Netflix Labels Kimchi as "Xinqi" Instead of "Paocai" in Chinese Subtitles... "A Welcome Move"

Netflix Labels Kimchi as "Xinqi" in Chinese Subtitles
Professor Seo Kyung-duk: "A Turning Point in Countering the Kimchi Engineering Narrative"

Netflix is receiving significant positive feedback from viewers for labeling kimchi as "Xinqi" (辛奇) in the Chinese subtitles of its original variety show "Physical: Asia." This marks a departure from the previous controversial practice of mistranslating kimchi as "paocai" (泡菜), and is expected to serve as a turning point in the ongoing debate over how kimchi should be labeled.

A scene from the Netflix variety show "Physical: Asia" where kimchi is labeled as "Xinqi" (辛奇) in the Chinese subtitles. Netflix

Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, stated on the 27th, "On the 22nd, which is 'Kimchi Day,' many netizens reported the Netflix subtitles to me. Upon checking, I confirmed that kimchi was labeled as 'Xinqi' in the show."

In 2021, the Korean government revised its "Guidelines for the Translation and Romanization of Public Terms" to officially designate "Xinqi" as the Chinese term for kimchi. This measure was intended to counter China's so-called "kimchi engineering," an attempt to claim that kimchi originated from its own fermented food, paocai.

Professor Seo said, "In China, there is a constant push to assert that the origin of kimchi is paocai, as part of the 'kimchi engineering' narrative. In this context, Netflix's use of 'Xinqi' is a very welcome development."

He particularly emphasized, "Given Netflix's tremendous global influence, this move will serve as an excellent example that undermines China's unfounded claims. We will do our utmost to ensure that, going forward, the labeling of kimchi on global OTT (over-the-top) platforms is accurate in all languages."