Korean Version of YA Horror “GIRIGO” Ranks #4 in Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows!

Netflix series 〈GIRIGO〉, which depicts high school students who are suddenly told they will die because of the curse of the wish-granting app “GIRIGO,” and their desperate efforts to avoid that fate, has recorded 2,800,000 views (views divided by the show’s total running time) since it was released on April 24 (Fri), placing it at #4 on the Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows list. In addition, the series has topped the TOP 10 list in a total of 37 countries worldwide, including South Korea, Mexico, India, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Turkey, proving its global popularity.

〈GIRIGO〉 is drawing praise from media and viewers around the world with fresh scares brought by a new genre called “YA (Young Adult) horror.” In Korea, media said “It boosts immersion in a way that combines the digital curse with teenagers’ desires and anxieties, their competitive drive and friendships, and even jealousy and survival instincts—rather than just using conventional horror where ghosts pop out.” (Sports Donga reporter Kim Kyeo-wool), and “It proves its own distinct genre appeal through the unusual but fresh synergy created by shamanistic beliefs and smartphone applications, as well as the outstanding performances by the actors who fully take control of the drama. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a properly done K-horror series, and the joy and satisfaction are immense.” (TV Daily reporter Choi Ha-na), showering the series with praise for its differentiated brand of terror. Overseas media also raved, saying “The images of characters fighting to stop GIRIGO’s curse deliver both fun and fear at the same time.” (Decider), “Starting as a school-life drama and expanding into occult horror, it delivers intense terror through the fear the characters experience in a closed-off space.”​ (South China Morning Post), and “A clever mix of teen drama, tech horror, and occult mystery. An interesting blend that’s hard to predict until the very end.” (TIME). With this, it becomes clear that Netflix’s first Korean “YA horror” is capturing the world.

Meanwhile, the released but previously unseen stills capture everything—from the scenes showing the characters fighting to solve the curse embedded in GIRIGO, to the story hidden behind that curse—drawing attention from the outset. In the image of “Se-a” (Jeon So-young), who is cautiously bringing her hand to her phone even while wearing a terrified expression, and in “Haet-sal” (Jeon So-ni), who is aiming somewhere while bleeding yet gripping an arrow tightly in her hand, you can sense the courage and strength of character to rush in headfirst to break GIRIGO’s curse without hesitation. Although they were once inseparable close friends, the stills featuring the stories of “Hye-ryeong” (Kim Si-a) and “Si-won” (Choi Ju-eun), who become entangled with GIRIGO’s curse while carrying their own grudges, bring back the memories of how their shocking twists astonished everyone. And “Eop-sun” (Lee Sang-hee)—Si-won’s mother and a shaman—creates a chilling atmosphere just by appearing on screen, reminding viewers again of his intense presence that adds yet another layer of narrative to the drama.

In the behind-the-scenes stills released together, there’s something that stands in contrast to the horror-filled atmosphere of the work: the actors’ candid, natural looks on the filming set of 〈GIRIGO〉, which immediately grabs attention. A still of Jeon So-young, Kang Mi-na, Baek Seon-ho, Hyun Woo-seok, and Lee Hyo-je—standing together in front of a chalkboard—shows warm, friendly chemistry so convincing that it looks just like a group of real high school friends, bringing smiles to viewers. Another still shows Kim Si-a and Choi Ju-eun taking poses together kindly and closely, allowing you to imagine the unique rapport they share as they vividly bring the stories of “Hye-ryeong” and “Si-won” to life with full immersion.