Navigating Cultural Horror:

Audio Description Challenges in Translating Korean Supernatural Elements in “Sweet Home”

Laura Martínez Urtiaga

The Graduate School of Korean Studies

This presentation examines the complex challenges of creating audio descriptions for “Sweet Home,” a Korean horror series that blends traditional folklore with contemporary body horror. Audio describers face unique obstacles when translating culturally specific visual elements for international audiences with visual impairments, as such, this presentation addresses five key challenge areas: describing Korean monster designs that merge traditional mythological elements with modern grotesque aesthetics; conveying claustrophobic spatial tension, which is considered to be essential to the show’s horror atmosphere; balancing cultural specificity with accessibility when describing Korean apartment settings and social dynamics that may result unfamiliar to global viewers; managing the pacing of rapid transformation sequences without overwhelming the narrative flow; and preserving space for emotional nuance alongside dialogue and sound design.

These challenges exemplify broader issues in accessible audiovisual translation, where describers must simultaneously serve as cultural mediators and accessibility practitioners. By analyzing specific scenes from “Sweet Home,” this presentation will propose practical strategies for navigating these intersecting demands, demonstrating how thoughtful audio description can enhance both cultural understanding and viewing accessibility. The discussion contributes to ongoing conversations about solving difficult translation challenges in audiovisual contexts, particularly where horror genre conventions and cultural specificity converge.

Keywords: Audio Description, Cultural Translation, Korean Media, Accessibility, Audiovisual
Translation

Laura Martínez Urtiaga is an early career researcher focused on the intersection between translation and accessibility in Korean media. Her research extends from the usage of audio description as a didactic resource to the current stream of Korean media being used as a Globalization tool in the recent era of the Hallyu Wave.