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| ▲ These posters, provided by each OTT giant, promotes Netflix' "Squid Game 2" (L) and Disney+'s "Light Shop." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- Global online streaming services (OTT), which have struggled to produce major hits this year, are betting on a year-end reversal with high-profile releases.
Anticipated works, including "Squid Game Season 2" on Netflix and Disney+’s "Light Shop" (based on a Kang Full webtoon), are set to debut this December, raising excitement across the entertainment industry.
Despite the runaway successes of "The Glory (Netflix)" and "Moving (Disney+)" in 2022, OTT platforms have failed to replicate such feats in 2023.
According to Good Data Corporation, which tracks buzzworthy programs, none of this year’s most-talked-about dramas originated from an OTT service as of October. Even major productions like Netflix’s "Gyeongseong Creature" and Disney+’s "Uncle Samsik," featuring high-profile actors, failed to capture significant attention.
◇ Netflix: Betting Big on Squid Game Season 2
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| ▲ This still photo of "Squid Game 2", provided by OTT giant Netflix, shows South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Netflix aims to reclaim its crown with Squid Game Season 2, premiering on December 26. Following the groundbreaking success of its first season in 2021—which became the first Korean series to top Netflix U.S. rankings—Season 2 boasts a staggering production budget reportedly reaching 100 billion won (US$ 75 million).
Returning stars Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun are joined by an ensemble cast, including Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, and Park Sung-hoon, each bringing fresh intrigue to the plot. The narrative explores provocative setups such as a crypto YouTuber (Im Si-wan) and his failed investors, as well as a mother-son duo joining the deadly games to repay gambling debts. The official trailer has already racked up 1.4 million views on YouTube within a week, sparking intense fan theories and anticipation.
◇ Disney+: Doubling Down with Light Shop
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| ▲ These posters of "Light Shop" are provided by OTT giant Disney+. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Disney+ counters with Light Shop, a collaboration with Kang Full following the success of Moving. Released up to Episode 4 on December 4, the series delves into the lives of those caught between life and death, centered around a mysterious, always-lit shop at the edge of a dark neighborhood.
At last month’s Disney Content Showcase APAC 2024 in Singapore, Light Shop was spotlighted as a flagship offering, underscoring Disney’s high expectations. The drama features an ensemble cast, including Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young, and Kim Seol-hyun, and blends horror and human drama, making it a potential crowd-puller despite its niche genre.
With Netflix banking on the global phenomenon of Squid Game and Disney+ leveraging the storytelling prowess of Kang Full, the year-end clash of these titans is shaping up to be a thrilling battle for viewer dominance. Both platforms hope to end the year on a high note, reigniting the buzz surrounding global OTT content.
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