Will “Squid Game 2” Be a Success Despite Decreasing Popularity of OTT Seasonal Dramas?

In the first six months of the year, terrestrial channel dramas outperformed OTT programs. In response, OTT is now preparing to release highly anticipated works in the second half of the year. These new releases will not only cater to Korean fans, but also attract viewers from around the world. OTT has strategically scheduled these works to be released during popular holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The highly anticipated Season 2 of Netflix’s “Squid Game”is generating a lot of buzz. After the first season became a global sensation, fans are eagerly awaiting the Christmas release of the second season and are hopeful for its success.

In a continuous effort to captivate audiences, Netflix is set to release a slew of sequels to highly successful dramas. With the first installment being “Sweet Home 2”, the streaming platform aims to delve deeper into the compelling storylines of other fan-favorites like “Gyeongseong Creature 2″and “Hellbound 2”. Produced by renowned studios such as Studio Dragon, Kakao Entertainment, and SLL, these works all fall under the creature genre that Netflix has proven to excel in.

Like Netflix, Disney+ is determined to achieve success with dramas produced by established studios and teams. In order to replicate the success of “Moving”, Disney+ will focus on creating hit dramas in the second half of the year, utilizing their strengths in action and noir genres with titles such as “The Worst of Evi”and “Vigilante”.

Upcoming releases on Disney+ include “Gangnam B-side,”a collaboration between Kakao Entertainment and Sanai Pictures, and “Tyrant,”the spin-off drama of “The Witch”series. These highly anticipated projects boast a talented team of producers, actors, and directors known for their expertise in the action and noir genres.

Despite questions about the impact of subsequent seasons on the success of a series, there are concerns about whether they will enhance or hinder the viewers’ immersion. The premiere of “Sweet Home 3″on July 19th received less positive reactions than anticipated, despite performing better than its second season. Many viewers expressed disappointment, raising concerns about the potential drawbacks of expanding the show’s world. While the next season could benefit from the previous one’s popularity, there is also the risk of greater disappointment if it fails to meet high expectations. As a result, those in the drama industry are closely watching the upcoming release of “Squid Game 2″at the end of the year, which could serve as a pivotal moment for the show’s future.

On July 23rd, drama critic Yoon Seok-jin stated that viewers were becoming less interested in seasonal dramas due to the constant release of similar and provocative projects on OTT platforms, which focus on maintaining subscribers. He also expressed concern that OTTs were not addressing this issue and should avoid turning movie-length projects into series.