(continuing from interview ①) Zainichi Korean actress Hyunri spoke about the significance of works that connect with Korea, such as Pachinko and Is This Love Translatable?
Hyunri recently played the role of Nanami in the Netflix original series Is This Love Translatable? This is her first Korean drama, but she actually debuted in Japan in 2006. Having started in Japan as a Zainichi Korean actress and now active across Korea and the United States, she is already a veteran actor celebrating her 20th anniversary since debut.
Although Is This Love Translatable? is Hyunri's first official Korean drama, she appeared earlier in the 2022 Apple TV+ original series Pachinko. She also appeared in the Japanese drama Eye Love You, which in 2024 made actor Chae Jong Hyeop widely known to Korean fans as "Hyopsama." For Hyunri, the significance of her first Korean drama appearance felt even more special.
When asked what prompted her to prepare to work in Korea as well, Hyunri said, "After graduating from university I began working in Japan, but I always had a wish to show my acting to my grandmother in Korea, with whom I had often visited and built affection since childhood." She added, "Then appearing in the U.S. work Pachinko provided a valuable foothold that connected to Korean projects, and it led to this opportunity with Is This Love Translatable?. I desperately wanted to work in Korea, so I studied Korean on my own every day without fail to prepare."
Fortunately, she said she did not experience difficulties with her identity. Hyunri said, "I was born in Tokyo and grew up in an environment different from the era depicted in Pachinko, so thankfully I did not experience identity-related difficulties during my school years." She particularly noted that "studying in the U.K. for a short term in the second year of middle school and spending time with various friends regardless of nationality was a major turning point."
Hyunri said, "I personally realized that 'having a different nationality is never an obstacle,' and I gained the conviction that it is fine to live proudly as I am," adding, "Thanks to the good environment and friends around me, I was able to have a healthy sense of self."
She added, "No one can choose where they were born, their nationality, my gender, or my appearance. I thought there is no need to feel ashamed about things I could not choose. I met good adults and friends around me who accepted me as I was, and I am very grateful for that environment."
Although her family once opposed her becoming an actor, they now support Hyunri together in Korea. Regarding her family's reaction after watching Is This Love Translatable?, Hyunri said, "They were happy. Since my family is currently in Korea, I feel proud that I can finally show them my acting directly through a Korean broadcast work."
(to be continued from interview ③)<
[photo] Provided by HB Entertainment.
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