Undeniable chemistry, breathtaking cinematography, and the insanely chaotic plot, ‘Can This Love Be Translated’ is just impossible to ignore.
Netflix’ 2026 K-drama opener, Can This Love Be Translated?, quickly took over global screens by presenting a new kind of love story, one that feels deceptively simple yet difficult to decipher.
Within just three days of its January 16 release, the romantic comedy debuted in Netflix’ Global Top 10 across 79 countries, landing the No. 1 spot in 13, including South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It proves that original writing, paired with top-tier performances, is still the perfect recipe to steal hearts worldwide.
But if you haven’t watched it yet, you’re probably asking: Is it really worth the hype? Don’t worry, HallyuLife got you covered. From its high points that struck our hearts to the moments that quite literally got lost in translation, let’s dive deep and decode the world of Can This Love Be Translated?
What’s up with the plot?
At its core, Can This Love Be Translated? tells the story of two people trying to learn and understand love beyond words. Joo Hojin (Kim Seonho) is a gifted interpreter fluent in six languages, someone who flawlessly translates others’ thoughts and emotions but finds it difficult to convey his own. His walls began to crumble as Cha Muhee (Go Younjung), a rookie actress who rose to global fame overnight, wreaked havoc on his heavily guarded heart.
Muhee’s stardom secured her a spot in a reality TV show titled Romantic Trip, where two actors from different countries travel to beautiful date spots around the world, experimenting if love can blossom using real-time translation. Hiro Kurosawa (Sota Fukoshi) joins her in this travelogue while Hojin accompanies them as an interpreter. Despite Hojin’s efforts to be the perfect bridge between two hearts, his own feelings end up lost in translation.
As the story unfolds across different languages and continents, Hojin and Muhee navigate not only emotional and linguistic barriers but also each other’s unresolved pasts, learning that love, much like language, is rarely straightforward.
Who are the creative minds behind the series?
Written by the acclaimed Hong sisters, Hong Jungeun and Hong Miran, the drama carried high expectations even before its premiere. Known for beloved titles such as Alchemy of Souls, Hotel Del Luna, and The Master’s Sun, the duo delivers once again. By reviving old-school romance, they proved that heartwarming fantasies shaped by relatable emotions and compelling relationships remain to be their signature charm.
From the warm, cozy embrace of South Korea and Japan to the out-of-this-world, romantic touch of Canada and Italy, director Yoo Youngeun (Bloody Heart) made sure that every scene takes place in the most picture-perfect landscape.
How’s the storytelling?
Hojin and Muhee’s first meeting unfolded in a clean, relatable, and casual manner. It didn’t feel scripted at all. Rather, it was the very definition of an organic encounter where two travellers had a brush of faith in the most unexpected way.
In just the first episode, the general plot and the main characters’ personalities have been well-established. We meet Muhee, who went to visit his ex-boyfriend in Japan just to end up finding a more shocking twist. In a nutshell, Muhee is a young woman with high hopes for love but is too scared to commit. Thus, behind her bubbly and outgoing personality is her desperate battle against her demons.
As if a knight in shining armor, Hojin emerges as the perfect stranger to meet on a trip. Aside from his impressive linguistic ability, he’s also charming, empathetic, and a gentleman. The scene where he refuses to translate such hurtful words and decides to take Muhee’s side says so much about his character. It emphasizes his warmth, being able to help out a complete stranger without asking anything in return.
Their interactions accentuate the beauty of the “opposites attract” trope. And just when romance starts to simmer between the two, it was time to introduce the second male lead.
From the opening scene, Hiro was destined to be head over heels to Muhee, but the writers did a stunning job at adding depth into his character. His interest with Muhee started as a form of curiosity and respect to the character she once played, the global sensation, Do Rami. But after an ungraceful moment between the two, his interest turned sour, until their time together in Romantic Trip stirred back all kinds of feelings for his co-star.
There were tons of heart-fluttering moments throughout the series, making the audience kick in the air and smile like idiots, just like Muhee’s embarrassing yet cute moments or Hojin’s reactions whenever he finds himself slowly falling in love.
