‘Squid Game' ends with a bang: Season 3 shatters Netflix records with 60 million views despite mixed reviews, entire franchise storms Top 10
The third and final season of the Korean original show claimed the top spot of Netflix's non-English chart, drawing a staggering 60 million views during the June 23 to 29 period.
The season's viewership was nearly 10 times that of its closest competitor, the Spanish series Olympo.
The latest season's immense popularity also sparked renewed interest in the entire saga. Season 2 and Season 1 entered the chart at No. 3 and No. 6, respectively.
The phenomenon wasn't limited to non-English shows. Squid Game Season 3's viewership single-handedly surpassed the 34.5 million combined total of all top 10 English-language series. It towered over the leading English show, The Waterfront, which captured 11.6 million views.
The final six episodes, released last Friday, brought the global acclaimed story of Gi-hun and the deadly competition to its dramatic conclusion. — Bernama-Yonhap
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Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
First look: Pudu's Roast & Grill Master 鼎味轩 serves up Guangdong-style Tangerine Peel Roast Goose and superb barbecued meats
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — In the past year or so, there's been an uptick of places offering roast goose, converting a rare find into a common item. Opened last week, Roast & Grill Master enters the feather-strewn boxing ring with their Tangerine Peel Roast Goose, a contender that may take down the rest with its Guangdong roots and its knockout usage of famed Xinhui dried tangerine peel or chen pi. It's not a one-hit wonder place as its line-up includes exceptional barbecued meats, like the supremely juicy Charcoal Roast Chicken, sticky tender BBQ Pork and Crispy Roasted Pork Belly with a twist. All the barbecued meats are executed by a chef from Guangdong who also operates a string of restaurants there, flown in specially to impart his know-how to others here. In the high stakes game of winning over diners, their strategy seems to be calculated to offer something to suit different palates. As the restaurant is still in its soft opening stage, patience is required as some hiccups may be experienced, like running out of popular items, as word is slowly getting around about its food. Our benchmark for roast goose tends to be tuned towards the Hong Kong style where they pride themselves for shatteringly crispy, deep mahogany coloured skin but this Guangdong style Tangerine Peel Roast Goose goes beyond crispy skin as the meat is juicy and tender, as seen in their Half Roast Goose (RM198) to a single portion of Roast Goose Rice (RM26), which uses a 90-day-old bird. As the chen pi is in the marinade stuffed inside the cavity, this diminishes the gaminess in the meat. The subtle flavour of chen pi is also found in the rendered goose oil mingling with the juices from the roasting process, which is used as a sauce to keep the bird moist and also as a dip. Lastly, thin slices of chen pi top the roast goose, giving you a stronger pop of the sweetness and aged flavour, as you nibble on it. Solo diners will be happy to hear the Roast Goose Rice doesn't just come with random cuts but they do try to fulfil your preferred cut except for the coveted drumstick that can be ordered separately with rice for RM51. Served in a large bowl topped with a generous mound of rice, the same juices from roasting are drizzled over to infuse each fluffy grain with the subtle fragrance of chen pi and the goose, driving you to finish every grain at the peril of your low carbohydrate diet. On the menu, other choices include the Whole Roast Goose for RM380, Lower Roast Goose for RM118, and Upper Roast Goose for RM95. One tends to ignore chicken when you have a goose in the house but in this case, their Charcoal Roast Chicken was supreme perfection with its juicy, smooth flesh and golden skin, making it finger licking good to borrow a tired but completely appropriate phrase. The whole bird is roasted upright on a pole with a bowl underneath to capture the all-important pure liquid gold packed with the chicken fat. , A thick chilli sauce is offered to pair with the chicken, unleashing its spiciness on the tongue with a hint of tanginess that can be rather addictive. Out of all their barbecued meats, the BBQ Pork (Char Siew) is one that resonates with us as the sticky charred crust and tender fatty and lean meat inside, is similar to what we usually have in local stalls. The BBQ Pork is priced at RM48 for a whole portion while the half portion is RM22. Crispy Roasted Pork Belly (Whole portion is RM48, half portion is RM22) is sliced thinner and comes with a light, fine crunchy crackling that is paired with a one-of-the-kind orange coloured seasoning. Apparently it's the chef's secret recipe but what we can spy is crunchy sesame seeds and that fragrant scent tickling the nose could be dried tangerine peel combined with five spice powder. Whether we got the flavours correct or not, the orange seasoning definitely brightens your typical roast pork belly. Variety is offered with their Pork Trotter Noodles (RM16), a hefty bowl heaped with thin, crunchy egg noodles and large pieces of succulent well cooked trotters with meat that slides off the bones easily. Even the Shrimp Wonton Soup (six pieces for RM10) are plump bites filled with prawn and minced fatty pork laced with dried flounder fish powder, paired with a rich broth. The theme of dried aged tangerine peel also extends to dessert with a more subtle Tangerine Red Bean Soup (RM8) and their Tangerine Pu-Er (RM2). Roast & Grill Master 鼎味轩, 38, Lorong Yap Hing, Pudu, Kuala Lumpur. Open daily: 8am to 5pm. Days off not fixed. Tel: 016-3021684/03-92260840. * This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. * Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
