The Netflix original series “Gyeongseong Creature” is gaining momentum following the release of Part 2 on Jan. 5, ranking No. 7 globally and No. 9 in Japan among Netflix TV series. It was initially anticipated as a follow-up to “The Glory,” but faced harsh criticism after the release of Part 1.
According to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol on Jan. 6, “Gyeongseong Creature” climbed to seventh place in the Netflix TV series worldwide, securing the top spot in South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. It reached No. 2 in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
While Part 1 received some negative reviews, such as “falling short of expectations,” “overflowing clichés,” and “predictable,” positive reactions have become more prominent after the release of Part 2, with many viewers expressing that they found it enjoyable.
Notably, “Gyeongseong Creature” has caught attention by securing the ninth spot in Japan. The series revolves around two youths encountering unidentified monstrous beings while investigating a woman’s disappearance in 1945 in Gyeongseong. It features the issue of the Imperial Japanese Army’s “comfort women” and also the narrative of Unit 731, which conducted human experiments in the name of preparing for bacterial warfare.
“‘Gyeongseong Creature’ is causing considerable reactions among Japanese netizens,” said Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, on his social media account. Seo shared comments from Japanese viewers about the series such as “I learned about Unit 731 for the first time,” “It was a chance to know about Unit 731,” and “I realized Unit 731 was real,” saying, “It is significant that ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ has effectively conveyed historical facts like Unit 731 and biological experiments, which were rarely covered in Japanese education, to Japanese netizens.”
This article was originally published on Jan. 6, 2024.
