Can This Love Be Translated?

Synopsis

Joo Ho-jin is a genius polyglot who speaks eight languages. He lives by logic. He works as a highly skilled multi-lingual interpreter but finds it hard to understand people. Ho-jin first encounters Cha Mu-hee in Tokyo, Japan when she is still an unknown actress. Mu-hee rises to global stardom after her breakout role as Do Ra-mi in a hit zombie film. The two are reunited in Seoul during an international interview where Ho-jin becomes her interpreter.

His predictable life changes when he accepts a job as an interpreter for a global dating show titled Romantic Trip. Filmed on location in Canada and Italy, the program features Mu-hee and a Japanese actor named Hiro Kurosawa. As Ho-jin gradually falls for Mu-hee, he struggles to maintain professional composure. The two possess fundamentally opposite personalities and communication styles; Ho-jin is characteristically straight to the point, while Mu-hee tends to be roundabout. After a series of miscommunications, he realizes his biggest challenge is navigating Mu-hee's complicated emotions and the painful secrets she is hiding.

Cast and characters

Main

Kim Seon-ho as Joo Ho-jin

A former writer and a skilled multilingual interpreter, he utilizes his talent as a polyglot fluent in Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, French, and Italian, with some proficiency in Spanish and German. He values precision in both his professional and personal life.

Go Youn-jung as Cha Mu-hee / Do Ra-mi

An aspiring actress who became a world-famous celebrity overnight through her title role as Do Ra-mi in the zombie film Quiet Woman. Following her sudden fame, she earned the moniker "Horror Queen."

Ahn Tae-rin as child Cha Mu-hee

Fukushi Sota as Hiro Kurosawa

A famous Japanese actor who joins Mu-hee on the dating show Romantic Trip. He is widely known as the "Prince of Romance."

Choi Woo-sung as Kim Yong-u

A former shooting athlete who now serves as a manager at Ahn Entertainment, he becomes Cha Mu-hee's manager since her rookie era.

Lee E-dam as Shin Ji-seon

A reality television director known for her outstanding abilities, she is the director of Romantic Trip. At the beginning of the series, she is engaged to Na Jin-seok (Joo Ho-jin's older brother).

Production

Development

In 2019, the Hong Sisters began developing the project alongside director Park Jun-hwa. By December 5 of that year, the series was in development for tvN under the working title I saram tongyeogi doenayo? (이 사람 통역이 되나요?; 'Can this person interpret?'). The project was later renamed Guwonui tongyeok (구원의 통역; 'Interpretation of salvation'), with overseas filming scheduled in China, however it was cancelled due to the COVID-19. The Hong Sisters and Park subsequently pivoted to collaborate on a different tvN drama, Alchemy of Souls.

The production resumed in 2023 under Trii Studio, a label under Imaginus, which also serves as the parent company of the Hong sisters' own label, Studio Sot, with new director Yoo Young-eun. The creative team included Keeha Choi as director of photography, who previously worked with director Yoo on Bloody Hearts. Production designer Seo Seong-gyeong, costume designer Jo Sang-gyeong, and makeup director Song Jong-hee also joined the project. Visual effects were handled by Studio Hi, a subsidiary of Hive Media Corporation. Original score were handled by Studio MaumC, with Ma Joo-hee acted as music producer, and Choi In-hee served as music director.

The final title—I Sarang Tongyeok Doenayo? (이 사랑 통역 되나요?; 'Can this love be translated?'), abbreviated as Isatong (이사통)—was chosen to directly merge the protagonist's profession with the central theme. By April 2024, reports indicated that the series would be released on Netflix. Netflix officially confirmed production on June 27, 2024, as a project planned for a 2025 release and revealed the official English title as Can This Love Be Translated? All production preparations were finalized that same month.

Concept

The narrative was inspired by the unique nature of the interpreting profession. The writers observed how heavily people rely on mobile translation apps to solve language barriers. They believed that relying on a human would intensify that dependence dramatically, because complete trust in the interpreter is necessary. They imagine that the dynamic could ignite a powerful romantic connection. Central to their vision is the idea that love is fundamentally an act of communication. Yet because every person speaks their own "love language," a person may want to convey their true feelings, but the other person often cannot fully comprehend them. This vision led them to write the story around the following premise: What if a highly skilled interpreter encounters someone who expresses love in the complete opposite manner? The clash between their opposing love languages produces frequent misunderstandings. Confessions are misread and interpreted backward, resulting in repeated heartache.

