Korean Rom-Com ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ to Premiere on Netflix on January 16

The new year will open with a romantic offering from Netflix as the Korean romantic comedy series Can This Love Be Translated? premieres globally on January 16.

The drama centers on an unconventional relationship between Joo Ho-jin, a highly skilled multilingual interpreter, and Cha Mu-hee, a world-famous celebrity, exploring how love can be both formed and fractured through words—and the lack of them.

Actor Kim Seon-ho leads the series as Ho-jin, continuing his streak of romance-driven projects following When Life Gives You Tangerines, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and Start-Up. Known for his understated performances and emotional nuance, Kim portrays a character who can navigate multiple languages with ease but struggles when it comes to expressing his own feelings. Opposite him is Go Youn-jung, whose international profile has risen through roles in Sweet Home, Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow, and Resident Playbook. As Cha Mu-hee, she brings both star power and emotional complexity to the role of a celebrity whose life is shaped by constant attention and emotional unpredictability.

The series is written by the Hong Sisters, Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, the acclaimed screenwriters behind popular dramas such as Alchemy of Souls, Hotel Del Luna, and The Master’s Sun. Direction is helmed by Yoo Young-eun, known for her work on Bloody Heart, whose visual style and emotional storytelling are expected to complement the series’ intimate yet globally scaled narrative. Filming took place across several international locations, including Japan, Canada, and Italy, reflecting the drama’s cross-border themes.

Promotional materials released ahead of the premiere emphasize the show’s central question: can emotions truly be translated? The teaser trailer and posters depict a romance shaped by both connection and misunderstanding, highlighting how even clear communication can fail when emotions are involved. The contrast between Ho-jin’s calm, methodical personality and Mu-hee’s spontaneous, high-energy lifestyle drives much of the drama’s tension and humor.

The story also introduces Hiro, portrayed by Fukushi Sota, a charismatic figure whose arrival complicates the relationship and introduces emotional rivalry. His role raises further questions about how love, jealousy, and intention are conveyed across cultural and personal boundaries.

A previously released date announcement poster shows Ho-jin and Mu-hee standing back-to-back, connected by earphones, with the word “love” written in multiple languages across the image. The visual reinforces the drama’s theme of emotional distance and connection, suggesting a relationship shaped by moments both spoken and left unsaid.

Can This Love Be Translated? will premiere on January 16, exclusively on Netflix.