The Netflix series 'The Square' reached No. 1 in the Netflix Global Top 10 Series (non-English) institutional sector, proving its unrelenting popularity, while also releasing unpublished stills. Above all, lead actor So Ji-sub is attracting attention from global viewers as he challenges himself with intense action for the first time in 13 years since the film 'Employee'.
The noir action 'The Square', where 'Gi-Jun' who had cut off his own Achilles heel and left the world of 'The Square', returns after 11 years due to the death of his younger brother 'Gi-Seok', who was the second-in-command of the organization, to uncover the truth behind his death, recorded 7,600,000 view counts (the value obtained by dividing viewing hours by the total running time of the work) in its second week of release. It entered the global Top 10 list in a total of 75 countries, including not only South Korea but also Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Additionally, it topped the charts in 9 countries, showcasing its hot popularity both domestically and internationally.
'The Square' captivatingly depicts the story of 'Nam Gi-Jun' (So Ji-sub) moving straight ahead in a world of cold and intense violence without regret, as well as receiving acclaim for the stable performances of the actors, captivating both domestic and international viewers.
In particular, with a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating of 100% and unanimous praise from overseas critics, foreign media said, "It excites fans with insane action and bloody action" (Daily Mail), "It sets a new standard for action storytelling from baseball bats to sword fights" (Soompi), "The action scenes shot in confined spaces are captivating. The sound effects and BGM are also excellent" (India Forums), "Currently the best Korean action thriller series on Netflix. It has everything hardcore fans seek" (THEWEEK).
Domestic and international viewers also commented, "A hardcore noir action that is perfectly packed after a long time!!" (X Yong******), "I watched it so enjoyably!!! Whether the actors or the action scenes, I was so engrossed that I watched it all in one go!" (YouTube James*********), "It's amazing action and it's clear that effort was put in" (Watchapedia In*), "The actors deliver solid performances and perfectly embody their roles, adding emotional depth to each scene" (IMDb Nhi****), "I finally think I've found my greatest thriller of my life. The action never stops, and there are so many brilliant twists that it keeps you tense throughout" (IMDb jays*********), showing a hot response to the actors' outstanding performances and the nuances of the noir action genre.
Meanwhile, the unveiled unpublished stills remind viewers of the dark secrets and unpredictable developments inherent in the world of 'The Square', grabbing attention.
In a still where 'Nam Gi-Jun' is grappling with someone while covered in blood, one can glimpse 'Nam Gi-Jun's solitary journey of vengeance, as he does not back down even if he pauses. Notably, the last image of 'Nam Gi-Jun' sitting on a camping chair captures So Ji-sub's passionate performance, expressing emotions through his eyes and actions rather than words, leaving a lingering impact regarding the work. The scene where 'Lee Ju-woon' (Heo Joon-ho) and 'Cha Young-do' (Cha Seung-won) pass by, intersecting, depicts their conflict in the square where cracks have begun, creating tension.
Additionally, the still of 'Goo Jun-mo' (Gong Myoung) on the phone with blood on his face reminds us that he is a character who must obtain what he desires and is not afraid to commit evil if someone disregards him. The moment when 'Lee Geum-son' (Choo Young-Woo), who harbors dark ambitions to overturn the balance of 'The Square', stands in his father 'Lee Ju-woon's' position, finally reveals his ambition, allowing us to confirm his true goal.
Meanwhile, 'Goo Bong-san' (An Gil-kang) and 'Lee Ju-woon' are shaking hands. The two are long-time friends and rivals, embroiled in various events according to their respective interests, increasing the drama's intrigue. The still of 'Cha Young-do' in police uniform captures the moment that sent shivers down viewers' spines as the identity of 'Mr. Kim,' which no one expected, is revealed. Finally, the still of 'Nam Gi-Jun's' brother 'Nam Gi-Seok' (Lee Joon-hyuk), who becomes the trigger for his revenge, shows a scene where he is fighting with a gangster, foreshadowing that another secret related to his death is intertwined.
Even in its second week of release, 'The Square', with its immersive narrative and the actors' intense performances, continues to gain worldwide popularity as it is currently streaming on Netflix.
[Photo] Netflix TOP 10 website
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