WITH S2 fansubbing policy
by javabeans
The admins of the fansubbing group WITH S2 asked if I could post up a notice of their recent decision to stop subtitle releases temporarily, and I thought I’d also take the chance to explain the stance a bit. It’s quite frustrating to see people who don’t understand the situation just jump to the conclusion that WITH S2 doesn’t have a good reason for their actions. Trust me, it does.
I’m a member of the group, but I’m not speaking FOR the admins, just expressing what I hope clears up possible confusion. (Read: Please don’t email me to protest/complain/rant!)
The group’s announcement:
We have warned everyone repeatedly on the issue of hardsubbing & streaming our subs.
We sincerely appreciate everyone’s efforts to spread the drama love, but we’re growing increasingly frustrated, not to mention worried, over our repeatedly ignored requests not to upload our material to Veoh, Youtube and other streaming sites.
Perhaps you guys aren’t aware of the problems facing WITH S2, but the flagrant disregard for our requests puts us in an increasingly vulnerable position as a fansubbing group. We don’t want to be shut down (which is something we are in constant threat of) and if our rules are not honored, we may well be.
Therefore we once again make this request:
Please do NOT harsub & upload any of our subtitles to streaming sites.
If people do not comply, we will be forced to stop releasing our subtitles
for ALL our current projects until the request is met, full stop.We regret that we have to take such a drastic stance, but our requests have gone ignored for the past year. There’s not much more we can do to protect ourselves and to continue bringing these dramas to fans, but we believe that taking these precautions now will keep us operational for the long run. And we hope to keep bringing these dramas to English-speaking fans for a long time. Please help us by abiding by our rules.
Here’s the issue: WITH S2 translates and subtitles dramas, and releases “softsubs.” (Softsubs are text files that sync with the video, so you play both files simultaneously. WITH S2 does not put out “hardsubs,” which are videos that come with the subtitles already embedded into the file.)
Lots of well-meaning fans then take the WITH S2 translations, “hardsub” and upload them onto streaming sites like Youtube or Veoh. THIS IS BAD. The reason is not because WITH S2 is stupid or annoying or mean. (1) It’s disrespectful to the subbers’ wishes, but more importantly, (2) Fansubbing is not legal, and with the popularity of kdramas growing, legitimate companies have licensed the dramas for DVD releases outside of Korea.
That makes fansubbers a target — although fansubbers make no money, legally the companies have all the right to shut it down. Because WITH S2 is a prominent fansubbing group, it’s at constant risk and legal threat. When you put videos on Veoh, that exposes the group and makes it a big target.
To this end, WITH S2 has politely and repeatedly asked uploaders on many streaming sites to STOP UPLOADING their files. Many people assume that the uploaders have WITH S2’s permission, but that’s not true. The uploaders have basically ignored all polite requests to stop.
Which is why WITH S2 has decided that they will put a hold on their subtitle releases until the uploaders comply. (Personally, I think the fansubbers have been way too nice so far, but the admins are truly good-hearted people who just want to do their best to bring kdramas to English-speaking fans.)
WITH S2’s second-year anniversary is approaching (January 10), and the fansubbers would all love to celebrate the occasion by resuming sub releases. If you’re an uploader, please DO NOT UPLOAD WITH S2’s SUBS to any more streaming sites.
It might be annoying to have to figure out how to watch dramas without Youtube or Veoh, but trust me, it’s really not that hard. And some fans complain, “I don’t know how to do it! It’s too hard! I need Veoh!” Well, if we fansubbers can figure out how to download dramas, translate them, time them, edit them, release them, and provide the raw video files separately — surely you can learn how to watch them. (Soompi and d-addicts have detailed instructions.) Or buy the DVDs when they’re released officially.
WITH S2 is providing a SERVICE — a free, fast, reliable service. Fansubbers would like to keep providing the service, so we hope everyone can understand why this decision has been made. WITH S2’s wish is NOT to shut down drama-sharing — it’s to keep it alive for the long run. Please help by considering the bigger picture.
Without streaming sites, drama-watching may become less convenient, that is unfortunately true. But it’s better than shutting down fansubbing entirely — ’cause then you’ll have no dramas at all.
