Netflix will introduce color-coded subtitles for the upcoming competition series “Physical: Asia,” marking the first time the feature has been used in a Korean Netflix production. The new subtitle system aims to make the viewing experience more intuitive and accessible for audiences worldwide.
The streaming giant said Thursday that the subtitles will debut with the release of “Physical: Asia” on Oct. 28. The feature applies distinct colors to subtitles in each language, allowing viewers to easily distinguish who is speaking — a first for Netflix’s Korean lineup.
Netflix has experimented with two-person narration formats for fast-paced variety shows and improved captions for the hearing-impaired based on user feedback.
The company said the new color-coded approach continues its efforts to enhance accessibility and immersion for global viewers by visually linking each speaker to a team or nationality through color.
“Physical: Asia” features contestants from eight countries — Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines — competing in an international battle of physical strength.
With multiple languages spoken simultaneously, the subtitles use colors corresponding to each country’s team color. For example, Korean contestants’ dialogue appears in red, while Japanese contestants’ lines appear in blue.
Netflix said the feature also meets the accessibility guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium.
The color-coded subtitles will be available in up to 33 languages, including Korean and English captions for the hearing-impaired, and can be activated through settings on devices using iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system. Users who opt out of the feature will see standard subtitles without color effects.
A Netflix official said, “By introducing color-coded subtitles in ‘Physical: Asia,’ we wanted to create a more immersive experience that transcends language barriers. Netflix will continue to expand accessibility so that all users can enjoy entertainment equally at the highest level.”
This article from Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
