Netflix Can This Love Be Translated Sota Fukushi Controversy: Kamikaze Remarks Spark Backlash

One person's respect is another's historical trauma. Netflix's latest series, 'Can This Love Be Translated?',' is sailing through rough waters as Korean viewers call for accountability over the casting of Japanese actor Sota Fukushi. The controversy centers on past comments regarding Japan's wartime Kamikaze pilots, which many in South Korea view as a glorification of Imperial Japan's military aggression.

The Root of Netflix Can This Love Be Translated Sota Fukushi Controversy

According to reports from the community site theqoo, the backlash stems from a 2015 documentary titled 'Please Teach Us About The War.' In the program, Fukushi interviewed a surviving Kamikaze pilot and read emotional farewell letters. He shared that his own grandfather had trained as a Kamikaze pilot, stating he "respected" them and that today's Japan exists because of their sacrifice. While it resonated positively with Japanese audiences a decade ago, it's hitting a wall of resistance in Korea today.

A Multi-Layered Backlash for Netflix

It's not just Fukushi's past that's under fire. Korean netizens are pointing out that this is a "triple whammy" of controversies for the drama. The show's lead actor, Kim Seon-ho, and the Hong Sisters (writers) have both faced their own public scandals in the past. Critics argue that adding a "right-wing" labeled actor to the mix makes the series difficult to support, despite the popularity of female lead Go Youn-jung.