Evangelion Korean Dub Here
In 2019, Netflix attempted to standardize Evangelion globally. They produced a new Korean dub for the streaming service. This new dub:
Logically, this new dub is "superior" in technical quality. However, it was met with a fierce backlash from older Korean millennials. They called it the "오덥" (O-Dub – Old Dub) movement. Fans argued that the new dub lacked the "soul" of the 1999 version. Kim Seul-ha’s Shinji was replaced with a more standard male teenager voice, losing the androgynous pain.
For Korean fans, the original Tooniverse dub is Evangelion. The flaws (the censorship, the name changes, the hissy audio tapes) are part of the show's history.
For years, the MBC dub was considered "lost media." The original master tapes were rumored to have been wiped by the station to save space. Only fan-recorded VHS rips from 1997, grainy and riddled with tracking errors, kept the dub alive on Korean torrent sites under the codename "MBC-EVA-97."
In 2021, when Evangelion 3.0+1.0 hit streaming, a generation of Korean fans begged for a "retro-dub" cameo. While Amazon used a modern, clean cast, the old fans smile knowingly. They remember the banana peel. They remember the eerie acapella.
The Korean dub of Evangelion is not a "good" translation. It is a time capsule of 90s Korean broadcasting: reckless, over-dramatic, censored, but emotionally raw. It proved that even when you change the names and remove the crosses, you cannot scrub away the existential dread at the heart of the human condition.
In the famous words of MBC’s Han Shin-ho: "Get in the damn robot, Shin-ho... or don't. Either way, Eomma is watching." (Paraphrased, of course).
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) Essential viewing for completists. To hear Shinji scream in Korean is to understand Eva on a cellular level.
The Korean dubbing of Neon Genesis Evangelion has undergone several iterations, transitioning from a heavily edited early broadcast and home video era to high-quality modern re-dubbings for Blu-ray and global streaming platforms. 1. Historical Broadcast & Early Dubbing The initial introduction of Evangelion
to South Korea was complicated by historical restrictions on Japanese cultural imports. VHS Era (Champ Video):
The first official Korean dub appeared on VHS in the late 1990s via Champ Video. This version is often remembered for its low production quality and heavy censorship of certain scenes deemed inappropriate for the time. Tooniverse Dub (1999):
A significant re-dub occurred in 1999 for the cable channel Tooniverse. This version is widely considered the "classic" Korean dub by long-time fans and featured a high-profile voice cast: Shinji Ikari: Son Jeong-ah Misato Katsuragi: Choi Deok-hee Rei Ayanami: Lee Hyun-jin Asuka Langley Soryu: 2. Modern Re-Dubs (Blu-ray & Rebuilds) evangelion korean dub
In recent years, the franchise has seen "complete" dubbing projects that include previously undubbed content like The End of Evangelion Mirage Entertainment Blu-ray (2021):
A new definitive Korean dub was produced for the TV series and the original movies ( Death(true)² The End of Evangelion
) to accompany the high-definition Blu-ray release. This project aimed for higher fidelity and a more literal translation compared to the 1990s versions. New Lead Cast:
Chae Min-ji (Shinji), Park Si-yoon (Asuka), and Kim Haru (Rei). Rebuild of Evangelion
film series also received professional Korean dubs, with most modern cast members reprising their roles for the final film, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time , released in 2021. 3. Localization & Impact
Here’s a social media post you can use for platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook:
Title: 🎙️《에반게리온》 한국어 더빙 – Is it worth watching?
If you’ve only seen Neon Genesis Evangelion with Japanese or English audio, you might be sleeping on the Korean dub. 🇰🇷
Here’s why fans are talking about it:
✅ Strong voice direction – The emotional weight of Shinji’s breakdowns, Asuka’s fiery rage, and Rei’s unsettling calm come through powerfully in Korean.
✅ Localized without losing the weird – The dub respects the original’s psychological and religious symbolism while making dialogue feel natural to Korean audiences.
✅ Nostalgia factor – For Korean fans who grew up with the early 2000s broadcasts or DVD releases, this is the definitive way to experience Eva.
🎥 Where to find it:
⚠️ Note: The Korean dub for the original TV series differs from the Rebuild movies – both have their own casts. The TV dub has a raw, classic anime feel; the Rebuild dub is more polished.
Have you heard Evangelion in Korean? What’s your take? 👇
#에반게리온 #Evangelion #KoreanDub #AnimeCommunity #NeonGenesisEvangelion #더빙애니
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The Korean dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion is a fascinating piece of anime history, particularly because there isn't just one version. Depending on when and where you watched it, the experience—and the "interesting" factor—changes significantly.
Here is a review of the Evangelion Korean Dubbing landscape, focusing on the two major iterations. 💿 The Cult Classic: The 1990s VHS/TV Version
In the late 90s, Evangelion arrived in Korea during a time of strict regulations on Japanese cultural imports. This version is steeped in nostalgia.
The Vibe: It feels raw and experimental. Because the show was so "alien" at the time, the voice acting has a certain theatrical gravity that matches the show's psychological weight.
Shinji Ikari (voiced by Choi Deok-hui): Choi is a legend in the Korean dubbing industry (also known for voicing Sailor Moon). Her Shinji is iconic—capturing that specific "90s protagonist" fragility that feels slightly more defiant than the original Japanese performance.
The "Localized" Feel: This version often dealt with censorship or slight script tweaks to fit Korean broadcasting standards of the era, making it a "time capsule" for fans of vintage media. 📽️ The Modern Standard: Netflix & Rebuilds
The more recent Korean dubbing, particularly for the Rebuild of Evangelion movies and the Netflix re-release, shows how much the industry has evolved. Logically, this new dub is "superior" in technical quality
Polished & Precise: The technical quality is world-class. The screams—a vital part of any Eva dub—are bone-chilling and mixed perfectly with the chaotic sound design of the "Angel" battles.
Asuka’s Fire: The Korean language is famously expressive when it comes to "strong" or "sharp" personalities. The Korean Asuka captures the character's tsundere arrogance and eventual breakdown with a linguistic bite that arguably rivals the original Japanese.
Rei’s Ethereal Tone: Translating Rei’s flat, detached tone into Korean is difficult without sounding "bored," but the modern VAs manage to keep her sounding hauntingly "other." ⚖️ The Verdict: Is it worth a watch? Yes, especially if you are a fan of "Linguistic Flavor."
The Pros: Korean phonetics lend themselves beautifully to the high-intensity shouting and technical jargon found in NERV headquarters. It adds a "K-Drama" level of emotional intensity to the character interactions that feels fresh if you've only seen the sub.
The Cons: For purists, some of the nuanced philosophical terms (which are already confusing in Japanese) can get slightly muddled in translation, though the scripts have become much more accurate over time. If you're looking to dive deeper, I can help you find:
Which streaming platforms currently host the Korean dub in your region.
The names of the specific voice actors for your favorite characters.
A comparison of iconic scenes (like the "scream" in Episode 1) between the Korean and Japanese versions. Which part of the Evangelion experience interests you most?
Here’s a concise guide to the Korean dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion (including The End of Evangelion and the Rebuild films).
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the Evangelion Korean dub for completists is the release inconsistency. For years, the final two episodes (25 and 26) were broadcast in their original form, but the theatrical film The End of Evangelion was delayed for nearly three years due to "cultural review."
When The End of Evangelion finally received a Korean dub, it was released direct-to-VHS/DVD with a different voice cast for minor characters, breaking continuity with the TV series. The infamous "Congratulations" scene (Episode 26) was kept, but the live-action footage in EoE (featuring the real Tokyo streets) was left untranslated, leaving Korean audiences confused. Rating: ★★★★☆ (4