Over the past five years, K-dramas have taken the world by storm, with titles like Queen of Tears and Crash Landing on You becoming household names. However, neither of these fan-favorites snagged the top spot in the 2025 Global Hallyu Survey conducted by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
So which K-drama claimed the crown as the Most Popular Korean Drama? Surprise—it’s Squid Game.
The global phenomenon topped the list yet again, according to a survey carried out between November 29 and December 27, 2024, across 28 countries. A total of 26,400 participants aged 15 to 59, all of whom had engaged with Korean cultural content, took part in the study.
As reported by The Korea Herald, Squid Game held onto its title for the fourth consecutive year, garnering a 9.7% favorability rate. Coming in next were Queen of Tears with 6.5% and Crash Landing on You with 2.2%.
Originally released in 2021, Squid Game—starring Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Wi Ha Joon, and Gong Yoo—remains Netflix’s most-watched series to date. Its upcoming third and final season is slated for release on June 27, 2025. The second season previously made history as the first Netflix show to hit No. 1 in all 93 countries where the platform operates simultaneously.
On the cinematic side, Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite continued its winning streak, being named the Most Popular Korean Film for the fifth year in a row with 8.3%. It was followed by Train to Busan at 6.5%, and Exhuma at 4.1%.
