A Netflix original drama set in Korea, “XO, Kitty” Season 2, has risen as a new strong contender against “Squid Game 2”, which previously placed 1st in Netflix worldwide’s TV show rankings for 21 consecutive days.
In particular, “Squid Game 2” debuted on December 27 and held the top global spot on Netflix for 21 days, proving its widespread popularity. It achieved an unprecedented record by ranking #1 in all 93 countries tracked by FlixPatrol within its first five days of release.
In its third week, it recorded a total of 1.525 billion viewing hours, becoming Netflix’s third most-watched series of all time, following “Squid Game” Season 1 and “Wednesday”. As a sequel, it marked a highly successful performance, reaffirming the global impact of Korean content.
However, “Squid Game 2” has been dethroned by “XO, Kitty” Season 2, another Netflix original series. This teen romance drama, set in Korea, reached the top spot on Netflix’s global TV show rankings just one day after its release.
“XO, Kitty” tells the story of Kitty, an American high school student who navigates love and friendships in Korea. In Season 2, Kitty returns to Seoul for a new semester, exploring her relationship with her first love, Dae, and new connections with other characters. The cast features Anna Cathcart as Kitty, alongside Korean actors Choi Min-young, Gia Kim, and Lee Sang-heon, enhancing the show’s Korean authenticity.
Both “Squid Game 2” and “XO, Kitty 2” share Korea as their backdrop, but their tones and themes are vastly different. “Squid Game 2” delves into high-stakes survival and revenge, portraying a dark and tense narrative. In contrast, “XO, Kitty 2” is a cheerful teen romance that focuses on love and friendship.
While “XO, Kitty” enjoys the benefit of being a spin-off to the famous franchise “To All the Boys”, it is difficult to attribute the success of “XO, Kitty 2” to the influence of the existing fandom alone.
Particularly, the global success of “XO, Kitty 2” demonstrates how Korean culture and storytelling continue to resonate with viewers internationally, especially with the interest in Korea growing due to K-pop and K-dramas.
Additionally, its fresh portrayal of Korean high school life, relatable themes, and talented cast have captured hearts worldwide.
As Korean dramas continue to gain prominence on platforms like Netflix, this latest development highlights the potential for a variety of stories to thrive on the global stage. The success of “XO, Kitty 2” and “Squid Game 2” not only signals their individual triumphs but also reflects the growing influence of Korean content worldwide.
