Following the spectacular success of Squid Game season two, a new trend has emerged with fans eager to mimic one element of the series.
The online language learning platform Preply has seen a spike in UK Google searches for “learn Korean”, which have soared by 90% since the show’s release on Boxing Day, as enthusiasts are keen to grasp the language.
The craze isn’t just limited to the UK, there’s been a 44% surge in global interest over the past month, with an astonishing 173,000 searches logged. Although the acclaimed series is predominantly in Korean, Netflix offers both dubbed and subtitled versions in English.
Nevertheless, the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, encourages audiences to experience the original version to appreciate its true authenticity.
Speaking with LADbible, he explained: “You know, as people growing up here in Korea, we are very used to watching American or British or overseas films with subtitles.”
“So we’re very used to that. But I think a lot of the English speaking countries, they’re not as used to watching other content with subtitles. For Squid Game, it’s going to be there’s the dubbed version and the sub version as well.”
“I suggest for those of you out there to really get the essence of the actual actors voices and the nuances of their tones, I suggest watching it with subtitles on. I think it’s going to be for a better viewing experience.”
Echoing Hwang’s sentiments, lead actor Lee Jung-jae also shared his views, advising fans to opt for the Korean audio with English subtitles over the dubbed alternative.
He shared: “You have to really listen to the voice of the actor, and the accent and the emotions and everything are really compiled into the voice of the actor. So yeah, I think it’s a better way to really immerse yourself into the character and into the story.”
In related news, it has just been announced that since its launch on December 26, the second part has notched an impressive 126.2 million views, marking a record-setting performance no other Netflix series has reached in such a timeframe, , reports the Mirror.
It blasted into Netflix’s number one spot with the largest first-day audience ever seen – raking in 68 million views in just four days. The show maintained momentum, securing an additional 58.2 million views over the course of its debut week.
Straight from its release, it vaulted into the tally of the platform’s most-watched non-English titles, escalating swiftly from seventh to the number two slot, trailing only behind the inaugural season of the same blockbuster series.
Squid Game season two is available to watch on Netflix now