And finally, Emily from WITH S2 would like for me to extend the group’s best holiday wishes. On behalf of WITH S2:
Tags: fansubbing
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101 Skangrrl
December 27, 2007 at 6:31 AM
OK, I fully admit I was one of those who had no clue what all the hardsub & softsub issue was all about. I did not even know what they meant! But I did watch Lyptika & Mackie's videos thinking they did all the translation. And I used to think they were so hardworking to get so many done so quickly! Now I feel like a real tool and terribly sorry.
I am a Mac user so had problems with Clubbox - I did try to get on there & follow the instructions from a kind person who wrote a tutorial for non-Koreans. But it did not work on my Mac so I am just relying on bittorrent now. Have not tried to play the softsubs with the raw (as it has been downloading for the last day & the reason why I preferred streaming as my Internet connection is limited) yet so fingers crossed.
Glad S2 is back and I will keep at it till I can do it the right way instead of visiting the streaming pirates.
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102 Paula
December 27, 2007 at 6:37 AM
@ Lily 101....
Thanks for those instructions! I've actually used VEOH before as well to download RAW episodes of Golden Bride and watched them with the WITH S2 subs in the exact same way that you described, except that I don't use GOM, I use Windows Media Player, which does the exact same thing :) I've also noticed that pashanne on VEOH has RAWs of Legend of the Four Gods uploaded as well, so you could do the same thing with that series (another one of my favorites)
@ jenn 102......
I don't know if WITH S2 has necessarily as a group started subbing again. I know that Yi San has just released new subs, but that was a special project taken on by 2 members of the group, Mrs Korea and mily2, and doesn't seem to be a part of WITH S2, because Yi San is not listed under the groups official site with their current projects. Plus, the announcement is still listed on their Dramawiki Fabsub page about discontinuing their subs.
I sincerely hope though, that enough people will realize that they are hurting, rather then helping, when they upload hardsubs and streamed videos. And lets hope that WITH S2 does continue their subs in the near future. They have done a tremendous amount of work and I am afraid that their efforts have been taken for granted by too many people who have refused to listen to their wishes.
Thanks once again WITH S2 for all that you've done, and I hope to see more of your wonderful work in 2008 :)
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103 maggie
December 27, 2007 at 9:15 AM
i think lyptika is a russian girl living in germany..
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104 toya
December 27, 2007 at 9:26 AM
reading through the announcement etc - i make out that uploading subs (hardsub) to streaming websites is dangerous because those companies (who are trying to catch the streaming providers for breach of copyright) may target WITHS2 subbing group.. am i right on this? (cause i'm still blur on the actual fear of breach of copyright with hardsubbing - cause taking the step to sub any drama without actual permission is a breach in itself already)
with regards to watching online videos, here's some reasons I encountered myself in downloading a drama
1. clubbox usually works quite slow outside of korea/US (slower now in fact).. most of the not-so-hit-dramas are 700 MB (hit dramas mostly now are 700MB too) and it'll take nearly a whole day to download one episode. MQ files which are good substitutes to HQ files are very hard to find.(naynay don't do much of kdramas anymore). LQ doesn't give the kick of a drama
- of course, one solution: be patient.
2. some addicts (like me) are students, living in hostel where p2p softwares (like clubbox) are strictly banned.
- so clubbox bit torrent is out.
3. the most popular file host is megaupload (for direct links). But megaupload have a country download slot limit. Like in malaysia, its almost impossible get through, unless, you download the Alexa toolbar , which, is said to be categorised as a spyware. Conservative person like me would not jeopardise my comp with potential spywares.
- by the way, does buying membership avoids country download limit??
4. one way to counter attack expired links for filehost is through streaming sites. for those who can't use clubbox, some dramas are not uploaded to filehosts, and the the other source will be streaming sites. something like archiving the drama.
- bad habit, lame excuse but it happens
BY the way, not everyone has the best, fastest connection ... in some country, connection sucks and its expensive... so you won't be able to get a HQ of megaupload in 30 mins... bear in mind there's 3 parts to a HQ, each part taking up at least an hour, and between 2 parts you'll get a 5 hours limit block (for free users)...so pls before you say "how easy it is to download from MU/ any other filehost" pls consider people like us.
though with that said, I respect WITHS2 decision 100% ... (i'm patiently trying to get my files through MU, hacking here and there)
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to my understanding, WITHS2 produced subs are not to be distributed in any site (as the original soft sub state with all credits intact).. is that right?
i respect that subbers deserve all the credit for the subs - no doubt bout it.
just a danger i see is that if all the addicts are directed to d-addicts to download the subs, the only place to get the subs, won't that make d-addicts a big target for breaching? compared if kind of spreading the risk around..
i may be ignorant in this field - i apologize...
