Kim Seon-ho says playing six-language interpreter tougher than action scenes

연합뉴스 / 2026-01-13 14:28:03

▲ Actor Kim Seon-ho poses during a production press conference for the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in southern Seoul on Jan. 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- Actor Kim Seon-ho said portraying a multilingual interpreter fluent in six languages was more challenging than performing action scenes.

“It was a role of an interpreter fluent in six languages — Italian, English, Japanese, Chinese, French and Korean,” Kim said at a production press conference for Netflix’s new original series "Can This Love Be Translated?" held Tuesday at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in southern Seoul. “I studied for about four months, but it really wasn’t easy. Next time, I’d rather do action.”

The romantic comedy follows Ju Ho-jin (Kim), a multilingual interpreter, as he becomes the personal interpreter for global top star Cha Moo-hee (Go Youn-jung), unfolding an unlikely romance.

▲ Actress Go Youn-jung poses during a production press conference for the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in southern Seoul on Jan. 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Kim said mastering multiple languages for acting proved more demanding than physical stunts.

“During actual filming, I used four languages — Japanese, English, Italian and Korean,” he said. “There was a limit to how much I could learn, so I focused on the languages in the script and repeatedly practiced delivering emotions through the lines.”

“Nothing in acting is easy, but having to use multiple languages within a single scene was truly difficult,” he added with a laugh. “At one point, I even started stumbling over Korean.”

Set to be released on Netflix on Jan. 16, "Can This Love Be Translated?" depicts the irony of a man and a woman who speak the same language, yet fail to understand each other when it comes to love.

▲ Actors Kim Seon-ho (L), Go Youn-jung (C) and director Yoo Young-eun pose during a production press conference for the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in southern Seoul on Jan. 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Director Yoo Young-eun said Kim and Go were perfectly cast as characters fluent in many languages but clumsy in expressing love.

“Ho-jin requires delicate and detailed emotional expression beyond language skills, and Kim Seon-ho captured comedy, romance and even the character’s cool-headed side exceptionally well,” Yoo said. “He’s an irreplaceable actor who can do it all.”

Yoo also praised Go’s portrayal of Cha Moo-hee, describing the character as transparent, emotionally honest and lovable.

“I felt Go Youn-jung’s purity, charm and resilience aligned beautifully with Moo-hee,” he said.

The series is written by the Hong sisters — Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran — known for hits such as "Alchemy of Souls," "Hotel Del Luna," "The Greatest Love" and "The Master’s Sun," drawing strong attention even before its release.

Kim and Go worked together for the first time on the project.

“It was my first time working with him, but every moment on set was enjoyable,” Go said. “I found myself hoping I could act like him once I gain as much experience.”

Kim returned the compliment, saying, “Go Youn-jung is an excellent actress with great instincts and adaptability. Ho-jin is a very restrained character, so without Moo-hee’s energy, it would’ve been hard to react — and she guided my reactions beautifully.”

The series was filmed on location across three countries — Japan, Canada and Italy — and both actors said the overseas shoots brought the cast and crew closer together.

“When you film abroad, you naturally rely on each other more, so everyone — actors and staff alike — becomes closer,” Kim said.

Go added, “We grew closer in Canada than in Japan, and even closer in Italy than in Canada.”

▲ Actors Kim Seon-ho (L) and Go Youn-jung pose during a production press conference for the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in southern Seoul on Jan. 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The cast also shared a memorable experience of witnessing a real aurora during filming in Canada.

“It was amazing — we filmed a scene about watching the aurora, and on our way back, we actually saw one in real life,” Go said excitedly.

“That’s how lucky this project is,” Kim said, while Yoo added, “I hope viewers can feel the same positive energy we felt when we saw the aurora on set.”