DECODING Kim Seon-Ho's Acting Masterclass: Restrained Can This Love Be Translated, Tender Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha To Genius Start-Up

Actor

Kim Seon-Ho's dimples can light up your day. His charming smile can add to the sparkle. Well, he did that in a short role in last year's mega hit When Life Gives You Tangerines, and is currently spreading his magic as the lovable character Joo Ho-Jin in the latest Netflix hit Can This Love Be Translated? The show, also starring Go Youn-Jung, along with Sota Fukushi, Choi Woo-Sung, and Lee Yi-Dam, brings back Seonho like we've always loved to see him. He's the core of the story, the binding knot in the complex plot that touches upon themes like language barrier, emotional fluency, and finding a connection without words. Seonho excels, and fans are soaking in his magic.

No age for effortless aura

Kim Seon-Ho's effortless aura can turn every character into an epitome of romance, and this mostly rides on the 39-year-old's theatre experience. Seonho was 31 when he switched to TV after years spent on stage. He went on to prove there isn't a set age to leave a mark. He's been a fan-favourite ever since, having delivered notable supporting characters in titles like Strongest Deliveryman, 100 Days My Prince, Welcome to Waikiki 2, Run On and more. However, his career took a turn when he brought back the "Second-Lead Syndrome" playing the better man in Start-Up (2020). Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha in 2021 took him to massive stardom, and rest as they say is history.

But how does he manage to demarcate his characters even when they are each other's reflection? Seonho's performances are a departure, despite offering something special about every role.

Blending characters in purest form

Take for instance, his Han Ji-Pyeong in Start-Up. He's a genius suited investor who knows how to give direction to a new company. He's smart, educated, and the perfect mentor. But, much against this, his Hong Du-Sik in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a flamboyant, sometimes clumpsy, but way too adorable. He wears the most casual clothes, lives in a countryside village, is a jack of all trades, but keeps the genius inside him. He never flaunts his degree from the Seoul University and why he chose to lead the life of a simpleton. In When Life Gives You Tangerines, he appeares in episodes 9-16. A nobody at first, he comes out as a brilliant painter/artist Park Chung-Seob.

Beauty of Can This Love Be Translated

Can This Love Be Translated? is no different. Kim Seon-Ho takes cue from all his previous characters, and seemingly picks the best traits to weave Joo Ho-Jin. Joo is another genius, a brilliant multi-lingual translator, a tad introvert, straightforward, the wind below Cha Mu-Hee's (Go Youn-Jung) wings. He calms her, just like he did to Shin Min-Ah's Yoon Hye-Jin in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. He gives direction, just like Start-Up, and is a hopeless romantic like When Life Gives You Tangerines.

Restrained acting masterclass

Kim Seon-Ho has brought back the national profile of a K-drama male lead through Can This Love Be Translated? Despite not following any trope, he seems familiar. His character empathises on restraint, emotional suppression, logic over feelings, and stoicism, and all this while being the rom-com king. His presence is warm, personal and authentic. He is an acting masterclass with no overdramatisation. It was a bull's eye decision on the makers' end to cast him with Go Youn-Jung. His 4-month language training to prepare for the part ensures he translates emotions with class and tenderness.

Kim Seon-Ho, the rom-com king

Kim Seon-Ho's characters linger on in the hearts afterwards. He ensures they sink well, adding his own Midas Touch to what's written in the screenplay. As an artist, he has the talent to depict real relationships in the purest manner. His smiles are soft, gestures are tender, confessions are pure, and kisses are deep. Seonho wins, every time!Read our full review of Can This Love Be Translated? HERE