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105 diana
December 27, 2007 at 9:48 AM
thx lingling and merriweather...
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106 diana
December 27, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Last news I got :
Lyptika's account on Veoh has been completely removed. That's very good news BUT I checked and she's got an account on Dailymotion. There's no videos for now but I think it's better to wait to be sure she doesn't upload anything on that one.
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107 Paula
December 27, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Off topic, but I am a little disturbed.....
What's up with comment number 92? Why am I quoted on another site? That's a little disturbing...... :( if you click on #92, it takes you to a different site where they quoted me, but why?
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108 La Plume
December 27, 2007 at 12:00 PM
ah yes sorry diana... pOst n° 108 is actually mine but I hadn't noticed the nick was wrong.
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109 Bee
December 27, 2007 at 7:22 PM
Hi Drama bean. I thank you for all your hard work and could someone please teach me step by step how to download with sub. I have been waiting patiently for Bad love and I dont mind paying to watch it. Pls. help.
Thanks again and All the best to your team. You guys are the best. Keep it up.
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110 Lorilei
December 28, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Seems like lyptika won't be uploading on veoh anymore, she put a message on her dailymotion account: "3 hours ago by lyptika
I won't upload any asian dramas on veoh anymore, so sorry guys. The best ones are beeing subbed by WITH S2 anyways. Peace out! :)"
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111 esztokam
December 28, 2007 at 8:34 AM
I can totally understand you. You are RIGHT!
By the way WITH S2 is my fav fansub group! I hope you'll continue the work 'coz you always sub my fav dramas. May I say we have the same style! Thank You!
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112 dan
December 28, 2007 at 8:47 AM
agreed
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113 Beeni
December 28, 2007 at 11:32 AM
as a translator of WITHS2, i feel that this issue needed to be addressed LONG time ago, but everyone was too nice in WITHS2, that they addressed it NOW.
(hehehehe... it seems im the evil one of the group.)
i always got angry when i found hardsubbed versions of our subs floating around here and there, especially since i know how long it took for us to release it, but i kept it inside and didn't say anything.
im glad that a lot of people took notice and AGREE with our policy that our softsubs shouldn't be hardsubbed. XD
thank you everyone for your support~.
but what's this thing about "no further releases"?
i never heard anything about that from the other members. o.o
*runs to ask*
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114 knitoe
December 28, 2007 at 2:45 PM
you are not the only evil one beeni! *stab* ^_^
"no further releases" means we will not release any more of our work to the public until these bad apples honor/comply with our requests.
everyone thank you for your continued support and please help us to let those hardsubbers know how much harm they are inflicting.
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115 Skangrrl
December 28, 2007 at 6:01 PM
The thing is (I went a lurking to see the comments regarding the lyptika issue 'cos I felt so betrayed by her duplicity) that many of her fans have no clue what the real issue is. Probably like me if I had not read this page and realised what they had done. So poor Veoh is getting the brunt of it and they are all on a "oh poor lypitka & bad old Veoh being like youtube" bash. And WITHS2 is also getting a bad rap for being mean! Oh the injustice of it ... *tears off chunk of beef jerk*
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116 wanniesarang
December 28, 2007 at 6:36 PM
Just want to say...
Before WITH S2 take drastic action, i watch on veoh comment under lyptika and makieproduction, if 100 comment just 1 comment that tell them to stop, and 99 support them. "Please dont stop..." "Love you..." and many more. I even comment to stop then it just be ignored, and if someone tell them rudely, they bashing that person.
After WITH S2 stop release sub, it kinda 50-50... still they have support. But i think that a good action that WITH S2 take. cuz many comment ask them to stop uploading...
I know that i also suffer for sub getting late release but i really annoying with this issue... I'm part the fansubbing too... it really take a lot of person and work to finish 1 episode. Sometime I even stay up to finish timing, and we now that WITH S2 always have fast sub, it really rushing to finish very faster. That for free! And still they dont want to learn how to watch avi and srt file together...
"Keep free fansubbing alive"
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117 Elka
December 28, 2007 at 9:56 PM
Hi, I'm totaly agree with WITH S2's decision, to stop sub-english for a while, to make understand uploaders to not use her work, even it was easier to see it at veoh or you tube, but as javabeans said, we have to learn how to download at our computeres, of course it would take more time to us but we have to think in all WITH S2 hard job so if we still want to enjoy korea dramas, just make what she ask since she has all the right to put the rules to use her work.
