How has Netflix’s popularity in Korea been affected by the adventure film Okja? A new report based on buzzword topics and titled ‘Okja, a Film with Monopoly and Diversity’ was released by the digital media research company Nielsen Korea (www.koreanclick.com). According to the report, the film brought a large number of visitors to the online streaming service when a screen malfunction occurred at the beginning of its official screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Major Korean cinema chains refused to screen the film when it was released in Korea. Also, Netflix as well as BONG Joon-ho became popular keywords related to Okja from May 15th to July 9th. 

This interest in Okja has driven traffic to Netflix. According to the report, the number of visitors to Netflix was about 129,000 on June 12th, but it began to surge after June 20th peaking at 739,000 just before the film was released. “The report suggests that users can watch movies at small and midsize theaters and through other platforms instead of particular major multiplexes.” Nielsen Korea said also adding, “As the number of visitors to Netflix’s website doesn’t equal actual subscribers, it’s been understood that people have used Netfilx only to watch Okja. So, whether they will have continuous loyalty remains to be seen.” The researcher also noted that there was a plunge in the number of recorded visitors to 282,000 in early July.