'Kayak, deed'...dubbed version of 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' to be released next month

▲This photo shows the English dubbing scene of the drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo, at a studio in Burbank, California" (Yonhap)

▲This photo shows the cast and voice actors for the dubbed version of the drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (Yonhap)

SEOUL, August 24 (Yonhap) -- "Gi-reo-gi, to-ma-to, S-wi-ss, in-do-in, byeol-ddong-byeol, yeok-sam-yeok."

How would it feel if the quotes in the famous Korean drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," is dubbed in English? 

The United States' streaming service company Netflix released on Wednesday, on Korean media, the scene of making the dubbed version of the drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo."
 
The dubbing is taking place in Burbank, California, the film industry's epicenter.They have finished the dubbing for half of all 16 episodes, and it will be released next month. 

When a reporter visited the "Dubbing Brothers Studio," The scene where Woo Young-woo (played by Park Eun-bin) first met her senior, Jeong Myung-seok (played by Kang Ki-yong), and introduced herself was on the huge screen. 

The dubbed lines of the part "Gi-reo-gi, Yeok-sam-yeok," was being shown on the screen like a music score when the technical staff of the dubbing team pushed the play button, 

Same words even if you read it properly, or in reverse, were replaced as "Kayak, deed, rotator, noon, racecar. Woo Young-woo and civic. " 

The line "Yeoksam Station" (Yeoksamyeok) was used in the subtitles, but the rhythm of the sound and the symmetry were lost. However, in the dubbed version of the drama, the word "Civic" was used, and they could follow the rhythm. 

Minkyeongseo consultant, who took charge of the Korean cultural advice, said that "The translator of Woo Young-woo was able to translate the self-introduction of Woo Yong-woo well, taking into consideration the cultural and language points." and he said that "The words that sound the same even if reversed were found and the translation was well done." 

He said he thought if English speakers would be able to understand the lines due to the cultural difference, and that he especially thought about how "Yeok-sam-yeok," would be translated through discussions, and decided to translate it to "Civic." 

In the drama, Woo Young-woo was introducing herself and said the word "Yeok-sam-yeok." To maintain the rhythm of this line, the word "Civic" was used in order to suit local circumstances in the U.S.

Min consultant said that it was their assignment to show the difference between formal words and informal words. 

He said, "I am asking myself the context and details of the lines in the original version, and what it means to say it informally while using honorifics," and explained to the dubbing team that they use the title "oppa" when they call their lovers in Korea. 

The drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," is a heart-warming story about a genius attorney who has an autistic spectrum and has gained high popularity. 

Netflix have cast, Sue Ann Pien a Taiwanese actress who actually has autism spectrum in order to maintain the feeling of the original version, in the dubbed version as well. 

Pien was immersed while acting out the "Woo Young-woo" role, with body gestures and facial expressions. 

She said, "I have experienced everything that affected Woo Yong-woo," and added while laughing "I especially could relate to the part where Woo Young-woo gets excited about whales and gives a whole soliloquy.

Moreover, she said, "I have Asian parents and was raised with Korean friends," and continued, "I always feel happy when I watch Korean dramas, and I am happy to act for a Korean character's voice as an Asian American." 

Korean American voice actor Nick Martineau said that he paid attention to bringing up the uniqueness only Korean has.

Voice actor Ezra Weisz said, "We are trying our best to respect the Korean original version and sustain all the original version's actors' acting features." and added that "I will try my best to make the dubbed version sound like the voice actors are naturally communicating."

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Dowon Kim.)

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved