"Seems interesting?" ... 'Squid Game 2' breaks records with the highest first-week viewer ratings despite negative reviews

https://naver.me/xmxezCny

Netflix’s original series Squid Game Season 2 has been watched for nearly 500 million hours globally, making it the most-watched content on Netflix in its first week of release.

Not only did it rank first in the non-English TV category, but it also surpassed English TV shows and both English and non-English film categories in terms of viewing hours during the same period. This broke the previous record set by Squid Game Season 1 in the fourth week of September 2021, which recorded 448.73 million hours of viewing.

On a weekly basis, it ranked second only to the first week of October 2021 (Sept. 27–Oct. 3), when Squid Game Season 1 hit 571.76 million of viewing hours. Moreover, Squid Game Season 2 also topped the charts in 92 countries, including the U.S., France, Japan, India, and Australia.

Even though it's only been a week since its release, Squid Game 2 has already climbed to the 7th place among Netflix's all-time most popular non-English TV shows.

Additionally, it's estimated that Squid Game Season 2 will generate at least 1.5 trillion KRW in revenue. According to a media research institute, K-EnterTech Hub, Squid Game Season 2 had a production cost of approximately 100 billion KRW. Based on the trend of Season 1, it is estimated that Season 2 will generate at least 1.5 trillion KRW in revenue. If Season 3 is released, it is expected to generate incredibly high figures of revenue. 

theqoo

-Surprisingly, it was fun to watchㅋㅋㅋ Maybe because I heard so much about how boring it was.

-Since Season 1 was such a hit, there must be a lot of people watching with high expectations.

-It’s actually fun.

-I enjoyed it more than I thought, and I even grew attached to Hyunju’s character. But I never expected the actor to be involved in a f*cking porn scandal...

-The reviews weren’t great, so I watched without much expectation, but it turned out to be funㅋㅋ

-I found Season 2 lighter, which made it more enjoyable for me. I ended up rewatching it repeatedlyㅋㅋㅋ

-500 million hoursㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ The beginning was boring, but Episodes 6 and 7 were worth watching. I'm looking forward to Season 3.

-It was more enjoyable than I thoughtㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I didn’t like it.

-I complained about it, but then I ended up re-watching episode 7 three times.

-Maybe because of the current situation, but the response in Korea doesn’t seem as strong as expected.

-My family and I said we'd watch just one more episode and ended up staying up until 3 AMㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I haven’t seen it yet, but my friend says it’s good.

-It had a black comedy vibe, reminded me of Don’t Look Up.

-I thought it was a total failure because of the negative reviews, but it was actually enjoyable.

Continue reading "Seems interesting?" ... 'Squid Game 2' breaks records with the highest first-week viewer ratings despite negative reviews

Songs that were picked as the First Song of the New Year (Songs that rose in Melon's real-time chart)

 

theqoo

-I hope I become even happier!🍀

-Aespa, let's be happy🫂

-I've been waiting, welcome!💚🌈

-That’s my life, it’s a beautiful galaxy

-Don’t worry about anything, everything will work out fine 🌈💚

-My lucky girls, I hope you have only happiness this year☘️✨️

-Open your eyes, the world is changing 🤩🍀🍀🍀🍀

-DAY6 are luck fairies. A Journey♡♡

-I listened to Lucky Girl Syndromeㅎㅎ I hope only women get to succeed this year. Only biological women at that✌️

-Every day that comes to me is gonna be my best part

-Not a single moment is meaningless to me. Even though it might end someday, right now is the best part🍀🍀🍀🍀

-As You Wish has been my first song of the year for four years in a row now.

-There are no New Year's songs-worthy in my fave's discographyㅋㅋㅋ So I just listened to Hello Future.

-So lucky, lucky 🍀 I’m gonna be the luckiest person this year 🍀

-Wow, I never thought I’d see Wish on the chart...

Continue reading Songs that were picked as the First Song of the New Year (Songs that rose in Melon's real-time chart)

Sung Gihoon figurine released

 

I'm sharing it here because I was amazed by the quality.

