According to global OTT content ranking site FlixPatrol on the 4th, Gangnam B-Side ranked No. 1 in four countries: South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Additionally, it made it into the top 10 in a total of six countries, including Greece and Malta. This is seen as another testament to the global prominence of K-content.
Upon hearing the news, viewers reacted enthusiastically on portal site Open Talk, commenting, "The global rating is also top-notch," "It deserves to be No. 1," and "No. 1 worldwide ㄷㄷㄷ." Gangnam B-Side is a crime drama about the pursuit to find Jeahi (played by Kim Hyeong-seo), a club ace who went missing in Gangnam, involving a detective, a prosecutor, and a mysterious broker. The show stands out with its tense plot, as the hidden events and desires of people behind the glamorous Gangnam world intersect. In particular, the latter half of the drama received praise for its deep message and well-crafted story.
The reactions from netizens were also enthusiastic when the series was released. Comments on Disney+’s official channel included, "As expected, there’s nothing bad on Disney+ ㄷㄷ," "The acting is incredible," "A masterpiece," "I hope season 2 comes out," "The direction is so engaging," "How can something this fun be only 8 episodes...," and "There’s not a single weak performance, so it’s so easy to watch."
Directed by Park Nu-ri, who gained attention for winning the Best New Director Award at the 40th Golden Cinematography Awards for the film Money, the series captivated viewers with its fast-paced direction and immersive story. The strong performances from actors Cho Woo-jin, Ji Chang-wook, Ha Yoon-kyung, and Kim Hyeong-seo also significantly contributed to the series' success. Cho Woo-jin anchored the show with his heavy charisma, while Ji Chang-wook earned praise for his intense action and subtle emotional performance.
The series has consistently gained popularity since its release, attracting global viewers and continuing to see a steady increase in new viewers even after the finale. Additionally, loyal fans continue to rewatch the series, indicating its potential for long-term success.
All episodes of Gangnam B-Side are available for streaming on Disney+.
