Netflix has raised its usage fee up to 2,500 won per month in Korea. It is said to be the first impression after entering Korea, but the point of view is strange. This is because Netflix’s earnings improved and its stock price rose due to the global popularity of ‘Squid Game’.
Correspondent Seo Young-ji.
[기자]
Netflix announced today that it will raise the subscription fee starting with new subscribers.
Existing subscribers will be charged the increased subscription fee from the next payment date.
The standard plan, which can be used by two people, has been raised from 12,000 won to 13,500 won per month, and the premium for four people has increased from 14,500 won to 17,000 won per month.
The prices have increased by 12.5% and 17.2%, respectively.
There are 3.3 million Netflix subscribers in Korea, but the actual number of users is much higher because up to four people can use it.
Netflix explained that it is the first impression after 5 years and 10 months after entering Korea, and that it is being uploaded in other countries as well.
Consumers have different views.
[정윤설/전남 목포시 옥암동 : 넷플릭스의 오리지널 콘텐츠가 있으니까 가격이 올라도 그거 때문에 계속 보게 될 거 같아요.]
[정아름/경기 김포시 장기동 : 지금은 안 보고 있어요. 계속 보다 보니까 아무래도 콘텐츠의 한계도 있는 것 같고 가격을 인상한다고 하는데 아무래도 사람들한테 좀 부담스럽지 않을까요?]
Some analysts say that Netflix’s increase is not conscious of the lawsuit it is fighting with domestic Internet network companies over ‘network fee’.
SK Broadband sued Netflix for ‘free riding’ without paying internet network fees, but Netflix lost in the first trial.
[김주호/참여연대 사회경제1팀장 : 망 이용료 문제라든가 사회적 책임을 다하고 있는지 보면 아쉬운 부분이 있는데 소비자 입장에서 요금까지 올린다고 하면 분통 터질 수밖에 없는 상황이죠.]
Netflix said, “We have raised the subscription fee so that we can raise the level of quantity and quality of works and continue to produce and invest in excellent Korean content such as ‘Squid Game’.”
(Video design: Lee Chang-hwan / Intern reporter: Jeong Yun-ji)
