Hyunri on Bridging Cultures in Netflix's 'Is This Love Translatable?' and Her Korean Drama Debut

Actress Hyunri has emerged as one of the standout performers in Netflix's hit romantic comedy series "Is This Love Translatable?" Her portrayal of Nanami, the no-nonsense manager to Japanese top star Kurosawa Hiro (Fukushi Sota), has captivated viewers with its dry wit and quiet complexity. In a recent interview in Seoul's Samcheong-dong, the third-generation Korean-Japanese actress spoke fluently and naturally in Korean, a sharp contrast to her character's halting language skills on screen.

A Unique Cultural Bridge

Born and raised in Japan as a third-generation Korean resident (zainichi), Hyunri has been acting since 2006 and won the Best New Actress award at the 29th Takasaki Film Festival for "Listening to the Water's Voice" in 2014. Her filmography spans Japanese productions including "You're a Pet" (2017) and "I Love You" (2024), and she previously appeared in Apple TV+'s "Pachinko" alongside Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Min-ho.

The casting for "Is This Love Translatable?" came when the production team visited Japan for location scouting. Hyunri recalled accepting without hesitation, noting that the timing coincided with a surge in Korea-Japan collaborative projects across the entertainment industry.

Crafting Nanami's Cold Exterior

Hyunri explained that preparing for Nanami required rethinking what a manager's role truly means. Rather than mimicking real-life managers she had worked with, most of whom were warm and caring, she focused on the character's protective instincts toward Hiro. The director instructed her not to even make eye contact with Hiro on set, a challenging directive that ultimately helped create the character's distinctive aloofness.

She also noted that Nanami's coldness is selective, directed primarily at Hiro when he behaves poorly, functioning as a corrective force rather than genuine detachment. As Hiro's character evolves throughout the series, so does Nanami's demeanor.

Reuniting With Fukushi Sota

Interestingly, "Is This Love Translatable?" is not the first time Hyunri and Fukushi Sota have worked together. The two previously starred as rival leads in the Japanese legal drama "Lawyer Sodom" (2023), a suspense series about an attorney specializing in fraud cases. Their established chemistry translated seamlessly into the manager-talent dynamic of their Netflix project.

Experiencing Korean Production

Hyunri shared her observations on the differences between Korean and Japanese production systems. While the on-camera acting itself felt similar, she was struck by the Korean approach of conducting detailed camera tests before filming to fine-tune character presentation, from wardrobe to angles. In contrast, Japanese productions typically rely more heavily on extensive rehearsals prior to shooting.

Looking Forward

Her next project marks a significant departure. In the upcoming Disney+ series "Killers' Shopping Mall Season 2," Hyunri takes on the role of Q, a team leader from the Osaka branch, marking her first foray into action performance. She devoted extensive time to physical training and choreography preparation during her stay in Korea. When asked about her long-term vision, Hyunri expressed a simple wish to continue acting across multiple countries and cultural contexts for years to come.