The historical rom-com series ‘My Royal Nemesis,’ starring Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun as the star-crossed enemies-to-lovers, debuted at the top of Netflix’s non-English TV list with 3.9 million views, the streamer revealed, and also drew attention in MENA.

MENA viewership

Released on May 8, the 14-episode show landed in the top 10 in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE, as well as in 36 other countries, during the May 4-10, 2026, viewing period. It was the No. 1 show in Bolivia, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

It also logged 9.3 million hours viewed.

Blending palace intrigue, time travel, and modern romance, ‘My Royal Nemesis’ follows an ill-fated Joseon-era royal mistress reborn 300 years in the future, where her chaotic encounters with a hot-tempered CEO evolve into an unlikely love story.

Han Tae-sub (‘Cheer Up’) directed the series, with Kang Hyun-joo (‘Lost in Starlight’) as writer.

K-shows chart

Korean shows were also featured on Netflix’s non-English TV list. Young adult horror series ‘If Wishes Could Kill’ slipped one spot to No. 2 with 3.6 million views, charting in the top 10 across 43 countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and ranking No. 1 in five countries during the viewing week.

Rom-com ‘Sold Out on You’ held third place on the non-English TV chart with 3.1 million views, charting in the top 10 across Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, plus 31 other countries.

Samar Khouri the founder and editor-in-chief of Yalla KPOP!