Can This Love Be Translated?

Main

• Kim Seon-ho as Joo Ho-jin^[3][4]

He is a polyglot interpreter fluent in Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish and Italian. Known as a "linguistic genius," he values precision in both his professional and personal life.

• Go Youn-jung as Cha Mu-hee / Do Ra-mi^[3][5]

An actress who became a world-famous celebrity through her role Do Ra-mi in the zombie film Quiet Woman.

• Ahn Tae-rin as child Cha Mu-hee^[6]

• Fukushi Sota as Hiro Kurosawa^[3][7]

A Japanese actor who joins Mu-hee on a dating show Romantic Trip.

• Choi Woo-sung as Kim Yong-u^[3]

Cha Mu-hee's manager, working in Anh Entertainment.

• Lee E-dam as Shin Ji-seon^[3][8]

A reality television director recognized for her outstanding abilities, the director of Romantic Trip.

Supporting

Special appearances

Development

As early as December 5, 2019, the Hong sisters were preparing a drama with the working title I saram tongyeogi doenayo? (이 사람 통역이 되나요?; 'Can this person interpret?'). This iteration was a collaboration with director Park Jun-hwa [ko] and planned for broadcast on tvN.^[25] The title was later revised to Guwonui tongyeok (구원의 통역; 'Interpretation of salvation'), with overseas filming scheduled in China. Production faced significant delays due to the COVID-19.^[26] During this period, the Hong sisters and Park instead collaborated on the 2021–2022 series Alchemy of Souls.^[27][28]

The project resumed in 2023 under director Yoo Young-eun^[29] with the working title I sarang tongyeok doenayo? (이 사랑 통역 되나요?; 'Can this love be translated?'), abbreviated as Isatong (이사통). Trii Studio, a label under Imaginus, produced the series. Imaginus, led by Choi Jin-hee, is also the parent company of the Hong sisters' Studio Sot.^[30][31][32] Keeha Choi served as Director of photography,^[33][34] while Studio Hi, a subsidiary of Hive Media Corporation, handled visual effects.^[35]

By April 2024, reports indicated that the series would be released on Netflix.^[36] Netflix officially confirmed production on June 27, 2024, as a project planned for a 2025 release and revealed the official English title as Can This Love Be Translated?^[37][38] All production preparations were finalized that same month.^[30]

Casting

In April 2023, it was reported that Son Suk-ku was offered the lead role,^[39] but ultimately declined in favor of Nine Puzzles.^[40] In July 2023, discussions took place with Kim Seon-ho and Han So-hee for the lead roles.^[41][42] By September 2023, Go Youn-jung was in talk as the female lead.^[43][44][45]

On June 10, 2024, Choi Woo-sung was announced as Kim Yong-woo, Cha Mu-hee's manager.^[46] On June 27, 2024, Netflix confirmed the casting of Kim, Go, Sota Fukushi, Lee E-dam, and Choi, along with script reading pictures.^[47][48] In fall 2024, Keep Alberta Rolling announced auditions for extras to appear in the series.^[49]

Filming

Principal photography started in June 2024 with a target completion of early 2025.^[30] Overseas shoots began immediately, with lead actors Go Youn-jung^[50] and Kim Seon-ho filming in Japan from June 24 through July 10.^[51] They filmed at several locations, including Gokurakuji Station, Goryo Shrine, and Kamakura Seaside Park in Kamakura; and Grand Torii of Enoshima Shrine, Tenzan Lab, Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street, Katase Fishing Port, and Enoshima Sea Candle on Enoshima.^[52]

The series began pre-production in Alberta, Canada, from August 12 to September 22, 2024, followed by filming from September 23 to October 11. Operating under the name Sailor Films Inc. with a crew of 150, the production filmed across multiple distinct regions of the province.^[53] In the Calgary area, locations included Stephen Avenue, Lougheed House, Galaxie Diner, The Next Page Book and Coffee, Crossroads Market, Mount Pleasant Viewpoint, and Calgary Heritage Park.^[54][55][56]

Production then moved to the Canadian Rockies, where scenes were shot in Canmore and at nearby Quarry Lake on October 7. Filming continued in Banff National Park on October 8 and 9, covering the town Banff, Cascade of Time Garden, Banff pedestrian bridge, and Lake Louise.^[57][58] Additional filming occurred in Horseshoe Canyon, located in the Alberta Badlands. A pivotal aurora borealis scene between the leads in the drama was filmed in Upper Kananaskis Lake.^[56] While returning from this location, the leads shared social media updates documenting the aurora borealis visible during their commute to accommodations.^[59][60]

Filming locations for Can This Love be Translated in Italy: the Civita Bagnoregio in Lazio (upper left), the Baths of Caracalla in Rome (upper right), the Piazza IV Novembre in Perugia (lower left) and the Piazza del Campo in Siena (lower right).

