Netflix shifting focus from K-dramas to Korean variety shows

Netflix has long established itself as a global powerhouse for Korean content, serving as the home of some of the most recognizable K-dramas and reality shows to date.

From genre-defining series like “Squid Game,” “Sweet Home” and “All of Us Are Dead,” to buzz-worthy offerings and reality shows such as “Culinary Class Wars“ and “Single’s Inferno,“ the streaming giant has played a major role in exporting Korean entertainment to a worldwide audience.

However, a noticeable shift is beginning to take shape behind the scenes. As the cost of producing high-end dramas continues to soar, with actor salaries that can reportedly climb as high as $370,000 per episode, Netflix is rethinking its content strategy for 2026.

Rather than scaling back its presence in Korea, Netflix is choosing to pivot. Executives see unscripted shows as a more sustainable path forward, capable of generating strong global engagement without the financial burden of celebrity-driven casts.

In many cases, the combined cost of an entire reality show lineup is significantly lower than hiring a single A-list star, making the format both economical and scalable.

Netflix continues to lean into familiar titles that have already demonstrated international appeal, turning them into long-running series with dependable viewership. The aforementioned “Single’s Inferno” and “Culinary Class Wars” have become among those dependable programs.

This momentum continues with the launch of “Single’s Inferno 5.” The dating series remains one of Netflix’s signature Korean reality programs. Set on the isolated “Hell Island,” the show places single contestants in a survival-style dating environment where forming a romantic connection is the only way to escape the island and access more comfortable living conditions.

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