Netflix to double down on South Korea with $2.5B investment

admin 2023年5月28日

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

establishment /ih-STAB-lish-muhnt/

[noun] – the process of starting or creating something, for example, an organization
The establishment of a new business requires a lot of hard work and dedication from the founders.

view /vyoo/

[verb] – to have a particular opinion or way of thinking about someone or something
She is viewed as a strong queen, despite her origins.

acknowledge /ak-NOL-ij/

[verb] – to accept, admit, or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something
The government finally acknowledged the need for reform after a wave of protests across the country.

crackdown /KRAK-doun/

[noun] – a situation in which someone starts to deal with bad or illegal behavior in a more severe way
The school has initiated a crackdown on bullying, with strict measures in place to prevent any instances of harassment or violence among students.

namely /NEYM-lee/

[adverb] – used when you want to give more detail or be more exact about something you have just said
The report highlighted several areas of concern, namely rising crime rates and the lack of affordable housing.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Netflix has unveiled its intention to increase its investment in South Korea to the tune of $2.5 billion over the next four years in order to produce more Korean movies, reality shows, and K-dramas. This commitment is twice the amount that the entertainment giant has previously revealed for the rapidly growing market since its establishment in 2016. This recent announcement highlights how the company is becoming increasingly optimistic about Korean content, which fans worldwide avidly consume. With over 60% of all Netflix members having watched Korean content last year, South Korea is viewed as a pivotal market for Netflix. In the first quarter of 2023, the company added 1.46 million paid subscribers in Asia Pacific, making it the fastest-growing region for Netflix as subscription rates elsewhere slowed. The firm also acknowledged that it had received a “cancel reaction” from subscribers following its announcement of a crackdown on password sharing.

The proposed investment in South Korea is expected to present a significant opportunity for both Netflix and the country’s content industry and creators. The movie underlines how the stories originating from South Korea are currently epitomizing the global cultural climate, with shows like “Squid Game,” “The Glory,” and “Physical: 100” proving successful all around the world. In fact, four out of the ten most-watched non-English TV shows ever on the streamer are Korean productions, namely “Squid Game,” “All of Us Are Dead,” “The Glory,” and “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” according to the firm. This news comes after Netflix revealed its intention to launch its largest-ever lineup of South Korean content, with 34 new and returning titles set to be released in 2023.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Why do you think Netflix is investing heavily in the South Korean market?
How do you think this investment will impact the South Korean content industry and creators?
Do you think other streaming services will follow Netflix’s lead in investing in South Korean content?
What do you think is the reason behind the popularity of Korean dramas and movies among global audiences?
How do you think the crackdown on password sharing will affect Netflix’s subscriber base?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

investment
reality show
highlight
subscribers
cultural climate