Not sure? Then take this quiz to find out!
If you answer yes to more than two of these questions, you are a true KDA (K-drama addict)! But it’s okay, because there are many are (including me) KDAs out there. There’s nothing to be shamed of, in fact, there are fansubbing groups out there who’s working 24/7 to get you hooked – well sort of. Their two biggest motivation for fansubbing or providing English translations is to contribute to the hallyu wave by introducing Korean dramas to non-Korean speakers and to give back to the fansubbing community. If it wasn’t for these dedicated fansubbers, many wouldn’t even be close to being a KDA. With their fansubbing work, not knowing Korean is not even an issue.
Many fansubbers spend at least one to two hours a day to fansub. In fact, POPSEOUL! survey indicated that about 44% of fansubbers spend at least 2 hours a day and about 30% of the participants spend more than 4 hours a day. But what surprised me the most was that many fansubbers are not even Korean, let along being fluent in Korean.
When I asked Emily (withs2 coordinator) how this was possible, she told me that there is Chinese fansub group who translates K-dramas from Korean to Chinese, then fansubbers who are fluent in Chinese translate them into English. When I first heard this, thought that a lot will be lost in translation. In order to test out my assumption, I downloaded some fansubs to review them myself and to my delight, they were correct about 85% of the time. This is great for an amateur translation team that’s not even 100% fluent in the language. Also, I would like to add that the lack of English equivalent to a lot of Korean phrases contributes to the lost in translation.
Isn’t it great that some dedicated people spend their precious time translating these dramas for your enjoyment? If you want to show your appreciation, I recommend not requesting for faster fansub release, criticizing them for translation errors, demanding certain fansub file format and selling these fansubs for money. When you do this, they get annoyed and even discouraged because they dedicate their time purely out of their passion and love of Korean culture. None of them get paid, in fact, some spend money to encourage members to fansub. So next time you write your comments, please be considerate of the fansubbers situation and remember that they too have an “offline” life outside K-dramas and that they are not getting paid to provide many people with this service.
And if you too want to give back to the fansubbing community, you can always sign up by emailing withs2team@gmail.com. They are always looking for people and you don’t necessarily have to be fluent in Korean to contribute. Lastly, I would like to thank Emily, coordinator of WithS2 group (the biggest fansubbing group), Javebeans and WithS2 members for all their help to write this article.
Stay tuned for Fansubber’s Top Drama Picks & Recommendations!
*smiling* YES YES YES YES!!!! except for Q5… that means im a certified KDA… *sigh*
*smiling* because of K-dramas i only sleep for 3 hours even on schooldays… i cant even hold a book when im home cuz im busy with finding what kdrama to watch next….
when im watching drama i dont want to be disturbed so i cant do anything except to watch sit and eat… bwahahha
is there any cure for this kind of addiction??? *cant stop smiling*
i plead guilty ahhahha… kdramas are jus so addicting and i cant express enough appreciation for the subbers… thank you so very much..
wow. i definitely an addict
to the fansubbing community: AJA!!!
keep up the good work
Yes yes i’m addicted to k-dramas without even answering those questions.Thanks for the team who alway upload it with english sub.
MY FRENS ALL TELL ME THAT IM ADDICTED….. I GUESS I AM BECAUSE I ANSWERED YES TO MORE THAN 2 OF THE QUESTIONS. ANOTHER QUESTION U SHOULD PUT UP IS “DO YOU MISS TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS, OR STUDYING FOR EXAMS BECAUSE YOUR TO BUSY WATCHING YOUR KOREAN DRAMAS?” I WANNA KNOW HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE LIKE ME!
Um I guess I’m addicted. I first saw Time Between Dog and Wolf-got addicted. Slacked off hw, skipped a couple classes…yeah. Then watched Goong-same thing. This is bad guys!
Yes to 3 questions! I am definitely addicted! Maybe you should also add up this question: DO YOU suddenly have the urge to learn the Korean languange including their culture? My answer…another “DE” !!!!
Kudos to the funsubbers! mabuhay!
ahaha.too funny.OMG, i answered all questions with a YES.
