Can This Love Be Translated?


Can This Love Be Translated? is a 2026 South Korean romantic comedy television series written by the Hong sisters, directed by Yoo Young-eun, and starring Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Sota Fukushi, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Yi-dam. The series depicts the relationship of a multilingual interpreter and a top actress. It was released on Netflix on January 16, 2026.

Synopsis

Joo Ho-jin is a polyglot interpreter fluent in Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, French, Spanish and Italian. Known as a "linguistic genius," he values precision in both his professional and personal life. Despite his mastery of foreign languages, he remains emotionally dense and "illiterate" in the language of love. Ho-jin first encounters Cha Mu-hee in Japan when she is still an unknown actress. Following their initial meeting, Mu-hee rises to global stardom after her breakout role as Do Ra-mi in a hit zombie film. The two are reunited during an international interview where Ho-jin serves as her interpreter.
Following her surge in popularity, Mu-hee joins the dating reality show Romantic Trip, where she travels to various international destinations with Japanese actor Hiro Kurosawa. Ho-jin is hired as their interpreter to bridge the communication gap between the two stars. However, Ho-jin's rigid personality frequently clashes with Mu-hee's, leading to various misunderstandings. As the production progresses, Ho-jin finds himself becoming unexpectedly emotionally invested in Mu-hee, forcing him to navigate feelings he cannot easily translate.

Cast and characters

Main

Supporting

Special appearances

Production

Development

The Hong sisters were preparing a drama with the working title Can This Person Interpret? in collaboration with Director as early as December 5, 2019; it was set to be broadcast on the cable channel tvN. The working title was later revised to Interpretation of Salvation, with overseas filming planned to take place in China. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, the project faced delays. The Hong Sisters and Park later worked together on a different drama titled Alchemy of Souls in 2021 and 2022.
Production resumed in 2023 under director Yoo Young-eun. The series was produced by Trii Studio. Both Trii Studio and the Hong Sisters' Studio Sot operate as label under Imaginus, led by Choi Jin-hee. Keeha Choi served as Director of photography, while Studio Hi, a subsidiary of Hive Media Corporation, handled visual effects. By April 2024, reports indicated the series would be released on Netflix, which officially confirmed production on June 27, 2024. Production preparations wrapped up in June 2024.

Casting

In April 2023, it was reported that Son Suk-ku was offered the lead role, but ultimately declined in favor of Nine Puzzles. In July 2023, discussions took place with Kim Seon-ho and Han So-hee for the lead roles. By September 2023, Go Youn-jung was in talk as the female lead. Ultimately, Kim and Go were chosen to portray interpreter Ju Ho-jin and top actress Cha Mu-hee, respectively. On June 10, 2024, Choi Woo-sung was announced as Kim Yong-woo, Cha Mu-hee's manager. On June 27, 2024, Netflix confirmed the production of Can This Love Be Translated? and revealed the casting of Kim, Go, Sota Fukushi, Lee Yi-dam, and Choi, along with script reading pictures. In fall 2024, Keep Alberta Rolling announced auditions for extras to appear in the series.

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. The series underwent pre-production for unit shooting in Alberta from August 12 to September 22, 2024. The unit shoot began on September 23 until October 11. Operating under the name Sailor Films Inc. with a crew of 150, the team filmed in Calgary, Canmore on, Banff and Lake Louise. The lead stars shared social media updates featuring the aurora borealis as seen from their filming locations.
In late November 2024, production moved to Italy, with Kim Seon-ho departing for Rome, Italy, on November 23. The crew spent one week filming across Tuscany, including Siena, Montalcino, and Florence until December 4. In Siena, filming took place at historic sites such as Piazza del Campo, Teatro dei Rozzi, Torre del Mangia, Loggia dei Nove, and Contrada della Torre. Shooting took place in Perugia on December 5, 6, and 9, primarily in the historic center. Notable sites included Piazza IV Novembre, as well as Via Fani, Via della Gabbia, Via Maestà delle Volte, Piazza Danti, Via delle Cantine, Piazza Matteotti, Via Alessi, Via Cesare Battisti, and Loggiato della Prefettura in Piazza Italia. Filming ended on February 5, 2025 in South Korea.

Release

The series was officially unveiled by Netflix as part of its 2025 lineup on February 4, 2025, during the "Next on Netflix 2025 Korea" event by Director Yoo Young-eun who participated as a panelist. However, its premiere date was ultimately set for January 16, 2026.

Marketing

Netflix hosted a fan event at Yeongdeungpo Times Square in Seoul on January 13, 2026. Kim Seon-ho and Go Yoon-jung attended the event and interacted with fans. Another fan event and pop-up experience zone were established at the Kota Casablanca Atrium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 16, 2026. Both leads traveled to Jakarta, where they met with 2,000 fans. The event received significant attention, attracting approximately 30,000 applicants.

Original soundtrack

The soundtrack of the series led by Choi In-hee and produced by Ma Joo-hee was released on January 16, 2026, by Studio MaumC and Netflix Music, LLC.
OST
'''Original score'''

Reception

Viewership">Audience measurement">Viewership

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.