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Korean drama solidifies its status as Netflix’s most-watched series ahead of December return
The Korean drama Squid Game has reached 330 million views, amassing over 2.8 billion hours of streaming since its premiere, Netflix announced on Wednesday. The milestone comes just weeks before the release of its highly anticipated second season on December 26.
Originally launched in 2021, Squid Game has become Netflix’s most popular show in the platform’s history. In a statement, Netflix highlighted the series’ rapid ascent, noting, “It took 12 years to bring Squid Game Season 1 to life, but only 12 days for it to become our most-watched series.”
The show broke new ground for Korean dramas by becoming the first to top Netflix’s U.S. charts within a week of its release. Following the unveiling of the trailer for Season Two in late October, interest in the series surged, with views of the first season increasing by 60%, according to the streaming service.
The series’ success has also boosted the profiles of its stars. Hoyeon Jung, who plays Player 067, saw her social media following grow from 404,000 before the show’s release to 17.7 million today. Similarly, Lee Jung Jae, known as Player 456, experienced a rise in followers from 1.01 million to approximately 4 million.
The show’s influence has extended beyond streaming metrics. Netflix reported that sales of the white slip-on Vans worn by contestants in the series have surged by 7,800%.
As anticipation builds for the next chapter, Squid Game continues to captivate audiences and redefine global entertainment trends. Season Two will premiere globally on Netflix on December 26.
Wolf conservation status downgraded under Bern Convention, sparking debate
The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats has officially lowered the protection status of wolves in Europe, a decision finalized on December 3, 2024. The change, approved by the 49 member states of the treaty, downgrades wolves from “strictly protected” to “protected,” allowing regulated hunting.
The decision reflects growing tensions between wildlife conservation efforts and the concerns of farmers who face livestock losses from wolf attacks. Grey wolves, once nearly eradicated in Europe, have seen their population rebound to an estimated 20,300, according to recent figures. However, critics warn that the relaxed protections could reverse the species’ recovery.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a vocal supporter of the policy shift, called for a “balanced approach” to reconcile wildlife preservation with agricultural livelihoods. The Council of Europe, which oversees the Bern Convention, emphasized that any hunting will remain strictly regulated.
The move follows a September proposal by the European Union to reduce protections for wolves, citing increased human-wildlife conflicts. The EU highlighted significant livestock losses caused by wolves as their population expands into areas of human activity.
Farmers, including Thierry Chalmin of France’s northeastern agricultural chamber, argue the new measures fall short of adequately protecting their livelihoods. Chalmin described the changes as insufficient, saying, “The problem is far from being solved.”
However, conservation groups and animal-rights advocates are raising alarms over the potential consequences for wolf populations. Yann Laurans of WWF France warned that the decision risks destabilizing decades of progress in wolf conservation.
“Reducing protections could lead to a decline in the species, weakening conservation efforts across Europe,” Laurans said.
Critics also argue that culling wolves does little to address livestock losses and could disrupt pack structures, potentially increasing predation on farm animals. Nathan Horrenberger, head of a biodiversity group in France, called the decision “political and purely demagogic,” suggesting it was unlikely to resolve conflicts between wolves and farmers.
The policy change is set to take effect on March 7, 2025, unless at least a third of Bern Convention member states lodge objections. So far, only five countries have opposed the measure, according to environmental group Green Impact, which has vowed to challenge the decision in European courts.
France’s ecology minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, sought to reassure conservationists, stating that wolves will remain a protected species and any killings will be closely regulated. She added that the new status would provide authorities with more flexibility in managing wolf populations.
As the debate continues, the decision highlights the complex balancing act between conservation goals and the economic realities faced by rural communities. Whether the revised protections will strike the right balance remains uncertain.
