Netflix’s Missed Opportunity with Byeon Woo Seok’s Lovely Runner: Did the Streaming Giant Fumble on a K-Drama Goldmine?
Netflix Mocked for Trying to Profit off Highly Popular K-Drama After Ignoring It When Released
In a surprising turn of events, Netflix is facing backlash from netizens for seemingly missing out on a major K-drama opportunity. The streaming giant’s recent obsession with the show and its actors has left fans wondering if they regret not acquiring the series earlier.
The K-drama in question is Byeon Woo Seok’s Lovely Runner, which has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide. Despite streaming on Viki, the show’s popularity has skyrocketed, with fans praising its time-slip romantic comedy storyline adapted from the webtoon The Best of Tomorrow.
Viki, the sole distributor of Lovely Runner in the global market, has announced that the series has ranked number one in 130 regions. Meanwhile, Netflix, known for its success with K-dramas like Squid Game and Crash Landing on You, is facing FOMO as it watches the show’s success unfold.
Netflix’s promotion of actors Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon on social media following the show’s popularity has only added fuel to the fire. Fans have been quick to point out Netflix’s missed opportunity, with many urging the streaming giant to add Lovely Runner to its lineup.
As the show nears its finale, Lovely Runner continues to achieve high ratings, with its recent episode scoring an average nationwide viewership rating of 5.3 percent. Despite the delay in its release, the K-drama has managed to captivate audiences and solidify its place as a fan favorite.
With the success of Lovely Runner, Netflix may have missed out on a lucrative opportunity, but fans are hopeful that the streaming giant will rectify its mistake and add the popular K-drama to its platform. Only time will tell if Netflix will heed the calls of fans and bring Lovely Runner to its audience.