Yoo noted that the writers sought out her specific directorial style, as seen in her previous works, to bring a unique color to the project's storytelling. Yoo explained that their initial goal was to craft a romantic comedy about two people with clashing personalities who overcome their misunderstandings through language. This theme shaped everything from the title and situations to the characters' professions. However, as the story progressed, it evolved beyond a simple narrative about words, ultimately focusing on the deeper journey of truly understanding another person.

Casting

The casting process underwent several iterations, beginning in April 2023 when Son Suk-ku was reportedly offered the lead role, but ultimately declined in favor of Nine Puzzles. In July 2023, discussions began with Kim Seon-ho and Han So-hee, and Go Youn-jung entered talks by September 2023. The final lineup was officially made public on June 27, 2024, when Netflix confirmed the casting of Kim, Go, Choi Woo-sung, Sota Fukushi and Lee E-dam, alongside photos from the script reading. Later in September, Keep Alberta Rolling held auditions for extras to appear in the series.

Director Yoo explained that Kim and Go secured their roles because their respective performance styles matched the complex character traits developed alongside the screenwriters. Kim was chosen for his ability to balance Ho-jin's serious, restrained nature with the Hong sisters' signature comedic style, as well as his ability to convey the subtle emotional shifts required for a slow-burn romance, while Go was cast for her natural, bubbly charm and transparency, alongside the writers' established trust from earlier projects. Choi was recommended by the Hong sisters, who liked his performance in My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, beginning auditions first among the cast and securing the role of Kim Yong-u after a ten-month process involving three meetings with Yoo and chemistry reads with both Go and Lee. Regarding the supporting cast, Yoo noted that Kim Won-hae brought vitality to the production while helping convey Ho-jin's unspoken emotions. He previously worked with Yoo in other drama. Italian television personality Alberto Mondi made a cameo appearance to serve as a cultural bridge between South Korea and Italy.

Filming

Principal photography started in June 2024 with a target completion of early 2025. Overseas shoots began immediately, with lead actors Go Youn-jung and Kim Seon-ho filming in Japan from June 24 through July 10. They filmed at several locations, including Gokurakuji Station, Goryo Shrine, and Kamakura Seaside Park in Kamakura; and Grand Torii of Enoshima Shrine, Tenzan Lab, Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street, Katase Fishing Port, and Enoshima Sea Candle on Enoshima.

The series began pre-production in Alberta, Canada, from August 12 to September 22, 2024, followed by filming from September 23 to October 11. Operating under the name Sailor Films Inc. with a crew of 150, the production filmed across multiple distinct regions of the province. In the Calgary area, locations included Stephen Avenue, Lougheed House, Galaxie Diner, The Next Page Book and Coffee, Crossroads Market, Mount Pleasant Viewpoint, and Calgary Heritage Park.

Production then moved to the Canadian Rockies, where scenes were shot in Canmore and at nearby Quarry Lake on October 7. Filming continued in Banff National Park on October 8 and 9, covering the town Banff, Cascade of Time Garden, Banff pedestrian bridge, and Lake Louise. Additional filming occurred in Horseshoe Canyon, located in the Alberta Badlands. A pivotal aurora borealis scene between the leads in the drama was filmed in Upper Kananaskis Lake. While returning from this location, the leads shared social media updates documenting the aurora borealis visible during their commute to accommodations.

In late November 2024, production moved to Italy, with Kim Seon-ho departing for Rome on November 23. Initial scenes were captured at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, before shifting to the hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio in the Lazio region. Working in collaboration with the Tuscany Film Commission, the crew spent a week across Tuscany through December 4, utilizing Montalcino's stone streets and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Val d'Orcia Historic landmarks in Siena provided a rich backdrop including the iconic Piazza del Campo, Teatro dei Rozzi, Torre del Mangia, Loggia dei Nove, and Contrada della Torre.

Shooting then transitioned into the Umbria region for several days in early December. Perugia's historic center served as a primary focus during this stretch, with cameras rolling across prominent sites like the Palazzo dei Priori and the Fontana Maggiore in Piazza IV Novembre, Piazza Danti, Piazza Matteotti, the Loggiato della Prefettura in Piazza Italia, alongside a network of atmospheric alleyways including Via Fani, Via della Gabbia, Via Maestà delle Volte, Via delle Cantine, Via Alessi, Via Cesare Battisi. The Italian leg officially concluded on December 10, 2024, with final scenes at the Giunti Odeon bookshop-cinema back in Florence, Tuscany.

