In an era where it is hard to commit to a long drama, one series has viewers completely hooked. We are talking about the Netflix series ‘Girigo,’ which is seeing a flood of binge-watching reviews thanks to its solid narrative and fast-paced plot. Despite featuring rookie actors, it recorded high buzz immediately upon release.
According to the Funtix report for the fifth week of April, the buzz around ‘Girigo’ increased by 70.9% compared to its first week. After ranking 4th in the Netflix Global Top 10 Non-English shows on April 26, just three days after its release, it climbed to 1st place in its second week. It proved its global appeal by hitting #1 in 24 countries, including Korea, the Philippines, Egypt, and Bolivia.
The secret to ‘Girigo’s’ success is clear: it grabs attention with freshness and keeps viewers immersed with a rapid pace. It leaves a fresh impression by connecting traditional shamanic beliefs, such as talismans and rituals often seen in the occult genre, with a modern smartphone app. The intuitive rule, making a wish through a cursed app and dying 24 hours after the wish is granted, was clearly explained in the very first episode.
In subsequent developments, the show helps global viewers understand the plot by focusing on character actions rather than lengthy background explanations. Key examples include the scenes where Haessal (played by Jeon Soni) and Bangul (played by No Jae-won) borrow power from the spiritual world to break Girigo’s curse, and the scene where Siwon’s (played by Choi Ju-eun) mother performs a ritual in front of a collapsed shrine to protect her daughter.
It is also notable that the show reduces some of the typical fatigue associated with horror. While gruesome scenes appear occasionally, it showcases analog horror by utilizing the actors’ bodies as much as possible instead of relying on CG. For instance, the scene where Se-ah (played by Jeon So-young) is possessed and her head and arms twist was performed by the actress herself, based on her contemporary dance training. This physical expression added vividness to the drama.
The short runtime of 30 to 40 minutes per episode and the appealing characters are also cited as success factors. Horror protagonists sometimes make choices that are hard for viewers to understand for the sake of plot progression, which can be frustrating. However, Se-ah is portrayed as a proactive character who tries to solve problems on her own from start to finish. She is the first to figure out Girigo’s rules and takes action to save her friends. This reliable lead provides a sense of relief for the viewers.
The increasing preference for pure genre pieces among the primary audience of teens and twenty-somethings also boosted ‘Girigo’s’ success. According to the Funtix report, the portal search rate for ‘Girigo’ was highest among teens at 28.6%, followed by those in their 20s at 27.2%. Pop culture critic Min Yong-jun analyzed that recently, audiences in their 10s and 20s, who are the main consumers of content, tend to choose works with clear genre characteristics, such as comedy or horror. The horror movie ‘Salmokji’ is also continuing its success during the theater off-season, even before the release of ‘Girigo’.
Additionally, unresolved narratives are raising expectations for a second season. With several plot hooks left open, such as the stories of Haessal and Bangul and the whereabouts of the missing Im Na-ri (played by Kang Mina), attention is focused on whether ‘Girigo’ can maintain its momentum.
