Netflix has really mucked up the pleasure of watching KDrama! Previously, audio was Korean, subtitle was English, that was fine, I became used to this, tending to the softly spoken language – that is how it was to my ears a very pleasant sound. Unlike listening to Chinese dramas which I simply cannot stand because listening to it was an assault on my ears – very harsh and gutteral.

Korean is different, it sounds harmonious and restful (except maybe when Jang Young-nam throws one of her magnificent tantrums!
Jang Young-nam is an absolutely brilliant actress and she handles these roles marvellously, you only have to watch her as the Queen Dowager in The Crowned Clown!)

Anyway, getting back to my point, Netflix have gone and stuffed it all up! Now, when watching Korean dramas, they’re (the actors) voices have been dubbed by hideous voices with strong American accents. Had they used Australians giving strong Australian accents, I would be equally cheesed off. It’s horrible, simply horrible.

Some Kdramas haven’t been interfered with as yet, but the ones that are! Mein Gott it is so annoying!

Please Netflix, hands off Kdrama!

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    God, they haven’t done that to any I’ve watched here in NZ… I would hate it. I really love hearing the actors speak their own language, sounds so beautiful and flowing and natural. And I like being able to hear in just a very small learner’s way, where the English subtitles aren’t actually translating what’s said, eg when the subtitles will use the actual person’s name but the actor is actually saying “sonbae” or “hyeung” or “ajhumma”. I guess it’s because there isn’t an idiomatic English translation. But dubbing…no no no.

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      I haven’t noticed it either (also in NZ, hello!) so hopefully it’s something just playing with the settings will fix.

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        Howdy, fellow Kiwi!
        I’ve looked at a range of kdramas on my Netflix feed, from 2007 to 2023, and some have more audio and subtitle options than others, but at a minimum all have Korean original audio, and and subtitle options of English or off.

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      Hello Kas61,
      Greetings from across the ditch! If it hasn’t happened over there then you are lucky. I too like learning in some small way various words and about family hierarchy. Hyung, sunbae, abajae.
      The latest two series I’ve been watching, I have to alter the audio every episode for one of them.

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        Hello Netsuke! Incredibly irritating. I’m sure most kdrama watchers will not appreciate dubbing… it would ruin the experience for me. Makes you wonder who is making these decisions.

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    Can you choose to have the original audio, even if it defaults to dubbing?

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      Hello Beffels, yes you can. With some series though, I have to go to audio/subtitles each episode.

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    I thought I’m the only one on earth who can’t enjoy the way they speak. I’ve been avoiding Cdramas for the same reason. That’s too bad! I, too won’t be able to watch Kdrama if they were dubbed. Besides, isn’t it just a waste of money?

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      Ooohh i used to avoid cdramas for the same reason too! But i guess i’ve built up my tolerance bit by bit, in part thanks to my love for a good looking face 🤭

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        I haven’t found a cure yet for this. Lucky you, at least tou have somewhere else to go to when you’re in a kdrama slump.

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    In Spain some k-dramas (the Netflix originals ones) are dubbed in European Spanish and some other dramas are dubbed in American Spanish.
    But I always watch all the shows in Korean with English or Spanish subtitles.
    You can change the Audio and Subs for each drama, so don’t panic 😉

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      Yes you can change the audio/language but some series it has to be done at the beginning of every episode. That is a real pain. I’m watching the series about the psychic vet and the detective.

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    To change the audio back to Korean, you only have to adjust the audio settings within the subtitles menu, choosing “Original Korean” with English subtitles.

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