Promotion and release

The series was officially announced by Netflix as part of its 2025 lineup on February 4, 2025, during the "Next on Netflix 2025 Korea" event, with Director Yoo Young-eun participating as a panelist. Although it was initially slated for a 2025 release, the premiere was later rescheduled for January 16, 2026. This new date was officially announced on December 18, 2025, alongside the release of the teaser trailer and poster. The main trailer was subsequently released on January 5, 2026.

Before the premiere, Netflix Korea held a press conference for the series at the Josun Palace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The press conference was hosted by Park Kyung-lim. Director Yoo and lead actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung were present. Netflix Korea also organized an "experience zone" at Times Square, featuring themed decorations representing the primary filming locations: Korea, Japan, Canada, and Italy. Kim and Go subsequently participated in a fan event titled "Romantic Trip" at the same venue. The event was broadcast live through Netflix Korea's official YouTube Channel.

On the day of the premiere, Netflix Korea and Netflix Indonesia co-hosted a fan event and an experience zone at the Kota Kasablanka Atrium in Jakarta. The promotion saw significant public interest, drawing approximately 30,000 applicants for only 2,000 available seats. Yoo, Kim, and Go traveled to Jakarta for the event, which included an afternoon meet and greet at the experience zone and an evening fan meeting. The event was broadcast live via the Netflix Indonesia YouTube channel.

Original soundtrack

The soundtrack was released on January 16, 2026, by Studio MaumC and Netflix Music, LLC. Studio MaumC's CEO Ma Joo-hee acted as producer and Choi In-hee served as music director. As of February 2, three songs from the soundtrack appeared on the Melon OST chart: "Language of Love" by Kim Min-seok, "Daydream" by Wendy, and "Promise" by Wonstein. "Language of Love" reached number one on the Instagram Reels Trending Music chart on January 23 and the Korean YouTube Trending Music chart on January 26.

OST

Critical response

Pierce Conran of the South China Morning Post gave the series a generally positive review, though he criticized its attempt to juggle too many genres, noting that it happens at the expense of the core plot. Melissa Camacho of Common Sense Media described the show as imperfect but entertaining. Joel Keller of Decider recommended it, specifically praising the chemistry between the leads. Aashna Nadkarni of Mashable India also lauded the leads' "beautiful" chemistry and the show's score. Shealyn Scott, a senior writer at Screen Rant, highlighted the series' compelling storyline and noted that its distinct visual identity, which encompasses cinematography, set design, costuming, and editing, creates a comprehensive feast for the eyes.

Cultural columnist Yang Seong-hee highlighted the fairytale-like atmosphere, captivating visuals, and emotional pacing, stating that the "judicious placement of heart-fluttering moments" showcases the strengths of Korean romance dramas. Kang So-jeong, an editor at Art Insight, attributed the series' success to its relatable themes, noting its resonance with viewers who identified with the protagonists. Lee Eun-ju of the Seoul Shinmun praised director Yoo Young-eun for delicately using urban landscapes to highlight the characters' emotional development.

Writing for The Hankyoreh, Hwang Jin-mi noted that the series modernizes the genre by blending a global sensibility with the meta-dramatic format of dating reality shows. Hwang wrote that the series explores psychological depths by treating the protagonist's dissociative identity disorder with literary symbolism, and provides a critique of modern relationship anxieties by showcasing a "utopia of gentle masculinity" that positions empathetic and responsible male characters as alternatives to real-world gender toxicity. However, Hwang also noted weaknesses in the loose narrative and genre hybridization.

The performances of the lead actors were widely praised. In an article for Korea Medical, Lee Bo-hyun analyzes the technical qualities of Kim's voice as Joo Ho-jin, attributing its appeal to his clear pronunciation, rich resonance, and precise tone control. Lee notes that Kim's steady, low register conveys emotional shifts, blending a masculine presence with a softer quality that complements his acting. Jo Su-jin of Joynews24 focused on Joo Ho-jin's styling, noting that his wardrobe evolved to reflect his shifting emotional states. Jo observed that his costuming functioned as a visual language reflecting his profession, personality, and changing relationship dynamics.

Viewership and industry performance

According to FlixPatrol, the series debuted at number five globally in the Netflix series category on January 17, 2026. By the following day, the drama rose to third place globally and topped the viewership charts in several countries, including South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On July 17, 2026, Netflix released its engagement report for the first half of the year, highlighting Can This Love Be Translated? among successful Korean series. The show ranked 19th overall globally and second among K-content, drawing 28.6 million views and totaling 377,700,000 hours viewed. Earlier media reports in April 2026 confirmed that the drama had contributed significantly to the profitability of its production house, Imaginus, by the close of its financial reporting in December 2025.

