How short-form video platforms turned Netflix's 'My Royal Nemesis' into global hit

A promotional poster for the Netflix series "My Royal Nemesis" / Courtesy of Netflix

The SBS romantic comedy “My Royal Nemesis” is showing unusually strong momentum. Since its initial release, it has rapidly gained word-of-mouth popularity, drawing positive reactions not only from domestic audiences but also from viewers around the world.

Amid a period when K-dramas had briefly lost some momentum, “My Royal Nemesis” is now charting a fast and impressive growth trajectory. The series surged from a 5.4 percent viewership rating in its second episode to 6 percent by fourth episode, according to Nielsen Korea.

Globally, the show reached No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list and No. 2 in overall television. According to FlixPatrol, the drama landed in the Top 10 in 84 countries — including the United States, Spain, Poland and Japan — and claimed the No. 1 spot in 24 markets, such as Brazil, Taiwan, Qatar, Peru and Singapore.

This rapid ascent stands out in the fiercely competitive Friday-Saturday broadcast slot. As the boundaries between traditional television networks and the streaming market continue to blur, viewers are overwhelmed by an explosion of content. Shows must absorb audiences immediately to survive, making the production's strategic pacing a critical advantage.

Rather than bogging viewers down with tedious fantasy world-building, “My Royal Nemesis” relies on an accessible premise and fast-paced character dynamics. The plot centers on a villain thrust into modern society. By using cliffhangers at the end of every episode, the series secures a dedicated audience in the overcrowded streaming market.

This seamless blend of genres anchored the show's global success, combining romance, comedy, suspense and satire to maximize its broad appeal. By balancing these elements, the series captivated international viewers, maintaining narrative tension without becoming overly heavy or superficial.

Lim Ji-yeon poses during a press conference for the SBS romantic comedy series "My Royal Nemesis" at the network's headquarters in Seoul, May 7. Yonhap

Actor Lim Ji-yeon anchors the show’s success. Shedding the dark, chilling persona she established in “The Glory” and “Lies Hidden in My Garden,” Lim delivers a commanding, uninhibited performance. Her archaic dialect, vivid facial expressions and sharp comic timing drew widespread attention.

These elements quickly went viral online, generating countless short-form videos that generate buzz among younger audiences who increasingly consume media through bite-sized clips.

The directorial execution further prevents viewer fatigue. While some recent dramas have sacrificed narrative momentum for visual aesthetics, “My Royal Nemesis” utilizes rapid scene transitions, energetic music and fast-paced dialogue. This approach sustains both cheerfulness and suspense.

The strategy has yielded noteworthy results, making “My Royal Nemesis” the first SBS weekend drama to top Netflix in its debut week. It now faces the challenge of sustaining this global momentum through its finale.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.