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What is the best way to watch Squid Game? Age-old Sub vs Dub debate explored

Squid Game's global success has made several viewers curious about the best way to watch it- subtitled or dubbed? (Image via Instagram/@netflixuk)
Squid Game's global success has made several viewers curious about the best way to watch it- subtitled or dubbed? (Image via Instagram/@netflixuk)

The meteoric success of Squid Game has dug up the age-old debate between sub vs dub. While the internet may be divided on that topic, everyone agrees that the best way to watch Squid Game would be to just watch it, regardless of the setting.

I don't care if you prefer subs or dubs, Squid Game is incredible. 10/10!!

Netflix’s Korean survival show has spread like wildfire around the globe, making viewers out of people who wouldn't know Korean from Chinese. The hit show quickly climbed up Netflix charts since its September 17 release, to become the most-watched Netflix show of all time, beating Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton.

Squid Game is officially Netflix’s most-watched original series overtaking Bridgerton and Money Heist. https://t.co/LleHl9EjTj

Squid Game, taking inspiration from Battle Royale, follows 456 people who are made to compete in a series of Korean children’s games, for a grand prize of 45.6 billion won. The punchline? If you lose, you die.

While the show’s humongous success can be credited to Hwang Dong-hyuk’s incredible direction, storyline and the amazing actors, there is no denying that the internet is full of opinions about the Squid Game, and how to watch it.

With the show’s popularity continuing to rise everyday, here are the ways you can watch this Korean masterpiece.


How to watch Squid Game?

Since Squid Game is a Netflix show, what one needs first is a Netflix account (or not).There are two main ways to watch Squid Game, if one doesn’t know Korean- with subtitles or with dubbing.

love how the general public is finally getting into the tired subs vs dubs discourse bc of squid game

1. Adding subtitles

Arguably the more favored of the two options, especially for regular K-drama and anime viewers, would be subtitles. Squid Game is available in over 30 languages, including English, French, and the original Korean.

In English subs, though, viewers get two options - English subtitles, and English [CC]. Several viewers of the show have recommended using English subtitles over [CC] or Closed captions, for an accurate translation.

@ymmayer You have to watch it with the regular english subtitles and not the closed captions! The CC is for the dub! https://t.co/AcyFUf9A9G
@ymmayer fyi there are 2 different subtitles options! One is the cc of the eng dub and the other is the more accurate subtitles

Closed Captions are generally for those hard of hearing, and thus include extraneous details such as characters footsteps, yawns, shrieks, and music. These are mostly automatically generated, rather than manually written, and thus give the viewer an inauthentic experience.

English subtitles on the other hand, exclude the extraneous details, and thus can give a closer translation of the Korean dialogs.

2. Dubbing

The other option available for non-Korean viewers is dubbing. Currently available in over 10 languages, Netflix has made use of dedicated dubbing crews for each language. The English voice artist, being Asian American, has reportedly given an extra air of authenticity to the dubbed version, although the internet is divided about its efficiency.


Fans weigh in on sub vs dub debate

Viewers of Squid Game are divided over which one makes for a better watch. While the pro-subtitles section has pointed out how dubbed words rarely match the actor's lips, the (very small) pro-dubbing faction has claimed that having to constantly read subtitles can be distracting.

I SHOULDNT HAVE WATCHED THIS VIDEO NOO THE ENGLISH DUB 😭😭 U TELLING ME PPL RLY WATCHED SQUID GAME LIKE THIS https://t.co/pqu7DQ4Aic
Squid game english dub reaction video meme https://t.co/SiIc2H6dEd
There is no way people actually watch Squid Game in English dub 🤣 https://t.co/RH7ruMa3iI
Man, the “squid game subtitles aren’t accurate” discourse really split the internet. Who cares if they didn’t *actually* say “red light, green light”, it’s the same game. In Japan we say “the daruma fell over!”, which also wouldn’t make sense in an English sub 🥲
Lmao so many people complain about the English dub in Squid game being "bad" when I think both dub and sub are good
So the translation isn’t accurate nor great, but pls can we stop dictating to people how to watch Squid Game or (further) consume their art? If you wanna watch subs, do subs, if dub is good for you, do it, if you need both in the same language for processing, that’s okay too! ❤️
“the eng dub of squid game is better than the original” 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
so when are we el!minating those who watched squid game in english dub https://t.co/jJf0OcwxK0
Ppl talking abt Squid Game subtitles: Every Korean show with Eng subs (even BTS) has mistakes or deliberate mistranslations,and while you may be unhappy that you are not getting 100% of the things being said on screen, sometimes there are good reasons. Read below for explanation. https://t.co/VuzEqNjXo1
my favorite thing rn is watching squid game english dub memes lmaooo https://t.co/p3lUFRFvix
idk why everyone is hating on me for watching the english dub of Squid Game.the show is 10 times more funny with it on https://t.co/yQB3rx0rMr

While both sides have given good points, along with evidence, victory clearly seems to be on the subtitle side, supported by several moments in the show which lose their gravity, when played with the dubs on.

Marvel director Taika Waititi, too, appeared to be pro-sub, along with millions of K-drama and anime viewers around the world. The English dub, though, has given fans a chance to show their creativity, one hilarious meme at a time.

Edited by Prem Deshpande
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