Can This Love Be Translated?

Started with a cute concept, then fell off

I loved the concept of the first part of the drama. It was realistic and dramatic, with comedy lines that mixed really well. The travelling and the challenges in the language translation were innovative and different, and even the miscommunication scenes were enjoyable (something that I'm usually not a fan of). So many cute and funny scenes.

After the 7th episode it started to fall off, mainly due to the change in the plot. I guess I'd have preferred something more "realistic", and honestly I wasn't a big fan of the changes of personality. If they were necessary for character development? Yes, but I'd have preferred if they'd gone with another approach. And the break-up scenes were also starting to piss me off, there was absolutely no reason for that many break up scenes.

The drama would have been perfect if it was shorter. I loved the OST, the acting but most of all I loved the scenery and definitely the production.

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miscommunication & avoidant attachment final boss

\this was EVERYTHING until episode 7...
UGH my favorite two actors in a romcom(ish)??>???? LOVED. the first 6 episodes were SO GOOD. like UNDENIABLY GOOD. i LOVED the small moments the main couple had together. they have undeniable chemistry and i literally felt it in my heart. muhee being quick to anger and quick to fall in love... her cute and bubbly personality (hiding emo backstory) literally made me love her so much. and ML was soooo yearning final boss and loves and feels so so deeply but doesn't show anything. so many cute cheeky moments i loved it.

then ep 7 the writers pulled in this crazy do ra mi horror plot and backstory/?? that made no sense at all??? and that fuckass other couple (jisu and the manager???)??? like what? it was so hard for me to follow what the hell was going on in the plot? i was so lost... and hte MISUNDERSTADNINGS KILLED ME. 1. i didnt understand why ML would do something crazy (like say that she was the rebound for jisu) and then she would get mad, and then the next time they meet shes chasing him again?? i wish she kept her frustration for him longer. 2. why was the ML not saying ANYTTTHINGGG. like he KNEW she liked him??? what is he on??? 3. why was do ra mi pulled into this... and i HATED jisu ??? like wdym she was lowkey flirting with ML and after breaking off her marriage she went right to another guy??

up til ep 6, it was so sweet, perfectly romcom and perfectly good. then the second half of the drama made it so fucking confusing?? like hiro really had no part to play at all in the storyline? and the translation x actress really wasn't the core of the story which really confused me. so minus points for that!

anyways, LOVEEEEEEED the actors and the sweet and cheeky parts. not so much the weird horror/backstory/miscommunicaiton parts. i really was looking forward to the interpreter plot... but highkey some parts were so cute and ugh that just made their relationship so intimate and so sweet... very cute.

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"It didn't seem fair that he could see you when you couldn't see him."

My header was between "I ruined everything." and the one I ended up choosing.

This drama was my binging weekend project. I've watched and loved numerous drama's and characters portrayed by the two leads. This was a magical one. I think the other time language was mentioned in a similar context was The temperature of love.

Everyone comes from different backgrounds, has different experiences, dreams, and beliefs that they live by. If common sense is only common within the world you exist, that sense must not be common outside of that space. It is the same with language and communication. Humans and us as people all have various methods of communicating our feelings and the time in which we choose to also varies. I think this drama does a beautiful and job of spreading that message. One that Mr. Kim puts quite well with his own line:

“There are as many languages as there are people. Everyone speaks their own language. That’s why people misunderstand, misinterpret, and offend each other.”

Why are drama's so hell bent on misunderstandings, heartbreaks, and conflicts that drive main leads away from each other a bit. I've learned that it is to provide context for the character, a chance to reflect, and a means of opening the door to understanding of one another. Because “If the messenger misinterprets a message based on personal bias, it can lead to a ridiculous misunderstanding.” It is funny because this is something people do all the time. We make assumtions, we let our own Do rami climb our shoulder and we give in to her thoughts. We run away, we fight, we assume, and we misunderstand.

