From Seoul to Tokyo: A Star’s Bold Leap
In her latest role, Han Hyojoo didn’t just cross borders—she crossed language barriers, too. For the upcoming Netflix series “My Name is Loh Kiwan” (Japanese title translated: “Anonymous Lovers”), the K-drama superstar became fluent enough in Japanese to deliver over 90% of her lines in it. And yes, she lived in Tokyo for nearly a year to pull it off.
Chocolate, Courage, and a Whole Lot of Japanese
Han plays Lee Hana, a gifted chocolatier with a fear of eye contact—yes, you read that right. The role called for emotional nuance and linguistic precision, something Hyojoo tackled head-on. “I approached this like a rookie,” she admitted in her cover interview with Singles magazine’s October issue. “It felt like my debut all over again.”
On set, she bonded closely with her co-star, Japanese actor Shun Oguri. “He’s an incredibly skilled actor,” she said. “Despite the language differences, we had a strong sense of camaraderie—as if we were in the trenches together.”
Studio Tears and Fan Expectations
The cast wasn’t just stacked—the vibes were too. The final day of shooting turned emotional, with many staff members shedding tears. Han reflected on the difficult farewell: “We grew so close that parting felt like leaving family behind.”
The multicultural drama has already drawn buzz for its high-profile cast and ambitious scope. Han’s fluent Japanese and the emotional storytelling are being hailed as key ingredients to its potential success. LE SSERAFIM’s Kim Chaewon is even on board for the soundtrack, making this K-x-Japan collab a true Hallyu moment.
20 Years in, Still Hungry
Marking two decades in the industry this year, Han is anything but complacent. “I’ve been incredibly lucky,” she said. “But I also feel a responsibility to give back the love and opportunities I’ve received. So I keep working harder.”
With “Anonymous Lovers” set to stream this fall, fans are eagerly awaiting the rare cross-cultural gem. Will Han Hyojoo’s Tokyo tale win hearts across borders? One thing’s clear—she’s not just acting anymore; she’s evolving.
Fun Fact:
- Han Hyojoo once studied Japanese in school—but had to relearn it from scratch for this role.
- Shun Oguri and Han communicated using a mix of Korean, Japanese, and lots of laughter.