Oh my .. O_o
I’m K-drama addict .. I answered YES to all the 5
Waah I love k-drama .. I hope someday I learn the Language
omg!!what a co-incidents we are just the same.I’m k-drama addict my day is not complete w/out watching those “kakainis na salita na di ko maintindihan”LOL!!!!!
wow that’s really amazing! i mean it takes a lot to translate a language. kudos to the fansubbers!
Yo tambien soy adicta a esos dramas koreanos y me encanta el idioma, y tiene un sonido hermoso-comparado con otros ideomas como por ejemplo el Dutch, Papiamento, Aleman, son algunos q tienen un sonido horrible…y tengo una pregunta, esos koreanos tienen costumbres bien raras–como ese respeto a sus padres, eso en verdad es asi? si los padres no autorizan q se pueden casar con alguien pues no pueden? y eso de siempre cargar a alguien que no puede caminar o por la gran borrachera q se tienen, pues los tienen que cargar en la espalda..son unas interrogantes que siempre tengo..si alguien puede sacarme de esta por favor contesten, y gracias
yo tengo una ventaja ya que si no lo encuentro en English pues lo puedo leer en Spanish…ahy un actor de “Wish on a start” algo asi se llama el drama–un deseo en la estrella–que creo q la actor principal se mato es eso cierto…por fa contesten
i am totally addicted tooo. my exams are coming in a week and i havent studied…lol….wont be laughing when i fail…
k-dramas rock:D
MBC for me has given the world the best kdramas!
goong…
dae jang geum..
jumong…
coffee prince…
east of eden(still airing)
and my fave….
THANK YOU(gomabseumnida)
great job MBC!
yep
yep
yep
yep
YES!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only KDA out there!!!! I feel better now…
pahahha
bof was def .. just omgah.. O_O
u asking dat question is jaz an undesrstatement…nyahahaha!!!coz wen am watching kdramas using via dvds…i go upto three days without sleeping…hehe…an am not exaggerating at ol…if only i cud go to korea to jaz be a few thousands of km away to my favorite hunks…hehe…u c am from d philippines…and its jaz so impocble coz am jaz a highschool student,,,bt surely i will go there…someday…haha;;;
and regarding my duties,,,,well,,,hehe..
i even have their-the actors’-photos in my phone..
to all k addicts out there….were the same so…u are not alone….welcome…haha
Yes to Q1 to Q4
Q5. dreaming that someday can go and visit to interested places in some drama, and hopefully can meet or can see my admired person once in Korea.
But do not think so…
yes! i definitely am. *not ashamed but proud!!
I’M K-ADDICT.. heeheh . i’m an Indian so people find it weird that i watch more korean movies and dramas than ‘BOLLYWOOD’ movies but i dont care … i love watching k-dramas and movies..
Boys over Flowers the best EVER …
p.s – i’m glad i’m not the only K-ADDICT around ..
^_^
lol same here .. about the indian and crazy about boys over flowers part ..
Thanks to them all..I am on Queen Of Housewives and that series is SO GOOOOOOOODDD. But in some scenes there can be a whole 30 seconds of conversation with just the Korean language or nothing at all..I do have to report the video though..Also at the end of those missing sub episodes there’s like 8-10 people taking credit for the subbing.I’m like WHAT? oh well other than that thanks you guys..good work..
yes ..im so addicted in korean drams here in philippines..the korean actresses and actor was so great,,they are so handsome and pretty.
Wow. I am one too. Love it and Thank you to all the subbers out there. The writers,cast and behind the scene folks are always Awesome. I hardly watch if any American Dramas or shows anymore. Its not like I never would watch them but its because Koreans actors draws you to there world. Ok.. This is an K-Addict talking.. Oh well, To come together as one in love of K-dramas. Thanks All and Popseoul for the insight.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. so true… i almost failed one of my exams cause i stayed up watching boys over flowers ( drooling over kim hyun joong and kim bum ) rather than studying …. oh i love those men .. wish i could meet them atleast ONCEEEEEEEEEE
Hi my names anne* and i’m a Korean Dramaholic.
I need help. I’m losing sleep, grades, and my mind because of these dramas. all i can think about is how cute the male actors are and if that will ever happen to me. i even cut my hair to look like the lead female in a drama to see if what is happening to her will happen to me. I’m so addicted its RIDICULOUSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
peaceee.
*name has been changed so i can keep my dignity. o3o