At times, it felt like a rollercoaster of emotions, but at other points, the series comes off as a slow burn melodrama. Its prolonged push-and-pull antics, fueled by frustrating miscommunications, may feel tedious or sluggish for some viewers. Yet for those who patiently sat it out, we get to enjoy major character developments and genuine lines explaining the characters’ feelings, making sense of their questionable choices.
Overall, the storytelling shines in its own language. They say that translating doesn’t have to be perfect word for word as long as the message goes through. But Can This Love Be Translated? offers a different perspective. Because in communication, no matter how clear or vague a message is, it’s still up to the receiver on how to decipher and respond. Just like how the drama explores several themes: miscommunication, attachment types, mental health and self-sabotage, the reality of fame, cultural differences, and the process of healing, every viewer may still perceive something entirely different.
What do we like about it?
Warning: Spoilers ahead! The following paragraphs include some detailed descriptions, so continue at your own risk. But for those who already watched the series, let’s relive these moments to the fullest!
- Superb chemistry. The RomCom King, Kim Seonho is back on our screens and his muse is none other than the rising Meme Queen, Go Younjung, words simply aren’t enough to commend their crackling chemistry! Their comfortability with each other made the script come to life, where a lot of their moments felt too natural to be even considered as acting. One of my favorite clips was the diner scene where Hojin’s serious talk about the science of auroras got interrupted by Muhee’s childish eyeroll. It was such a wholesome and adorable moment that shows major personality differences between the two characters, yet highlights their budding compatibility.
- Iconic adlibs. Interviews and behind the scene footage show that these two are adlib geniuses. Muhee’s iconic nodding scene with a Maneki-neko (a bobblehead cat ornament signifying good luck) and the fan-favorite “aurora” dance were actually Younjung’s idea. Additionally, remember Do Rami’s comedic drunk scene where Hojin carries her on his back? The clip where her sleepy head peeks first before Hojin’s was a result of Seonho’s creative input.
- Sublime cinematography. One thing for sure: this series has a big, fat budget. Scenes shot in Canada and Italy literally look like they came out of a fairy tale book. Every location felt like a new character, conversing through the screen, having a language of its own, inspiring viewers to go on a trip and visit these stunning places themselves.
- The color-changing intros. Have you noticed the 5-second title sequence at the beginning of each episode? The background colors and the dot below the question mark change forms depending on the corresponding plot, emotion, or vibe! Its ability to foreshadow an entire story within a short period of time is such a fun, creative, and thoughtful detail. And as a sucker for dramas with extreme attention to detail, I am obsessed.
- Muhee’s character development. It was subtle yet most heartfelt. In the final episode, she suggested briefly breaking up with Hojin to avoid breaking up for good. It was the moment she mustered up the courage to face her childhood trauma once and for all. So, whether she successfully met her mom or not, the simple act of putting their relationship on break shows her trust in the love she found with Hojin, a love that’s strong, secured, and safe.
- A seamless finale. It’s rare to find a drama without any loose thread. Each character had their own closure, with each one conveying a completed character arc, this leaves the viewers a satisfied feeling after a long, bumpy ride. Just a note: Although this kind of ending fuels a sense of fulfillment and nostalgia, it’s not impactful enough to be the talk of the town for a long time (unlike what we felt after Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Uncontrollably Fond, or Goblin).
What’s disappointing about it?
- The only critique I have for this drama is the light interpretation of mental health. Muhee’s PTSD and dissociative personality disorder was treated more like a device for romance. Since these are serious mental health conditions, the writers could’ve written these topics with more nuance and sensitivity (like what we see with It’s Okay to Not Be Okay or Dear Hyeri). But for the record, this is a fictional, romantic comedy drama, so it’s fair to accept such shortsightedness in the practical or medicinal area.
OST Verdict
From feeling like love is in the air to feeling like the world is crumbling, Can This Love Be Translated? is filled with several masterpieces. So, put your headphones on, click the Spotify playlist below, and get ready to be lost, not in translation, but in pure sonic sensation.
