Netflix Removes “Shine on Me” Amid South China Sea Dispute
06th Jan. 2026
Netflix has removed the Chinese romance series Shine on Me from its Vietnam platform. It has happened after Hanoi raised objections over a map showing disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. The 27-episode drama, which previously ranked among Netflix’s Top 10 shows in Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan, features the controversial nine-dash line in episode 25. Vietnam’s authorities have described the map as “inaccurate” and “infringing upon national sovereignty,” which promoted an urgent demand for the series’ removal.
The disputed map appears during a lecture scene, where the main characters observe a projection of China’s map including the nine-dash line. The line is used by Beijing to assert sovereignty over large parts of the South China Sea. A claim that has been widely contested by Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. In response, Vietnam’s culture ministry has instructed Netflix to remove the series on 3 January, giving the platform just 24 hours to comply. By 5 January, a report confirmed that the show was no longer available on Netflix in Vietnam.
Why Netflix Removed Shine On Me From Vietnam
China has increasingly strengthened its claims over multiple islands and waters in the South China Sea by expanding islands, constructing facilities, and conducting naval patrols. These actions have occasionally led to confrontations, particularly with the Philippine Navy. Beijing maintains that historical evidence, including ancient maps, pottery shards, and navigational guides that are used by Chinese fishermen, support its claims. However, in 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague rejected China’s claims, However, Beijing had refused to recognize the tribunal’s authority.
The South China Sea dispute between China and Vietnam is focused on the Paracel and Spratly island chains. Beijing asserts that its sovereignty dates back centuries, while Hanoi argues that China never claimed these islands before the 1940s and has effectively administered them since the 17th Century. Vietnam maintains documents that support its long-standing jurisdiction over these territories.
Vietnam’s Media Censorship Over Disputed Territorial Maps
Vietnam has previously acted against Chinese media for portraying the nine-dash line. In 2023, the government removed another Chinese drama, “Flight to You”, for similar reasons. Moreover, the controversy is not limited to Chinese productions. Hollywood films, such as Warner Bros’ Barbie (2023) and DreamWorks’ Abominable (2016), were also banned for featuring disputed maps.
Beijing has not officially responded to the Netflix ban, but the state-run Global Times urged Vietnam to “separate cultural exchanges from the South China Sea issue,” which highlights the sensitive intersection of entertainment and geopolitics in the region.
Web Resources on the Netflix removed Shine on Me Drama
1. BBC.com: Netflix pulls Chinese drama over disputed map
2. Bloomberg.com: Netflix Withdraws Chinese Drama in Vietnam Over Nine-Dash Line Map
3. Tuoitre.vn: Vietnam requests Netflix to remove Chinese series ‘Shine on Me’
4. AcademicBlock.com: South China Sea Dispute