1- ‘ARAFTA’ has so many audiences from its first episode and became one of the most-watched series. What’re ur thoughts on the series’ success ?
EMİN: When I met with our producer about the ‘Ateş’ character, I actually told the producer that we’d break records with this project. We talk about this constantly
because when I read the script, this project excited me a lot. There’s a very dynamic and captivating story, and u’re constantly wondering what’ll happen next. Because the script’s good and we conveyed the character to the audience very effectively, success was inevitable.
İLSU: We knew the series’d be successful, but honestly, we’re surprised by how impressive it was. This interest made us very happy and motivated us to work even harder. We realized that we’re doing things right and that our efforts r paying off. We extend our endless gratitude to everyone who supported us…
2- What was the first factor that excited and motivated u to take on a role in the series ‘ARAFTA’ ? Was it the story or the character ?
EMİN: The story is very strong, very dynamic, but the person who actually drives the story is the character of ‘Ateş’. The whole story revolves around him. The story’s very impactful, yes, but I can say that I was even more excited when I read the script for the character of ‘Ateş’.
İLSU: I can say both of them. I get so excited while reading the story that I often wonder where things’ll go next. And of course, the way ‘Mercan’ approaches the events, her character in general, really impressed me. At some point, I felt a connection with her.
3- What kind of character is ‘Ateş’ ? Can u tell us a little about him ?
EMİN: ‘Ateş’ is a multifaceted character. He doesn’t possess just one emotion; he’s a character who carries many feelings, including love, revenge and drama. On his path to revenge, he encounters things he’d never have expected, like love… But he’s strong enough not to give up revenge for love, and courageous enough to hide the storms raging within him. ‘Ateş’ is someone so brave that he fears nothing he sees. But alongside all this, he truly has a heart of gold, compassionate enough to protect those who’ve helped him and those he loves from all evil…
4- How’d u describe ‘Mercan’ ?
İLSU: ‘Mercan’ is a very strong woman. A successful architect who’s passionate about her work. Of course, in our story, she’s also torn between love and hate. Although this makes things difficult for her, she often acts on her emotions and heart. In fact, no matter how many people’re around her, she’s very lonely, and she’s learned to be self-sufficient in her solitude.
5- Although the story of ‘Ateş & Mercan’ begins in the darkness of very powerful emotions like revenge and hatred, will it succumb to the magic of love ?
EMİN: As I said, there’s absolutely no place for love on this path that ‘Ateş’ has taken for revenge. But the person he’s facing (‘Mercan’) is someone he’s known since childhood and got along well with back then. ‘Mercan’ appears before ‘Ateş’ with the same good intentions and pure beauty as in the old days. At first ‘Ateş’ sees nothing but revenge and hatred in ‘Mercan’, so he can’t see that side of her. But when he sees her true face, he’s secretly drawn to her. He can’t admit it to himself, to be honest. Afterwards, he thinks that it’s right to remain loyal to his sibling’s revenge plan and focus only on that. But then, because his feelings for ‘Mercan’ intensify so much, he can’t resist after a while.
İLSU: Yes. Actually, ‘Ateş’s presence starts to feel like medicine for Mercan after a while. As she gets to know him, her compassion, love, and empathy
for him increase, and they begin to understand each other better. Obstacles and difficulties, they still love each other with a captivating love.
6- While portraying a man caught between revenge and love, did u experience any emotional shifts ?
EMİN: There’re actually a lot of emotional shifts in the character of ‘Ateş’… There’s the fact that he came to that house to get revenge on Mercan’s dad, but he also has a personality that tries to ensure Mercan never gets hurt and grieves with her when she’s upset… So, of course, there’re emotional shifts…
7- ‘Mercan’ is struggling to become an active participant within a forced marriage. What’s the most fundamental dynamic that prevents her from being a passive victim ?
İLSU: Her upright stance. She doesn’t mince words and stands by her decisions. If she sets her mind to something, she’ll do everything in her power to achieve it. ‘Mercan’ never gives up, no matter what, and she isn’t afraid to show her strength.
8- U graduated from Marmara University’s Department of Mechanical Drafting. Actually, u’d planned a career as a football player… How did u decide to become an actor ?
EMİN: Actually, I wanted to study at a Conservatory during University, but my parents didn’t approve, so I finished Marmara University and then started taking Acting Lessons. Before that, I’d a 10-year football background and I really wanted to be a football player, but I’d to give up that dream because of an injury. I was someone who loved watching movies, and after a while, I realized I was imitating what I saw. Since I never dreamed of working in a desk job, I started taking Acting Lessons after University. Actually, that’s how the adventure began 🙂
9- What kind of character would u most like to act ?
