Every translator and segmenter has that one drama genre they love working on the most. Whether it’s the poetic dialogues of historical dramas, the fast-paced action of thrillers, or the heart-fluttering moments of romantic comedies, each genre brings its own unique challenges and joys. Some genres require deep cultural knowledge, while others test a translator’s ability to convey humor, suspense, or intense emotions.
Curious about our community’s preferences, we asked: What’s your favorite drama genre to translate or segment? The responses were diverse and passionate, showcasing the wide range of interests and expertise within the Viki team. Here’s what the volunteers had to say about the genres they enjoy working on the most!
maria_lavendula_77
I like anything romantic, but thanks to being a segger I have worked on and seen shows I otherwise would have missed out on. There are really great thrillers on Viki and those are shows I would have missed out on.
funsubber1811_952
As a fan of translating and segmenting dramas, I've dabbled in a bit of everything over the years. But, if I had to pick a favorite genre, it would undoubtedly be Chinese historical dramas from recent years. Yep, those captivating, grand, and often intricate tales of dynastic struggles, romantic entanglements, and court intrigue have truly stolen my heart.Some of my absolute favorites include "The Double" and "Are You the One?" These dramas are packed with fascinating storylines that transport you to a different era, making you feel like you're part of the historical action. The rich tapestry of Chinese history, with its emperors, empresses, scholars, and warriors, provides an endless source of material to explore and immerse oneself in.
One of the main reasons I love working on Chinese historical dramas is the history itself. There's something so enthralling about piecing together a story that not only entertains but also educates. Each episode is like a mini-history lesson wrapped in beautiful costumes, elaborate sets, and intricate dialogue. It's a chance to learn about different periods, customs, and cultures while being thoroughly entertained.Plus, translating and segmenting these dramas is a rewarding challenge. The language is often steeped in historical context, idiomatic expressions, and cultural references that require a deep understanding to do justice to the original content. It’s like solving a puzzle, and the sense of accomplishment when you get it right is incredibly satisfying.
There's also the added bonus of sharing these incredible stories with a broader audience. Helping to make these dramas accessible to people who might not otherwise have the chance to experience them is a fulfilling experience. Knowing that your work is contributing to the global appreciation of Chinese culture and history is pretty awesome.
So, there you have it! Chinese historical dramas are my absolute favorite genre to translate and segment. They offer a perfect blend of entertainment and education, and working on them is both a challenge and a joy. If you haven't given them a try yet, I highly recommend diving into this fascinating world!
shraddhasingh
I have worked a lot on Romance dramas, honestly, the easiest out there to translate. I hardly would need to google anything when working on those.
But my favorite genre is Action, particularly, Military themed dramas. I have only worked on 3 though — Military Prosecutor Doberman, Duty After School, and Search.
I have special place in my heart for Military themed dramas. My entire childhood was surrounded by Military. Working on them brings back the nostalgia. Also, I know the jargon by heart, so, yeah, I don't find it difficult to work on them. They bring my joy.
trangstar888
When it comes to translating or segmenting dramas, I’m all about romance and deep emotional themes—the kind that make your heart race one moment and shatter the next. Whether it’s a modern love story, a sweeping historical romance, or a tearjerking melodrama, I love bringing these heartfelt moments to life for viewers.
Chinese dramas like 现代言情 (modern romance), 古装爱情 (historical romance), and 虐恋情深 (tragic romance) are masters of passionate love and heartbreaking separations. And of course, I can’t resist 仙侠 (Xianxia) and 武侠 (Wuxia)—where love stories transcend lifetimes, destiny plays cruel tricks, and sword fights are just another way of saying “I love you.”
Korean dramas, especially 멜로 (melo dramas) and 로맨스 사극 (historical romance dramas), have a special way of pulling viewers into an emotional whirlwind. With their deeply layered storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, and heart-wrenching OSTs, they make us feel every moment. Whether it’s the subtle glance of unspoken love, the devastating weight of a breakup, or the pure joy of a long-awaited reunion, K-dramas know exactly how to hit us right in the heart.
There’s something magical about working on dramas that stir up real emotions—whether it’s swooning, sobbing, or obsessing over a scene long after the credits roll. That’s what makes translating these genres so rewarding!
rumblenzo
I love translating historical Chinese dramas (of all kinds) because it allows me to combine passion and work. By translating them, I have the opportunity to discover many shows that I might not have watched otherwise while improving my language skills. It’s a complete immersion into a fascinating world that blends history, lavish costumes, and captivating stories.
Beyond entertainment, these dramas serve as a true gateway to the richness of Chinese culture. Each episode is filled with historical references, traditions, and deeply rooted values, making the experience even more enriching. Through translation, I also familiarize myself with a diverse and specific vocabulary, ranging from poetic language to terms related to imperial politics and martial arts.
The vocabulary in historical cdramas is particularly rich and sophisticated, making it an exciting challenge to translate. From honorific titles such as "殿下" (Diànxià, Your Royal Highness) for a prince, to forms of submission like "微臣" (Wēichén, Your humble minister), and idiomatic expressions such as "肝脑涂地" (Gānnǎo túdì, To spill one’s blood and sacrifice oneself for one’s master), each dialogue is a journey into a bygone era. These expressions often need to be adapted to maintain both their elegance and naturalness in French.