I thankful to WITH S2 for her hard job, thank to her I have seen many kdramas and I loved it and I hope she can still working on it. I really love all the work she has been making and I hope WITH S2 not to stop it.
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118 Thu
December 28, 2007 at 10:13 PM
I'm thinking fansubbing in general is getting angry with streaming sites and hardsubbing. Like anime fansubbing is also getting fed up with the people hardsubbing and uploading. It's true if you truly want to watch you can download and if your computer is too slow borrow a friends. O_o; Whatever.. Keep FANSUBBING ALIVE. You will regret it when it's gone.
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119 Avocado
December 29, 2007 at 5:52 AM
Hi, I download dramas from clubbox and torrents and never use anything like veoh so Im assuming lyptika hardsubbed WithS2's subs on raw file and upload on veoh which leads to the issue right now. Apparently WithS2 has stopped distributing subs although they are still making them?!!? Am I right? There are progresses on their webpage but all subs are on hold. So how can WithS2 be sure that lyptika will stop doing what she has been doing? I wonder how people can keep track of this lyptika girl? She can easily just change her nick and keep on doing whatever she is doing.
Dont get me wrong but in a way lyptika was being nice to those who cant use clubbox and torrents and like dramas. I understand that not many people like myself who can download upto 85gb per month worth of korean dramas so if Im in those other people's shoes I would use veoh and of course thank lyptika for her generosity. BUT since I dont use veoh, am now angry at her for causing problems because there is no sub released at all.
The last thing I want to address is....what is lyptika getting out of streaming WithS2 subs with the raw? Why would she waste her time and effort to do something like this? She must have othing else better in life to do ..
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120 revenue analyst
December 29, 2007 at 7:41 AM
Hi Avocado
In case you were wondering why these people are so generous with their time and effort, putting up hardsubs on streaming sites, its because they earn money from their blog with ads targeted to their site.
mysoju.com even has a Web Site Audience Profiles from Quantcast.
check this out http://www.quantcast.com/mysoju.com
It's okay by me for the little money most blogs make, because I usually support these sites that interest me anyway. It is very little support for the time the fan subbers spend creating fan subs.
Very smart of mysoju.com to have a site that attracts a lot of interest and generates a lot of hits to their site. Very little work for their audience so they get lots of hits. They get hits also just by having people check ing for new releases.
Releases by the way that they get from d-addicts. very minimal work on mysoju's end. The fan subbers do most of the really hard work. This is why it is disrepectful to the real fan subbers.
you might even notice how these streaming sites want to add other web sites onto their blog pages so they can have more exposer to their site. the more hits from their link to other links, the more money for them.
try google how to make money by blogging, it's an eye opener. Mysoju looks to be in the business of making money off someone else's hard work.
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121 soslop
December 29, 2007 at 9:52 AM
I totally support and understand you guys! And you're right - it's NOT difficult to watch raws with srt-files (using Veoh to download raws and GOM player is excellent with srt). There are so many friendly people who are ready to instruct those who cannot yet (brilliant comments above!). I wish you guys good and better New Year and hope that you can keep up your work:D
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122 linh
December 29, 2007 at 2:43 PM
i respect and support With S2, i hope with a new year and new dramas approaching people will follow the rules and still be able to enjoy some new dramas. I hope With S2 resumes soon. I am really looking forward to Hong Gil Dong and I Love You, although I'm not sure if they are picked up by a subbing group yet.
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123 moodyhap
December 29, 2007 at 9:29 PM
I confess! I was under the assumption that a certain uploader(won't say who, I'm sure most people know) was part of WITH2, I read somewhere someone said that this person was part of WITH2 and this person never corrected that post.
I have become such a kdrama addict my family wants to send me to rehab, lol.
I think it was Paula who said she burns kmovies, I actually do the same(with dramas too).