The price is 3,339,000 KRW (~$2,271 USD)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEMAs73t4pO/?igsh=Ym8ycngxc2sycWNq

theqoo

-Whoa... This is freaking insane. It looks exactly the same.

-I feel like I'll get his stupidity if I keep it at my home.

-Wait, that's not a real person?

-This is Madame Tussauds-level.

-Oh wow... I want that.

-Wow, I got goosebumps when I saw the faceㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Is there even a demand for this...?

-Whoa... It looks like a real personㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ

-It's so realistic that it looks creepy...

-Wow... will anyone actually buy this?

-Might as well price it at 4,560,000 KRW since it's already so expensiveㅋㅋㅋ

-I want it just to punch it whenever I get madㅋㅋ

-It’s well-made, but who would spend that much on it? I wouldn’t buy it even if it were 30,000 KRW. 

Continue reading Sung Gihoon figurine released

I am a Jeju Air crew member

 

I have lost colleagues I saw every day. And I've also lost my passengers. While the exact cause is still unclear, we're all struggling and heartbroken, unable to fully comprehend this situation. Even the word 'sadness' cannot express the sorrow... There are no words that can describe this grief perfectly.

Nevertheless, we continue to greet passengers again. Though I feel like I could break down and cry at the slightest touch, but I clench my teeth and do my best for the passengers who trust us enough to board the plane, even in this situation. Our maintenance engineers are doing their best as always, knowing that my precious colleagues were on board. We are all giving everything we have.

Various news articles are pouring out, and too many stories are circulating. As someone who works in the field, I have often felt resentment toward the company for neglecting the frontline workers. But even with that resentment, I have never allowed it to impact the care and service I provide to my passengers.

We cannot even cry openly. It’s only after the flight is over, after all the passengers have disembarked, that we allow ourselves to shed the tears we’ve been holding back. I'm also worried that I won't be able to see off my departed colleague due to my schedule.

It breaks my heart to see how much our maintenance engineers are struggling. They've always done their best. We trust them completely when we board the planes. Our pilots enter the cockpit again with that heavy responsibility. We believe in and respect the pilots' choices.

We have done our best. We are doing our best. And we will continue to do so in the future. We believe that the late pilots had done their best. I respect my colleagues who did their best to reassure passengers until the very end and prepared for an evacuation. I hope their last moments are respected.

Journalists-nim, please write refined articles... Please write real news without being influenced by anyone's power...

Tomorrow, I will be flying again. I will do my best for the safe and secure journey of the passengers I will meet.

Source: https://www.teamblind.com/kr/s/Dw2UhkFE

theqoo

-This is so heartbreaking.

-I believe the captain, co-pilot, and all the crew members did their absolute best.

-The captain, co-pilot, and two crew members did their best. I hope the two injured crew members recover quickly as well.

-To think about the captain's feelings... I just can't find the right words to describe how I feel. His colleagues must feel it a hundred times more deeplyㅠㅠ

-This is very upsetting...ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Please stay strong. Because of the terrible company, only the employees are suffering... ㅠㅠ

-My friend is also a Jeju Air crew member and she seems to be mentally exhausted... I'm worried about her.

-Thinking about the captain, co-pilot, and crew members makes my heart ache so muchㅠㅠ

-That's right. They truly gave their all in that critical moment.... It's so sad. I hope the remaining staff also receive comfort... Please stay strong, everyone.

-The employees didn't do anything wrong. It's always the higher-ups who are the problem.

-I'm tearing up... Everyone is going through so much in this difficult situationㅠㅠ

-It must be so painful to have to smile and work when your colleagues, who you might have flown with, have passed away... I can’t imagine how painful that must feel. Please take care of yourselves and stay strong.

-I knew it would be like this... ㅠㅠ It's not the employees' fault, it's the company's faultㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-I'm crying. They can't even grieve properly, and they must be scared and struggling as well. There's nothing we can do.