Impact

Cultural and social influence

Following its release on January 16, 2026, big data analytics firm Good Data Corporation reported that Can This Love Be Translated? and its leads simultaneously dominated the TV-OTT buzz rankings. For three consecutive weeks (the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of January), the series ranked first in the integrated TV-OTT drama category. During this same period, leads Go Youn-jung and Kim Seon-ho held the first and second positions, respectively, in the cast buzzworthiness category.

The series also drove significant cultural engagement, as viral clips of the character Joo Ho-jin sparked what media outlets termed a "Joo Ho-jin fever". This popularity extended directly into fashion trends, where consumer interest spikes for Ho-jin's messenger bag and overall wardrobe. Cha Mu-hee's "L'HAS Classic Suede Bomber Jacket" sparked a surge of inquiries and soon sold out. Styled with a one-piece dress, the look was both feminine and polished through layering. The outfit became a trend, and the jacket was dubbed a sonminsutem (손민수템).

The drama influenced literary appreciation. Women Sense reported the rise of Poet Core, highlighting the media role in recommending poetry through a case study of Kim Kyung-mi's poetry collection, The Order of The Shooting Pain. Featuring a poem from the series, the book became available for pre-order and entered the bestseller list. On June 1, 2026, a dialogue from the series was featured in 2026 10th Grade Literature Exam in Hanoi, Vietnam. The exam question quoted an exchange where Ho-jin states that there are over 7,100 languages in the world, to which his teacher responds, "There are as many languages as there are people in the world, because everyone speaks their own language." Based on this excerpt, candidates were required to write an essay exploring an individual's capacity to listen to the voices around them. Ho-jin's appearance in the exam quickly gained online attention, with young viewers expressing excitement that a popular drama had become part of a major test, while teachers praised the material as fresh and relatable for encouraging student reflection on communication and empathy.

Public influence crossed into political spheres as well. On January 29, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung's YouTube channel adopted the show's aesthetic for a video regarding the 21st Senior Secretary to the President meeting. The thumbnail mirrored the Netflix series, replacing its logo with "Jamflix" and adapting the title into the pun, "Can you feel this policy?" This highlighted the Blue House's shift toward a meme-friendly style to engage netizens.

International outreach and tourism

The surge in interest in the series prompted South Korean travel agencies to introduce specialized "set-jetting" tour packages to Japan, Italy, and Canada.

In March 2026, a report by Trip.com titled "2026 Cherry Blossom Season Travel Trends" found that 70% of surveyed Hong Kong travelers identified Korean drama filming locations as a primary factor in their itinerary planning. According to the report, the series Can This Love Be Translated? drove a month-over-month interest increase of more than 60% for Kamakura and Enoshima, Japan. Specific metrics included a 66% rise in train bookings to Kamakura and a 55% increase in related hotel searches and bookings. Reservations for local tours, such as shrine pilgrimages and sea-view tram rides, grew by 64% during the same period.

The surge in visitors from South Korea and Southeast Asia has led to concerns regarding overtourism in Kamakura. The Asahi Shinbun reported resident complaints regarding overcrowding and unauthorized photography near a railway crossing featured in the drama. In response, local authorities installed multilingual signage in English, Korean, and Japanese in late March to request that visitors respect private property. Officials also notified the production company to request greater consideration during future filming projects.

On April 14, 2026, the Istituto Culturale Coreano announced that director Yoo Young-eun and producer Lee Hyun-young would conduct a series of drama workshops and lectures in Rome. On April 16, they led a professional workshop at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, where they examined the creative process and the specific challenges of filming in Italy. Later that afternoon, they delivered a lecture to approximately 200 students at Sapienza University of Rome on the sociological and artistic factors behind the international success of Korean dramas. They also explored what sets these productions apart from other global works, highlighting how South Korea has transformed its dramas into soft power. The program concluded on April 17 with a public talk show titled The Charm of Korean Dramas held at the Istituto Culturale Coreano, with opening remarks by Kim Choon-goo, the Korean Ambassador to Italy.

Cultural exchanges continued with the sixth Ciao! Italia festival, co-hosted by Chuncheon City and the Italian Embassy in Korea, which ran from June 12 to 14, 2026. Hosted by Alberto Mondi and announcer Kim Sia, the festival featured humanities programs, including a special lecture by Professor Gu Ji-hoon on medieval Italian cities at the World Liquor Market Lounge. Using Can This Love Be Translated? as a framework, he discussed the characteristics of Italian urban culture, such as squares and fountains.

Accolades