I first started watching kdramas it was on youtube, then I found veoh and crunchyroll, but to be honest I hate having to watch videos in parts. I rather watch the whole thing at once, which is why I started looking into torrents. It seemed a bit confusing at first, but once you find a bittorrent client and install it all you need to do is click on a torrent (I use utorrent and download from d-addicts) and wait for it to download. Since I started using utorrent a few months ago, I don't have the need to visit streaming sites anymore. Plus I can burn my downloaded dramas and watch it on tv, which is much better for my eyes. And of course, they are for my personal entertainment only(it's not like anyone else at home shares my passion for kdramas :) )
So my apologies to WITH2 for not realizing sooner the damage I was causing for watching through streaming sites. I support you guys wholeheartedly and thank you for all your hard work. I'm truly greatful to you guys because if it wasn't for you then we wouldn't be able to enjoy the world of Kdramas. A million thanks and hope to see the fruits of your continuing labor soon.
Happy New Year every one and lets keep supporting WITH2!
(wow! this is long, sorry) :)
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124 hellaakon
December 29, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Slow internet, restricted access, blah blah blah. Basically, in this context, they are all excuses.
Bottom line: If you can't stop depending on streaming sites for fansubs, then there will be no fansubs at all. Clear?
So let me ask: what choice will you make? (I hope the answer is obvious.)
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125 simi
December 30, 2007 at 12:25 AM
At least everyone's trying to do what they can on their end in order to support WITHS2's decision. And that's THE MOST important thing.
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126
December 30, 2007 at 10:46 AM
I rarely watch with s2's subs mainly cos I dislike the translations from Chinese subs and the bad timing but thats not why I'm posting.
Do you really think that by posting on d-addicts they licensers don't know? They see it. And the fact that they're still uploading the actual episodes on d-addicts and Clubbox is illegal. If they were truly worried, the best way to avoid being known is to go completely anonymous. It's a little hard on a tracker on d-addicts but there are loads of other trackers besides d-addicts that could accommodate a few dramas.
Having work being uploaded without consent isn't just the drama fansubbing community's problem. The anime fansubbers deal with their stuff being uploaded all the time and they don't stress out. If a company sends a C&D they just remove the stuff as requested. If they continue subbing they continue anonymously under different names and trackers.
Oh and you've not quite grasped the whole hardsub softsub thing. You can get softsubbed files which have the raw and the subtitles in muxed into it but you can still watch it without displaying the subs.
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127 knitoe
December 31, 2007 at 7:50 AM
Hello 'Anonymous'. I am sorry you dislike our translations and timing - maybe you should provide a better service since you are so much more adept.
Do we think that the licensers don't know? Of course they know, that has never been a question and you seem to be missing the entire point of the current situation. You are speaking about two different beasts by nature. Anime fansubbers most of the time do hardsubs - which is why they have to go through the hassles with licensers that you speak of (changing names, using different trackers, etc.)
This would be exactly opposite of our approach - we are a fansub group that makes fansubs only. We do not make RAW files nor do we make hardsubs. To the best of my knowledge there is nothing illegal about creating a subrip file and making it available to others. Your recommendation of muxing our work with RAW files is exactly of the sort wherein the trouble with legality lies - this would be no different to and just as illegal as hardsubbing a licensed work.
Personally, I find your comment rude and insulting. Nowhere do you provide any useful constructive information or even a viable alternative to the situation. Your suggestion is to blatantly break the law and hide behind an anonymity title? Give me a break, you have got to have something better than that considering you know everything there is to know about fansubbing.
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128 Melusine
December 31, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Hi,
I discover over a year ago K-drama and I have to thanks S2 for their translation making it possible for me to watch and understand what is happening. So Thanks for that.
Even if it not convenient for me I do support S2 decision. I hope that we will be able to see soon their tranlation.
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129 alfredo
December 31, 2007 at 1:18 PM
I can totally understand where WITH-S2 group is coming from. with the time and energy put into subbing these dramas for us, being at one point a part-time timer. I was wondering if the IP address of this individual (ruining the pleasure of the subs provided by hardsubbing) can be banned from whatever sites WITH-S2 upload their subs.
If I haven't said it b/4, thanks WITH-S2 for all your hardwork, and I'm in full support of your decision to temporarily suspend production of the subs.
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130 BISH
December 31, 2007 at 2:29 PM
I support WITH S2 and all, have no problems d/ling and such, do watch from streaming site for convenience. I'm also dismayed that it has gotten to this point where you HAVE to take these measures to protect yourselves. Enough of the background info.
Now my only question is does veoh pay the uploader for number of visits or something? If not how the heck else would they insist upon uploading in face of threats without any sort of direct benefits. And no i don't consider 20k or how many thanks he gets as benefit. Maybe i'm missing something
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131 Melly
December 31, 2007 at 3:48 PM
I Love WITHS2 and until now, I never wath movie on youtube or veoh. I better download RAW and soft sub file. Hope everyone dont ignore this simple rules.
