What is ‘K content’ on Netflix?

In recent years, the term “K-content” has been circulating online, gaining traction in tandem with the words K-pop and K-drama. And of course, when something rises in popularity, the big corporations waste no time in making such concepts play in their favor, one of them being Netflix.

By now, most subscribers have likely noticed the streaming giant use the term, and those not in the know might be confused about what it stands for, or how it differs from other words with the same prefix. If you’re one of those people, you’ve come to the right place; we’re about to break it down.

What does the term K-content mean?

Simply put, the term K-content refers to any kind of media produced in the Korean Peninsula. That said, despite the term being technically applicable to content from both North and South Korea, because the former is almost completely cut off from the rest of the world, when we see a “K” used as a prefix for any word — such as K-drama or K-movie — it’s safe to assume it comes from the South.

K-content can range from your typical mushy romance dramas and comedies to horror movies and series, as well as unscripted content such as reality TV shows and documentaries. The huge success of works such as Squid Game and Parasite catapulted South Korean media to global screens, and thanks to the former being a Netflix original, the platform finally recognized the potential of Korean works. Since then, the network has been steadily increasing its K content catalog, investing in the making of shows such as Physical: 100, Single’s Inferno, All of Us Are Dead, and even Korean adaptations of fan favorites like Money Heist.

As this type of media continues to rise in popularity, it’s very likely that streaming platforms like Netflix will continue to expand its selection of content. And there sure won’t be any complaints from us.