▲ This image from "Squid Game" Season 2, provided by Netflix, features Lee Jung-jae (R) in the Korean thriller. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- The second season of Squid Game has been watched for nearly 490 million hours globally, making it Netflix's most-watched content during its debut week.

 

According to Netflix's official Top 10 site on Thursday, Squid Game Season 2 garnered 487.6 million hours of viewing time during the week of Dec. 23–29. Dividing the total by the series’ runtime (7 hours and 10 minutes) equates to approximately 68 million views.

 

Not only did it top the non-English TV category, but it also outperformed content in English-language TV, English-language films, and non-English-language films during the same period. The viewing time surpassed the debut record of the first season, which achieved 448.73 million hours in its first week in late September 2021, setting a new benchmark for Netflix.

 

On a weekly basis, the first season still holds the all-time record with 571.76 million hours viewed in the week of Sept. 27–Oct. 3, 2021. Season 2 now ranks as the second-highest in Netflix’s history.

 

▲ This still from "Squid Game" Season 2, provided by Netflix, features Kang Ae-sim and Yang Dong-geun as a mother-son duo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Globally, Squid Game 2 topped the charts in 92 countries, including the United States, France, Japan, India, and Australia. Despite being available for just one week since its Dec. 26 release, it has already become the seventh most-watched non-English TV show on Netflix.

 

The first season remains Netflix’s most popular non-English series with 2.25 billion cumulative viewing hours and 265.2 million views. It is followed by the Spanish drama Money Heist: Part 4 (710.2 million hours), Lupin: Part 1, and other installments of Money Heist and Lupin. Another Korean drama, All of Us Are Dead, ranks 10th with 679.3 million hours viewed.

 

The success of Squid Game 2 has also reignited interest in the original season, propelling it back to third place on Netflix’s weekly rankings during the same period with 67.1 million hours viewed and 8.1 million additional views.

 

Moreover, the game Squid Game: Unleashed climbed to the top spot in the action game category in 57 countries on app stores, reflecting the franchise’s broader impact.

 

Meanwhile, Netflix has teased fans with the release of a poster for Squid Game Season 3. In addition to the iconic "Younghee" doll from the Red Light, Green Light game, a new doll named "Cheolsu" makes its first appearance, hinting at the introduction of fresh challenges in the upcoming season.

 

Netflix has announced plans to release the final season, Squid Game 3, later this year. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk previously stated in an interview with foreign media that it could premiere as early as the summer of 2025.

 

▲ A poster for "Squid Game" Season 2, provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]