Cheyenne Suarez

Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung shine in Netflix’s latest romance 'Can This Love Be Translated?'

Article (news)

Gretchen Fullido

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769055024337577636ab-f80b-4279-abe6-d8b72feb22a4.jfif" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633" alt="Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Photos courtesy of Netflix"/>Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Photos courtesy of Netflix</div>Netflix’s newest Korean drama “Can This Love Be Translated?” is quickly capturing hearts around the world with its sweeping romance, emotional storytelling, and stunning international backdrops. Starring Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung, and directed by Yoo Young Eun, the series explores whether love can truly transcend language, culture, and personal walls.Set across Korea, Japan, Canada, and Italy, the drama follows the unlikely romance between Joo Ho Jin, a multilingual interpreter, and Cha Mu Hee, a globally famous celebrity struggling with fame, fear, and emotional isolation. Written by the acclaimed Hong Sisters, known for their work on &quot;Hotel Del Luna&quot; and &quot;Alchemy of Souls,&quot; the series blends heartfelt emotion, witty dialogue, and fairy-tale-like romance that has resonated strongly with viewers since its release.The cast and director recently met the press and fans in Jakarta, Indonesia, where thousands gathered for a special fan event. The stars delighted the crowd by interacting closely with fans, playing games, and learning different Asian words and expressions about love, perfectly in line with the theme of the series. Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung, and director Yoo Young Eun also sat down with ABS-CBN News where they opened up about the making of the show and the meaning behind its story.For Kim Seon Ho, taking on the role of Joo Ho Jin was both exciting and challenging, especially with the character’s multilingual background. “It took about four months to prepare, which honestly wasn’t enough,” Kim shared. “I studied with different language tutors, and the biggest challenge was having scenes where I had to switch between Japanese, Italian, and Korean. There were moments when I had to speak multiple languages in one scene, and that took a lot of practice.”Despite the difficulty, Kim said the challenge made the role more meaningful. “After many rehearsals, I was finally able to pull it off. It really helped me understand my character better.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176905505301522903c1a-bdfc-4207-936a-d3b281391a28.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Photos courtesy of Netflix"/>Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Photos courtesy of Netflix</div>When asked about her own connection to the story, Go Youn Jung admitted that she saw parts of herself in Cha Mu Hee. “I relate to how she deals with anxiety,” Go said. “She tends to protect herself by avoiding things or by sounding harsher than she really is. I think those are defense mechanisms, and I see myself in that.”She added that Cha Mu Hee’s alter ego, DoRaMi, reflects an inner vulnerability many people can relate to. “She’s realistic, but also a little bit like a fairy tale. That contrast made the character very special to me.”Both actors shared that they were immediately drawn to the series because of its unique concept and creative team, which is why they said yes to the project.“For me, it was the story and the people involved,” Go explained. “When I saw the director, the writers, and my co-star’s name, I knew it was going to be something special. The story felt very original. A translator meeting a global star and falling in love felt both realistic and magical at the same time.”Kim echoed the sentiment, saying the role offered something he had never done before. “The idea of playing a multilingual interpreter was very interesting to me,” he said. “It’s not a profession you often see in dramas. I’m also a longtime fan of the Hong Sisters, and working with Director Yoo and Youn Jung made it an easy decision. There was really no reason to say no.”The series’ breathtaking visuals were made possible by filming in several countries like Korea, Japan, Canada, and Italy, each leaving a lasting impression on the cast.For Go, Canada stood out the most. “That’s where Kim Seon Ho and I became the closest,” she shared. “It’s where our real chemistry formed. We also saw the Northern Lights there, which is something I’ll never forget.”Kim, meanwhile, was most moved by their time in Italy. “There’s a scene in Siena where our characters hug in a piazza,” he recalled. “It was such a beautiful moment, both emotionally and visually. That scene stayed with me.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769055064576c38ca3cd-daef-41f8-b67e-c7e191f802e6.jfif" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633" alt="Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Photos courtesy of Netflix"/>Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. Photos courtesy of Netflix</div>Director Yoo explained that at its core, the series is about emotional connection rather than language itself. “I think everyone has another side of themselves that they don’t easily show,” she said. “DoRaMi represents that hidden part of Cha Mu Hee. At first, she’s filled with fear, but eventually she realizes that this part of her also wants happiness.”She pointed to the emotional ending of Episode 9 as the heart of the series. “That scene, where Joo Ho Jin embraces all of Cha Mu Hee’s pain and vulnerability, represents what this story is really about. Even while filming it, I felt emotional watching it unfold.”So, can love truly be translated? The title of the series poses a question, and according to the director, the answer is revealed by the end. “If you watch closely, the question mark in the title turns into an exclamation point,” Yoo said. “That is my answer. If you truly try to understand someone’s heart, love can be translated, no matter where you come from or what language you speak.”Both lead actors agreed.“We all speak our own emotional language,” Kim said. “But if we make the effort to understand each other, connection becomes possible.”Go added, “Love isn’t about perfect words. It’s about trying to meet each other halfway.”

Netflix’s newest Korean drama “Can This Love Be Translated?” is quickly capturing hearts around the world with its sweeping romance, emotional storytelling, and stunning international backdrops.

Netflix’s newest Korean drama “Can This Love Be Translated?” is quickly capturing hearts around the world with its sweeping romance, emotional storytelling, and stunning international backdrops.