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132 kotatsulove
December 31, 2007 at 4:53 PM
thanks for this blog entry. i had always wondered why With S2 was so adamant about not having their subtitles put on streaming sites. i'm glad i finally got an explanation. i did use those streaming sites, but i definitely won't know. i hope the streaming sites comply so that With S2 can start subbing again!
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133 Avocado
December 31, 2007 at 11:38 PM
Hi Anonymous, Im quite surprised when you said With S2 has bad translation and timing. Well I dont know Korean so I cant judge the quality of translations but they make sense and make me understand the series so Im happy, timing is really good too. I personally find With S2 the best fansubber out there, fast releases of subs with good quality. You normally find subs a week after the series is shown, like Golden Bride, The Legend, etc, it is REALLY good. I dont think you can name any other fansubbers that can do the same. I think With S2 will be very upset reading your comment, they afterall do all this subbing for free. I dont think you have any rights to say anything here.
People like myself who dont understand Korean, love Korean drama, who dont know how to help are really appreciate what are given. I think if people dont have fast connection, hey you guys can pay more to the ISP providers to get good connection to download raws, internet isnt that expensive nowadays.
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134 revenue analyst
January 1, 2008 at 4:06 AM
WITH S2 are by far the finest fan subtitlers around. Their subbing quality has a lot more meaning to it than our local station. Our local station subtitlers are very good, but WITH S2 adds that little bit of explaination, that help english speaking non koreans understand some of the jests and cultural aspects that we might have missed. They go the extra mile to bring a better understanding to the storyline. I've watched dramas subtitled by WITH S2 and then on our local station. If I didn't watch it with WITH S2 subs first I wouldn't have had the depth of understanding as when I watch with just our local station subtitles.
I believe that it is because these are fans doing the subtitling, so they put that extra care into their work. The local station subtitlers will sometimes gloss over areas or just skip some of what the charater is saying. You can hear the charater talking, but the subtitle is just one short sentence.
The subtitlers working on Golden Bride was so very quick also.
I have bought some korean dramas in San Francisco chinatown, subtitled by subtitlers with chinese as a first language, and yes those were very bad.
But since I don't have a good grasp of Korean, even these are better than no subtitles. Especially if no one else has subbed a drama I really wanted to see.
All subtitle groups have merit and are doing the english speaking fans a good service. This is why watching several versions of subtitles will give a better understanding of what the writer was trying to convey.
Thank you very much WITH S2 for all your hard work.
Good luck in the coming New Year.
I am looking forward for when you feel you are ready to do some releases again.
Because I've actually watched dramas using your subs, I know you do quality work.
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135 Archaenon
January 1, 2008 at 6:56 AM
I knew this was going to happen eventually. As with life , it only takes a few people to ruin it for everyone else. I'm in the middle of watching withs2 subbed shows. I hate the fact that people ignore thier policies.
I honestly would not be mad if they closed up shop because of it. They deserve it for utterly ignoring thier blatent requests to stop. I would be mad because withs2 is the best fansub group I have seen , and they really crank out work , so I have mad respect for them and all the work they do.
So people , do as they say and comply. I would hate for them to stop completely because of some people , but if that's what it takes to teach them , then so be it.
My other main issue is that the Japanese drama watchers are laughing that there are hardly any kdramas , or saying things like "Well they are just korean dramas , no one cares". I bet if they stopped alot of the jdrama groups we'd get the reverse of this , but I mean , you guys can knock that off too. I honestly am a total korean media wh**e , I love Korean dramas to death so I'm a huge fan of withs2.
So I hope this gets the point across and all the best luck to beans and the withs2 staff. Cheers and Happy new Years.
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136 c
January 1, 2008 at 1:50 PM
how would any company know who is subbing these kdramas if no one would put the sub group name to the videos. stop putting the sub groups name with the videos and up load them. if S2 really are doing this for the fans, then just add subs to the videos, but don't put their sub groups name.
leave the subs as "unknown" and maybe they won't get in trouble if someone else uploads their stuff.
i am not a uploader or subber, just a kdrama lover.
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137 456
January 1, 2008 at 3:18 PM
@138:
Yes, they're doing it for the fans. But you do have to realize they should get a bit of recognition too. It's really time consuming to do subs, especially HQ subs. Translations, spot translation, timing, ect. All of that takes a LONG time. It might take you only 45 minutes to watch each episode but takes 10x longer to simply make the subs.
