To mark Netflix's 10 years in Korea, a fan festival called Netflix Festival opened on the 24th at the Sangam Culture Reserve Base in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that Squid Game's Lee Jung-jae said the comment that touched him most came from overseas fans who said they were proud to be Asian and Korean.
According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun, the festival is a large offline event running on the 24th and 25th. It features talks with the casts of hit titles, a What Next? segment revealing unreleased titles for the first time, audience experience zones and special performances. Broadcaster Kim Shin-young hosts the main programme, titled Netflix 10 Years, Crazy Good!
광고 문의 · 300×250Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun on the global response
Lee Jung-jae played Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game. He said what moved him most were fans he met on international promotion who said they were proud to be Asian and Korean, and people struggling abroad who said the show comforted them. Having shot only one series, he said, the response gave him feelings he could not have imagined and made him very proud.
Lee Byung-hun, who plays the Front Man Hwang In-ho, recalled that many acquaintances contacted him in surprise when his character's face was revealed in season one. He said he was most struck that a story created in Korean was embraced worldwide regardless of culture or country, showing that streaming lets anyone enjoy strong work.
KPop Demon Hunters and Culinary Class Wars guests on stage
Ahn Hyo-seop, who voices Jin-woo, leader of the Saja Boys in KPop Demon Hunters, called it a proud work rich in Korean culture and said it was especially meaningful that its message reached many people beyond language and cultural barriers.
Napoli Mafia (Kwon Seong-joon) and chef Hu Deok-jook of Culinary Class Wars also took the stage. Kwon joked that Netflix is how he makes a living, said he misses the show's distinctive fire flavour and atmosphere, and would like to take on the challenge again. The cast and crew of D.P. were also reported to attend.
The list of titles unveiled that day and the details of the 25th programme were not confirmed in this report. Marking a decade in Korea, Netflix appears to be using the festival to widen its contact with fans and creators.