Big Take Weekend Listen: BTS Leads Netflix’s Push for Growth in Asia
15 snips
Mar 29, 2026 
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg managing editor who analyzes global streaming, and Sohee Kim, Bloomberg Asia entertainment reporter with deep K-pop knowledge, discuss BTS’s Seoul comeback and Netflix’s first live concert stream from Asia. They explore how live events can win subscribers, Korea’s outsized content role, regional growth opportunities and the challenges of scaling across diverse Asian markets.
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BTS Concert Was A Subscriber Growth Engine
- Netflix used BTS's Seoul comeback as a targeted growth on-ramp to convert non-Netflix BTS fans into subscribers.
- The live stream drew more than 18 million views and became Netflix's most-watched title that week, proving event-driven sign-ups scale fast.
Sohee's First BTS Press Memory
- Sohee Kim recalled attending BTS's early press moments, noting they seemed young in 2017 when they first won a Billboard award.
- She observed both the band and K-pop matured over the following decade into thoughtful, global acts.
Korea Disproportionately Shapes Global Streaming
- Korea punches above its weight as a content producer that influences Japan, Southeast Asia, and global audiences.
- Netflix's big hits like Squid Game show Korean titles can deliver enormous global value and spin-offs.