Kapanlagi.com - The SQUID GAME series has proven itself to be an undeniable global phenomenon with its consistency in breaking Netflix viewing records worldwide. From the groundbreaking first season to the newly released third season, no other series can match its global dominance.
The magic of the SQUID GAME series lies in its ability to maintain the number one position in various countries throughout its airing. With a total of three seasons, all of which have set new records, this globally renowned Korean series has forever changed the landscape of the global streaming industry.
Let's take a look at how the SQUID GAME series has always been number 1 on Netflix in various countries from season 1 to season 3. Check it out, KLovers!
1. Season 1 Becomes a Global Revolution that Changes Everything

The series SQUID GAME (credit: hancinema.net)
The first season of the series SQUID GAME, which premiered in September 2021, set a fantastic record with 265.2 million views in the first 91 days, making it the most-watched Netflix series of all time. This achievement surpassed all expectations and demonstrated the power of Korean content on the global stage, which had previously been dominated by Hollywood and Western productions.
The dominance of the SQUID GAME season 1 is not only evident from the viewer numbers but also from its extraordinary cultural impact. The series trended in over 90 countries, triggered a fashion trend for Vans shoes that soared by 8000%, Halloween costumes sold out worldwide, and became a major topic on global social media with billions of impressions, solidifying its status as a pop culture phenomenon.
2. Season 2 Breaks Netflix's Debut Week Record

The series SQUID GAME (credit: hancinema.net)
The second season of the series SQUID GAME, which premiered on December 26, 2024, immediately broke Netflix's debut week record with 68 million views in the first four days, surpassing the previous record held by Wednesday (50.1 million views). This figure makes season 2 the largest TV series debut in Netflix history, showcasing unwavering global enthusiasm.
The success of the SQUID GAME season 2 further solidifies its dominance by ranking #1 in 92 countries simultaneously. In the first 11 days, season 2 managed to gather 126.2 million views, soaring from position #7 to position #2 on the list of the most popular non-English series on Netflix of all time, only behind its own season 1.
3. The Biggest Debut of Season 3 in the First 3 Days

Serial SQUID GAME (credit: hancinema.net)
The third season of the series SQUID GAME, which premiered on June 28, 2025, set a new record with 60.1 million views in the first three days, becoming the largest debut for that timeframe in Netflix history. Although the counting period is shorter compared to season 2 (3 days vs 4 days), this achievement demonstrates the increasing momentum of the global fanbase.
What is most impressive about the SQUID GAME season 3 is its achievement of being the first series in Netflix history to debut at position #1 in all 93 countries that have a Top 10 chart. This historic record has never been reached by any series before, affirming Squid Game's absolute dominance as an undeniable global entertainment phenomenon in the modern streaming era.
4. The Phenomenal Economic and Industrial Impact

The series SQUID GAME (credit: hancinema.net)
The SQUID GAME series has had an extraordinary economic impact on the Korean and global entertainment industries. Netflix reported that the series contributed billions of dollars to the company's valuation, while South Korea's tourism industry experienced a significant surge with tourists wanting to visit filming locations and experience Korean culture firsthand.
The SQUID GAME franchise has evolved into a complete entertainment ecosystem with Squid Game: The Challenge (reality show), Squid Game: The Experience (touring activation), Squid Game: Virtuals (VR adventure), and Squid Game: Unleashed (multiplayer video game). This expansion demonstrates how a single series can grow into a global brand that influences various sectors of the creative industry and modern technology.
5. Global Pop Culture and Social Media Phenomenon

The series SQUID GAME (credit: hancinema.net)
The influence of the series SQUID GAME on global pop culture cannot be measured solely by viewer numbers but also by the viral moments it has created. Traditional Korean games like Red Light Green Light and Dalgona candy have become trending worldwide, with millions of social media users creating parody content and recreating iconic scenes from the series.
The promotional campaign for season 2 of SQUID GAME generated 3 billion impressions on Netflix's global social media platforms, even surpassing the lifetime impressions of season 1. Fan activations in more than 25 countries involved 52,000 in-person visitors and 6 million online viewers, with 37,000 participants in various games and 1,700 pink guards taking part in spectacular events.
6. Awards and Industry Recognition

SQUID GAME series (credit: hancinema.net)
The SQUID GAME series has made history at various international award ceremonies by becoming the first non-English series to win Emmy Awards. Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor, while Hwang Dong-hyuk received an Emmy for Outstanding Directing, paving the way for global recognition of Asian talent.
The achievements of the SQUID GAME series at international awards include Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globe nominations, solidifying its position as a television masterpiece. The series has also sparked academic discussions about social inequality, capitalism, and the conditions of modern society, making it not just entertainment but also an important cultural artifact to study.
7. Revolutionary Marketing Strategies and Fan Engagement

