Another South Korean fantasy horror series from Netflix has become an overnight global phenomenon, with Hellbound toppling Squid Game as the most-watched TV show on the streaming platform.
According to FlixPatrol analytics, Hellbound became the world’s most watched Netflix television series on 20 November, topping the streaming ratings in more than 80 countries within 24 hours of the show’s debut.
The series centres around the graphically violent actions of a team of demons, who hunt down sinners who have been previously visited by a celestial being who has informed the victim of their date and time of death.
The giant hairy creatures incinerate their victims and send them to hell, prompting an outbreak of public hysteria and religious zealotry.
The pilot of the series, directed by Yeon Sang-ho, premiered at the 2021 Toronto international film festival in September.
Squid Game, which premiered on 19 September, spent 46 nonconsecutive days in the top spot.
An estimated 142m households in 94 countries watched the series, also known for its ultra-violence and gore, in October. It has generated an estimated $900m in profit for Netflix.
Earlier this month the Squid Game’s director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, said a second season of Squid Game was on its way.
“I’m in the planning process currently. I do think it’s too early to say when and how [season two is] going to happen,” he said.