Disney seems to have one Squid Game Moment.
The star-studded Korean spy series Moving has become the most-watched K-drama of all time on Disney+ and Hulu in just seven days of its release – in the US and around the world. The show launched on Disney’s streaming services on August 9 and has become the company’s most popular series in terms of hours streamed in all languages across Asia Pacific, including Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong Taiwan. This means that viewers in Asia have already seen “Moving” more than Disney’s core series The Mandalorian. (Disney declined to share more specific viewership data.)
“The global consumer reaction to the first 11 episodes of Moving exceeded our expectations,” said Carol Choi, Disney’s executive vice president of original content strategy in APAC. “From the US to all of APAC, it’s fast becoming a breakthrough hit with its gripping storyline, top-notch cast and incredible post-production effects – all combined to deliver exceptional storytelling.”
Moving is an adaptation of a popular webtoon by influential Korean artist Kang Full, whose works have been adapted into several local films. The show stars some of the biggest names in Korean film and television, including Ryu Seungryong (Miracle in Cell #7), Han Hyojoo (20th Century Girl) and Zo Insung (smuggler) in its long-awaited return to drama series format.
Moving tells the story of a group of South Korean spies who seek to protect their powerful children from harm and exploitation by malicious government agencies. Originally recruited for their extraordinary abilities like flying, instant healing, and enhanced senses, the spies disappeared without a trace after being tasked with performing increasingly dubious missions. Now, with their children displaying similar abilities and a dangerous assassin quickly taking down super-powered individuals, the parents must leave their peaceful lives behind to become the “monsters” they once were.
The first 11 episodes of Moving are available now on Disney+ and Hulu, with two new episodes arriving every Wednesday. A three-part season finale is planned for September. 20
Disney+ launched in South Korea in November 2021 and has steadily increased its local content production to capitalize on the rising global popularity of K-drama. Among Disney’s best-received Korean titles is the award-winning Blue Dragon series Big betswith Korean film icon Choi Minsik (old boy) as an unlawful casino operator; The Zone: Survival Mission; Soundtrack #1, snowdropand various others.
