InterviewKim Seon-ho decodes language of love in ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’
Actor Kim Seon-ho / Courtesy of Netflix
Actor Kim Seon-ho believes that everyone possesses a unique language of their own, a realization that deeply resonated with him while filming his latest romantic comedy series, “Can This Love Be Translated?”
“The line stating that everyone has their own language left a huge impression on me,” Kim told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul on Thursday.
“I realized I hadn’t really thought about how everyone speaks differently before filming this project. Seeing how people handle misunderstandings made me be more patient. Now, I try harder to listen and understand others when we talk.”
In this Netflix series, penned by the famous screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, Kim plays Joo Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter who works for top star Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung). While he is an expert at translating foreign words, the story hinges on the complicated translation of human emotions.
To portray a professional interpreter, Kim spent four months practicing with real-life experts before filming began. He focused on the technical aspects of the job, such as maintaining a neutral tone and precise diction.
“I learned that interpreters often remove their own emotions to stay objective. I tried to apply that technique to Ho-jin’s character, making sure my delivery was clear and well-paced,” Kim said.
Actors Kim Seon-ho, left, and Go Youn-jung in a scene from “Can This Love Be Translated?” / Courtesy of Netflix
Despite his recent success with gritty, dark roles in “The Childe” (2023) and “The Tyrant” (2024), Kim returned to the romantic comedy genre on the strength of the script.
The actor also highlighted his chemistry with co-star Go as a key element of the production. He said the set was full of joy because both actors focused on having fun while they worked.
“I always try to make the filming environment enjoyable, and I found someone exactly like me in Go Youn-jung,” he said. “We opened up to each other over the months of filming, believing that the best acting comes when we are truly happy on set.”
Despite his busy schedule, Kim also continues to return to the theater. He is currently preparing for the two-person play “Secret Passage: Interval,” which is set to open in February. For him, theater is where he recharges his artistic energy.
“Standing on the theater stage is a major driving force for me,” he said. “Watching other actors gives me fresh ideas. It is a place where I build up my skills and experiences so that I can pull them out on a movie or drama set.”
Reflecting on his career, he said he simply wants to be a genuine actor so that he can earn the trust of his audience.
“I want people to say that my acting feels real, like someone who actually exists in the world,” he said. “My only wish is to keep showing better performances and moving people’s hearts with good scripts alongside fellow actors.”