Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix Chart

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As of September 9, 2026, Netflix's mystery thriller 'Deuljwi,' starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu, has climbed to No. 1 on the platform's global non-English TV chart just two weeks after its release. Inspired by Korean folklore, the series has landed in the top 10 in 45 countries and counting.

4.4 million viewsGlobal non-English viewership in week two

45 countriesCountries where it hit the global top 10 simultaneously

Key points

'Deuljwi' premiered globally on Netflix on August 28.
It debuted at No. 5 on the non-English TV chart before jumping to No. 1 in its second week.
The story follows a novelist stripped of his name and face by a mysterious entity, a debt collector chasing his money, and a detective digging into the case.
Ryu Jun-yeol takes on dual roles for the first time in his career.

'Deuljwi' — adapted from the webtoon of the same name — draws on an old Korean folktale about a rat that eats a person's fingernail clippings and transforms into that person. Building on creator Ludovico's original story, the series follows a reclusive novelist whose entire identity has been stolen by an unidentified being, a loan shark desperate to recover his lost money, and a detective chasing leads — three people with different agendas whose paths collide.

The series is directed by a filmmaker known for genre work, and marks the first time Ryu Jun-yeol has played two characters in the same project across his entire filmography. Sul Kyung-gu and Lee Kyu-hyung round out the cast as characters with their own hidden pasts, and critics say their performances help ratchet up the tension.

The show opened at No. 5, but word of mouth pushed it to the top spot within just a week. By Netflix's viewership-hours metric, it posted the highest numbers of any non-English title on the platform, and it simultaneously broke into the top 10 in multiple regions, including Korea — a sign the story is resonating well beyond its home market.

International outlets have also taken note of how the show handles its unusual premise, with reviews across several countries praising its deliberately tense cinematography and pacing. Viewers have responded to the way each episode reveals a new piece of the puzzle, along with the show's distinctive score.

In Korea right nowIn Korea, the win is being celebrated as part of a bigger trend — webtoon adaptations keep landing near the top of Netflix's charts. With other Korean-led series also cracking the global top 10 around the same time, many see 'Deuljwi's' success less as a one-off hit and more proof of Korean dramas' staying power worldwide.

FAQ

Where can I watch 'Deuljwi'?

It's streaming worldwide on Netflix.

Is it based on a webtoon?

Yes, it's adapted from the webtoon of the same name by creator Ludovico.

What's the story about?

It's a mystery thriller centered on a man who loses his identity to an unknown entity, following a novelist, a loan shark, and a detective as they each chase the truth for their own reasons.