“Why choose this actor?” Is it possible to translate this Netflix love? Faces boycott over far-right controversy surrounding Fukushi Sota

Netflix’s next romantic series “Can this love be translated?” was embroiled in controversy prior to its release, as Japanese actor Fukushi Sota’s past accusations of far-right leanings and alleged glorification of war have resurfaced, sparking strong reactions and even boycott movements among Korean moviegoers.

The controversy centers on Fukushi’s appearance in a 2015 Fuji television program commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. During the broadcast, he read farewell letters written by kamikaze pilots and interviewed a surviving member, making observations such as “I respect my grandfather” AND “We exist today because of them.”

While some Japanese viewers interpreted the program as conveying the tragedy of war, the response in Korea was completely different. Critics argued that the show framed the war from the point of view of “youthful sacrifice” AND “family pain”, without recognizing Japan’s responsibility as a wartime aggressor. Fukushi’s expression “respect” towards kamikaze pilots was widely seen as a reflection of lack of historical awarenesswith many accusing him of implicitly supporting narratives that disinfect Japan’s imperialist war crimes.

When the controversy resurfaced, Korean netizens labeled Fukushi Sota a right-wing actorquestioning the decision to include it in a global production targeting Korea. Commentators have pointed out that, given Korea’s painful history of Japanese colonialism and war-era atrocities, establishing such a figure is much more sensitive than a typical overseas collaboration.

The backlash has now spread to producers and Netflix itself, with critics accusing the platform of ignoring the legislation historical and cultural context of East Asia during the fusion process. Some expressed frustration, saying: “Freedom of expression is one thing, but content for Korean audiences must show basic historical sensitivity.”

Fukushi had previously said yes “happy to work with Korea”, but remained silent amid the renewed controversy, further increasing distrust among viewers.

Ultimately, the issue sparked a broader debate:

In the age of global streaming, what historical awareness should producers maintain when selecting cast members, especially in culturally sensitive regions?

In a time when the casting itself conveys meaningthe surrounding criticisms Can this love be translated? shows no signs of fading anytime soon.

Sources: sportsseoul

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