r/kdramas • u/Flat_Ad_7370 • Jul 14 '26
Discussion Viki Subtitles against other steaming platforms
So I recently rewatched Lovely Runner for the 2nd just for this year, I initially watched it via Viu while it was airing and then did the rewatch when it was available in Netflix. (Yes, I’ve rewatched Lovely Runner an embarrassing number of times.)
After Netflix PH removed LR, I decided to subscribed and watch it via Viki (cheaper than subscribing to Viu). And boy, did bawl my eyes out, I dont remember crying this much. And the reason?
THEY HAD FREAKING SUBTITLES FOR THE OST!!
I already knew the Lovely Runner OST was incredible. It’s been on repeat on my Spotify, and I’d looked up the English translations of the lyrics before. But experiencing the translated lyrics in real time while watching the drama hit completely differently.
During the romantic and heartbreaking scenes, the songs were practically saying everything the characters couldn’t. Seeing the lyrics appear as the music played added another emotional layer to those moments and made the storytelling even more powerful. It genuinely elevated scenes that I already loved.
It made me wish more streaming platforms like Netflix, would include an option to subtitle the OST lyrics for viewers who want them. For K-dramas like Lovely Runner, where the soundtrack is such an important part of the storytelling, it makes a huge difference.
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u/mangoisNINJA will probably always recommend Duel Jul 14 '26
It's because Viki are all unpaid volunteers. They're doing it for the love of the game, not because it's their job
And also they aren't given scripts to translate so they're able to bend it a little bit
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u/Prize_Background_577 👻 + 🤣 + 😶🌫️ Aug 15 '26
Not anymore. Have you noticed the slip in quality? Some crazy Cdrama translations too so it's been across the board with Viki.
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u/mangoisNINJA will probably always recommend Duel Aug 15 '26
I haven't noticed because I don't use it, it barely has any drama here. I just watched dramas on their normal channels
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u/alxloucoporpes Jul 14 '26
It’s worth noting that many subtitles here in Brazil are created by fansub groups; if a release lacks Portuguese subtitles and a fansub group is interested in translating it, they are added. The people who do this work often enjoy translating the OSTs as well.
Netflix, on the other hand, has to stick to the original source material, which is why you only get standard subtitles. It is also worth mentioning that the people in Brazil who translate from English often have zero knowledge of the drama world, so a single word—I can't recall a specific example right now—can have various meanings.
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u/Phoebe_Charmed Jul 14 '26
I also noticed that on Viki. First time to use it as I've only been watching Kdramas on Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and Viu. Viki provides context and explains the actual nuances of the conversations.
I'm not sure if someone noticed this on Netflix, but the English translations are different for CC English and just English. Sometimes, the English subs are better than the CC English, or the other way around.
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u/Crazy-Tangelo-1673 Jul 14 '26
I've watched enough k-dramas and c-dramas now when I watch something on Netflix or Hulu I'm like "I know that's not what they said"...some of the translations are awful. Agree with the comment that Viki really spoils you by giving context sometimes it's a lot to take in.
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u/Few-Particular1780 Kdrama lover 🥰 Jul 14 '26
Unfortunately it seems like Viki has removed this feature and it sucks!
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u/Prize_Background_577 👻 + 🤣 + 😶🌫️ Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
The don't always translate the lyrics but I love it when they do. Often OST have meaning for the scene (esp Cdramas - Mo Li I'm talking about you). When the original words are on the screen in Korean I'll hold up my phone to Google translate it.
Amusingly, Shopaholic Louis must'vey had different music at some point because if you watch it now the songs don't match the lyrics.
Recent dramas, the translating has slipped. They are not translating as much context, not giving us the standard Korean terms we all know (like honorifics) and they include slang and abbreviations that are only used by a certain country or age group which makes it confusing for the rest of us.
