Netflix is ready to start the new year strong with a slew of new K-Dramas. If romance is all you can think about, Can This Love Be Translated will surely be a delightful first watch for 2026.
Starring Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung, the series is set to premiere on January 16th and is all about love getting lost (and found) in translation. However, it isn’t language barriers that the leads are facing; love languages and how they express themselves play a crucial part in story development. As the trailer revealed, the first episode feels global by starting abroad and taking us away from Korea’s saturated setting.
Ho Jin (played by Kim Seon Ho) effortlessly switches between Japanese, English and Italian as he ventures through Japan before colliding with Mu Hee (Go Youn Jung) in a chance meeting at a small restaurant in Enoshima. The characters each have their quirks. Ho Jin is sincere, proper and talented. Kim Seon Ho proves to be a confident actor as he flexes his language skills in various scenes. His Italian, English and Japanese accents are very convincing and aren’t unbearable to hear. In fact, it bears evidence that he prepared a lot for this role and to portray a worldly feeling for the show. His character holds a hidden past regarding a past relationship that seemed to unfold similarly with Mu Hee. Although Mu Hee seems smitten with Ho Jin first, it takes a while for Ho Jin to warm up to her character, and it makes the brewing romance enjoyable. The buildup isn’t too slow, just right.
Akin to a new-age sassy girl, Go Youn Jung’s character is rather obnoxious, self-centered and easily flustered. From episode one, she exudes a rather whiny attitude and lives in her own bubble, which can prove to be quite rude and annoying. She has her funny moments as an unfiltered character and the stark contrast between the leads is needed to emphasize the idea of love having its barriers. However, as the story progresses, Mu Hee does show a more mature side around Ho Jin, but it seems she’s suffering from haunting hallucinations after her accident on-set. This secondary storyline adds spice and thrill to what could be a run-of-the-mill love story.
The story isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but it does focus on love styles between clashing personalities that go beyond social status that makes it more intriguing. Lots of what-if moments keep viewers compelled and realizing how fate dances around our fragile love connections makes for a good laugh- love is timing. We may be heading in this direction, but life tosses you a curveball. The drama focuses on getting across the meaning of love; how and why you love someone is the hardest thing to translate at times. Hopefully, both characters can toss their pride aside and come to a concise decision in the finale?
The cinematography is quite appealing. The drama’s settings and locations are gorgeously displayed and capture the beauty of many places throughout Japan and Korea. Oddly enough, there are inconsistencies in close-up shots in smaller scenes with two or three characters, but the scenic camera pans and romantic backdrops are remarkable to see– particularly the real views of Mt. Fuji. The scoring is hit or miss. Some songs lack the ability to pull a viewer in, and the soundtrack seems rowdier and in-tune with Mu Hee’s character, making it uplifting as a result.
The show does enjoy its plot twists, despite the lack of major cliffhangers. Ho Jin strings us along with the idea that he is falling for Mu Hee, but doesn’t really admit it until the last few episodes. Fast forward, Mu Hee is now a full-blown global icon, cast in an international dating reality show alongside Japan’s prince Hiro, played by Sota Fukushi, and she seems to have a princess complex. The biggest climax comes full circle as Hiro falls for Mu Hee and says the words that Ho Jin can’t seem to say. Does Mu Hee feel torn and still care for Ho Jin, or will she choose a path she believes to be better for her love life?
Overall, if a romance built to tease you every second is something you’re interested in, Can This Love Be Translated will hit the nail on the head. Viewers can enjoy the individual characters’ journeys while also seeing how they collide and clash in a humorous way. Love might appear to be the most complicated language, but it is simpler than we think and can overcome any barrier. If you’re a fan of Kim Seon Ho and romance dramas with an ever-lurking plot twist, Netflix’s newest series will surely satisfy. However, fans of thrilling genres or unconventional love stories may want to pass. (7/10)
>> ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ Unveils Poster and Trailer for Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung Rom-Com
In the meantime, watch Kim Seon Ho in Catch the Ghost on Amasian TV for free.
