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Innovation of the Day: Ready, set, learn Korean: Duolingo and Netflix prep fans for 'Squid Game' Season Two

Detailed Findings:

  • Duolingo and Netflix partnered to promote Squid Game Season Two, premiering December 26, 2024.

  • Duolingo added over 40 Squid Game-related phrases to its Korean course.

  • A TikTok filter based on the "Red Light, Green Light" game was created.

  • Duolingo released a Squid Game-inspired music video, "Korean or Get Eaten," to encourage daily lessons.

  • Squid Game Season One was Netflix's most successful original series launch, with over 330 million viewers and 2.8 billion hours watched globally.

  • The show's success sparked a global interest in Korean culture, including food and games.

  • Duolingo saw a 40% increase in Korean learners after Squid Game's 2021 debut.

  • The partnership allows Duolingo to actively participate in the cultural moment surrounding the show.

Key Takeaway:

Duolingo's partnership with Netflix for Squid Game Season Two leverages the show's popularity to drive user engagement and capitalize on the global interest in Korean culture.

Trends (with Sub-Trends):

  • Cross-Promotional Partnerships:

    • Brands collaborating to leverage each other's audiences.

    • Combining entertainment and education.

  • Influence of Korean Culture (Hallyu):

    • Global interest in Korean entertainment, language, and culture.

  • Gamification of Learning:

    • Using games and interactive content to engage learners.

  • Social Media Marketing:

    • Utilizing TikTok and other platforms for viral marketing campaigns.

What is Consumer Motivation:

  • Interest in Squid Game and Korean culture.

  • Desire to learn the Korean language.

  • Enjoyment of gamified learning experiences.

What is Driving the Trend:

  • The global popularity of Korean entertainment (Hallyu).

  • The success of Squid Game.

  • The increasing use of social media for marketing and engagement.

Motivation Beyond the Trend (Deeper Needs):

  • Desire for cultural exploration and understanding.

  • Seeking new and engaging learning experiences.

  • Connecting with global trends and communities.

People the Article is Referring To:

  • Fans of Squid Game.

  • Language learners, particularly those interested in Korean.

  • Netflix and Duolingo users.

  • Marketing professionals.

Description of Consumers, Products, or Services:

  • Consumers: Individuals interested in Korean culture, language learning, and entertainment.

  • Products: Duolingo's language learning app, Netflix's streaming service, Squid Game series.

  • Services: Language education, entertainment streaming.

Age of Consumers:

  • The target audience likely skews younger, given the popularity of Squid Game and TikTok, but also includes anyone interested in learning Korean.

Conclusions:

  • Cross-promotional partnerships can be highly effective marketing strategies.

  • Leveraging cultural moments can drive significant brand engagement.

Implications for Brands:

  • Consider partnerships with complementary brands to reach new audiences.

  • Capitalize on cultural trends and moments relevant to their target market.

Implications for Society:

  • Increased cultural exchange and understanding.

  • Potential for greater interest in language learning.

Implications for Consumers:

  • More engaging and accessible language learning resources.

  • Deeper engagement with their favorite entertainment content.

Implication for Future:

  • Continued growth of cross-promotional partnerships.

  • Further integration of entertainment and education.

Consumer Trend: Experiential Learning through Entertainment

Consumer Sub-Trends: Gamified Language Learning, Cultural Immersion through Media, Cross-Platform Engagement

Big Social Trend: The Global Spread of Hallyu (Korean Wave)

Local Trend: Focus on Korean language learning.

Worldwide Social Trend: Increasing interconnectedness of global culture through entertainment and technology.

Name of the Big Trend Implied by Article: The Entertainment-Driven Education Trend

Name of Big Social Trend Implied by Article: The Globalization of Culture through Media

Social Drive: The desire for engaging learning experiences and cultural exploration.

Learnings for Companies to Use in 2025:

  • Partnerships that combine entertainment and education can be very effective.

  • Capitalizing on cultural trends can drive significant user engagement.

Strategy Recommendations for Companies to Follow in 2025:

  • Identify relevant cultural moments and trends that align with their brand.

  • Develop creative partnerships that offer engaging and valuable experiences to their target audience.

Final Sentence (Key Concept): Duolingo's partnership with Netflix for Squid Game Season Two exemplifies the growing trend of experiential learning through entertainment, leveraging the global popularity of Korean culture to drive user engagement and promote language learning.

What Brands & Companies Should Do in 2025 and How:

  • Identify synergistic partnerships: Seek out brands or content creators whose audience overlaps with their own and whose values align.

  • Develop integrated campaigns: Create campaigns that seamlessly integrate the two brands or products, offering a cohesive and engaging experience for the target audience.

  • Leverage social media: Utilize social media platforms to promote the partnership and engage with users through interactive content, such as filters, challenges, and contests.

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