Dokdo in Japan, Dokdo in the US... Netflix Praised for Its "Patriotic Subtitles"

Instead of "Takeshima," Japanese Phonetic Spelling "Dokuto" Used
Japan Reopens Exhibition Hall Claiming Sovereignty Over Dokdo

The global platform Netflix has recently drawn attention for its accurate subtitle representation of historically and culturally sensitive issues in its newly released variety show "Daehwanjang Gianjang."

In Episode 6 of "Daehwanjang Gianjang" (hereafter "Gianjang"), released by Netflix on April 15, a father and son are shown touring Dokdo while holding the Taegeukgi (the Korean national flag). Upon arriving at Dokdo, they raised the Taegeukgi and shouted "manse" as they took commemorative photos. Netflix clearly displayed the subtitle "Dokdo" for this scene. When the subtitles are switched to Japanese, "ドクト" appears, which is "Dokdo" phonetically rendered as "Dokuto" in katakana. The English subtitles also read "DOKDO." In the past, there have been frequent cases of overseas subtitles incorrectly labeling Dokdo as "Takeshima," but Gianjang correctly used the official name for Dokdo.

Netflix "Daehwanjang Gianjang" Episode 6 subtitles for "Dokdo" in English and Japanese. Netflix

Netflix previously sparked controversy in 2024 when the Spanish subtitles for the original series "The 8 Show" translated "East Sea" from the Korean national anthem as "Sea of Japan." In the same year, the show "Super Rich Foreigners" was criticized for labeling kimchi as "labaicai (泡菜)" in Chinese subtitles. "Labaicai" refers to a type of Chinese pickled vegetable. At the time, Netflix stated, "We used this term to help Chinese character users understand, but since it could cause misunderstanding, we will use 'xinchi (辛奇),' the term recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, going forward," and made the correction.

Netflix Variety Show 'Daehwanjang Gianjang' Poster. Netflix

Meanwhile, on April 18, the Japanese government reopened the national "Territorial Sovereignty Exhibition Hall," which asserts its claims over Dokdo. This exhibition hall, which also claims the Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu Dao in China) and the four southernmost Kuril Islands as Japanese territory, first opened in 2018 and was expanded and relocated in 2020. Recently, after completing remodeling work that included interactive facilities, it reopened on this day.

In response, the Korean government immediately lodged a strong protest, demanding the immediate closure of the Territorial Sovereignty Exhibition Hall reopened by the Japanese government.