EMİN: Scientifically speaking, acting is actually one of the most difficult professions in the world. The work we do is really not easy; we step out of our own selves and act completely different characters. Actually, each character is like a separate page in a book for u, each one unique. But I can say that I’m more interested in challenging characters because I enjoy expanding my boundaries, pushing myself to a different dimension, and adding something new to myself.
10- U’re pursuing ur Education at Akdeniz University, Department of Latin Language and Literature. How did ur acting adventure begin ?
İLSU: Actually, my goal’s always been to be an actress. Since I studied Foreign Languages in high school, I knew that continuing my University Education by learning a different language’d also improve me. While continuing my studies, I also took Acting Lessons, and that’s how my acting adventure began. I met very good, professional people who do their jobs well. I’m very happy to have worked with them and to have come this far.
11- What kind of character’d u most like to act ?
İLSU: I’d definitely love to act a period character. It always fascinates me. Acting a role in a biographical film about someone who existed and left their mark’s very appealing to me.
12- How’s ur relationship with sports ?
EMİN: I got into sports at a very young age, so I’ve a very good relationship with sports. I started playing football when I was 7 years old. I’ve been doing fitness since I was 18, so for 13 years now. Of course, I’ve also done other sports, like tennis and boxing. Actually, I can say that sports occupy a large part of my life.
İLSU: No matter how much I’d like to, I can’t say my relationship’s good with sports. But I play tennis frequently. I also make sure to do Pilates.
13- Do u follow fashion; how’d u describe ur style ?
EMİN: Of course I follow fashion, but I’ve my own unique style. I wear whatever suits me, regardless of the brand. I even have a nice memory related to this. When I was in high school, I’d save up my allowance from my dad and skip school meals, and at the end of the month I’d go to Zara to shop. I’d. Maybe it’s because I’m a Leo; I’m a person who loves dressing up, I’d even say I pay a lot of attention to it.
İLSU: Vintage. Especially the 70s and 90s… I feel like I belong to that era. Of course, that’s why my style’s also influenced by those times.
14- Do u actively use social media ? What’re ur fans most curious about regarding u ?
EMİN: Of course, I actively use social media; nowadays, everything progresses through social media, so it’s actually a very important platform. I’m a person who loves taking photos, I use social media actively. I receive so many messages that I rarely get a chance to check them, but from what I’ve seen, people’re very curious about my private life outside of social media…
İLSU: Of course, I try to use social media as actively as possible. But I can neglect it, especially during busy periods. I sometimes have to spend my free time resting. Actually, what our fans’re most curious about is how our daily lives r going. Sometimes we work so much that, believe me, we don’t have time to experience anything outside of work. I send them my love from here too; I’m so glad they exist.
15- Everyone defines love in their own way… Let’s define love 🙂
EMİN: Love is something that involves very deep emotions, although I’m not sure if it can be described in words, or to what extent it can be described. If the person in our lives is first and foremost our soulmate, if we get along really well, if we’ve a lot of fun together, and most importantly, if we can be a whole together, if we’re impressed by their appearance, their voice, their eye color, in short, if we see the other person as perfect, then I think that’s true love 🙂
İLSU: It’s something everyone tries to define, but everyone who experiences it defines it differently… Defining ‘love’ is very difficult, but it’s a wonderful feeling where sometimes I get carried away by the exuberance of emotions and forget everything, and sometimes it makes me feel completely grounded, like I’m on my feet, in this world. It’s both safe and turbulent, an endless sea 🙂
16- In those moments when u say ‘This’s what living is all about’ , where’re u & who’re most often with u ?
EMİN: U asked another great question, but I’ll keep the answer to myself 🙂
İLSU: Definitely while working on set and with my teammates 🙂
17- What headings form ur life philosophy ?
EMİN: Discipline, Struggle, Hard work, Freedom…
İLSU: ‘Why not ?’ Because I know that the dreams I’ve aren’t impossible. Why not ?
18- I want from u to tell urself something, when u read this interview in the future…
İLSU: I know u always move forward with the right and best approach. Because even if u make mistakes, I’m sure u’re walking ur own path with confident steps. I’m already proud of u. (My eyes teared up as I said this.)
By DOLCE MAGAZINE in DOLCE | FASHION & BEAUTY | MARCH 2026
72 pages, published 3/7/2026