What are PK battles? The viral trend taking over TikTok and worrying Malaysian parents (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — What began as a viral online trend has now sparked concern across Malaysia, as TikTok's Player Knockout (PK) Battles are drawing children and teenagers into addictive behaviours, including spending large sums of money and skipping school just to participate or watch. PK Battles — real-time, head-to-head competitions between streamers — have taken off in the country, with local influencers and even religious figures joining the craze but as reports of addiction and overspending among youth mount, parents, teachers, and even government officials are sounding the alarm. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recently announced it would be meeting with TikTok's management to address the growing backlash. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the ministry is investigating complaints, particularly those involving children making in-app purchases to send digital gifts during these live battles. What are PK Battles? PK Battles are a format where two streamers face off in real-time, with viewers determining the winner by sending virtual 'gifts,' which have real monetary value. Once both streamers agree to a PK, their live streams are merged, allowing audiences from both sides to tune in simultaneously. The 'battle' could involve singing, dancing, mimicking expressions, doing push-ups, or just chatting. The loser, often chosen based on who gets fewer gifts, must perform a lighthearted punishment. Origin of PK Battles The term 'PK' originated in gaming culture, short for 'Player Kill,' used in MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, Guild Wars, Lineage. Star Wars, Ultima Online and more where players could engage in PvP (player versus player) combat. PK battles in livestreaming were first popularized on Chinese platforms such as Inke, which integrated viewer gifting and audience engagement tools. The format quickly caught on across other platforms including and eventually TikTok and Douyin, where it has become one of the most popular and lucrative trends. Record breaking PK Battles Globally, PK battles have pulled in astonishing figures. One of the most high-profile matches involved Japanese streamer Mugen Siba (@mugen_siba) and Nunu (@nunu.d10). Despite having fewer followers, Mugen earned 324 million coins, equivalent to about US$4.2 million, in just one battle. Watch the match: Another major battle saw Anuoki defeating Nunu with 243 million coins (around US$3.16 million). Watch it here: Keeping the trend fresh To stay engaging, platforms are innovating their PK formats. Chinese app MOMO introduced 'Emoji PK,' where emojis drop across the screen and streamers must quickly match the expressions. Points are earned for accuracy, and fans can boost scores through gifts. Streaming platform YY even used PK battles as part of its talent competition rounds, turning them into high-stakes elimination matches. In Malaysia, the PK trend has gone mainstream. At the 2024 KamiSempoi Golden Award ceremony, local streamers Adelyn Heng, isseymiyakesg, and Madam Yaya engaged in a live PK battle on stage. Watch the event: @f8buzz Siap PK Battle secara langsung atas pentas! Lebih 1 Juta poin dalam masa 5 minit KamiSempoi Golden Award 2024 berlangsung bagi menghargai hos TikTok Live dan rakan niaga agensi TikTok Live tersohor, KamiSempoi. Lebih 20 anugerah dipertaruhkan buat 3000 TikToker yang bernaung di bawah KamiSempoi. Antara yang bakal hadir adalah Riezman Khuzaimi merangkap duta KamiSempoi, penyanyi, Bulan Asyraf, Nita Hamzah, pelakon, Nadia Mustafa, Mustaqim Bahadon dan Syafiq Putra. #f8buzzliveupdate #kamisempoi #kamisempoigoldenaward2024 #ksia #tiktolive #tiktok #pk #pkbattle @Pᴀᴋᴄɪᴋ CʜɪɴSᴡᴇᴇ光頭爺爺 @KAMISEMPOI AGENCY @adelynheng Eye of the Tiger - Survivor Even well-known preacher Ebit Lew joined in, participating in a four-way battle that drew thousands of viewers. Watch here: While PK battles may seem harmless, there are serious risks. In 2023, a Chinese social media influencer met a tragic fate after streaming a PK battle on Chinese social media giant Douyin. On May 16, Sanqiange or Wang participated in the challenge against another influencer. He lost and the punishment was to consume baijiu, a strong Chinese alcoholic drink. A regular bottle of baijiu typically contains alcohol content ranging from 30-60 per cent. Wang had apparently consumed a minimum of four bottles of baijiu and tragically the punishment ultimately led to his death almost 12 hours later. In Malaysia, the danger lies in addiction. Teachers have reported students skipping school to watch or join PK battles. Parents are finding unexplained charges on their bank accounts linked to digital gifts purchased by their children as well as thefts. Not only that, the various types of punishment meted out to the losers have been revolting. Punishments include walking naked, streaming yourself live when you're showering, rubbing flour or cow dung on your face and other disgusting actions have been reported on the platform all of which go against the company's regulations. Some have even accused the trend as a means of washing dirty money. Pertubuhan Damai Revolusi Masyarakat president L. Francis said the MCMC and police should take action describing PK Battle as a harmful form of online gambling. He said it was a waste of time and could trigger social issues, including extortion, bullying, sexual exploitation and that some of the donations in the RM3,000 to RM10,000 range seems like a means of cleaning dirty money. The trend is raising serious questions about online regulation, parental controls, and platform accountability.
