Despite advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), Netflix has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a subtitling and dubbing ecosystem for K-content through professional translators.
On October 15, Netflix, in collaboration with the Korea Creative Content Agency, hosted a 'Global Localization Roundtable' at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul.
Catherine Lertat, Netflix's Senior Director of Global Content Localization, stated, "Subtitling and dubbing are not secondary tasks; they are a second production. Subtitles must capture the essence of the dialogue within the time viewers can read them, and dubbing must convey the original meaning and emotions through voice acting, which requires significant time and effort to produce."
Netflix reported that it collaborates with 122 partners worldwide to provide dubbing in 36 languages and subtitles in 33 languages. Approximately 60 people are involved in the production of dubbing for a single language, leveraging expertise in translation, acting, and recording to convey the original work's appeal.
The Korean series 'Physical: 100' was highlighted as a representative example of localization. The original Korean version of 'Physical: 100' supports dubbing in 16 languages, while the Italian version has 13 languages and the Mexican version has 10 languages, with subtitles available in 32 languages.
Lertat emphasized, "The global expansion is rooted in localization, allowing viewers in different countries to enjoy works in their own languages. The global success of Korean content is not a coincidence."
Efforts are also underway to adapt unique Korean cultural expressions to resonate with global audiences. In the Netflix series 'Scandal,' music directors, adapters, and voice actors collaborated on translating and recording foreign lyrics to preserve Korean expressions. The design of Korean text displayed on screen was also newly created to fit other languages.
Lertat noted that AI-generated subtitles and dubbing struggle to convey human emotions. She remarked, "Sophisticated and elegant emotions, like those in the film 'Possible Love,' can only be replicated by humans. AI cannot replace experts; it serves as a tool to support our work."
On October 15, Netflix, in collaboration with the Korea Creative Content Agency, hosted a 'Global Localization Roundtable' at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul.
Catherine Lertat, Netflix's Senior Director of Global Content Localization, stated, "Subtitling and dubbing are not secondary tasks; they are a second production. Subtitles must capture the essence of the dialogue within the time viewers can read them, and dubbing must convey the original meaning and emotions through voice acting, which requires significant time and effort to produce."
Netflix reported that it collaborates with 122 partners worldwide to provide dubbing in 36 languages and subtitles in 33 languages. Approximately 60 people are involved in the production of dubbing for a single language, leveraging expertise in translation, acting, and recording to convey the original work's appeal.
The Korean series 'Physical: 100' was highlighted as a representative example of localization. The original Korean version of 'Physical: 100' supports dubbing in 16 languages, while the Italian version has 13 languages and the Mexican version has 10 languages, with subtitles available in 32 languages.
Lertat emphasized, "The global expansion is rooted in localization, allowing viewers in different countries to enjoy works in their own languages. The global success of Korean content is not a coincidence."
Efforts are also underway to adapt unique Korean cultural expressions to resonate with global audiences. In the Netflix series 'Scandal,' music directors, adapters, and voice actors collaborated on translating and recording foreign lyrics to preserve Korean expressions. The design of Korean text displayed on screen was also newly created to fit other languages.
Lertat noted that AI-generated subtitles and dubbing struggle to convey human emotions. She remarked, "Sophisticated and elegant emotions, like those in the film 'Possible Love,' can only be replicated by humans. AI cannot replace experts; it serves as a tool to support our work."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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