When netizens first learned, in the second half of 2025, that Kim Seon Ho’s management confirmed their acceptance of Can This Love Be Translated, there was much anticipation. It had been a while since the bedimpled and much-loved A-lister headlined a rom-com.
This latest foray into K-drama that is still trending (on Netflix) has kept KSH’s followers still dissecting it in various socmed platforms, many praising his versatile portrayal, while others who followed it to its conclusion are shaking their heads.
Why is this so?
For one, CTLBT is no ordinary rom-com. Kim Seon Ho does not portray the to-swoon-for OTP that netizens always want in a rom-com. Instead, he is polyglot interpreter Joo Ho Jin—mostly detached, no-nonsense, and committed to ensuring emotions do not get in the way of the job.
He signs up, albeit reluctantly at first, to act as translator for an actress who finds herself the star of an unexpected blockbuster being filmed in several locations overseas. Before starring in the film, Mu Hee (Go Youn Jung of Resident Playbook) had been a struggling actor barely able to land a significant role. On the set of a film, a freak accident plunges her from the top of the building into a six-month coma. By the time she wakes up, she is an overnight sensation.
Joo Ho Jin eventually takes on the job of translator for now top actress Mu Hee. Kim Seon Ho’s portrayal of Joo Ho Jin is a study in multi-layered acting fueled by a not-so-simple but ambitious script. This is some departure from the winsome, bedimpled portrayals his fans adore. The ambitious script of Can This Love Be Translated by the famous Hong sisters, Jung Eun and Miran, left not a few netizens shaking their heads.
The Hong sisters made a name for their trending dramas—rom-coms, suspense thrillers that were mostly cleverly written with expected twists and turns, and some elements of the supernatural. One such very memorable drama is Hotel del Luna.
In CTLBT, the Hong sisters pulled out of their bag of tricks (not exactly tropes) a bit of mystery, traveling across different milieus and landscapes, and at least three languages spoken by the male lead.
Its director, You Young Eun (Bloody Heart, Descendants of the Sun) megged a very polished and concise 12-episode series that has become quite the norm for most Korean fare on Netflix. To give way to fan service, viewers of CTLBT follow the OTP as filming of the movie happens in Canada, Italy, and Japan. Cinematography is clean and a visual delight, much like a travelogue with an attractive pair of awkward characters thrown together.
Reluctant translator must get into the mind of blockbuster star, but for starters he maintains that detached mien. She has not completely shaken off the trauma of that fall and can only speak one language. Language in this drama takes on another dimension. Yoo Jin Ho must be present not only on set during filming, but must be on hand when Mu Hee goes to her therapist. There, one thing out of the bag. She has MPD—multiple personality disorder. Yoo Jin Ho is drawn into her inner world inevitably.
In one scene in the psychiatrist’s clinic in Canada, YJH tells MH what her doctor just said. She is bothered and asks him, “Did my doctor say that?” He misses a beat, looks at her intensely for the first time, and answers, “That is me worrying about you.” Bam. The feel of the drama shifts, we are hooked, transfixed.
The director and Kim Seon Ho are able to hold things together, but the beautiful Go Youn Jung is not able to consistently hold on to the unsteady and shifting narrative of Mu Hee. I would unabashedly say, it is largely the script.
The most important question: Do we leave CTLBT and switch to another rom-com? I say, hold on till the end. Watching this drama does have its rewards, chief of which is Kim Seon Ho. Not only did he have the more difficult role, but the change of feelings towards that of his OTP was one of the best portrayals in his career.
Not only did Kim Seon Ho have the more difficult role, but the change of feelings towards that of his OTP was one of the best portrayals in his career
In an interview, KSH revealed that he had to learn—by working for months with coaches in three languages—the way Canadians speak English, conveying his shifting emotions in Italian (the way an Italian would), and speaking Japanese in a tone and manner so that we forget he is Korean. He did succeed on all three counts.
The question is begging to be answered: Can this love (Yoo Jin Ho’s for Mu Hee) be translated? By all means, watch this not so ordinary rom-com and find out for yourself.
As the summer brings more scorching days ahead, and with Semana Santa giving us more days on our hands, this is a good time to hunker down, stay indoors, and watch a K-drama. There are a number of really interesting and well-made series this season. One of them is Can This Love be Translated.
Other works of Kim Seon Ho that are worth another viewing or a first-time watch:
Hometown Cha Cha Cha with Shin Min Ah—It is still streaming on Netflix, and is the breakout role of his career after Start Up left us heartbroken; this one nearly ended his career, as well. It is a role the handsome and boyish actor is best known for. Even after a scandal brought on by an ex-girlfriend which nearly ended his career, fans overseas pushed back for him, and Dispatch Korea came forth with evidence to redeem his image.
Start Up with Bae Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk—This beautifully written, acted, and directed series on Netflix is hands down my favorite. Many drama fans did cry their hearts out for KSH with this one. But, despite this, it is my favorite of all his dramas. Watch it and you will know why.
When Life Gives You Tangerines—He had a pivotal role in this one, appearing in eight episodes of the Park Bo Gum-IU epic. Audiences and critics loved him and remember him for his stellar performance. After WLGYT, there was the question of what next for Kim Seon Ho. Can This Love Be Translated is the answer.
