Netflix series “If Wishes Could Kill” is becoming one of the hottest Korean dramas right now, with strong results both on the streaming platform and in app stores.
The YA horror series ranked No. 1 in Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non English Shows category in its second week. It recorded 7.5 million views, reached No. 1 in 24 countries, and entered the Top 10 in 64 countries, showing its fast growing global popularity.
“If Wishes Could Kill” follows high school students who receive sudden death warnings through a wish granting app. To survive, they must face the curse connected to the app.
The series has gained attention for mixing teen emotions with horror, creating a story that feels both scary and easy to connect with.
Media and viewer reactions have also been strong. Some praised the drama as “once you start, you cannot stop watching,” while others said it shows the rise of a new “K teen horror” genre.
India Today also praised the cast, saying the actors strongly carried the emotional center of the characters and showed the unstable side of youth in a convincing way.
Viewers also shared positive reactions online, saying, “It was so fun that I opened the If Wishes Could Kill app and wished for season 2,” “There are many new faces, but everyone acts so well,” and “A horror masterpiece after a long time.”
The drama’s popularity is now spreading beyond Netflix. The “If Wishes Could Kill” app ranked No. 20 on Korea’s overall popular app chart on Google Play and reached No. 1 in the entertainment category, beating Coupang Play.
It also stayed No. 1 in the entertainment category on Apple’s App Store. Based on the app’s chart movement, its total downloads are estimated to have passed 1 million.
The app was first released in August 2025 and updated in March, but downloads rose sharply after the Netflix drama premiered. In the series, the app is a key part of the story because it grants wishes while placing a curse on users.
Another reason for the drama’s success is its fresh cast and directing. “If Wishes Could Kill” is director Park Yoon Seo’s first main directing project and features newer faces such as Jeon So Young, Kang Mi Na, Baek Sun Ho, Hyun Woo Seok, and Lee Hyo Je. Their raw energy helped make the fear and emotions of the teen characters feel more real.
Instead of relying only on common horror elements, the drama uses school pressure, friendship problems, jealousy, and first love as part of its fear. This mix of realistic teen emotions and death driven tension is one reason the series is connecting with viewers around the world.
Source: [1]