-The cause hasn’t even been determined yet, so why is there so much speculation?ㅠㅠ Can we just focus on mourning, please?ㅠㅠ

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I can't stop crying. Even I feel this wayㅠㅠ Imagine how much worse it is for the families and colleagues?ㅠㅠ Every day must be a nightmare for them.

Continue reading I am a Jeju Air crew member

Pictures of Pudding, the dog belonging to the family of a Jeju Air plane crash passenger

 

Pudding, the dog raised by the 5y.o granddaughter.

Pudding has been placed in temporary foster care with the family's consent with future arrangements to be discussed.

When the rescue team arrived, Pudding was waiting for its family in the village hall yard. They said Pudding ran towards them as soon as the rescue team arrived. Pudding then vomited, and pieces of kimchi, onion, and chicken bones came out.

theqoo

-The only remaining family member is the second son-in-law, but Pudding was the dog raised by the first daughter's child. The remaining family member probably does not have the mental capacity to take care of Pudding right now. I'm relieved Pudding has been rescued.

-Pudding looks so much like my dog who crossed the rainbow bridge... Stay healthy, Pudding.

-Pudding, live happily and healthilyㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Onion and chicken bones are dangerous for dogs. I hope Pudding will be okayㅜㅜㅠㅜㅜ

-Huk... If Pudding did really eat onions, he should be taken to the vet quickly...ㅠㅠ I hope Pudding's healthy.

-Seeing how Pudding ran over to the rescue team when they arrived... Pudding must've thought they were his family, that's why he ran so happilyㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Thank goodness Pudding was rescued. Chicken bones... That could've been dangerous for the dog.

-I want to believe that dogs can see spirits. I hope his family comes to see him soon. Pudding-ah, please only remember the happy memories and live happilyㅠ

-I hope Pudding can know that he wasn't abandoned...

-I don't believe in religion or the afterlife, but I hope the family said goodbye to Pudding before leaving. Pudding, be happy.

-That was a close callㅜㅜ I'm so glad Pudding was rescuedㅜㅜ

-I wonder how confused Pudding must be...ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Let's just wait a little longer and be happy.

-I want to tell Pudding that he was never abandoned...

-They say dogs understand everything you say. I hope that’s true.

-The dog lost his family too... Ah...ㅠㅠ

Continue reading Pictures of Pudding, the dog belonging to the family of a Jeju Air plane crash passenger

TOP 100 on Melon first real-time chart in 2025 (January 1, 2025)

 

1. WJSN's As You Wish
2. Wonpil (DAY6)'s A Journey
3. ILLIT's Lucky Girl Syndrome
4. Jaessbee's Every Moment With You
5. DAY6's Happy
6. G-Dragon's Home Sweet Home
7. Lim Youngwoong's Warmth
8. Lim Youngwoong's Love Always Run Away
9. Lim Youngwoong's Home
10. Lim Youngwoong's Our Blues, Our Life

11. Lim Youngwoong's Grain of Sand
12. Lim Youngwoong's Do or Die
13. Gaho's Start Over
14. Lim Youngwoong's Polaroid
15. Lim Youngwoong's If We Ever Meet Again
16. PLAVE's Way 4 Luv
17. Lim Youngwoong's Trust in Me
18. PLAVE's Pump Up The Volume!
19. Lim Youngwoong's Rainbow
20. Lim Youngwoong's London Boy

21. PLAVE's Our Movie
22. Lim Youngwoong's A Psalm of Life
23. DAY6's Time of Our Life
24. Lim Youngwoong's Love Letter
25. Lim Youngwoong's Nest
26. PLAVE's From
27. PLAVE's Watch Me Woo!
28. PLAVE's Merry PLLIstmas
29. Rosé, Bruno Mars' APT.
30. DAY6's Welcome to the Show

31. Aespa's Whiplash
32. PLAVE's Virtual Idol
33. Hwang Garam's I am Firefly
34. 2NE1's I Am the Best
35. Lisa's Money
36. G-Dragon's Power
37. NCT Dream's Hello Future
38. Rosé's toxic till the end
39. Aespa's Live My Life
40. DAY6's Wish

41. WOODZ's Drowning
42. QWER's My Name is Malguem
43. Aespa's UP (Karina Solo)
44. Roy Kim's If You Ask Me What Love Is
45. NCT Wish's WISH (Korean Ver.)
46. ECLIPSE's Downpour
47. Aespa's Supernova
48. tripleS' Girls Never Die
49. Aespa's Dreams Come True
50. EXO's First Snow

(translation for the song titles is on going. please wait:) )

theqoo

-Hul, I can't believe I'm seeing Best Part and Wish climbing the charts.

