'This Damn Love' tops Netflix non-English shows with 7.5 million views despite Ha-young great-grandfather controversy

Jung Hae-in and Ha-young's 'This Damn Love' tops global rankings with 7.5 million views despite pro-Japanese controversy

Enters the top 10 in 68 countries in its second week; cast interviews canceled entirely amid controversy over a lead actor's family history

The romantic comedy 'This Damn Love', starring actors 'Jung Hae-in' and 'Ha-young', has overcome a major setback involving controversy over one lead actor's family history to reach the top spot globally in Netflix's 'Netflix' non-English TV category. It recorded a remarkable 7.5 million views in its second week of release, demonstrating its overwhelming global reach.

The return of the 'romance master' sparks a ratings surge that eclipses the controversy

According to Netflix's official Tudum website, which released its top 10 rankings on the 19th for the period from the 10th through the 16th, 'This Damn Love' claimed the No. 1 spot among non-English shows with 7.5 million views, calculated by dividing total viewing time by the show's running time. The feat came after a dramatic rise in just two weeks, following its debut at No. 5 immediately after its release on the 7th. The series topped the rankings in 26 countries, including South Korea, Bolivia and Brazil, and entered the top 10 in a total of 68 countries. Its distinctive premise — a rural cohabitation between an amnesiac prosecutor and a former gangster turned boxing coach — and direction that skillfully weaves together comedy, action and noir have captivated viewers worldwide.

Separate from the show's success, the fallout surrounding lead actor 'Ha-young' is still unfolding. The actor recently spoke proudly on a broadcast about coming from a "family of doctors for four generations," but faced fierce criticism soon after reports surfaced about the great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. The repercussions have complicated efforts to contain the situation, including the complete cancellation of promotional interviews with the lead actors.

Meanwhile, the broader rise of K-content was also notable. The romantic comedy 'Chilly Romance,' starring Park Eun-bin and Yang Se-jong, settled into third place with 2.7 million views, while the hard-hitting action series 'Manager Kim', starring So Ji-sub, ranked ninth with 1.4 million views, demonstrating the strength of South Korean productions.

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