Can This Love Be Translated?, the new romantic comedy from the famous Hong sisters, is now streaming on Netflix. The show features stars Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung in a story about a language interpreter and a global actress. Its release on January 16, 2026, has viewers talking about its original script and high-quality production, offering a different flavor from the many webtoon-based series dominating screens recently.
The series arrives as several major hits in late 2025 and early 2026, like the spy thriller Made in Korea on Disney+, have broken records. This success shows a strong audience appetite for well-made, original stories. With its experienced creators and global filming scale, Can This Love Be Translated? is positioned to remind audiences of the unique charm of K-dramas built from new ideas, not adapted from existing comics or novels.
The Story of an Interpreter and a Star
The plot centers on Joo Ho-jin, a precise and emotionally reserved interpreter fluent in multiple languages. His life changes when he is hired to work on a dating reality show. The show features Cha Mu-hee, a Korean actress who has just become a global sensation overnight. Ho-jin realizes he briefly met Mu-hee by chance a year earlier in Japan when she was still unknown.
Now, his job is to translate between Mu-hee and Hiro Kurosawa, a Japanese actor, as they travel to romantic locations for the show. The official description from Netflix sets the stage: “an unexpected romance blossoms between multilingual translator Ju Ho-jin and global celebrity Cha Mu-hee, as their professional relationship takes unpredictable and heartwarming turns”. Ho-jin, who is an expert with words, finds himself struggling with feelings he cannot easily explain or translate.
A Production with a Global Vision
The series is the work of the celebrated writing duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, known as the Hong sisters. They are famous for hit series like Alchemy of Souls, Hotel del Luna, and Masterโs Sun. The director is Yoo Young-eun, who previously worked on Bloody Heart.
A major feature of this drama is its true global scale. Unlike many shows that use studio sets or local locations to stand in for other countries, the production team filmed across multiple continents. Filming started in Japan in June 2024, then moved to scenic spots in Canada like Banff and Lake Louise in the fall. In late 2024, the cast and crew were in Italy, shooting in historic cities such as Siena, Florence, and Perugia. This effort to capture authentic international backdrops is a significant investment in creating a visually rich and believable world for the story.
How It Stands Apart in the Current K-Drama Scene
The show enters a market where many of the most popular and talked-about series are adaptations. For example, the currently trending Made in Korea is a historical thriller, and many other big projects for 2026 are based on webtoons or other source material. While these adaptations are often excellent, their dominance can sometimes make original screenplays feel rare.
Can This Love Be Translated? is a completely original story. It relies on the proven skill of the Hong sisters in crafting compelling romantic chemistry and narrative twists from their own imaginations. This return to a writer-driven format highlights a different path for K-drama success, one that depends on creative writing rather than the built-in fanbase of a popular webtoon.
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Release and Early Reception
All 12 episodes of the series were released for binge-watching globally on Netflix on January 16, 2026. It was part of a packed January lineup that included other notable releases like the fantasy drama No Tail to Tell and the office comedy Undercover Miss Hong.
Early social media reactions have been positive. Fans are expressing excitement about the unique premise and the appeal of the lead actors. One Facebook post announcing the release called it “a love story between a celebrity and her interpreter,” capturing the simple but intriguing core of the show. Another fan page listed it among the most exciting new dramas of January 2026, with followers commenting on their anticipation.
The series asks an essential question: Is the language of love any different? Accurate translation is not necessarily word for word, but rests on the ability to relay the feeling and intention behind each phrase.
This question lies at the heart of the drama. As Ho-jin and Mu-hee navigate their growing feelings despite language barriers and complicated careers, the show explores whether true emotional understanding can ever be perfectly interpreted. The supporting cast includes Sota Fukushi as the Japanese actor Hiro, Choi Woo-sung as Mu-hee’s manager, and Lee Yi-dam as a sharp television producer.
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