Netflix’s CEO Witnesses ‘Squid Game 2’ Magic, Predicts Global Phenomenon

Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, recently visited the set of Squid Game Season 2 for the first time, describing his impressions as “truly overwhelming in scale.” He expressed confidence in the ability of Korean content “to deliver a unique entertainment experience to the world.”

According to Netflix on the 19th, Sarandos stated in his column, “Last weekend, I visited Seoul excitedly to meet the creators who bring the Netflix K-content lineup to life.” He visited the Netflix Seoul office on the 16th. This is his first visit to Korea in about eight months since June last year.

The next day, the 17th, he visited the Squid Game Season 2 set. He said, “I can’t give you any spoilers, but the new games to be shown on the truly overwhelming set will offer the world a distinctive entertainment experience unique to Korean content.” He evaluated that “Director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s vision clearly shows the direction to discover new foreign viewers.”

On the 17th, President Yoon Suk Yeol invited Sarandos and actor Lee Jung-jae, who stars in Squid Game Season 2, to the Blue House for a luncheon. Sarandos expressed his feelings, saying, “It was a great honor to meet President Yoon and actor Lee Jung Jae, the main character of Squid Game, and it was a moment of reaffirming Netflix’s love and commitment for the Korean creative industry and nurturing the next generation of Korean creators.”

He also expressed his love for Korean content. Sarandos said, “Netflix is continuously investing in Korea, and I think our journey with Korea’s top creative partners is in its infancy.” He also mentioned that “nurturing Korea’s next generation of storytellers is very important for Netflix.”

He also announced that “from 2022 to 2025, one of every five Korean content pieces on Netflix will be from a new writer or director. This year, new directors of Seonsan, Wilderness, Rogiwan, and In the Woods With No One will debut on the world stage through Netflix.”

Sarandos also highlighted the positive impact of Netflix on the Korean creative ecosystem. “Eyeline Studios, which started in Seoul in 2019 with five employees, has grown into a company where over 130 Korean VFX artists work. 70% of the first trainees of the Netflix VFX Academy Internship Program were officially hired by Netflix’s partner companies,” said Ted Sarandos.