This continuous learning process is what makes this work so exciting. With each new translation, I discover new expressions and linguistic subtleties that broaden my understanding of the language. It is truly a journey through time and words, and this combination of cultural and linguistic enrichment is what makes the experience extraordinary.
joolsi
During the pandemic, I made a joyful discovery that enriched my life: dramas! It's amazing how challenging times can lead us to unexpected avenues for growth and exploration. I fell in love with dramas and immersed myself in Far East cultures, revealing an unexpected romantic side in my personality. These vibrant stories became my guilty pleasure, providing comfort and joy during those difficult days.
That strong passion for dramas fueled my desire to be active in the drama community for as long as possible. I chose subbing since languages come easily to me. I learned a lot, and I've always been eager to share my thoughts and insights. Over time, I’ve gotten into the habit of juggling multiple shows simultaneously, especially when I had several projects in progress. I want to know the story before starting to translate. What kind of drama do I prefer? I particularly enjoy slice-of-life dramas and grand romances, alongside thrillers, action, melodramas, romantic comedies, and historical dramas. You name it, I like it! I truly enjoy well-crafted stories and even some that don’t quite hit the mark. My love for dramas remains at the core of my interests and has continued to thrive after the pandemic!
I am nothing, if not slightly eclectic, with a diverse taste. I don't recall rejecting any project for which I was invited to subtitle. I remember joining some really joyfully! Moreover, I have always felt grateful for the invitations. I guess the most memorable drama I subtitled was the first one. As they say, "first times are unforgettable," but I believe I will carry the warmth of each one of the projects, even a long time after I have to leave the community. Thank you for this question.
binesan
My favorite genre are variety shows in any kind of way. I have a soft spot for the underdogs, the unsung heroes, the heartbroken ones, the ones that will inevitably loose, not because it is their fault or they were bad, simply just because there was someone slightly better.
On the other hand I do love the winners, the couples, the finales and the excitement on the way.
Variety shows need a special kind of translation with, depending on which kind of show, a lot of on-screen-writing and/or well known (or not so well known) songs that need translation and/or a ton of talking and repeating what was said in the next segment and maybe even the segment after that.
I sometimes use the expression "the subtitles are flowing right out of my hands" and this genre is the epitome of this meaning for me. I can subtitle a few hours without getting bored because I enjoy seeing the participants walk their way up to the top and getting into the band, falling in love or just having a joyful time with others. 💟
lilybidulgi
I like all genres of dramas & films apart from horror, really.
But when it comes to doing subtitles or editing work it has to be challenging really. And it has been from my very first drama I must say.
It means that I don't really like it when it seems too easy.
I love learning new words & expressions, finding a new way to express an idea, doing researches on a specific topic or cultural background, sharing points of view with the other team members...
I really like rediscovering my own language & it's specific rules (that I thought I mastered, lol).
So, more than a specific genre, as it has to be challenging, I tend to change genre as often as I can. And I often change the country of origin of the dramas or films.
Indeed, at first, I only subtitled Japanese or Korean dramas. Now, I am more open to other possibilities.
If there is one thing I don't like, though, it's the pre-sub. Indeed, a few months ago, I was working on so many pre-sub episodes that I was getting sick of subtitling.
I really hope this type of subtitles will disappear soon.
Anyway, I hope it's not too boring for you.
stecas_232
I like Japanese dramas and movies in general, they have a sens of humor that is simply brilliant. But I don't have a favorite genre, I like to change and discover new stories, new actors. Romance is boring, they have always the same plot, and you know strait away how is going to end, no surprises. But something more "fantasy", horror, comedy and everything "strange", that's really fun and surprising me.
dimghro
I started my adventures of watching Asian dramas with Chinese costume dramas. So, in the beginning, I contributed solely to this genre. Until @tony83n_283 invited me to my first modern project, a Korean drama (Mouse). Then I started a second one, the Chinese You Are My Hero, and that's how I gradually started to translate all genres. But I must say that as a contributor it was always about helping wherever I was invited and less about the genre. So I always appreciated any chance to help and be part of a project as long my time allowed me to.
tony83n_283
I love to watch all kind of dramas, but to translate my fav ones are costume/historical/wuxia dramas. I love to translate those ones because sometimes is a real challenge. I try to adjust the translation and to use many arhaic words, but trying to make the translation enjoyable for the viewers. There are dramas translated with so many regional words, that the viewers need to use a dictionary to understand the words used. Also, I love to translate BL dramas and I regret that there are many users who avoid to translate this genre.
enjoync
I like all kinds of dramas now, but I first "fell into the pot" with Korean dramas, which I still love a lot. Then I discovered Chinese dramas, whether historical or not, and they became my little favorites even if i like Korean dramas as usual. As for genres, I like everything except horror, but I must admit I have a soft spot for romance... That's my little "hopeless romantic" side. But i like discover many stories, genres, and change it according projects.
Translating and segmenting bring stories to life, and each genre offers a different kind of thrill. Do you have a favorite genre to work on? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear what makes it special for you! 🎬✨
