| Author | Year | Focus | Relevance | |--------|------|-------|-----------| | Arslan, B. | 2021 | Export dynamics of Turkish dizi | Provides macro‑context for Zalim İstanbul | | Kara, M. | 2020 | Gender representation in Turkish TV | Offers a baseline for thematic analysis | | Džonov, N. | 2023 | Subtitling strategies for Balkan markets | Directly informs translation analysis | | Bhabha, H. | 1994 | The Location of Culture | Theoretical framework for hybridity | | Venuti, L. | 1995 | The Translator’s Invisibility | Conceptual lens for translation effects |

The rise of Turkish “dizi” (serial drama) exports has been one of the most significant developments in global television over the past decade (Arslan, 2021). Zalim İstanbul stands out for its high production values, intricate plotlines, and its explicit engagement with social hierarchies, gender politics, and urban mythologies. While scholarly attention has largely focused on the series’ domestic impact (Kara, 2020), comparatively little work has examined how translation reshapes its meaning for non‑Turkish audiences.