2026 first big winner. Straight in at number 1 on best of the year so far.
Can this Love be Translated? is a 2026 South Korean romantic comedy television series written by the Hong sisters, directed by Yoo Young-eun, and starring Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Sota Fukushi, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Yi-dam. The series depicts the relationship of a multilingual interpreter and a top actress. It was released on Netflix on January 16, 2026.
Joo Ho-jin is a polyglot interpreter fluent in Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese, French and Italian. Known as a “linguistic genius,” he values precision in both his professional and personal life. Ho-jin first encounters Cha Mu-hee in Japan when she is still an unknown actress. Following their initial meeting, Mu-hee rises to global stardom after her breakout role as Do Ra-mi in a hit zombie film. The two are reunited during a high-profile interview where Ho-jin serves as her interpreter.
Due to tragedy in her past coupled with high pressure from waking up from a coma to find herself a huge star. Mu-hee starts to see visions of Do Ra-Mi which taunt her which culminates into Do Ra-Mi (her zombie character)taking over her psyche and having it’s own relationship with Hi-jin which Mu-hee is unaware of. All of which lifts the story into a binge watching festival.
Why its so good.
Great for binge watching – first time I have watched from the beginning to the end over 12 and a half hours. Midnight to just past Mid-day without ever once feeling tired or bored.
The chemistry between the leads is magnetic.
The cast – Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Sota Fukushi, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Yi-dam
The writers – Hong Sisters
The performances are excellent.
It avoids cringy freeze frames that go on to long.
Although primarily a romance, there is an intriguing story and interesting secondary characters.
The drama, comedy balance is perfect, pushing itself into the elusive category of RDC (Romantic, drama, comedy)
It has mystery and suspense
English language available. Undoubtedly reading is far more tiring than just watching and had there only been the option of sub-titles, it would have been tiring to watch so many episodes.
What may count against it
The trailer! Frankly, I nearly put this off completely. The trailer so far released gives no hint of the original concepts in the story and makes it seem like just another KDrama with little to recommend. If it were not for the stars, it would still be on my to watch list.
A bit of swearing, may put some viewers off. It’s not really necessary and isn’t even used here you would expect to emphasise a change of personality.
A slight horror element as the actress has made a horror film which features occasionally. However, I think it adds to the mystique and certainly keeps you watching in the early episodes and is not too gruesome.
The title is not that catchy and could have been more memorable.
The publicity pictures don’t show Do Ra-mi, nor is the alter ego featured in online clips.
About the writers
The Hong sisters, writers of such hits as Alchemy of Souls (one of the best ever) and Hotel De Luna amongst others work with Netflix to bring an original story to the screen.
This is their finest writing to date, very different to Alchemy of Souls and earlier work. There is a depth and understanding of relationships that hasn’t really been covered in KDrama before. The main couple do break up and get together several times. On occasion it felt as though the reason was not good enough and too many misunderstandings can be annoying but…..it happens in real life. Break ups are seldom accomplished in one go. It is fascinating how they keep getting back together, written with such skill that you don’t question that they would.
Far less comedic than Alchemy of Souls, the comedy here is more subtle and adult orientated.
Conclusion
This one should fly on recommendation from those who have seen it but a wider audience could have been reached from the start with different marketing in the UK.