Hello, Wavies! LONG TIME NO SEE! I’m really sorry for that. But here I’m again, and Welcome back to another K-drama deep dive. If you’ve been scrolling through Netflix lately, you’ve probably seen two very familiar faces staring back at you from the trending tab: Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Yes, we are finally talking about the drama everyone has been waiting for “Can This Love Be Translated?” (or I Sarang Tongyeok Doenayo?). Ever since the Hong Sisters were announced as the writers, the hype has been through the roof. And now that it’s finally here, I know you guys are dying to know, is it actually worth the binge?
I’ve finished the whole thing, and honestly, I have so many thoughts. The premise is honestly so unique. It’s not your typical “boss and secretary” or “enemies to lovers” trope. Instead, it’s all about communication. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, especially when you compare the first half to the second half. So, let’s get into the details of why this drama had me glued to my screen (and why I had to replay a few scenes just to figure out what was happening!).
What is the Story About?
Our male lead, Joo Ho-jin (played by the dimple king Kim Seon-ho), is a genius multilingual interpreter. He can speak Korean, Japanese, English, and Italian fluently. But here’s the irony: even though he can translate any language on earth, he is absolutely terrible at translating the “language of love.” He’s a bit stiff, very professional, and honestly, a little bit dense when it comes to feelings. On the other side, we have Cha Mu-hee (played by the stunning Go Youn-jung). She is a global top star who became famous for playing a zombie character named Do Ra-mi. Unlike Ho-jin, she wears her heart on her sleeve, but because she’s a celebrity, she has to hide her true self behind a “public persona.”
They meet by chance in Japan, but their real story starts when Ho-jin is hired to be the interpreter for Mu-hee on a global reality dating show called Romantic Trip. They travel to beautiful places like Canada and Italy, and that’s where the sparks (and the misunderstandings) really begin!
The First 6 Episodes: Unknown to Lovers and Easy Vibes
Wavies, let me tell you, the first 6 episodes of this drama were perfection. If you like “healing” dramas with beautiful scenery and cute, fluttery moments, you are going to love this part. The storytelling is so easy to understand and follow. We see the gradual shift from Ho-jin being a strict, annoyed interpreter to someone who genuinely cares for Mu-hee.
The chemistry between Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung is literal fire. There’s this scene in Japan where they are just walking through the streets of Kamakura, and the way they look at each other… I was screaming! It felt so natural, like we were just watching two people slowly falling in love. The comedy is also top-tier. Mu-hee is so chaotic in the best way possible, and watching “Mr. Serious” Ho-jin try to handle her was hilarious. This part of the drama felt very “Hong Sisters” witty dialogue, gorgeous cinematography, and a lot of “green flag” energy from Ho-jin. I found myself breezing through these episodes because the plot was straightforward and the romance was just so sweet.
The Last 6 Episodes: Wait, What Just Happened?
Now, this is where I need you to pay attention! As much as I loved the beginning, the last 6 episodes (episodes 7 to 12) took a very different turn. Suddenly, the plot got complicated. The writers started adding so many layers to the characters’ pasts. We find out more about Mu-hee’s trauma and this “Do Ra-mi” persona she created. It turns out Do Ra-mi isn’t just a movie character—she’s almost like an alter ego that Mu-hee uses as a psychological shield. Whenever Mu-hee feels vulnerable or scared of being abandoned, “Do Ra-mi” takes over.
There were also a lot of twists regarding Ho-jin’s first love and Mu-hee’s parents that I didn’t see coming. Because there were so many subplots happening at once—especially during the Italy arc—it became a bit tricky to keep up. I actually had to rewind a few times to make sure I understood why certain characters were making specific decisions. It wasn’t “bad,” but it definitely wasn’t “easy-breezy” anymore. You really have to focus on the dialogue because the characters start speaking in “codes.” They say one thing, but they mean something completely different. It’s like the title says—their love really does need to be translated! Even though it was a bit confusing, the emotional payoff in the end made it feel worth the struggle.
The Visuals: A Virtual Vacation
One thing no one can argue about is how beautiful this drama looks. Since the plot revolves around a travel reality show, we get to see some of the most stunning locations.
Japan: The seaside vibes of Kamakura were so cozy.
Canada: The scenes in Banff were breathtaking. I felt like I was on a vacation just by watching it!
Italy: The romantic streets of Italy at night provided the perfect backdrop for the more serious, emotional scenes in the second half.
If you’re someone who loves “aesthetic” dramas, this is 10/10. Every frame looks like a postcard.
Where to Watch?
If you haven’t started yet, you can find all 12 episodes of Can This Love Be Translated? exclusively on Netflix. Since it’s a Netflix Original, it’s available worldwide with subs in multiple languages. They even have a dubbed version if that’s your preference, but honestly, you have to listen to Kim Seon-ho’s actual voice. His Japanese and Italian lines are so impressive—he clearly worked really hard on his pronunciation! And here is a secret for my wavies that this drama in also available in so many kdrama websites now. Like Dramabeans, Bilibili, Kisskh, MovieBox.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Overall, I really enjoyed it! Yes, the second half is a bit of a brain teaser and might feel a little rushed or messy to some people, but the emotional journey is so real. It’s a drama that makes you think about how we communicate with the people we love. Sometimes we speak the same language, but we still don’t “understand” each other. Kim Seon-ho proves once again why he is the king of rom-coms, and Go Youn-jung is absolutely brilliant as she navigates her dual persona. Their acting really saved the show during the more confusing parts.
My Rating: 8/10
What’s Your Take, Wavies? Have you guys started Can This Love Be Translated? yet? If you’ve finished it, did you find the second half as tricky as I did? Or did it all make sense to you on the first try? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! I’m curious to see if you think Ho-jin is a “green flag” or if his lack of communication was frustrating for you.
Till then, keep exploring, Wavies! 🌊✨