In late November 2024, production moved to Italy, with Kim Seon-ho departing for Rome on November 23.^[61] Filming took place at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, followed by the hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio in the Lazio region.^[62]

Carried out in collaboration with the Tuscany Film Commission, production then moved to Tuscany between November and December 2024.^[63] The crew spent one week filming across the region until December 4,^[64] including locations in Montalcino such as its stone streets and viewpoints overlooking the Val d'Orcia.^[62] In Siena, filming occurred at historic sites such as Piazza del Campo, Teatro dei Rozzi, Torre del Mangia, Loggia dei Nove, and Contrada della Torre.^[65][66]

The production then moved to the Umbria region, with shooting taking place in Perugia on December 5, 6 and 9.^[67][68] Filming focused primarily on the historic center, including Piazza IV Novembre (Palazzo dei Priori and Fontana Maggiore),^[69][70] as well as Via Fani, Via della Gabbia, Via Maestà delle Volte, Piazza Danti, Via delle Cantine, Piazza Matteotti, Via Alessi, Via Cesare Battisti, and Loggiato della Prefettura in Piazza Italia.^[68][71] The Italian leg concluded on December 10, 2024, at the Giunti Odeon book-cinema back in Florence, Tuscany.^[72]

Filming also spanned multiple regions across South Korea, including various Seoul landmarks such as Gamgodang-gil, the Peninsula Lounge at the Lotte Hotel, Raum Art Center, Movieland in Seongsu-dong, and Sinheung Market in Haebangchon. Filming also took place at Sanmeoru Farm in Paju and Hwiwoo Cafe in Goyang within Gyeonggi Province. Additional sites featured the Pinodia Expo Tower in Sokcho, the Buyeo National Museum, the Woraksan Youth Hostel in Jecheon,^[73][74] and the Gyeongnam National University campus.^[75] Filming in officially concluded on February 5, 2025.^[76]

Critical reception

More information Aggregate scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Rotten Tomatoes	83%[90]
Review scores
Source	Rating
Common Sense Media	[91]
South China Morning Post	[92]

Close

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 6 critics' reviews are positive.^[90] Pierce Conran gave the series 3 out of 5 stars,^[92] while Melissa Camacho gave the series 4 out of 5 stars.^[91] Lee Eun-ju of the Seoul Shinmun praised director Yoo Young-eun for delicately using urban landscapes to highlight the characters' emotional development.^[93] Cultural columnist Yang Seong-hee highlighted the fairytale-like atmosphere, captivating visuals, and emotional pacing, stating that the "judicious placement of heart-fluttering moments" showcases the strengths of Korean romance dramas.^[94] Kang So-jeong, an editor at Art Insight, attributed the series' success to its relatable themes, noting its resonance with viewers who identified with the protagonists.^[95]

Viewership

According to FlixPatrol, the series debuted at number five globally in the Netflix series category on January 17, 2026.^[96] By the following day, the drama rose to third place globally and topped the viewership charts in several countries, including South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.^[97]

Impact

Following its release on January 16, 2026, big data analytics firm Good Data Corporation reported that Can This Love Be Translated? and its leads simultaneously dominated the TV-OTT buzz rankings. For three consecutive weeks (the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of January), the series ranked first in the integrated TV-OTT drama category. During this same period, leads Go Youn-jung and Kim Seon-ho held the first and second positions, respectively, in the cast buzzworthiness category.^[105]

Can This Love Be Translated? sparked widespread parody on social media. On January 29, President Lee Jae-myung's YouTube channel adopted the show's aesthetic for a video regarding the 21st Senior Secretary to the President meeting. The thumbnail mirrored the Netflix series, replacing its logo with "Jamflix" and adapting the title into the pun, "Can you feel this policy?" This highlighted the Blue House's shift toward a meme-friendly style to engage netizens.^[106]

