Netflix’s latest South Korean sensation, “The Glory,” has taken the entertainment world by storm, swiftly becoming the most-watched show globally just three days after the release of the first season’s final episodes. According to FlixPatrol, a renowned Netflix ranking tracker website, the show clinched No. 1 in an astonishing 38 countries, including Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, and numerous others, while securing the No. 3 spot in both the United States and the United Kingdom. This exceptional success has catapulted “The Glory” to the summit of the global charts as the overall No. 1 show.
Exemplifying the creative prowess of the dynamic duo, writer Kim Eun-sook and director Ahn Gil-ho, “The Glory” brings together an extraordinary ensemble cast led by celebrated actors such as Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il. The series introduced its enthralling first part on Netflix on December 30, 2022, followed by the highly-anticipated second part on March 10, 2023.
Set within the high school milieu, the gripping storyline revolves around Moon Dong-eun (portrayed by Song Hye-kyo), a former student who suffered relentless bullying and abuse at the hands of a group led by Park Yeon-jin (played by Lim Ji-yeon). After years of meticulous strategizing, Dong-eun executes her carefully planned revenge by becoming the homeroom teacher of Yeon-jin’s child, paving the way for her long-overdue retribution.
Despite the controversy surrounding director Ahn Gil-ho, who confessed to having bullied students in the Philippines during his school days, the show’s meteoric rise in popularity remains unshaken. Netflix app usage in Korea reached an all-time high following the series’ release, with active users surging from 3.31 million on March 9 to an impressive 5.32 million on March 11, as reported by data analysis company WiseApp and Wise Retail.
Drawing inspiration from iconic Korean revenge films like “Lady Vengeance” and “I Saw the Devil,” “The Glory” captivates audiences worldwide with its masterful storytelling, poignant dramatic irony, and commanding performances. The series stands as a testament to writer Kim Eun-sook’s remarkable talent, offering a chilling and groundbreaking take on the revenge genre.
As “The Glory” maintains its stronghold atop Netflix rankings, the enthralling drama series has undoubtedly secured its place among the most unforgettable South Korean productions, leaving audiences worldwide eagerly awaiting the next installment.
