Controversy Over Changing "Donghaemul and Baekdusan" to "Ilbonhaemul and Baekdusan" on Netflix

Professor Seokyeongdeok "Demanding the fastest correction"
"Global viewers should not be misunderstood"

Netflix has reportedly labeled the East Sea as the "Sea of Japan" in some foreign language subtitles. Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University immediately sent a protest email.

On the 4th, Professor Seo wrote on his Facebook, "The Netflix original series 'The Eight Show' is causing controversy for labeling the 'East Sea' as the 'Sea of Japan'." The Eight Show is currently enjoying high popularity, ranking number one in the TOP 10 series on Netflix platforms in non-English speaking countries.

Spanish subtitles that denote the East Sea as the Sea of Japan in the lyrics of the Korean national anthem
[Image source=Seogyeongdeok Facebook]

The issue arose in some overseas subtitles. In a scene where actor Ryu Jun-yeol sings the national anthem, the Spanish (Latin America) subtitles translated the lyrics "East Sea and Baekdu Mountain" as "Sea of Japan and Baekdu Mountain." Professor Seo said, "The sea between Korea and Japan has been called the East Sea for over 2,000 years," and sent a protest email to Netflix.

He also attached a video related to the East Sea and emphasized, "We urge a prompt correction to prevent global viewers from misunderstanding."

Professor Seo pointed out, "Last year, I urged Netflix to correct the Chinese subtitles that labeled kimchi as 'pao cai.' As a global company, they should be more careful about sensitive issues of a country."

Meanwhile, The Eight Show depicts eight individuals trapped in an eight-story space, where the longer they endure, the more money they earn by participating in the show. Starring Ryu Jun-yeol, along with actors Chun Woo-hee, Park Jung-min, and Bae Sung-woo, the drama ranked number one in the non-English TV series category on Netflix for a week from the 20th to the 26th of last month.