“Love Language” by Kim Minseok (from the duo MeloMance) sets the tone for the entire series. Starting off with an electric guitar, an exhilarating vibe immediately sweeps the audience off their feet, signaling an exciting ride ahead. Online netizens praise the singer for delivering another hit OST track after the banger, “Love, Maybe” from Business Proposal. Today, Can This Love Be Translated? won’t be completed without this song.
“Daydream” by WENDY literally feels like a song written by Muhee. “If I be honest, babe, will you stay?” A line so full of longing, uncertainty, and ironically, hope. WENDY’s soft vocals, backed by mellow piano instrumentals, deliver a heart-piercing blow. This song is totally one of my guilty pleasures, just like love, it’s hurtful yet we crave it all the time.
The moment that “Promise” by Wonstein played, I knew it was game over, I’m gonna fall in love with this series, helplessly. Even now that I finish watching the show, this song brings me back to the day Hojin and Muhee parted ways at the crosswalk. That scene still plays in my mind. In. Slow. Motion. I’m telling you, this track is enough to get any CTLBT fan hyperventilating.
If “Daydream” feels like Muhee’s song, “Dance Alone” by Zior Park is definitely Do Rami’s jam. It’s a bop track, assuring us that it’s okay to dance alone, to be a narcissist, to be delusional, or to carry out your intrusive thoughts. Just like how Do Rami does everything that Muhee wants to do but can’t, this song raises the thought that sometimes our demons aren’t really demons, but just a bolder, braver, and crazier version of ourselves. And what’s so wrong about that?
“Round and Round” by JISOKURY lays out the calmness throughout the drama. Its soft tone allows the audience to breathe and enjoy our Papago couple’s wholesome moments, offering a relaxing vibe that feels eternal. Also, this song is in pure English, letting global fans, especially us Filipinos, to easily sing along.
“Waltz For Moon” by Hodge slips in as the last ingredient in making the perfect fairy tale. Despite being released in 2026, its sentimental vibe, slow-paced waltz rhythm, and dreamy orchestral background made this track sound like a 19th century’s vinyl record. Ultimately, “Waltz For Moon” sounds so magical, it feels like a song that only exists in Muhee and Hojin’s world.
The drama also didn’t shy away from incorporating emotional and heartbreaking tracks. “Good Bye” by We Are The Night perfectly captures the harsh reality of life. It’s the kind of song that depicts the feeling when nothing’s going your way. Other melancholy tracks like “Someday” by Dreamcatcher‘s SIYEON feels like a good break up song while off the menu’s “Lay Down Together” sends a wave of regret and sorrow.
Final rating
| Element | Score | Remarks |
| Plot/Storyline | 9/10 | Although romance is a genre we’re all familiar with, this drama offers a fresh perspective and a compelling storyline that we haven’t seen before. |
| Impact | 8/10 | It left a great impression on the emotional and cultural aspect, considering that audiences are now motivated to travel and experience their own organic encounter. However, its depiction of mental health downplays its thematic impact. |
| Actors’ Performances | 11/10 | I think I already emphasized this countless times. Do you need more? |
| Video Production Quality | 10/10 | Aside from its stunning cinematography, the drama’s directing, editing, and set design were also flawless. Even the characters’ wardrobe, especially Muhee’s, were top-notch. |
| Binge-worthiness | 8/10 | The constant push-and-pull situations and Do Rami’s embodiment are the two black holes that could throw viewers off track. |
| OST Score | 10/10 | Each soundtrack masterfully highlights every emotion present in the drama. |
| Total | 9.3/10 |
So, what did you think? Did you start seeing auroras, too? Share your thoughts with us, your favorite scenes, lines, or even your biggest frustrations.
And if you haven’t given it a try yet, Can This Love Be Translated? is now streaming on Netflix. Press play, let the emotions unfold, and decide for yourself if this irresistible beautiful love story is worth translating all the way to the last episode. -HallyuLife.com
