In recent years, China's short drama industry has flourished with sustained momentum, and internationalization has become a vital direction for its expansion. The short duration and fast pace of these dramas have won acclaim from numerous overseas viewers.
However, amid this wave of popularity, various issues are urgent to solve. For example, one viewer pointed out on social media that while the plots are simple and engaging, subtitles remain problematic. So, what kind of short dramas do audiences truly want?
Awkward typos. As one user commented under a short drama: “ 'Their' and 'there' are mixed up again in ep5.” Typos are like a dish lacking seasoning—edible but unsatisfying. Many viewers have expressed that at critical moments, errors in subtitles disrupt their experience. Even if they can infer the correct meaning from the context, it ruins their immersion. Mistaken subtitles not only distract the audience but also reflect negligence in production, undermining the overall quality.
Cultural notes. Due to cultural differences between China and other countries, the translation and explanation of culturally specific terms require special attention. For instance, the Eastern dragon symbolizes auspiciousness and good fortune, while the Western dragon represents evil and bloodiness. Adding notes for such terms helps audiences understand the deeper meaning and promotes cultural exchange. A Viki user expressed gratitude in the comments: “Without this note, I would have thought it was just a random gift. Now I understand the deep meaning behind the 'red envelope'. Thank you!”
Use of dubbing rather than original sound. A Reddit user complained: “The dubbed version feels so disconnected. The original sound with good subs is the way to go.” This comment highlights how original sound enhances immersion and authenticity. Listening to the actors’ original voices is also a way of respecting their efforts. Through the original sound, viewers can accurately perceive the emotions and tone of the characters, feeling as if they are part of the story. Dubbing, in contrast, diminishes this sense of involvement.
Poor dubbing. AI-generated dubbing lacks human emotion, often using the same tone for different emotional lines, failing to convey the intended feelings. It severs the connection between the visuals and the emotions, making it hard for viewers to engage with the story. One audience remarked: “The blind would call it a terrible show from the audio, while the deaf would applaud the visuals.” This amusing sharp comment captures the flaw of AI dubbing, stripping a vibrant story of its soul. Moreover, mismatched voices can ruin a character’s image, such as a 15-year-old’s youthful voice for a mature CEO, as it contradicts their identity and age.
Lack of synchronization between audio and visuals. This is not just a technical issue but one that completely undermines the immersive experience. First, it breaks immersion: when the sound of a shattering glass comes noticeably after it hits the ground, the basic sense of realism is lost. Second, it causes cognitive fatigue: viewers already split their attention between the visuals and subtitles, delayed or premature audio forces the brain to work harder to align the elements. Finally, it creates a subconscious sense of discomfort. Some have mentioned that although they cannot pinpoint the issue, they feel restless and annoyed, wishing they could manually adjust the timing.
The localization of short dramas for international audiences still has a long way to go. Only those works that resonate with viewers and emphasize quality and details can gain a firm foothold in the overseas market and achieve long-term development. This requires producers and platforms to shift their mindset from “simple translation” to “deep cultural adaptation.” Ultimately, what wins the hearts of overseas audiences is not exaggerated plots or settings, but the profound experience of feeling respected and understood.
Artlangs Translation specializes in bridging cultures through precise and nuanced localization. We ensure your short dramas resonate globally with flawless subtitles, culturally adapted notes, and synchronized audio—so every story feels native, everywhere.
