The Korean drama series "Tastefully Yours," originally with a low TV viewership rating of below 1%, has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity after being added to Netflix. The show quickly rose to the top of Netflix's charts, garnering significant attention both domestically and internationally.

Produced by KT Genie TV and broadcast on ENA, "Tastefully Yours" claimed the number one spot on the Top 10 series list on Netflix Korea as of the 15th. FlixPatrol, a streaming analytics site, reported that the drama also reached the second position globally in Netflix's TV shows category and emerged as the most-watched show in 23 countries, including Hong Kong and Indonesia.

The storyline centers around the romantic relationship between Han Beom Woo, portrayed by Kang Ha Neul, a man who acquires small restaurants to eventually inherit a food conglomerate, and Mo Yeon Joo, played by Go Min Si, an aspiring chef running a small restaurant in Jeonju.

Initially met with low expectations and minimal viewership ratings on traditional TV broadcasts, the show's success on Netflix reflects the shifting trend towards digital streaming platforms for content consumption. Viewers lauded the performances, especially praising Kang Ha Neul's suitability for unconventional roles and Go Min Si's captivating acting.

The transition in viewership preferences extends beyond younger demographics, with older audiences also gravitating towards Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms like Netflix and YouTube, leading to declining ratings for broadcast dramas. Recent prime-time series on MBC, SBS, and KBS struggled to attract even a 1% viewership.

In the past, dramas with ratings below 10% were considered unsuccessful, but the rise of OTT platforms has altered these perceptions. Viewer selectivity and platform influence now heavily shape a show's success or failure, prompting Korean drama producers to prioritize partnerships with global platforms like Netflix.

While Netflix's dominant position in the Korean entertainment industry presents opportunities for wider international reach, concerns arise regarding content diversity and overreliance on a single platform. Critiques warn that this Netflix-centric ecosystem may hinder Korean content diversity and elevate the platform's dominance to potentially problematic levels.