SQUID GAME series (credit: hancinema.net)
Netflix implemented a revolutionary marketing strategy for the series SQUID GAME by creating immersive real-life experiences in various countries. The event at Gelora Bung Karno Jakarta attracted 3,000 live spectators and 2 million streaming viewers, while activations at Champs-Elysees Paris and Times Square New York generated unprecedented global buzz.
The marketing innovations for the series SQUID GAME included collaborations with fashion brands, mobile games, and VR platforms that created an integrated entertainment ecosystem. Official merchandise, from tracksuits to dalgona candy kits, sold millions of units globally, while partnerships with gaming platforms produced multiple spin-off games that expanded the Squid Game universe into various digital and physical mediums.
8. Legacy and Future of the Global Streaming Industry

Series SQUID GAME (credit: hancinema.net)
The series SQUID GAME has changed the paradigm of the global streaming industry by proving that non-English content can dominate the market worldwide without language or cultural barriers. This success has opened doors for other Asian productions and changed the content acquisition strategies of major streaming platforms to focus more on geographic and cultural diversity.
The legacy of the series SQUID GAME will continue to influence the coming decades with plans for an American adaptation and broader universe expansion. This series has set a new standard for global entertainment, proving that universal storytelling can transcend language barriers and create a shared cultural experience that unites audiences from various backgrounds around the world through modern digital platforms.
9. Q&A About the SQUID GAME Series
Q: How many viewers did SQUID GAME Season 1 achieve and is it true this is a Netflix record?
SQUID GAME Season 1 reached 111 million viewers in the first 17 days and 142 million viewers in 28 days, making it the biggest series ever launched on Netflix. The series also recorded 1.65 billion hours of viewing in the first 28 days, far surpassing Bridgerton which only had 625 million hours.
Q: In how many countries did SQUID GAME reach #1 ranking?
SQUID GAME reached #1 ranking in 94 countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, while in other countries it made it into the top 10. The series also held the #1 ranking position for 21 days in the United States and broke the record for the first non-English series to reach the top spot in the US.
Q: How does the viewership performance of SQUID GAME Season 2 compare to Season 1?
SQUID GAME Season 2 debuted with 68 million viewers in the first 4 days, achieving the biggest TV debut for Netflix and beating the record of "Wednesday" which reached 50.1 million viewers. Season 2 even broke Netflix's record again with 126.2 million viewers in the first 11 days, becoming the most-watched series of 2024 in one week with 4.9 billion minutes.
Q: Why did SQUID GAME Season 3 receive a controversial rating?
SQUID GAME Season 3 recorded 60.1 million viewers in the first 3 days but received a highly divided Rotten Tomatoes rating - 90% from critics but only 51% from audiences. This indicates an extreme difference between critics' ratings and audience ratings, especially regarding the controversial ending as the final season.
Q: What is the total viewing hours achieved by SQUID GAME to date?
As of now, SQUID GAME Season 1 has been watched by 330 million viewers with a total of over 2.8 billion hours of viewing since its release on September 17, 2021. On YouTube, content related to SQUID GAME generated 17 billion views in 8 weeks, the highest for a TV show, surpassing Game of Thrones which took 10 years.
Q: What makes SQUID GAME so phenomenal globally?
SQUID GAME is the latest example of the Korean Wave, with viral Halloween costumes, comedy sketches worldwide, and live experience events. Netflix even launched the "SQUID GAME Experience" in New York City, Madrid, Sydney, and Seoul with games inspired by the series.
Q: How has SQUID GAME changed Netflix's content strategy?
The success of SQUID GAME proves the vision of co-CEO Ted Sarandos that the "next Stranger Things" could come from outside Hollywood. Netflix plans to invest 1.2 billion USD in Asian content production and change their measurement metrics based on total viewing hours.
Q: Why did the creator take so long to realize SQUID GAME?
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk developed SQUID GAME since 2009, but was rejected by media companies and actors for 10 years before Netflix finally accepted it. Ironically, it took over 10 years to produce, but only 17 days to become Netflix's biggest series with 111 million global fans.
This explains how the series SQUID GAME has always been number 1 on Netflix in various countries during its airing from season 1 to season 3. For those of you who want to see other unique news, you can read other articles on kapanlagi.com. Because, if not now, when else?
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Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.