“I had heard that many Koreans were familiar with me. While I had visited Korea for stage greetings for Japanese works, I rarely had the chance to appear in Korean productions. I used to wonder why they liked me.”
Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi, who stars as Aoki Jungo in the upcoming Coupang Play series “What Comes After Love,” shared his thoughts on his Korean debut during an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on Sept. 13.
Sakaguchi explained that he accepted the role due to the director’s passionate proposal. “At first, I was uncertain, but his enthusiasm convinced me,” he said, while also commenting on the differences he noticed between filming in Japan and South Korea. “In Korea, people often drink coffee and have snacks on set, which seemed to bring vitality to the work process. In Japan, we have tea setups during breaks, but it’s mostly bento culture. In Korea, people go out to eat their favorite meals, and I thought that was a fun cultural difference.”
Speaking about his co-star Lee Se-young, who plays Choi Hong, he said, “Her role must have been quite challenging. She had many lines in Japanese, and all the intense dialogue, including the emotional scenes, was in Japanese. I believe the difficulty level was higher for her than for me.” He also mentioned that despite her extensive preparations, including singing and guitar practice, Lee Se-young never complained and consistently brought positive energy to the set. “I thought she was like the sun, and that made me want to support her even more. It made working on the project together truly enjoyable,” he said.
Sakaguchi also commented on Lee’s potential for success in Japan. “We had a few meetings before the project started to discuss our roles. I was amazed at how quickly her Japanese improved each time we met. If she maintains the Japanese she acquired from this series, she could likely work in a variety of genres, not just Japanese dramas. Her acting is so remarkable that she would thrive in Japan.”
When asked about his future plans in South Korea, Sakaguchi laughed and said, “I’ve tried romance this time, but what would suit me next?” He acknowledged that the language barrier is a challenge but expressed admiration for Korean bodyguards. “I’m impressed by how they respond so attentively to even the smallest movements. I’d love to explore a role as a bodyguard, protecting and building trust with a partner, whether male or female.”
Sakaguchi also expressed a desire to work with actor Park Bo-gum. “I’ve never worked with him, but whenever I visit Korea, I make sure to catch up with Park Bo-gum like a friend,” he said. “Building trust with your co-star is crucial, and I already have that trust with him. I’d love to work with him if the chance comes up.”
The romantic series “What Comes After Love” delves into the aftermath of a fateful love between Choi Hong, who has forgotten everything, and Aoki Jungo, who is left with deep regret. The series will premiere on Coupang Play at 8 p.m. on Sept. 27, with new episodes released weekly.