Furthermore, the subs would come from SOME place, wouldn't it? The companies are not stupid. Even without the names, they can find the website.
If you find that it would be okay if they don't get any recognition, then how about they simply release to their fave people in the forums they go to (like soompi) for example, and leave everyone out in the dust? Then, their rules get followed, and since the files aren't spread out, companies would find nothing since the people they released to don't spread the files. Would that be a better alternative, since it's still for fans (and grateful fans too) and they won't get any legal troubles?
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138 c
January 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM
@456
which is more important to them getting recognition or spreading the kdrama love?
and releasing it to their favorite people.....who do u think is sharing it now with everyone. forums start off with friends sharing with friends, and friends sharing with their friends, and so on. that is how forums like S2, soompi, & etc get so big.
and even if they stop subbing videos there are other subbing groups out there already subbing the same videos. so if S2 stop subbing videos OH WELL.....kdrama lovers will still find sub videos and watch them.
it may sound like i am hating on S2, but i am not. i respect them for their decision.
again i am not a uploader or subber, just a kdrama lover.
also i do buy kdramas, which takes them forever to get to my house. esp from Yesasia they are a freckin slow company.
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139 Javabeans
January 1, 2008 at 4:58 PM
I don't want this to turn into an extended discussion about whether the policy is valid or whatnot, but for clarification purposes:
to c (#138 and #140) and anyone else with similar questions: You may not realize, but subbing policies are discussed EXTENSIVELY within the subbing group. I mean, endless back and forths of what's the best path of action, discussions ad nauseum. NONE of these decisions are made lightly. And even if a reason for a particular action isn't patently obvious, chances are THERE'S A GOOD REASON for it. Please don't disparage an action just because that reason isn't obvious to you.
As to your particular concern, another issue constantly plaguing subbing groups is the separate issue of our work being sold for profit by others. While With S2 has no desire to profit financially from its work, there have been many, many bootleggers who won't hesitate to pass off With S2's work as their own and sell it online. While credits won't ultimately stop them (we're not dumb; we know we're fighting an uphill battle in almost every arena), it's the hope that when FANS buy these illegal bootlegs, they'll see the credits and realize they've been scammed. Credits aren't for glory (I mean, my internet handle is pretty anonymous; what's the point in that kind of hubris?). That's JUST ONE of the many reasons for one of the many policies put in place by the groups.
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140 degeneral
January 1, 2008 at 7:44 PM
is there any idea of when or how this situation is going to be resolved? where is likely the best place to keep updated on this?
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141 telling the truth
January 1, 2008 at 8:17 PM
No one knows for sure when the situation will be resolve, especially when the shameless mysoju.com has just added Lee San (which is also strictly off-limits for uploading or hardsubbing to their streaming list). Being unable to 'get hold' the other dramas soft-subs which withS2 is currently witholding, they are uploading the only subs release that withs2 and friends are currently releasing. So this is going to cause more delays or completely stop in the subs until they and the other uploaders learn a lesson (which is so obviously that they won't).
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142 I hate to say it....
January 1, 2008 at 8:47 PM
But i really think withholding subs will do no good. Even if one uploader stops, others will take over. And frankly, I don't see the harm in letting people upload dramas to Youtube or what not. Frankly, the RAWs you guys use are huge(not everyone has a huge amount of hard drive space to save them to) and Bittorrent/clubbox/their ilk is really very hard to use unless you've got an excellent internet connection, where you can upload a lot and download a lot in return. On crappy connections, 1 episode=1 WEEK to download. Uploading them to the more democratic option of streaming sites gives everyone a chance to share in the Kdrama love. If you take a look at C or J drama subbers, almost all of them have Veoh channels. The more people that get an opportunity to see a drama, the faster word of mouth spreads, resulting, if the companies pay attention to what people like, a license. That's part of the reason anime companies have been remarkably lenient about fansubbing. It serves as a way to promote shows that deserve licensing. Couldn't drama fansubbing work on a similar principle?
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143 Me
January 1, 2008 at 11:15 PM
I just visited mysoju.com and noticed they are still hosting series using With S2 subtitles. I'm sure they're aware of the problem, but why can't they comply with the policies With S2 had set....because of people like them ruined it for everyone else.
