Actor Choi Woo-sung recently opened up about his first foray into romantic acting.
Choi stars in the newly released 12-episode Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?” (penned by the Hong Sisters and helmed by Yoo Young-eun), where he portrays Kim Yong-woo, the manager of global superstar Cha Mu-hee (played by Go Yoon-jung).
Early in the series, Choi embodies a loyal and warm-hearted manager, showcasing strong sibling-like chemistry with Cha Mu-hee. As the story progresses, he embarks on a whirlwind romance with Shin Ji-sun (Lee Yi-dam). With his dashing looks and charm as a lovable younger man, Choi Woo-sung passed his first romantic role with flying colors.
Choi has honed his craft through diverse roles in series such as “My Roommate is a Gumiho,” “Police University,” “Chief Inspector 1958,” and “Running Mate.” His venture into romance with “Can This Love Be Translated?” has sparked interest in his future career moves.
【N Interview】 ① Continuing from the previous segment
– This production involved extensive international filming.
▶ We shot in Canada. It was refreshing to see new scenery every day. The locations were breathtaking, offering a real sense of rejuvenation. We even had a cast and crew dinner in Canada, which was a blast. Unlike in Korea, we all traveled together, and I have fond memories of bonding with our driver.
– What were your key takeaways from this project?
▶ The overseas shoots gave us ample time to discuss the show over coffee or meals. I had great conversations with veteran actress Baek Joo-hee, Kim Sun-ho, and Go Yoon-jung. Each actor brought unique perspectives to the table. Even with identical lines, we each interpreted them differently within the context of the drama, sparking various creative ideas. I think I learned a lot about script analysis during those discussions. It made me realize I need to develop my own approach and got me thinking, ‘What’s my unique appeal?’ I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned moving forward.
– How did you find playing Yong-woo? Was it easier or harder given your familiarity with the profession?
▶ I’m quite familiar with the role of a manager, so that aspect came naturally. The challenge was navigating the romance, as it was my first time. I struggled to find the right balance in portraying the character’s masculinity and emotional shifts.
– How did you overcome these challenges?
▶ I had numerous discussions with Lee Yi-dam. We talked about how to authentically portray our characters and their relationship. We focused on breaking down the barriers between them. I discovered that genuine, deep eye contact stems from truly getting to know your co-star.
– What kind of romance did you aim to portray?
▶ The production team emphasized that the two couples should feel distinctly different. While Kim Sun-ho and Go Yoon-jung’s couple was meant to be like an eternal flame, our couple needed to be more effervescent, like popping soda. They wanted us to convey the depth of love through directness, so I aimed to bring a unique energy to my performance.
– There were several intimate scenes.
▶ It was my first time doing romantic scenes. While chemistry was crucial, we also needed to create visually appealing moments for viewers. I paid close attention to camera angles to enhance the audience’s immersion. For the anger-fueled kiss scene, I focused on intensifying the emotions rather than just portraying nervousness. I studied iconic kiss scenes from Korean dramas like “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim,” “The King: Eternal Monarch,” “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo,” and “The Heirs,” particularly observing how masculine characters approached these moments.
– How do you feel about the final product?
▶ Looking back after a year, I have some regrets and think I could approach things differently now. If I were to do another romantic drama, I believe I could bring a more mature performance. I’ve played many physically demanding roles, and now I’m eager to explore characters with more emotional depth. I’d love to try my hand at historical dramas or roles with significant emotional range, as these could allow me to showcase deeper, more nuanced romantic performances.
– The romance genre is diverse; what type appeals to you most?
▶ I’m particularly drawn to romantic comedies. Behind-the-scenes footage from “Can This Love Be Translated?” showed a lot of improvisation during filming, which really enhanced the project. While I didn’t get to improvise much in this role, I’m excited to incorporate more of that in future comedy projects.
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