Japanese actor Fukushi Sota, who is set to appear in the upcoming Netflix original K-drama Can This Love Be Translated?, has become the subject of heated debate in South Korea after past remarks about his grandfather resurfaced.
On September 7, Korean online communities circulated screenshots from a 2015 Fuji TV documentary Teach Us About the War. In the program, Fukushi learned during an interview with a kamikaze unit survivor that his own grandfather had once been a kamikaze recruit. Visibly emotional, he said, “I respect my grandfather,” while holding back tears.
While the remarks were made a decade ago, the resurfaced clip has triggered criticism in Korea due to the historical symbolism of the kamikaze units, who carried out suicide missions for the Japanese empire in the final stages of World War II. The kamikaze, alongside the Rising Sun flag, are widely viewed in Korea as enduring symbols of Japanese militarism and imperial aggression. Many Koreans also recall that conscripted Koreans were among those forced into such units.
One online commenter wrote: “Of all things, kamikaze is unacceptable. He should step down from the drama.” Others echoed similar calls for his removal, though production insiders note that the drama, which completed pre-filming in February, would make recasting virtually impossible.
Fukushi Sota debuted in 2011 with NTV’s Misaki Number One!! and went on to win the Japan Academy Award for Best New Actor in 2015. Known for his visuals and solid acting skills, this Netflix series marks his first Korean drama project.
Can This Love Be Translated? is a 12-episode romantic comedy about a professional interpreter who meets a woman with a unique way of expressing love, leading to a series of misunderstandings and reconciliations. The drama stars Kim Seon-ho, Go Yoon-jung, Fukushi Sota, Lee Yi-dam, and Choi Woo-sung, and is slated for a fourth-quarter 2025 global release.
As anticipation builds for the drama, the controversy has sparked discussion about the intersection of entertainment, history, and cultural sensitivities between Korea and Japan.
Sources: Insight
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