Global fans are raving about the Netflix series The Art of Sarah, starring Shin Hye Sun, as it climbs the charts worldwide.
In its second week, The Art of Sarah reached No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non English Shows chart and is currently ranked No. 4 overall on FlixPatrol.
The series claimed the top spot in 33 countries including Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines, and appeared in the Top 10 in 65 countries.
In its first week, the show entered the Top 10 in 38 countries with 3.8 million views, and in week two, views surpassed 10 million, showing strong and growing popularity.
IMDb users gave the series a score of 7.3. Even after receiving low ratings from Indonesia due to regional online conflicts, the score remained steady. Viewers praised the series for its fresh approach, commenting, “From acting and directing to editing and production design, every element breaks away from the usual Korean drama formula,” and “The 8 episode format is perfect. It does not drag, yet it stays in your mind for a long time.” Thriller review site Heaven of Horror called it “a series that delivers exactly the fun I crave, with attractive characters, surprising twists, and fast paced storytelling.”
Shin Hye Sun’s performance received particular attention from overseas viewers. She plays multiple identities, including a con artist, a luxury brand executive, and a club hostess. Letterboxd users said, “Shin Hye Sun once again proves she is one of the most reliable Korean actresses working today,” while IMDb reviewers wrote, “Shin Hye Sun is remarkable at playing multiple identities. From a glamorous executive to a hostess, her acting range is impressive.”
Drama review blog Cho Na Writes described the series as “closer to a psychological thriller than a crime mystery. It strongly portrays Sara Kim’s mind, safety, and identity, focusing more on emotional and psychological fear than solving a puzzle.”
The Art of Sarah tells the story of Sara Kim, who wants to become a luxury brand even if it means being fake, and detective Park Moo Kyung, who tracks her ambitions. International media praised the series for its “stylish contrast between the glamorous top 1 percent world and the false awareness hidden behind it” and its “visual direction that cleverly mixes the line between real and fake.” Many overseas fans have compared it to Netflix’s Inventing Anna, which is based on a true scam story.
The show is gaining strong word of mouth online. Users on X commented, “There is almost no scene where you lose interest. I do not want it to end,” and “The story that begins with death deeply explores desire, identity, and the truth we believed in.”
Costume director Jo Sang Kyung, known for Squid Game and Hunt, was also praised for carefully differentiating Sara Kim’s multiple identities through detailed costume design, which drew attention from global fans.
Source (1)
