January 19, 2026 – South Korean consumers are now spending more on AI subscription services each month than on Netflix, according to new data from local media outlet Hankyung Aicel. By December 2025, monthly payments for seven major AI platforms—including ChatGPT and Gemini—are projected to hit ₩80.3 billion (57.7million),surpassingNetflix’s2024averagemonthlyrevenueof₩75billion(54 million) in the country. However, this figure includes corporate spending on AI tools, while Netflix’s earnings reflect individual consumer subscriptions only.
Credit card transactions for AI services in South Korea skyrocketed from 52,000 in January 2024 to 1.666 billion by December 2025. Breaking it down, individual users paid an average of ₩34,700 (25)permonth,whilebusinessesshelledout₩107,400(77). ChatGPT dominated the market with 71.5% of total paid subscriptions, followed by Gemini (11.0%) and Claude (10.7%).
Hankyung Aicel CEO Kim Hyung-min noted that the surge reflects South Korea’s booming subscription economy, with generative AI becoming a standard recurring expense for both households and enterprises. The shift comes as Netflix faces pricing disparities globally—its average revenue per user in Asia-Pacific stands at 7,lessthanhalfthe17 generated in North America.
While AI subscriptions now outpace streaming giants locally, experts caution that corporate spending skews comparisons. Nevertheless, the data underscores AI’s rapid integration into daily life, reshaping how South Koreans allocate their digital budgets.
