I haven’t watched Squid Game, but the Korean show is on pace to be the biggest hit in the history of Netflix:
Netflix has been investing in foreign language programming since 2015. It has spent more than $1 billion on Korean programs alone. This is the first Korean show to break through on this scale, and it is driving millions of new viewers to other East Asian series like “Sweet Home” and “Alice in Borderland.”
When all is said and done, Netflix’s greatest impact on pop culture will not be allowing us to “binge watch,” or stream TV on-demand. It will be globalizing the entertainment business, creating a platform for people from more than 190 countries to watch stories from all over the world.
The great majority of the shows I watch on Netflix are foreign made. The Chinese ones are the best. They have a sort of 1950′s esthetic, especially in scifi.
Have to agree. My wife, who is not a particular fantasy/kung fu fan, is completely absorbed with the Chinese period fantasy shows (not sure what else to call them, I think there is a specific term for these combination sword fighting/kung fu/D&D abilities style movies centered on various Chinese dynasty periods). They are usually well written, good mix of drama/intrigue/action/comic relief, attractive and skilled actors, and amazing sets/scenery.
That reminds me, the term “Jedi” from the Star Wars saga was derived from jidaigeki [Japanese for "period drama"] by George Lucas, as he was heavily influenced by Akira Kurosawa.
The Korean term for period dramas is sageuk.
The Chinese term for movies like Crouching Tiger is wuxia, from wu (martial) and xia (hero).
I get Netflix as a perk from my cell phone carrier. In the two years I have had Netflix I have not found much. I try watching and actually nearly never finish watching except for one show: Midnight Diner, a Japanese series.
The Squid Game was turned off after ten to twenty minutes. To wind down I suggest a novel instead of TV. To get enraged binge watch Rekieta Law on YouTube.
Nick Rekieta most certainly does not pass the physiognomy check.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9jeuEhHsjc
However, he does have a kind of dweebish courage.