Kim Seon-ho's Remarkable Comeback: From Scandal to Stardom with Netflix's 'Can This Love Be Translated?'

《Kim Ji-won's Kakaotalk》
Today's story, candid and critical. TenAsia's reporter Kim Ji-won offers a discerning critique of entertainment industry issues.

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The rise was gradual, but the fall was steep. Yet, after hitting rock bottom, he made a comeback. Despite being embroiled in personal life controversies, actor Kim Seon-ho has returned to the spotlight with the Netflix series 'Can This Love Be Translated?'. Amidst allegations from an ex-girlfriend and rumors of a 2 billion won contract, Kim Seon-ho has proven himself through his craft.

According to the FUNdex buzz index on the 27th, Kim Seon-ho ranked first among male actors for two consecutive weeks in terms of buzzworthiness for 'Can This Love Be Translated?'. The drama itself also held the top spot for two weeks.

For a while, the word 'controversy' was unfortunately associated with Kim Seon-ho's name. Just as he was rising to the top tier of actors with the tvN romantic comedy 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha', he plummeted due to revelations from an ex-girlfriend.

In 2021, Kim Seon-ho was caught in a personal scandal when his ex-girlfriend publicly shared conflicts from their relationship online. The allegations included disputes over pregnancy, broken promises of marriage, and issues with his behavior, causing a significant public uproar. Given his wholesome image and the pure character he portrayed in 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha', the public was particularly shocked.

Initially, there was a strong backlash against Kim Seon-ho, leading to his withdrawal from upcoming projects and advertisements. However, as some of the ex-girlfriend's claims were later found to be inaccurate, public opinion softened, acknowledging that Kim Seon-ho might have been wronged.

Nevertheless, the impact of the controversy lingered for a considerable time. Moreover, his subsequent projects, such as the film 'The Childe' and the series 'Tyrant', directed by Park Hoon-jung, did not perform well, making it difficult for him to regain his footing. In 'The Childe', Kim Seon-ho's delicate and gentle acting style did not quite fit the intense tone of the genre.

In March 2025, Kim Seon-ho made headlines again during his agency transfer, with rumors of a 2 billion won signing bonus. Some questioned whether this was an excessive gamble given his lack of recent hits. Following the transfer, Kim Seon-ho remained relatively quiet.

The turning point came with the release of the Netflix series 'Can This Love Be Translated?' this month. Leaving behind past controversies, he once again captivated audiences with his performance. Kim Seon-ho portrayed the character Joo Ho-jin with precision and depth, without exaggeration. Playing a multilingual interpreter, he brought the character to life with understated emotions and a calm, intellectual charm.

His chemistry with co-star Go Yoon-jung enhanced the romantic comedy's appeal. Kim Seon-ho's ability to leave room for emotion rather than overwhelming it is seen as a compelling asset in the melodrama genre.

Through 'Can This Love Be Translated?', Kim Seon-ho has entered a second golden era. Most importantly, he has reaffirmed his talent through his primary craft, acting. Now, the anticipation for his next steps is filled with more hope than doubt.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr