Squid Game tops the list of most-viewed non-english Netflix shows (Photo: Daniel Bernard/Unsplash)
Cover Squid Game tops the list of most-viewed non-english Netflix shows (Photo: Daniel Bernard/Unsplash)

These television treasures prove that language is no barrier. Which of these have you seen already?

Parasite director Bong Joon ho once said "Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films," a phrase proven true by this list of binge-worthy Netflix shows.

Read more: Parasite Director Bong Joon Ho Named Jury President of 78th Venice International Film Festival

1. Squid Game

Plot: Squid Game is a South Korean series that revolves around a contest and a far-flung arena where 456 players risk their lives to play deadly children's games in hopes to escape their financial debts in the outside world. Its creator Hwang Dong-hyuk conceived the plot based on his own struggles early in life. 

“I was very financially straitened because my mother retired from the company she was working for. There was a film I was working on but we failed to get finance. So I couldn’t work for about a year. We had to take out loans – my mother, myself and my grandmother," he said in an interview.

Hours viewed: 42,790,000

Weeks in Top 10: 9 weeks

More from Tatler: 'Squid Game’ Is Officially Netflix’s Most Watched Show

2. The King's Affection

Plot: The King's Affection is set amid the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. At this age, twins were considered bad signs; when the Crown Princess Consort gives birth to twins, there was an order to kill the daughter. In high hopes of saving the latter, she is secretly sent out of the palace.

Several years later, the twin son, Lee Hwi loses his life. To hide the death, the mother brings her daughter back to the palace and raises her as the king. 

Hours viewed: 14,120,000

Weeks in Top 10: 4 weeks

Read more: A Fan of Gender-switching Stories? Be Sure to Catch 'The Kings Affection' on Netflix This Oct 11

3. Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Plot: The fun and relaxing show Hometown Cha Cha Cha tells the story of Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), a dentist who loses her job after she righteously corrects the clinic's head doctor of doing patients' dental treatments for extra profit.

She ventures on a journey to the serene seaside village of Gongjin where she meets Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a jack-of-all-trades who is highly regarded in the area. 

Hours viewed: 13,820,000

Weeks in Top 10: 11 weeks

More from Tatler: 7 Things You May Not Know About 'Hometown Cha Cha Cha' Actor, Kim Seon-Ho

4. Carinha Anjo

Plot: The Brazilian children's telenovela Carinha de Anjo lands number four. It tells the story of fove-year-old Dulce Maria who reunites with her father Gustavo Larios, a successful businessman.

The latter is determined to jumpstart his life after the loss of his beloved spouse. He meets Nicole, a woman interested in his wealth. Dulce Maria rejects her father's relationship with Nicole. 

Hours viewed: 13,660,000

Weeks in Top 10: 6 weeks

5. My Name

Plot: Another South Korean title lands on the ranking. At number five is Kim Jin-min's My Name, a story that follows a woman who joins a gang and collaborates with a powerful crime boss to avenge the sudden death of her father.

Hours viewed: 10,820,000

Weeks in Top 10: 5 weeks

6. Where Is Marta?

Plot: Spanish true crime documentary series Where Is Marta? tells the story of Marta del Castillo Casanueva's grueling death. The latter was a Spanish high school student who suddenly disappeared and was presumably murdered on January 24, 2009.

Police reports say her body was never found.

Hours viewed: 8,640,000

Weeks in Top 10: 1 week

See also: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel by Netflix: Elisa Lam's Death Demystified

7. The Five Juanas

Plot: The Five Juanas tells the unusual story of five women who embark on a journey in Cancun. One day, the five of them meet and realise they all have the same name and birthmarks near their lower backs. 

Hours viewed: 8,490,000

Weeks in Top 10: 6 weeks

8. The Club

Plot: Mexican crime telenovela The Club revolves around a group of rich young people who get involved in drug trafficking. The allegations thrown against them have put them into more serious problems. 

Hours viewed: 7,860,000

Weeks in Top 10: 1 week

9. Yo Soy Betty, la Fea

Plot: Betty La Fea is a romantic comedy about 'Ugly Betty' and her handsome boss Armando Mendoza.

Armando is a very incompetent playboy who heads a famous clothing manufacturing company Eco Moda. He hires Betty (an economics wizard) as his secretary. The two discover they have feelings for each other. 

Hours viewed: 7,650,000

Weeks in Top 10: 5 weeks

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10. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc

Plot: A family is being followed by vengeful demons and only two members were able to survive: Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko, who is slowly turning into a demon.The former decides to become a demon slayer to bring justice to his family and cure his sister.

Hours viewed: 6,060,000

Weeks in Top 10: 2 weeks

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