In South Korea, people now spend more on AI services than the streaming giant Netflix. According to a recent survey by Korean media Hankyung Aicel, total spending on seven major AI services, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, reached 80.3 billion KRW (about 430 million RMB) in December 2025, surpassing Netflix's average monthly subscription revenue of 75 billion KRW in the South Korean market in 2024 for the first time.

This milestone data reflects how generative AI is rapidly evolving from an "early-adopter tool" into an "essential daily commodity." Notably, AI subscription spending includes both individual and corporate users, while Netflix only targets consumers—yet the explosive growth of AI consumption remains remarkable. Data shows that credit card transactions for AI services in South Korea surged from 52,000 in January 2024 to 1.666 billion in December 2025, an increase of over 3,200 times, reflecting deep penetration of usage scenarios.

On the payment structure, individual users spend about 34,700 KRW (around 164.5 RMB) per month, while corporate users reach as high as 107,400 KRW (approximately 509.3 RMB), indicating that AI is not only used for daily Q&A and content creation but has also been integrated into business operations. In terms of market share, OpenAI's ChatGPT leads with 71.5%, followed by Gemini at 11.0% and Claude at 10.7%, forming a "one leader, two strong" scenario.

Kim Hyung-min, CEO of Hankyung Aicel, pointed out that generative AI is becoming a new pillar of South Korea's subscription economy. "It is no longer just a choice for tech enthusiasts, but a productivity infrastructure widely purchased like electricity and water." This trend contrasts with global pricing differences: Netflix generates about $7 per user per month in the Asia-Pacific region, far below the $17 in North America, while South Korean users continue to show increasing willingness to pay for AI services.

As AI assistants become standard in workplaces, study companions, and creative collaborators, their subscription value has gone beyond entertainment consumption. The transformation seen in the South Korean market may signal a shift in global digital consumption focus—from "passive watching" to "active creation"—as people are no longer paying for content alone, but also for enhanced capabilities.