Viki Celebrates K-Drama Day with Hollywood Talent

Viki marks its third annual K-Drama Day with a star-studded advertising campaign featuring Hollywood actors Will Poulter, Victoria Justice, and Alicia Hannah-Kim. The initiative aims to further globalize K-dramas, offering fans curated watchlists, free shows, and prizes.

San Francisco, September 26, 2025

The global wave of Hallyu, often known as the Korean Wave, has reached a new high. For more on its history, check out this Wikipedia page.

It is finding an unexpected, yet utterly fitting, voice in Hollywood, where the growing appeal of Asian entertainment is noted.

Rakuten Viki, a leading service in Asian entertainment streaming, has launched its first-ever K-Drama Day advertising campaign. Learn more about Rakuten Viki here.

The campaign features an unlikely but charismatic trio.

This includes Will Poulter, known for “The Bear” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” alongside Victoria Justice of “Zoey 101” fame, and Alicia Hannah-Kim from “Cobra Kai.” For more on the impact on K-dramas globally, refer to this article.

This is more than just another ad campaign.

It is a strategic declaration and a vibrant celebration marking the third annual K-Drama Day. Information on the celebration can be found here.

For years, K-dramas have been captivating audiences worldwide.

Their intricate plots, compelling characters, and high production values have created a loyal and passionate fandom.

Now, with mainstream Western celebrities openly declaring their love for the genre, Viki is amplifying this cultural phenomenon.

The campaign debuted across CTV and digital platforms today and runs through September 30.

Poulter and Hannah-Kim act as seasoned K-drama guides, introducing Justice to titles like “Lovely Runner,” “Study Group,” “Train to Busan,” “The First Night with the Duke,” and “Reborn Rich.”

Will Poulter’s enthusiasm is clear, reflecting a sentiment shared by millions.

He remarked, “It’s awesome to join Viki on this year’s K-Drama Day, celebrating as part of a global community of fans the incredible creative and technical work that has come to define K-dramas.”

His words highlight a crucial aspect of K-drama’s appeal.

It is not merely passive viewing but an active participation in a shared global experience, a testament to the genre’s ability to forge connections across continents.

Victoria Justice echoes this sentiment, confessing, “Like so many, I’ve fallen in love with the magic of K-dramas.”

She added, “I’m so ready to celebrate that passion with the community as part of this year’s K-Drama Day.”

Their genuine appreciation, rather than a transactional endorsement, speaks volumes about the pervasive charm of Korean storytelling.

The involvement of such prominent Western actors signals a definitive shift.

K-dramas are no longer a niche fascination but a cultural juggernaut, transcending linguistic barriers and traditional entertainment silos.

Viki’s decision to invest in a high-profile, celebrity-led campaign for K-Drama Day, now in its third year, signifies a strategic recognition of this mainstreaming.

It is a move designed not just to appeal to existing fans, but to beckon curious newcomers, leveraging familiar faces to bridge cultural gaps.

Beyond the star power, Viki’s K-Drama Day is a veritable feast for fans, old and new.

The celebrating celebrities have each curated personal K-drama Watchlists.

These lists offer a peek into their own viewing habits and recommend acclaimed fan favorites such as “Taxi Driver,” “True Beauty,” “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” and “Reply 1988.”

These curated lists serve as valuable entry points, guiding viewers through the vast and diverse landscape of Korean television.

The festivities extend far beyond recommendations.

Over the next five days, Viki is making ten fan-favorite shows available for free in select regions for a limited time.

This lineup includes the critically acclaimed “Reborn Rich” starring Song Joong-ki.

It also features the romantic fantasy “Lovely Runner” with Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, and the rom-com “My Dearest Nemesis” featuring Mun Ka Young and Choi Hyun Wook.

Such offerings are a shrewd move, giving potential new fans a taste of the quality and variety that K-dramas offer without immediate subscription barriers.

But the generosity does not stop there.

K-drama aficionados also stand a chance to win an array of enticing prizes.

These range from WEBTOON coins and Google TV Streamer devices to Kobo Clara eReaders, exclusive signed K-drama talent polaroid photos, and Viki boba keychains.

The grand prize of a free one-year Viki Pass Plus subscription is a testament to Viki’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, engaged community.

Karen Paek, vice president of marketing at Rakuten Viki, articulates the company’s vision clearly.

She states, “Over the past two years, the excitement around K-Drama Day has grown on a global scale.”

Paek added, “This year, we are taking the celebration to a whole new level by collaborating with Will Poulter, Victoria Justice, and Alicia Hannah-Kim, spotlighting the vast fandom of K-dramas.”

Her words highlight Viki’s mission: to not only cater to existing fans but to actively expand the global K-drama family, sharing the joy and depth of Korean storytelling with every corner of the world.

Viki, with its extensive library of dramas, variety shows, movies, and exclusive Originals, reaches over 100 million registered users across 190+ countries and territories. To explore more about its tiered subscription model, visit this link.

Its tiered subscription model, offering both free ad-supported viewing and premium ad-free experiences, ensures accessibility for a broad audience.

This K-Drama Day campaign is a powerful statement about the universal appeal of compelling narratives and the increasing interconnectedness of global entertainment.

It is a celebration that acknowledges K-drama’s journey from a niche interest to a beloved global phenomenon.

It proves that great stories, regardless of origin, will always find their audience.

The world is watching, and Viki, with its starry cast of converts, is making sure everyone gets a front-row seat.