Southeast Asia is the most competitive streaming market in the world right now. Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Viu, WeTV, and local players are all fighting for 680 million people across Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Pricing wars have pushed subscription prices down. Content investment is going up to compensate.
Korean content is the dominant force across the entire region. In Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, K-dramas pull viewing numbers that local productions can't match. Netflix SEA originals — Thai, Indonesian, Filipino productions — are improving every year. Disney+ has Thai originals that perform well domestically and internationally.
Korean Content Dominating SEA in May 2026
Squid Game
Season 3 confirmed. The global phenomenon that made Korean drama mainstream everywhere. Hwang Dong-hyuk's survival thriller. All seasons on Netflix.
Netflix
Crash Landing on You
The K-drama that broke Southeast Asia in 2020. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. Still the number one comfort rewatch across the region. Netflix.
Netflix
The Glory
Song Hye-kyo's revenge thriller — massive in Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand. Two parts on Netflix. Still being recommended and rewatched across SEA.
Netflix
Vincenzo
Song Joong-ki as an Italian-Korean mafia consigliere. Dark comedy action that SEA audiences devoured. Netflix.
Netflix
Kingdom
Netflix Korea's zombie historical drama. Two seasons plus a film. The production quality introduced Western and SEA viewers to Korean drama's scale.
Netflix
Start-Up
Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, and a Silicon Valley-inspired Korean startup story. Huge in Indonesia and Malaysia. Netflix.
Netflix
My Mister
IU and Lee Sun-kyun's emotionally complex drama. Massive in the Philippines and Vietnam — the K-drama that gets recommended to serious viewers.
Netflix
Moving
Disney+'s superhero spy action series — one of the most ambitious Korean productions ever. SEA audiences responded enormously to its scale and emotional depth.
Disney+
D.P.
Jung Hae-in's military deserter-chaser thriller on Netflix. Short season, massive impact across SEA. Season 2 also available.
Netflix
Bloodhounds
Netflix Korea's loan shark action thriller with Woo Do-hwan. Action sequences that rival Hollywood — popular across Thailand and Indonesia.
NetflixKorean Films in SEA
Parasite
Best Picture winner. Bong Joon-ho's class warfare thriller. The film that made the entire world pay attention to Korean cinema. Netflix.
Netflix
Train to Busan
The zombie film that made Koreans the gold standard for the genre. Destroyed audiences across SEA. Netflix.
Netflix
Godzilla Minus One
Oscar-winning Japanese blockbuster — popular across SEA where the kaiju genre has deep roots. Netflix.
Netflix
Inside Out 2
Pixar's animation sequel on Disney+ — performed strongly across SEA. Emotional core translates across all cultures.
Disney+
Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic on Max. Strong theatrical performance across SEA — now available for home viewing.
MaxLocal platforms in SEA are not disappearing. Indonesia's Vidio, Malaysia's Astro Go, and Thailand's PPTV are holding onto live sports and local news. But for drama and film content, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar are winning. Viu is the dedicated Korean content play — if you want Korean dramas without a Netflix subscription, Viu is the SEA alternative.