Interviewed by: Devyani Segan, Delhi

Interpreted by: Tejaswini Rao, Hyderabad, Telangana

Edited By: Jayati Bhardwaj, Delhi

Have you ever wondered what will happen when two opposite cultures collide with each other? Landed in Korea is a mini-series that follows the journey of an Indian girl, Seetha, who randomly grabs an opportunity to travel to South Korea. She has always dreamt of travelling to Korea but secretly wished to experience love, as shown in her favourite K-dramas. After flying to Korea to meet her childhood friend, things started heating up when he introduced her to his circle. Seetha finds genuine connections in a new country, but the question remains: will she be able to experience the love she longed for, or will she move back to India with what-ifs?

Seetha is the main protagonist of the series. AOORA appeared on India’s biggest reality program, Big Boss. He made his Indian debut with the track ‘Thi Thi Thara.’ He is one of the main casts and one of the producers of the show. Jin Geon plays the role of Seetha’s childhood best friend. Lastly, the show also features Lee Dong-wook and Kim Jeong-seok in pivotal roles. Let’s dive into the article to understand more about the show and its characters! 

AOORA

How has working on the “Landed in Korea” show impacted you personally and professionally?

This opportunity was like a dream come true. I consider myself a mixture of Korean and Indian cultures. With this project, I made my acting debut in India and got to show the Indo-Korean relationship I cherish so much. I am very happy!

Can you share any memorable moments or behind-the-scenes from the production?

I was not only acting but also involved in the production. I was beyond occupied with the demands of both roles, and we had a tight two-day schedule. It took a lot of work and effort to match the fast-paced production and working schedule. Other than this, it was my first time doing something like this, so I was nervous. But looking back at it now, it was one hell of an experience, and I think I have achieved something great. Despite the intense schedule, our cast members did very well, and everything came out beautifully.

How do you see the future of Indo-Korean collaborations in the entertainment industry evolving after this series?

I believe that more such collaborative projects will happen. And I also hope that people will love our efforts.

Seetha

In what ways has your experience as an actor and performer on “Landed in Korea” impacted your views and understanding of Korean culture?

I have lived in Korea for eight years, so I have obviously picked up a few things about the culture over the past years. But you get to know more about it when you work closely with Koreans, especially in projects like “Landed in Korea.” So, the one thing you get to know right off the bat is that Koreans are hard-working people — their culture is all about hard work, determination, and effort. Also, Koreans are real sticklers for time, which, in my experience, doesn’t translate well with us Indians because we’re more like go-with-the-flow kind of people. Obviously, I can’t speak for the entirety of India. Knowing their relationship with time has helped me immensely, primarily since I work in Korea. It has also helped me as an actor with all the planning, schedules and meetings to get together and discuss everything — time management is an important skill. Also, Teamwork is an essential element in Korean culture. I picked up these things while living and working in Korea, and it’s been great.

How did you and your co-stars get along on the set? Do you have any memorable filming moments?

The whole experience was fun. We were just a bunch of friends getting together, having snacks in between takes, and resting whenever we got the chance. As AOORA mentioned, it was a crazy two days, yet we still found time to joke around and exchange comical messages. One of the most memorable things was the dating scene with Jeong-seek; the scene was entirely improvised. We were walking around and having fun. Plus, we got to shoot super close to Namsan Seoul Tower and just walked around and had some ice cream. We just went with the flow, and that was incredible. Another thing I just remembered is that the series was shot at a time of year when it is usually scorching, and one just sweats a lot, so outdoor shooting was a little crazy.

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In what ways have your Indian roots influenced your outlook and style of acting, particularly in global productions such as this one?

I am a Palakkadai, and I speak Tamil and Malayalam. I come from the border between the two states in the southern part of India, so I grew up with a lot of Malayalam, Tamil, and, of course, Bollywood movies. One of my favorite actresses is Shobhana Ma’am; she is my inspiration. She has her way of working through and bringing out the character in a way she owns. One of the prime examples is the Malayalam movie Mani Chitrataru, which is the movie Bhool Bhulaiya is based on. The main thing I want to bring is that method of acting, owning the character, and having that raw power.

The Indian film industry is all about style and drama, and it’s powerful and captivating. This energy is bought into every film made by the Indian film industry, no matter what. So, I hope that, along with other Indian actors, we can bring this feeling and power to all the projects that we work on in collaboration with Korean actors and film industry personnel. Well, I want to spread fun and bring forth the side of Indian culture that people aren’t aware of— and bring this synergy to everything I do. During the shoot, I taught the cast members a few Malayalam words; you’ll see that in some scenes. Also, you’ll see the cast members wearing traditional clothing. I bought a bit of India on my own, and it was fun. And I wish to continue doing this.

