Some romantic dramas explode with grand confessions and dramatic twists from the very first episode. Can This Love Be Translated? chooses a quieter path. At first glance, it feels like a thoughtful love story about language, neutrality, and emotional restraint. But as Season 1 unfolds, the series struggles to maintain a clear identity, blending romance, comedy, psychological elements, and fantasy into something that doesn’t always hold together.
Still, with strong performances and striking visuals, this Netflix K-drama remains difficult to ignore.
A Love Story That Begins with Fate and Fragility
The story opens with Joo Ho-jin, a highly skilled multilingual interpreter, meeting Cha Mu-hee, a struggling actress, during a trip to Japan. He helps her out of a difficult situation, and their brief encounter feels almost destined.
Soon after, Mu-hee lands a role in a zombie film. An accident on set leaves her in a coma. When she wakes up, she discovers that the movie has become a global hit, and she is now an international star.
Their paths cross again when Ho-jin becomes involved in a cross-country reality show featuring Mu-hee. What follows initially feels like a warm and introspective romantic journey. Ho-jin, who firmly believes in emotional distance and professional neutrality, finds himself drawn to a woman he once thought he would never pursue.
At this stage, the drama works beautifully. It explores heartbreak, loneliness, and emotional hesitation with sensitivity. Ho-jin also struggles with unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend Ji-seon, who is now dating his own brother. The emotional tension feels grounded, and the universe seems to gently push Ho-jin and Mu-hee toward each other.
For a while, it feels like the perfect setup for a heartfelt rom-com.
When the Story Shifts Gears
The central romance thrives on emotional tension and quiet intimacy. Ho-jin and Mu-hee are both flawed in believable ways. He hides behind professionalism. She hides behind her public persona. Their push-and-pull dynamic creates anticipation.
However, that same push-and-pull eventually becomes repetitive. The misunderstandings feel vague, their arguments abstract, and the emotional obstacles less convincing over time. Just as viewers settle into this contemplative romance, the show introduces a major tonal shift.
Mu-hee begins seeing visions of Do Ra-mi, the zombie character she portrayed in her breakout film. At first, these appearances seem symbolic, perhaps a manifestation of trauma or inner conflict. But as the episodes progress, Do Ra-mi becomes increasingly central to the narrative.
The drama stops being a grounded romance about two emotionally scarred individuals. Instead, it becomes a story about Ho-jin trying to “decode” Mu-hee and understand the language she speaks, emotionally and, at times, literally.
Despite early hints, the transition feels abrupt. The tone changes from soft and reflective to comedic and chaotic. While many K-dramas successfully blend genres, Can This Love Be Translated? struggles to balance its shifting moods. The result is a series that feels fragmented rather than layered.
Two Faces of Fame, One Man Caught in Between
Joo Ho-jin is defined by restraint. As an interpreter, he believes his job is to remain invisible. He should not add emotion. He should not soften meaning. He should not interfere.
Yet with Mu-hee, neutrality becomes impossible.
Behind her elegant public image, Cha Mu-hee is sharp-tongued, brutally honest, and emotionally guarded. Ho-jin begins subtly adjusting her words during interviews and public appearances, protecting her career from potential backlash. In doing so, he becomes more than an interpreter, he becomes her filter, her shield.
This dynamic creates a unique intimacy. Ho-jin hears everything Mu-hee truly means, even the words the world never receives. He understands her unfiltered self.
Then there is Do Ra-mi, the alter ego who disrupts everything. Go Youn-jung’s performance here is impressive. She differentiates Mu-hee and Ra-mi so convincingly that they feel like two separate people. Ra-mi represents chaos, suppressed emotion, and perhaps Mu-hee’s buried vulnerability.
Kim Seon-ho delivers a steady and heartfelt performance as Ho-jin. His quiet longing and emotional hesitation feel authentic. Even when the writing falters, his presence anchors the story.
The actors elevate material that sometimes lacks consistency.
What Does the Ending Really Mean?
Without revealing major spoilers, the final episodes lean heavily into the metaphor of “translation.” The central question becomes less about romance and more about understanding.
Do Ra-mi’s growing presence can be interpreted as a manifestation of Mu-hee’s fractured identity, the divide between her public self and private self. Ho-jin’s struggle is not just about loving her. It is about deciding whether to translate her truth faithfully or continue softening it for the world.
The ending suggests that love cannot survive constant reinterpretation. At some point, honesty must replace protection. Feelings cannot always be edited for safety.
However, because the tonal shift arrives so strongly mid-season, the resolution feels slightly rushed. The thematic message is clear, but the emotional payoff does not land as powerfully as it could have.
Stunning Visuals and Strong Performances Save the Ride
One undeniable strength of the drama is its production value. The story travels across Seoul, Canada, and Italy, showcasing castles, national parks, vineyards, and even a breathtaking northern lights sequence. The cinematography captures these locations beautifully, adding a cinematic quality to the viewing experience.
The musical score also enhances the emotional tone, even when the script feels uneven.
Visually and performatively, the series is polished. Narratively, it is less certain of what it wants to be.
Final Thoughts – A Beautiful but Uneven Romance
Can This Love Be Translated? begins as a thoughtful romantic drama about language, identity, and emotional restraint. For several episodes, it feels intimate and mature. But the introduction of fantasy elements and tonal inconsistency weakens its foundation.
That said, the show is never boring. The performances by Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung are compelling enough to keep viewers invested, even when the storyline feels unstable. If approached with flexible expectations, the series can still be an engaging ride.
It is a drama filled with beautiful scenery, strong acting, and an intriguing premise—but one that never fully harmonizes its genres.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
A visually stunning romantic experiment that struggles to translate its own emotional language consistently.
