.

The competition reached its climax with the final two episodes broadcast on Tuesday, culminating in an exciting conclusion. Among the memorable moments, the semi-finals stood out, particularly a challenge requiring chefs to prepare innovative tofu-based dishes within a restricted 30-minute timeframe. A report by Bloomberg indicated that the show has not only captivated an audience beyond Korea but has also revitalized the local restaurant industry, which faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The show’s popularity has created online buzz and generated a slew of memes,” stated Bloomberg. “It has revitalized Korean food businesses, many of which were struggling due to the pandemic.”

In addition to “Culinary Class Wars,” Netflix’s drama “Gyeongseong Creature” has been met with enthusiasm overseas. The series, set against the backdrop of colonial-era Seoul in 1945, follows characters navigating mysterious and historical events. In its second season, it transitions to modern-day Seoul, presenting intriguing narrative twists with its diverse cast, including Park Seo-jun as Jang Ho-jae. This series has entered the top 10 in 30 countries and maintained a strong presence in the Netflix global Top 10 Non-English series chart for successive weeks.