On April 14, 2026, the Istituto Culturale Coreano announced that director Yoo Young-eun and producer Lee Hyun-young would conduct a series of drama workshops and lectures in Rome.^[107] On April 16, they led a professional workshop at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, where they examined the creative process and the specific challenges of filming in Italy. Later that afternoon, they delivered a lecture to approximately 200 students at Sapienza University of Rome on the sociological and artistic factors behind the international success of Korean dramas. They also explored what sets these productions apart from other global works, highlighting how South Korea has transformed its dramas into soft power.^{[108][109][110]} The program concluded on April 17 with a public talk show titled The Charm of Korean Dramas held at the Istituto Culturale Coreano, with opening remarks by Kim Choon-goo, the Korean Ambassador to Italy.^{[111][112][113]}

In April 2026, it was reported that by the end of December 2025, Can This Love Be Translated? contributed to the profitability of its production house, Imaginus.^[114]

Tourism impact

Filming locations for Can This Love be Translated in Canada: Town of Banff (upper left), Lougheed House Calgary (upper right), Lake Louis (lower left) and Upper Kananaskis (lower right).

On September 1, 2025, ahead of the premiere of the Netflix original Can This Love Be Translated?, Alberta Tourism Minister Andrew Boitchenko and Travel Alberta representatives met with WestJet and Netflix Korea in Seoul. One of their goal was to promote long-term tourism by leveraging the series' filming locations. At a press conference, Lee Young-sook of Destination Canada's Korea office noted that the drama showcases Alberta's diverse landscapes, including Calgary, Canadian Rocky Mountain, and the Badlands. She suggested that the potential tourism impact could mirror the visitation surge Quebec experienced following the 2016 drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.^[115][116]

Post-premiere promotions accelerated in January 2026. On January 26, Destination Canada partnered with the travel platform Tripbtoz to launch an Alberta-focused marketing campaign.^[117] This was followed on January 29 by the "2026 Alberta Product Development Seminar" co-hosted by the Alberta Tourism Board, Destination Canada, and WestJet. Alberta Tourism Director Cho Min-seon presented filming locations and behind-the-scenes content to approximately 50 travel industry professionals. WestJet executives projected that sustained demand driven by the series would lead to an extension of the Incheon–Calgary seasonal route. The updated schedule will run from March 30 to November 9, 2026, with service frequency increasing to six weekly flights.^[118]

On February 4, Destination Canada partnered with Netflix to leverage the global reach of Can This Love Be Translated?^[119] After its January release, the series topped charts in 15 countries and reached the Top 10 in 60, including key markets like France, Japan, and Mexico. The series became a catalyst for the "High-value Experiences Group" (HEG), a demographic of 1.6 million travelers seeking Canada's autumn scenery.^[120] Alberta Tourism Minister Andrew Boitchenko credited the show with boosting the province's global profile.^[116] Travel Alberta and Destination Canada subsequently released official filming location guides in English^[121] and Korean, respectively.^[122][123]

The surge in interest prompted South Korean travel agencies to introduce specialized "set-jetting" tour packages to Japan, Italy, and Canada.^[124][125] Hana Tour reported heightened interest in the Canadian Rockies, specifically identifying Quarry Lake in Canmore as the most-requested site following a romantic scene between leads Kim Seon-ho and Go Yoon-jung.^[126] By February 15, Tripbtoz reported that provincial accommodation reservations had doubled. Demand centered on Banff and Canmore, while bookings near Calgary International Airport also rose as travelers sought a balance between logistical convenience and proximity to filming sites.^[127]

In March 2026, a report by Trip.com titled "2026 Cherry Blossom Season Travel Trends" found that 70% of surveyed Hong Kong travelers identified Korean drama filming locations as a primary factor in their itinerary planning. According to the report, the series Can This Love Be Translated? drove a month-over-month interest increase of more than 60% for Kamakura and Enoshima, Japan. Specific metrics included a 66% rise in train bookings to Kamakura and a 55% increase in related hotel searches and bookings. Reservations for local tours, such as shrine pilgrimages and sea-view tram rides, grew by 64% during the same period.^[128]

The surge in visitors from South Korea and Southeast Asia has led to concerns regarding overtourism in Kamakura. The Asahi Shinbun reported resident complaints regarding overcrowding and unauthorized photography near a railway crossing featured in the drama. In response, local authorities installed multilingual signage in English, Korean, and Japanese in late March to request that visitors respect private property. Officials also notified the production company to request greater consideration during future filming projects.^[129]

Awards and nominations

Listicles