Squid Game 3 on Netflix debuts as #1 globally – The highly anticipated third and final season of Squid Game has taken over the world with a record-setting No. 1 debut in all countries ranked, including Australia, making history as the first show to do so in its premiere week.
In just three days, Season 3 amassed 60.1 million views — breaking the record for most views for a show in that time frame — and the rapid success of Seasons 2 and 3 made Squid Game the only show ever to make the Most Popular List in its first week.
Lee Jung-jae’s return as Player 456 received praise as “one of the greatest television performances of all time,” while Season 3 quickly became Netflix’s ninth most-watched non-English TV show ever. Both prior seasons of Squid Game also made the Top 10 in non-English TV last week, with Season 2 coming in at No. 3 (2.8 million views) and Season 1 at No. 6 (1.7 million views) — solidifying creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s massively popular Korean drama as the world’s biggest TV show.
Since its explosive Season 1 premiere in 2021, Squid Game has become a cultural phenomenon in Australia, leaving a lasting mark on what we watch, how we learn, and how we celebrate Korean culture.
Here’s how the series has captivated the nation:
- What we’re watching: Since 2020, the annual hours Australians spend watching Korean content on Netflix have increased by nearly 40%, driven by the release of Squid Game Season 1 in September 2021
- What we’re speaking: Language learning app Duolingo reported a 21% YoY increase in Korean learners within Australia as of Q4 2024
- How we’re spending our time: Aussies have been keen to experience the exhilaration of Squid Game in real life, with Squid Game Live Experience selling out consistently for 12 weeks following its opening in December 2024 at Luna Park Sydney
- What we’ve been buying: Following Season 1, sales of costumes from Squid Game surged by 689 per cent on eBay Australia just in time for Halloween
The series’ influence is particularly evident in the surge of interest among Australians in learning the Korean language and exploring Korean content. Dr Yoon Sun-min, the Director of the Korean Cultural Centre has observed this influence, noting “After the K-Drama Squid Game became a global hit, there has been a noticeable increase in Australians’ interest in Korean culture.
Over the past three years, Korean language courses at the Korean Cultural Centre Australia have received applications far exceeding the Centre’s capacity. Many students have shared that the show inspired them to explore the Korean language and culture.”
ABOUT SQUID GAME SEASON 3
A failed rebellion, the death of a friend, and a secret betrayal. Picking up in the aftermath of Season 2’s bloody cliffhanger, the third and final season of Netflix’s most popular series finds Gi-hun, a.k.a. Player 456, at his lowest point yet.
But the Squid Game stops for no one, so Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone’s resolve. With each round, their choices lead to increasingly grave consequences.
Meanwhile, In-ho resumes his role as Front Man to welcome the mysterious VIPs, and his brother Jun-ho continues his search for the elusive island, unaware there’s a traitor in their midst. Will Gi-hun make the right decisions, or will Front Man finally break his spirit? Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history at the 74th Primetime Emmys®, becoming the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, once again helms the series as director, writer, and producer.
Season 3 stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Wi Ha-jun, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Jo Yu-ri, Chae Kuk-hee, Lee David, Roh Jae-won, and Jun Suk-ho, with special appearance by Park Hee-soon.
Squid Game 2 on Netflix – now streaming
Media Release – Netflix
TV Central Netflix content HERE
Squid Game 3 on Netflix debuts as #1 globally