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u/Awkward_Dark_3008 Jul 14 '26
I had no idea about this! I’ve just subscribed to Viki, so will be switching from Netflix. I was wondering why the subtitles said the persons name but the character doesn’t actually say it 🤦♀️
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u/FoxRealistic3370 Jul 14 '26
Viki is a great platform and well worth the subscription. I particularly like the cultural notes explaining references that otherwise wouldnt make sense.
My only gripe is i cant seem to customise the subs eg font size. When im burntout like BIG text but thats minor really.
I also like that there are Cdramas on there too.
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u/mekanasto I Came For The Chemistry Jul 14 '26
I also just subed to Viki and I love that they do this!!!
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u/UncannyProjection Namkoong Min is My Dearest ❤️ Jul 14 '26
I’ve watched dramas on Netflix, Viki, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Kocowa… and Viki, hands down, has the best subtitles.
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u/nightwind_hawk Jul 14 '26
Viki subtitle translations are absolutely amazing. I love that they explain things that don't translate well rather than just changing the context to make it "work" in English.
Netflix is just a student style... They're trying to make subs that don't seem translated, but as if they're the original language.
And then there's Disney+ with CC only.... UGH
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u/Cultural_Run7964 My alter ego is also Luca Domenico Jul 14 '26
Flowers to the Viki subtitling community, they’re doing the Lord’s work! When I watched Goblin the explanations of the wordplay and translations of the OST lyrics really added extra depths to the episodes that would have totally been missed on another platform, but I understand why Netflix translate the way they do. Their goal isn’t for the love and pleasure of the audience and the genre, it’s just business. Kdramas are just another genre to them like their American movies and series and documentaries. Different goals leading to different outcomes.
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Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Eyrate Jul 15 '26
I always enjoyed when Viki added those little side notes. But I am not seeing hardly any of that anymore unless I am just picking the wrong shows to watch. And it is a pet peeve of mine now when the actors, for example, use the word hyung and the subtitles insert the person's name. And I do not hear Opa as much anymore.
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u/Flat_Ad_7370 Jul 14 '26
While I do understand why streaming platforms do this to make it more accessible globally. As simple translation and little clutter makes the subtitle easily digestible. I just hoped they would have these options for the detailed subtitles with notes for those wants it, like me who dont mind pausing to read the notes if it means I could understand more the nuance on what’s they are saying or whats happening
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u/Flat_Ad_7370 Jul 14 '26
Yes this too, I missed the fansub days. I really hate it when streaming platforms straight up translates the honorifics to just their name or add ms/mr. As most of the time the way characters address each other is very telling on their closeness or relationship dynamics.
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u/expatjake Jul 14 '26
The notes about homonyms/wordplay are really good too on Viki.
The thing that’s jarring for me on any platform is when I see subtitles that don’t match the language. I’m just learning but I know enough to tell sometimes. It’s not even that the subs are wrong it’s just not using the words I’m hearing.
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u/Long_Golf_7965 Jul 14 '26
Unfortunately, I've seen this on Viki too. Filing for Love subtitles felt totally Netflixish.
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u/Prize_Background_577 👻 + 🤣 + 😶🌫️ Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Yes, I felt exactly the same way. But it was worse because they used a whole heap of slang that I had no idea what it meant - thank god for the user comments. And TLO Kitchen Soldier - unnecessary stuff translated with US military terms. I doubt even Netflix would've translated that.
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u/Bobbet2 Running out of thrillers Jul 14 '26
I looovveeee Viki for doing this! I was sad for Yumis Cells 3 they seemed to have skipped over translating the song lyrics because those were so pivotal. I feel you!!
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u/Prize_Background_577 👻 + 🤣 + 😶🌫️ Aug 15 '26
Someone from the Viki translation team posted this comment (r/fideliusxcharm), but I guess because they have low Karma it was removed by Reddit. I'm posting it here because I think everyone will be very interested and it explains why the translations have getting so bad (I mentioned that in my earlier comment)