The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
Hit webtoon 'S Line' turned into drama series, exploring world with visible sexual connections, make its way to Malaysia's Tonton channel
'S Line', a Korean series that is currently creating a phenomenon and is being talked about across Asia and breaking new ground in South-East Asia, can now be watched exclusively on Tonton starting 11 July 2025. Imagine if your past could be known – not through stories or rumours, but through a red thread that seemed to float above your head. Sounds strange ... Crazy... Scary... But this is the shocking truth in the latest Korean drama, 'S Line', which is now airing exclusively and first, simultaneously with Korea, in Malaysia. A crimson thread appears above the heads of those who have had a sexual relationship. When one of the connected individuals dies, the thread vanishes. This is the eerie premise behind 'S Line,' a webtoon by author Kkomabi, who also penned the original story behind the Netflix original series 'A Killer Paradox' (2024). In this world, the most private of secrets — who has slept with whom — are laid bare. Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in Yongsan, Seoul, director Ahn Joo-young addressed creative liberties taken with the adaptation. Ahn credited music as a central element of the show's atmosphere. 'The music director tailored the score to suit the fantasy-infused thriller tone and added variations to each episode's soundtrack to complete it,' she said. 'I hope viewers stay engaged until the end, focusing on how far the characters can change within the drama,' she added. 'It might be even more enjoyable if you imagine what it would be like if S Lines were visible in real life.' Hyun-heup, played by Arin, a high school student, has seen the threads since birth. Others gain the ability through special glasses. Most people, however, remain unaware of the threads. Kkomabi said that the series version expands the universe of the original story with new episodes and characters. 'It was fascinating to experience the drama's unique charm,' they added. The series opens with Hyun-heup's narration: 'There are things in life that don't need to be seen — no, things that mustn't be seen. I have seen these lines since I was born.' Believing that her ability caused a tragedy in her family, Hyun-heup isolates herself. One day, she witnesses a murder in her neighborhood. Suspecting a connection to the mysterious lines, she leaves the house. She then encounters glasses that allow the wearer to see the threads, just like she does. The story grows increasingly complex as she becomes involved with Detective Han Ji-wook, played by Lee Soo-hyuk, who is investigating the murder, and a mysterious teacher Lee Gyu-jin, played by Lee Da-hee, who has no threads at all. Recently, Lee was also Malaysia and had a special meet-and-greet session with Malaysian fans in Kuala Lumpur. The event drew thousands of fans at the famous shopping mall in centre of the city. Lee, during the meet and greet session, himself, said that the series promises to be a groundbreaking event by itself. The series also had its world premiere at the Grand Lumiere Theater during the 8th Cannes International Series Festival in May, where it was invited to compete in the long-form series category. 'S Line' also took home the Best Music award in its category — the first time a Korean production has earned that distinction at Canneseries. The score was directed by composer Lee Jun-oh, known for his work on films 'The Terror, Live' (2013) and 'Little Forest' (2018) and the Tving period drama series 'Queen Woo' (2024). Arin, a member of girl group Oh My Girl and an actress who has built her filmography through series like 'Girl's World' (2020) and 'Alchemy of Souls' (2022), takes on a dramatically different role in 'S Line.' 'When I first met Arin, I saw a determination in her to throw herself into the character, even into fire if necessary,' said director Ahn. 'I felt like we could do anything together.' Director Ahn, known for her 2018 indie feature 'A Boy and Sungreen,' which portrayed youth in a non-stereotypical way, makes her fantasy-thriller debut with 'S Line.' 'It feels surreal to win an award with a music director I've worked with since my short film days,' she said at the press event. 'Each episode has a slightly different concept, so we tailored the tone with variations in instrumentation.' 'I love the original, but I couldn't include every episode,' Ahn said. 'At its core, 'S Line' is about people. I tried to show how individuals change through the existence of the line.' Meanwhile, Arin said she is just grateful to be involved in such a prestigious and amazing venture. 'I thought, if not this work, when would I get to attempt something like this?' said Arin. 'I really tried to show a different side of myself. I'm so glad the feedback has been wonderful.' For more insight of the incredible drama, fans now can catch the show in Tonton. The series consists of six episodes, with the first two was shown on Tonton July 11 and then another two on July 18 and the exciting conclusion this Friday (July 25). Info media for the series were from the Official Media Kit, Korea JoongAng Daily and The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
