Exclusive: First Indo-Korean Drama ‘Landed in Korea’ Cast Talks Bridging Cultures and the Magic of Cross-Cultural Romance

In recent years, the global popularity of Korean dramas has skyrocketed, captivating audiences worldwide, including in India, where K-Dramas have gained a dedicated fanbase. Riding this wave of cross-cultural fascination, the first-ever Indo-Korean drama, ‘Landed in Korea’, has been released,giving a unique narrative that intertwines the worlds of Indian and Korean entertainment.

This 8 episode mini-series, which concluded on August 23, follows the story of Seetha, an Indian girl who embarks on a journey to Korea to visit her friend Jin Geon. What starts as a simple visit turns into a heartwarming tale of love and friendship, as Seetha finds herself caught between four charming Korean men. Featuring K-pop singer AOORA, who has become a household name in India, ‘Landed in Korea’ is more than just a romance; it’s a celebration of the growing connections between India and Korea.

 

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In an exclusive interview, we  spoke with the main cast—AOORA, Seetha, Jin Geon, Jungseok Kim, Dongwook Lee (Rich), and saxophonist & singer Mellow Kitchen—to delve into their experiences and the cultural bridges they helped build through this innovative series.

Jin Geon, who portrays Seetha’s Korean friend, shared his enthusiasm about participating in a production that represents a significant cultural collaboration. “I have done a lot of dramas but this was the first time to be part of an Indian drama. That reason itself was sufficient for me to be a part of this. It was a lot of fun while filming as well, and I was also curious about the kind of results a collaboration between the two cultures will create,” he said.

AOORA, who has experience working across both Indian and Korean entertainment industries  pointed out some of the differences in working styles of both countries, “The Korean style of acting is detailed and very natural, whereas the Indian way of acting [uses] a lot of expressions. I felt that this was one of the differences,” he noted. Seetha agreed, adding, “I think it’s the same for me. I grew up watching, you know, movies, different Bollywood movies, but also, you know, as a South Indian, I watched a lot of Tamil and Malayalam movies as well. Indian cinema is all about power, style, and drama. The storytelling is very powerful. In contrast, in Korea, everything is much more systematic. They have a set plan and stick to it, which was a bit of an adjustment for me. And also, Koreans are sticklers for time. So that was a little hard to keep up with for me, but of course, at the end of the day, things came together perfectly.”

Seetha also shared her journey to Korea, explaining that her interest in the country began when a family member, who had visited Korea many times, recommended it as a beautiful and culturally rich place. In 2016, she decided to move to Korea to pursue a global MBA and quickly learned the language through interactions with locals. Now, after almost eight years in Korea, she has no regrets and encourages others to visit and explore the country.

The cast shared some behind-the-scenes anecdotes that added a personal touch to the production. Jungseok Kim, who plays one of Seetha’s suitors, fondly recalled a scene where they took pictures at Namsan Tower. “During the shoot, Seetha looked so charming. Including those pictures in the behind-the-scenes footage would be a nice touch,” he said. AOORA also discussed recording the drama’s OST in Mellow Kitchen’s studio, which was a highlight for him. “We recorded a scene at Mellow Kitchen’s studio, where we also recorded the OST for the drama. I hope everyone will notice it and check out the OST when the drama is released,” he added.

AOORA, who has gained fame in India through his music and television appearances, described his journey in India as a continuous adventure of learning and growth. “India has been a continuous challenge and learning experience for me. Every day, I’m learning about the language, culture, music, and, of course, the food! This project, which mixes Korean and Indian cultures, is a dream come true. I’m very happy and excited, and I want to continue exploring and growing in India,” he shared. He also hinted at the possibility of a second season for ‘Landed in Korea’, expressing his enthusiasm for further exploring this cross-cultural narrative.

The cast also shared their personal connections to Indian entertainment. Dongwook Lee (Rich), mentioned his appreciation for the music video of Bollywood song ‘Jimmy Jimmy‘, while Jin Geon mentioned his admiration for Aishwarya Rai in ‘Dhoom 2’. Jungseok Kim highlighted his love for ‘3 Idiots’, a film that has resonated with Korean audiences.

Regarding how the drama would resonate with audiences, Seetha explained that ‘Landed in Korea’ is about bridging two worlds—India and Korea—through dreams and cultural connections, “We aimed to promote both cultures and show that despite the differences, there are many similarities as well. There are beautiful scenes we shot outdoors, and the storyline is relatable yet different from what you’ve seen before. There is a beautiful OST sung by Aoora ‘Thi Thi Thara’ that is promoting Kerala. We also introduced some elements of South Indian culture, like teaching Malayalam words and showcasing traditional clothing. The goal was to bridge both worlds together and invite fans from both sides to explore and enjoy what we’ve created”, she concluded.

‘Landed in Korea’ blends Indian and Korean entertainment, bringing together a story of love and friendship. The mini-series, featuring the captivating OST ‘Thi Thi Thara’ that showcases the beauty of Kerala, offers viewers a unique experience. You can now watch it on the HBC House YouTube channel.

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