With movie studios at a standstill, and people under quarantine desperate for content to watch, Netflix has unsurprisingly experienced a huge surge in viewership during the coronavirus pandemic.
In response to the lockdowns, three million new subscribers have signed up for Netflix in Latin America, as have 3.6 million in Asia, while in South-East Asia alone the use of the website has increased by 115 per cent.
But this is not just a lucky break. Sure, the current global crisis might have accelerated Netflix's international appeal and expansion, but over the past few years they have made a conscious effort to create more diverse and eclectic content from all different corners of the planet.
Back in March, Netflix released Queen Sono, the first of several expected original series aimed at the African market, which was shot entirely on the continent and comprised of a cast and crew from there, too.
Netflix has been just as busy in Asia, where the company now has offices in Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore. Its employees there have been tasked with tapping into the region's 600 million population. Unsurprisingly, their main aim has been younger viewers, as they are increasingly tech savvy, constantly hooked to their phones, love video content, and present a golden opportunity to grow Netflix's international audience.
Doing so has not been easy. Netflix has had to make a concentrated effort to break through the numerous languages and cultural differences that divide most of the continent's countries. One of the ways that Netflix has ensured their original shows have a universal appeal is by combining Western cinematic and storytelling influences with a South-East Asian authenticity.
Take a look at the three original Netflix shows from South-East Asia that are being released in the space of 24 hours, between Wednesday and Thursday this week.
South Korea's Extracurricular, which revolves around a student committing a series of crimes in order to fund his college tuition fees, combines a plot that is akin to Breaking Bad with the nihilism of Sex Education.
At the same time, Extracurricular is also able to explore social themes that have long blighted South Korea, like the wealth gap, male and female insecurities, as well as the youth's reliance on technology, especially when it comes to how much it can infiltrate and dominate their lives. Proving that Netflix clearly does not have a problem biting the hand that feeds it.
Taiwanese crime drama The Victim's Game is much more procedural in the mould of The Stranger, Cracker and Broadchurch, as it revolves around an unlikely pair of investigators hunting down a serial killer. That does not make it any less gruesome, though, as the murderer has a penchant for burning bodies, which allows the filmmakers to fully embrace the creative freedom given to them by Netflix.
Then there is Japan's The Forest Of Love: Deep Cut, which is actually an extended version of last years' popular crime film of the same name that has been broken down into several episodes. Something that Netflix had great success with when they turned Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight into a four-part series back in May.
Most of East Asia being in self-isolation is not the only reason why Netflix will be feeling relatively pleased with the timing of these releases. They will be hoping these shows can tap into Parasite's unprecedented international success over the past few months. The deliciously dark comedy thriller became the first South Korean film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival last year, which it then followed up by winning four Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Like Parasite, Extracurricular, The Victim's Game, and The Forest Of Love: Deep Cut all dive into the crime, thriller and mystery genres, with increasingly shocking results. This should only help to pique the interest of those that were wowed by Bong Joon-ho's film, which as well as winning all of those awards grossed $266 million worldwide to become the highest grossing South Korean film.
The numbers prove that Netflix clearly believes this region is a hot-bed of creative talent, because ever since their launch back in 2016, they have firmly backed the filmmakers in South-East Asia.
Netflix has invested in more than 180 original films and shows, worked with about 8,000 producers, filmmakers, cast and crew, while also filmed in 19 cities in only South Korea, as well as 12 other major metropolises in Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan, too.
Rather incredibly, because of South Korea's impressive response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Netflix are still able to film in the country at the moment, as well as in Iceland. Again, this puts them in a much superior position to their Hollywood rivals, who will have to wait for the American government to get the coronavirus under control before they can start filming again.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD
The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns
Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev
Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy
United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
Singles match
Triple H v John Cena
To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
MAIN CARD
Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Jawan
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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