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144 yeohweping
January 2, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Actually, we are suspecting that they (mysoju.com) have their own team of uploaders/hard-subbers (so thick-skinned that they even add their logo on the vids which misleads people to think that they subbed the dramas themselves or are part of the subbing team when it's actual subbing teams like Withs2, Bons, ect.. who are doing the hard work and they just credit themselves for it). And their vids are never hosted on their actual sites but are streamed from the sites like Youtube,Veoh, etc.. (which the illegal sellers most likely ripped from).
Problems are always created when people want the easy way out instead of thinking that things could be resolved if they think or work a little harder.
For those internet is block or slow, rent or buy the dramas together with your friends and share the costs. Read the spoilers posted on the drama thread (I'm sure there'll be plenty for a popular drama.)
For those are lazy, be hardworking for once since everything is already given to you for free. I believe that all of you are smart enough to learn and have the conscience to do the right thing before fansubs die out completely.
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145 Avocado
January 2, 2008 at 2:05 AM
Then I have a question. If mysoju.com has their own teams to use With S2 subs and credit themselves it would mean that there is no mention of with s2's name on their hardsubbed files...Then how can With S2 know their subs are used?
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146 thunderbolt
January 2, 2008 at 2:56 AM
#148 Avocado, given the hours and hours that we spend subbing each episode, we can easily recognize our work even when the credits are removed.
Using our softsubs in any way without our consent is just theft, pure and simple. Leaving the credits intact or tampering with them does not alter the fact that hardsubbers are taking something that does not belong to them.
The threat faced by fansubbing groups is very, very real. I experienced that firsthand a few years ago and it's frightening when the first letter threatening legal action arrives. I thought then that we were just a group of cyber-pals subbing a drama for fun. But it's never that straightforward. Javabeans explained it very clearly:
"Fansubbing is not legal, and with the popularity of kdramas growing, legitimate companies have licensed the dramas for DVD releases outside of Korea."
Whatever the hardsubbers' intentions (good or ill), they are stealing our work and exposing us to great risks. It's extremely frustrating that they continue to ignore this fact!!
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147 Archaenon
January 2, 2008 at 4:31 AM
@145non-complainer
I agree with you , because I remember way back in the day , trying to get my drama fix in the early 90s was hard as heck and I traded with family members and friends overseas. So the poor internet should not even be a complaint , and sadly that's what most people are using as thier excuse to justify the withs2's work being on Daily Motion , stage 6 , veoh , youtube , and the other endless video sharing sites.
Alot of stuff is on Nico video ( http://www.nicovideo.jp/ ) too , I don't know how many people go there , without a jp ip address you can only acess the site really late at night for a few hours , but alot of dramas are on there with withs2 subs.
=/
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148 LF
January 2, 2008 at 7:36 AM
dear with s2 members..
whenever i watch kdrama using ur subs, i always amused. how come they consistenly n faithfully serve the "nation" for free. i'm thinking of time n energy consuming. and goshhhh.. i really thankful for that. if not because of u, i cant enjoy watching latest kdrama n feel like living in korea coz feel so updated.
n now.. i'm in bad withdrawal syndrome due to ur latest action. come on guys.. give some respect to their works!!
please come back in action with s2 member.. u never imagine how many kdrama lovers silently smile n laugh at a lil corner in this world n i guess now they craving as i am.... =(
n.. i'm sorry i used to enjoy lyptica once upon a time during my lazy day. not anymore!!
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149 pklteam
January 2, 2008 at 9:26 AM
I tried to give them (mysoju.com) a comment about this but they seem to ignore. I don't think they care. OMG, those ignorance people....can't believe it! People, please do not go to their site and watch those dramas anymore, I think the only way to make that site die is not to go there to watch them. Also, all of us keep sending them letters to let them know....that's the only way.
With S2, we appreciate your work and totally support your action. We can wait......but I don't think those people who watch mysoju will have patient like us. Let see who would win this time.
To those lazy budds (excuse my language), when are you going to realize that without S2 sub, you can't do anything anymore, take that!
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150 Paula
January 2, 2008 at 9:54 AM
I too have left comments at mysoju explaining the situation and asking them to remove their shows, but to no avail. I've sent a couple out just in this past week, and they've ignored me too, and they don't post negative comments on their blog under the "contact us" section, only the positive glowing replies from people praising mysoju for their work.
I hope that a resolution for this problem comes soon though, I miss my kdramas too *sigh* :(
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