Despite facing mixed reviews, “Squid Game” 3″ has taken over the global entertainment scene, smashing records after just 1 day of release.
Outstanding Achievements
Premiering globally on June 27, the third season of the iconic survival thriller soared to #1 on Netflix in 93 countries by the night of June 28, which is the widest and fastest global domination ever achieved by a K-drama on the platform. This achievement outpaces even its own predecessors, as “Squid Game 2” topped charts in 80 countries within 24 hours of release, while the original “Squid Game” (Season 1) took nearly a week to hit #1, albeit maintaining its reign for over a month.
Squid Game Season 3 soared to No. 1 in all countries tracked—including South Korea, the U.S., Japan, France, and Brazil—within only three days. This historic feat makes it Netflix’s first series to top all regional rankings during its premiere week. It also entered Netflix’s all-time Top 10 for non-English series at No. 9, with all three seasons now ranked among the platform’s most-watched non-English series ever.
In addition, in Netflix’s most recent Global Top 10 chart, Season 2 surged to No. 3, and Season 1 climbed back to No. 6, proving sustained global interest in the franchise. Viewer reactions to Season 3 have been passionate and varied. International audiences praised the even more intense games and the cast’s powerful performances, while Korean viewers highlighted the drama’s depth in tackling human nature, societal inequality, and the value of life.
Returning to the deadly games with his own purpose, Gi-hun loses his closest friend, while the mysterious Front Man infiltrates the game once more. The new season dives into the fates of surviving contestants, and within just three days of release, it recorded 60,100,000 views (calculated by total viewing hours divided by runtime), instantly topping Netflix’s global charts.
In fact, it seems that the growing success of “Squid Game” was so phenomenal, Netflix decided to launch an American edition of the “Squid Game” universe.
Faces Another Nightmare in China
However, alongside its chart-topping success comes a familiar controversy: illegal streaming in China. Despite Netflix not officially servicing the Chinese market, China’s largest review platform, Douban, registered over 20,000 user reviews and 50,000 ratings for Squid Game 3, strongly suggesting widespread piracy.
Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University criticized the situation, stating, “Illegal viewing in China has become normalized. What’s worse is the lack of shame.” He urged Chinese authorities to enforce copyright laws and implement effective preventive measures.
This isn’t the first instance of unauthorized consumption of K-content in China. Popular Netflix K-dramas like Hellbound, The Glory, and Extraordinary Attorney Woo have also been illegally accessed via VPNs and file-sharing platforms, a trend exacerbated by the ongoing Hallyu ban (Hanhanryeong) since 2017.
The piracy extends beyond streaming celebrities’ images are used without consent, and knockoff productions mimic hit Korean dramas. Although the Korean government has repeatedly raised concerns via diplomatic channels, enforcement remains insufficient.
Critical Reception: A Mixed Yet Powerful Impact
While “Squid Game 3” boasts remarkable viewership numbers, it has also stirred polarized reactions. On IMDb, the show holds an impressive 8.0/10, a notable score for a third-season installment. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have awarded it an 89% approval rating, indicating strong support from the professional community. Over on MyDramaList, the series maintains a high user rating and continues trending across Asia.
On social media, keywords like “Squid Game 3,” “Lee Jung Jae”, and “Front Man” surged into global trending lists on Twitter (X), TikTok, and Google Trends. Across Asia, fan communities exploded with memes, reviews, and heated discussions mere hours after the release.
Nevertheless, while the show is being hailed as a massive media and commercial triumph, not all feedback has been glowing. Some viewers criticized the character development of returning protagonist Seong Gi-hun (“Lee Jung-jae”), calling his demeanor too consistently grim and his role less dynamic than in previous seasons. Others felt the new storyline, especially around the secret organization running the games, lacked the narrative depth and logical progression of earlier seasons.
The emotional intensity of the finale also divided audiences, with some finding it tragically poetic, while others labeled it overly brutal and unsatisfying. Still, these debates only fueled the show’s cultural momentum.