Jin Gun

It was through the BL show “First Love Again” that you made your acting debut. You played Yeon Seok, a famous web novelist who has been searching for his first love for 300 years. What was it like to play that part, and how did it shape your career?

Firstly, thank you for remembering my drama “First Love Again“. When I played the role of Yeon-Seok, it was new and challenging for me because it was not only my first role as an actor but also a role that showed me a new perspective on love and romance. Through this role, I was exposed to how the LGBTQ community approaches love and relationships; as someone who hasn’t experienced love in this way, while playing Yeon-Soek, I saw a newer perspective towards loving and living altogether. This role opened my mind and helped me broaden my horizons as an actor and person. It was indeed memorable.

Now you are back on screen with “Landed in Korea,” the first Indo-Korean web series. How did things work for you in this regard, and did you have fun while acting in this show?

It feels good to be back, especially with a project that helps me unite two cultures, such as India and Korea. I play the role of a guy who likes Seetha but finds out she likes someone else. And that someone is my friend, so my character had no choice but to send her to my friend for the sake of her happiness. However, in real life, I’m not that kind of person. In such a situation, I must win my love interest’s heart. I have to sweep her off her feet. But the character I am playing is someone who would let the person he loves go away because they’ll be happier with the other person. While I understand him and am faithfully immersed in the character, I wouldn’t do it in real life. But playing this role was really fun.

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How do you think audiences from both countries will relate to the story and characters of the series?

Each country has its own culture and traditions. But isn’t the whole world similar when it comes to love? The way people approach love is the same, whether it’s in Korea or India. That’s the reason why there are stories out there where people like Seetha and my character. The storyline of this series is fun, and I hope you all enjoy it. I also look forward to your (the readers and fans’) kind cooperation.

Kim Jeong Seok

What has been your favorite part of creating and bringing “Landed in Korea” to life?

It was my first time working with an actor of a different nationality other than Korean. I was extremely excited from the beginning and looking forward to the whole experience, which was fun. While filming on and off the set, I communicated with the actors and the staff to better understand the story, the characters, and their dynamics. This created a bond between me and this project, which is quite meaningful for me as an actor. I believe this is my favorite thing.

Which aspects of Indo-Korean culture were most interesting to explore in the show?

While filming, there was a scene where Seetha dressed us in a traditional Indian outfit. The clothes were so pretty, and we looked terrific. Since then, I have become really curious about Indian fashion and hairstyles. This stood out to me as I found it fascinating.

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Did you face any challenges while filming the show?

There wasn’t anything complicated or difficult while filming. But I do remember this one exciting scene: We were shooting it, and suddenly, it started raining a lot. All the actors were utterly drenched during that scene, yet it came out beautifully. It was tricky shooting that scene, but it turned out well. I hope the readers find it equally good as well.

Lee Dong Wook

What prompted you to participate in this show, and what was your impression of being a part of a unique series?

I was already collaborating with AOORA and the HBC House team on various projects, where we made numerous video content. In the meantime, I was offered a role in this drama. The exciting storyline aimed to bring together two vibrant cultures, India and Korea. I thought it would be a great Honor to be part of something like this, plus I’ll learn a lot and have fun. Hence, I decided to participate without thinking twice.

Given that this series incorporates aspects of both Korean and Indian culture, how did you prepare for your role in it?

If I am honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the cultural difference. As an actor, I was prepared to memorize the lines and the workings of how a drama is shot. Luckily, my interest in India helped me understand minor nuances more and adapt to the differences. Plus, I made a new Indian friend, Seetha. I already have an Indian friend who works as a model in Korea, so through them, I was acquainted with the culture on many levels. So, I did not have to prepare anything out of pocket.

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What was it like to collaborate with a multicultural cast and crew?

It was an exciting experience. I’m thrilled that I got to add new Indian friends to my friend list. What stood out to me was how big and diverse India is— it’s enormous. So, I was fascinated throughout and had fun while filming. To top it all, I could experience various subcultures and languages spoken in India firsthand, which was fascinating.

We wish the entire cast of ‘Landed in Korea’ continued success and joy in all your future endeavors—lots of love and best wishes from Hallyuism India’s entire team.

Did you watch “Landed in Korea”? If so, tell us about your favorite scene from the show in the comment section.