A new romantic comedy is coming to Netflix to start the new year. Can This Love Be Translated? will premiere on January 16, 2026, exclusively on the streaming platform. The series tells the story of a multilingual interpreter and a global star whose feelings get complicated while working together on a travel show.
The show is written by the famous Hong Sisters, known for hits like Alchemy of Souls and Hotel del Luna, and directed by Yoo Young-eun of Bloody Heart. It stars Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung as the lead couple, with filming taking place in several countries around the world.
What Is the Story About?
The series explores the idea that understanding someone’s feelings is harder than understanding their words. Kim Seon-ho plays Ju Ho-jin, a skilled interpreter fluent in English, Japanese, and Italian. Go Youn-jung plays Cha Mu-hee, an actress who became an international celebrity after playing a zombie in a popular project.
Their story begins when Ho-jin is hired as Mu-hee’s personal interpreter for a global television program that follows celebrities and their interpreters as they travel. Although they start with very different views on love, their time together leads to funny mix-ups and, slowly, a real connection.
“The emotions of a celebrity and her interpreter get lost in translation as they travel the world filming a TV show. Will love find its own language?” is the official description from Netflix.
The situation gets more complex with the arrival of Hiro Kurosawa, a charming Japanese actor played by Sota Fukushi, who joins Mu-hee on a dating show. His presence adds another challenge for Ho-jin and Mu-hee as they try to understand their own growing feelings.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The casting brings together some of Korea’s most popular actors with an acclaimed writing team. Kim Seon-ho returns to romantic comedy after being loved by audiences for his roles in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Start-Up. Go Youn-jung is a rising star known for Sweet Home and Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow.
The supporting cast includes:
- Sota Fukushi as Hiro Kurosawa, marking the Japanese actor’s first role in a Korean series.
- Lee Yi-dam as Sin Ji-seon, a producer recognized for her skills.
- Choi Woo-sung as Kim Yong-woo, Cha Mu-hee’s manager.
Behind the camera, the Hong Sisters (Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran) are writing the script. They are celebrated for creating some of the most beloved Korean romantic and fantasy series of the last decade. Director Yoo Young-eun is known for her visually striking and emotionally powerful storytelling.
A Truly Global Production
This drama is set apart by its international scope. Filming did not just take place in Korea. The production traveled to multiple countries to shoot scenes, creating a backdrop worthy of a story about global fame and connection.
The cast and crew filmed in:
- Japan in June and July 2024.
- Canada (Alberta), including locations in Banff and Lake Louise, in September and October 2024.
- Italy, with scenes shot in Siena and Perugia in November and December 2024.
Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung even shared photos of the northern lights they saw while filming in Canada on their social media accounts. This worldwide filming schedule finished in early February 2025.
Release Schedule and Episode Details
Can This Love Be Translated? will be available to stream worldwide on Netflix starting January 16, 2026. This is a slight change from an earlier plan that suggested a late 2025 release.
The series is planned to have 12 episodes. While Netflix has not confirmed if all episodes will be released at once or weekly, many of its recent Korean series have released all episodes on the same day. The show has a 13+ rating, suggesting it is suitable for teenagers and adults.
A poster for the show has already been released. It shows Ho-jin and Mu-hee standing back-to-back, both wearing earphones. The word “love” is written softly in many different languages across the image, highlighting the show’s main theme. A teaser or trailer is expected to be released closer to the premiere date.
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