People Who Are Fluent In Korean Point Out Inaccuracies In The Squid Game Subtitles

There’s been a hype surrounding a well-done Netflix show called ‘Squid Game.’ All over the world, it has garnered audiences who binge-watch the show for hours because they can’t stop watching.

The show is intense, to put it simply. The challenges make your heart race, and there are plot twists ready to jump at you around every corner.

One of the most important aspects that contribute to why it’s been talked about so much is the topics they bring to light. The game in the series involves more than four hundred players who are in serious debt, ready to fight it out to win the grand prize.

It’s not as easy, though, as losing means losing your life as well, and the challenges are anything but merciful. Throughout the story, glimpses of the main characters’ histories and their origins are shown.

Their hardships in life are highlighted, as is the grasp of modern capitalism in society. All the elements come together, and for those who want to jump in and watch it, Netflix offers various subtitles.

But here’s the thing: those who have already watched it and are also fluent in the Korean language have sparked a discussion about how certain translations are very different. Although you can still enjoy the series, here are some examples of why some thoughts are better expressed when the translations are accurate.

Youngmi Mayer tweeted that she is fluent in Korean and pointed out that the dialogue is well written, but the subtitles don’t do it justice.

ymmayer

She switched to doing a breakdown on TikTok with some scenes to help viewers understand what she meant.

ymmayer

She started with a dialogue from Han Mi-nyeo.

ymmayer

She's someone who speaks in a more unfiltered manner.

ymmayer

The first example was when Mi-nyeo faced one of the guards and asked him what he was looking at.

Screenshot from Squid Game

Which was translated to 'Go away.'

Screenshot from Squid Game

The translations of what she says aren't accurate and lessen the impact of the depth of this character's values.

ymmayer

Another significant example is when she tries to convince people to team up with her.

ymmayer

The translation of her dialogue was actually deeper than what she said.

ymmayer

The translation indicated that despite not being a genius, she could work it out.

Screenshot from Squid Game

In reality, what she said was that she knows she's smart, but she never had the chance to study.

Screenshot from Squid Game

The TikTok user made people aware that being smart but lacking the opportunity to study is a common trope in Korean media.

ymmayer

The inaccurate translation disrupts the intentions of how writers want the characters to be perceived.

ymmayer

It might just be a sentence or two, but there's a boatload of meaning behind them.

ymmayer

The players with the contrasting numbers, which are 001 and 456, also have some mistranslated dialogues.

Screenshot from Squid Game

The saying has been reduced to something simpler.

Screenshot from Squid Game

The line that they fail to accurately translate contributes to the overall tone of the episode.

ymmayer

And although in some cases that might be better, in this case, the original saying holds greater meaning for the show.

ymmayer

This is the original TikTok video of OP.

There are many translators who are undercompensated.

ymmayer

Youngmi also shed light on how people who aren't fluent not only in their language but also in their culture heavily criticize their art and such.

ymmayer

There are people who shared their opinions in the comments.

nakedpomelo, ymmayer

Another TikTok user explained more misunderstood scenes in the movie.

jin_koreannerdy

This is the TikTok video with the explanation of the game.

This would seem like an ordinary dramatic scene.

Screenshot from Squid Game

But it actually shows a common method of suicide in Korea.

Screenshot from Squid Game

Koreans also have honorifics that Western countries do not practice; the significance of their use would be hard to grasp for those who do not know them.

alexisashin

If you are about to watch the show, you'll get better results with the 'real' captions rather than closed captioning.

worldpoop

Someone showed how to change your settings to English (CC).

ADeVonJohnson

But sometimes, regardless of the option, there aren't good subtitles available at all.

ustadchen

You might as well rewatch it again.

Jayeamber1

As more Korean shows make their way onto big platforms such as Netflix, the need for better translations to convey their message becomes more pressing.

26JinX

It's not too late to add or edit the translations.

CassRudolph

When you've only known better translations, it's hard to watch ones that aren't as well made.

harveythepig

Translators are important for breaking down that wall of misunderstandings. Not only that, but they also play a significant role in ensuring that the message and purpose of the characters are understood.

In the show Squid Game, the culture of Korea is very much incorporated, from the way it affects the characters to the way their society works. It's the darker side of reality, but it's a reality that exists alongside the good.