Netflix's 'The Boy in the Back Row' Lands in Top 10 Across 32 Countries

Netflix's new Korean thriller The Boy in the Back Row is off to a strong global start. The series, produced by Kakao Entertainment, entered Netflix's Top 10 in 32 countries within days of its release.

According to FlixPatrol data dated June 29, the show charted in markets including South Korea, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines and Hong Kong.

"The Boy in the Back Row" premiered on June 26 and has drawn positive reviews at home and abroad. Leisure Byte described it as "a drama full of psychological games and quiet tension," praising the chemistry between Choi Min-sik and Choi Hyun-wook and noting that "the restrained visuals effectively carry the story's unease." The South China Morning Post highlighted the show's "fresh storytelling approach."

Viewer reactions on social media and online forums echoed the praise. Comments pointed to the "restrained and careful direction and music," a deep ensemble in which "nearly every character feels grounded and convincing," and a script that "leaves things deliberately ambiguous in a way that captures the heart of the drama."

The series is a suspense drama about Heo Mun-oh (Choi Min-sik), a failed novelist and Korean literature professor who discovers the genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), a quiet student sitting in the back row of his classroom. Heo's growing obsession with the boy's writing sets the story in motion.

The two leads anchor the show. Choi Min-sik plays Heo as a man worn down by failure, slowly unraveling as his fixation deepens. Choi Hyun-wook matches him with a controlled performance that hints at what Lee Kang is hiding without giving it away, sharpening the tension scene by scene.

The actors spoke about each other warmly at the show's press conference. "No one but Choi Hyun-wook came to mind for the role of Lee Kang," Choi Min-sik said. Choi Hyun-wook replied that his co-star's "tiger-like energy was overwhelming."

The supporting cast, including Heo Joon-ho, Kim Yun-jin and Jin Kyung, rounds out the ensemble. Director Kim Kyu-tae, known for "Our Blues" and "It's Okay, That's Love," builds the emotional and psychological weight episode by episode, closing each one on a strong note.

"The Boy in the Back Row" is now streaming on Netflix.