-As You Wish is the best.

-I welcomed 2025 with Hello Future again.

-Wish and Best Part 🍀🍀🍀🍀

-Everything will come true~

-Whoa, I also listened to A Journeyㅋㅋㄴ

-DAY6's digital achievements are really strongㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Congratulations, Wonpil.

-A Journey made it to #2!!! DAY6 is insane.

-Lucky girl syndrome~ 🍀

-Wow, what’s with Wish and Best Part on the chartsㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I've been listening to DAY6 on repeatㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I thought I was the only one listening to Wish and Best Part. This is unbelievable.

-There are a lot of people who are turning 23 this yearㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Continue reading TOP 100 on Melon first real-time chart in 2025 (January 1, 2025)

Viral tweet that pinpoints the root issue of the fan support controversy

 

근데 음악방송 사전녹화 관련해서 끊이지 않은 의문이 있음. 대체 왜 팬들은 추운 야외에서 대기해야 하며, 대기 시간 동안 밥을 굶게 만드는가.
근본적으로 이걸 가수한테 김밥한 줄 받는다고해결될 일일까 싶고.. https://t.co/cX1FswL4ZJ

— ᴄʜᴏᴄᴏ ᴘɪʟɪɴɢ 🍫 (@choco_piling) December 31, 2024

There’s always been a question about music shows pre-recordngs: Why do fans have to wait outside in the cold? Why are they left without proper meals during the wait? I wonder if simply receiving a kimbap from the artist is really the solution to this fundamental problem 

It's the broadcasting companies that's actually violating the human rights of the fans, but the idols are the ones getting all the hate. If this keeps up, only the broadcasting companies will benefit and the mistreatment that fans receive will never change. It's like fans are directing their anger at idols simply because they can't confront the broadcasting companies and idols are easier to target.

I'm writing this because it's gone beyond fans feeling disappointed. Idols have been receiving hate for days on end across various online communities. It's not even the fans themselves who criticize, but others pretending to be fans. I completely understand why fans are upset.

theqoo

-They should be targeting the broadcasting companies, not just the artists. I seriously don't get it.

-Isn’t this something fans willingly participate in?

-Honestly, the whole situation just doesn't make sense. I feel like this happens because fans love their idols too much.

-The music show system is bizarre and the broadcasting companies exploit people for free. This should be boycotted them. But that's not happening, right? Instead, fans pay for proxy applications to attend pre-recordings and then demand gifts from the idols saying, "We've suffered a lot, so give us gifts."ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Why should the broadcasting companies care about the fans?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I'm a fan too, but honestly, if you don't like it, don't goㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Broadcasting companies have nothing to lose, honestly.

-Let’s stop with fan support altogether. Ban them.

-If you don't like it, just don't go... It's always the idols who are getting the backlashㅠㅜㅜ

-If you’re unhappy, isn’t the solution to boycott and leave the fandom? I'm just saying.

-Let's stop expecting anything while being fans. It's a pointless thing to do.

-It's because they don't know there was a time when fan support didn't exist^^ They're so demanding, oh gosh.

-Sure, the broadcasters are at fault, but idols don’t stand up for fans either, right? It's like fans will die if they don't defend their idols. This is why fan rights are neglected, and nothing ever changes.

-At this rate, fans are going to demand fan support after every single music show recordingㅋㅋㅋ

-This is just a ridiculous case of misdirected anger.

Continue reading Viral tweet that pinpoints the root issue of the fan support controversy