Netflix has removed the Chinese drama series Shine On Me from its Vietnam platform following an official complaint from Hanoi over a map depicting disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. The move underscores the sensitivity of geopolitical disputes in media content and highlights the ongoing tensions between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors over maritime sovereignty.

Controversial Episode Features Nine-Dash Line

The 27-episode romance drama, popular across China and other Asian markets, included imagery of the so-called nine-dash line, which Vietnam strongly opposes. The disputed map appeared multiple times in episode 25, during a scene discussing China’s solar energy potential. The characters attend a lecture where a map showing the nine-dash line is projected on a screen, provoking objections from Vietnamese authorities.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism demanded that Netflix remove the series from its Vietnamese platform on January 3, 2026, giving the streaming service just 24 hours to comply. By the following day, a BBC verification found that the show was no longer available in Vietnam.

Prior to its removal, Shine On Me had ranked among Netflix’s Top 10 shows in Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan, demonstrating its regional popularity.

Historical and Legal Background of the South China Sea Dispute

China claims extensive parts of the South China Sea, including the Paracel and Spratly Islands, using the nine-dash line as the primary demarcation. Beijing bases its claims on historical evidence, including ancient navigation charts and artifacts, asserting centuries of sovereignty.

However, Vietnam, along with the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, disputes these claims. Hanoi maintains that it has effectively governed the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos since the 17th century, long before the modern Chinese state asserted claims.

The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s expansive claims, but Beijing has refused to recognize the decision. These disputes continue to spark tensions in Southeast Asia, particularly as China builds artificial islands, conducts military patrols, and asserts control over contested waters.

Vietnam’s Media Enforcement on the Nine-Dash Line

The nine-dash line has long been a sensitive issue in Vietnam, frequently provoking official action when depicted in media. Between 2019 and 2024, Netflix received eight takedown requests from Hanoi for similar content. In 2023, Vietnam also ordered the removal of the Chinese drama Flight to You for featuring the same territorial claims.

This enforcement extends beyond Chinese dramas. Hollywood productions have also been affected: Warner Bros’ Barbie (2023) and DreamWorks’ Abominable (2016) were banned in Vietnam for including maps or content referencing the nine-dash line.

Vietnamese authorities allow criticism of China’s territorial claims as one of the few forms of public protest, while generally managing domestic opinion to avoid wider anti-China sentiment.

China’s Response

Beijing has not officially commented on Netflix’s removal of Shine On Me in Vietnam. However, the state-run Global Times urged Hanoi to “separate cultural exchanges from the South China Sea issue,” reflecting China’s effort to maintain its soft power in the region despite geopolitical disputes.

The Broader Implications

The incident highlights the growing influence of geopolitical tensions on streaming media and international entertainment. Content producers and global platforms like Netflix must navigate complex territorial disputes and national sensitivities, particularly in regions with unresolved border or maritime conflicts.

For China, media portrayals of the nine-dash line serve to reinforce its territorial claims internationally. For Vietnam, controlling such depictions is a matter of national sovereignty and public sentiment. The episode’s removal underscores how sensitive the South China Sea dispute remains, extending far beyond military or diplomatic arenas into culture, entertainment, and public perception.