Now, you are probably wondering where all this rambling is going...I am too haha. In the context of the drama, Cha Mu Hee had something she wanted to take to the grave. She did not want to open up and lay things bare. She was unable to communicate in the same, straightforward and upfront way that Joo Ho Jin was able to. She ran in circles and stole his heart instead. But as an interpreter, to understand and translate for her, he had to see her as she was, what thoughts she had, her intentions, the context, and emotions that surrounded those words. Similar to how we need those vocal cues in speech and how texts can lead to confusion because we don't have that extra information to inform us. Is he breaking up with me or saying he loves me? Is it both? The past that led her to be unable to stand being seen and exposed. The running away and retreat that left him baffled and defenseless. For a guy who has seen and intereacted with so many individuals with different walks of life, for being able to understand and translate so many languages. It was funny to see him try to earnestly nagivate learning her's. The way she communicates, her habits, her preferences, her past, her modivations, and even her intentions. In the same way you ask your crush's friend what his favorite candy is to buy it for him later, it was endearing to see him put all that confusion down...get over the fact that they spoke different langauges....and tried to understand her through Do rami (when he wasn't quite fluent enough to understand Cha Mu Hee).

She probably felt pressure to understand herself, to voice herself before he gives up and walks away. "All you need to do is leave this room and be happy." I'm glad he was able to pull her out of that self destruction. It reminded me of my friend telling me that her boyfriend's great strength is his ability to know what is on her mind. Now, I see that it was probably a series of intense affection, interest, care, and time invested...experience...that made that possible. People like that don't just fall down from trees, even in kdrama land.

I also loved that while he was struggling with her language, he was moved by something else, her actions. He in turn also replied with his own actions. Seeing and wishing for the auroras. The acceptance of the painful happy ending song. Even the dry wine in an attempt to console oneself and translate the love of Hiro.

Actually, I quite liked the Hiro plot line. I didn't think I would at first. It was...the what if that so many drama's do. If only I had gotten there first. If only I had told her. In this case... if only she had understood. Hiro, even if you guys didn't speak the same language...or even the same language of love....I think you guys spoke a beautiful language called friendship. The care, concern and candy she offered you. The experience of a hot dog and her spontaneously happy self was able to reach you, even if her words did not. It is a shame, that she did not hear you beautiful confession...that happened in various ways over various events. But she heard it in the end. That..you had to be such a dick to her in the beginning...I liked Joo Ho Jin's message. One that spoke of difficulties of communication despite speaking the same language...that so many factors are at play for the love that played out in front of us.

Cha Mu Hee...you must have been so scared. So grown for a child that had to go through so much. Despite that, the way you smiled and wished so earnestly, so despite yourself was very admirable. The world was brighter whenever you smiled. You didn't ruin anything. My heart sank for you, when he told you not to run away and you went and stopped him right before he was able to walk across. Wishing happiness for others is always going to be easier than believing you are deserving of that same happiness. Were you scared? Scared that you finally had something you wanted, someone you loved and wanted to be happy with? I know your delusions reflected your wants and that they were dazzling, beautiful, because you believed those moments could not possibly exist in reality. For someone so straightforward, you can afford to be honest about that. Do rami may have been a nightmare, but Ho jin was your daydream. One that came true. Dreams come true and you are deserving of a life that makes you are feel like you are living in a dream. That reality, is something everyone deserves. Go Youn Jung ...The same sort of smile from resident playlist, one that could melt a million souls. Eyes that can sweep other off their feet and send them into a crazy dose of confusion. The actor you are.

Kim Seon Ho, I am very happy that you are back. You make all of your characters come to life with so much sincerity, grace, and respect. I can almost feel you affection and care for them. Maybe that is why your eyes always tell a thousand words, your gaze always reflecting their inner thoughts, and why all the characters seem so soulful, breathtaking, and lovable. My heart always hurts a bit when I see you on the screen. I always learn so much. More important, I feel happy when you do. I will continue to keep an eye on you and cheer you on for a long time.

Ho jin ah, at first I was a bit frustrated due to you walking across the street and RIGHT PAST HER. But the minute the parallel hit, and you disappeared when she looked back. It hit me and I think I understood. No one wants to make the one they love feel like that. On the run. You were brave and just as kind as before. Going along with her foolishness, seeing the waterfall, and being swayed by your emotions. Was it such a bad thing? To be told to stop when you just worked up the courage to take that step. I would have felt wronged too. And you chose to accept and go along with her decision anyway. How must it have felt? To walk and talk with the love of your life through the night and understand her world, just to wake up the next day for those experiences to not have existed. To say goodbye. I think as bittersweet as it was...I thought of Hwasa's goodbye song. How even in the end, you can still wish the best and remember someone for all their good, in spite of everything. To have a good goodbye. But, the world you protected is still the same. Next time, don't go off alone to drink wine, or be okay with just banana milk. I'm glad your effort paid off. Thank you for making my heart flutter with your voice. For easing me into the heartbreak with your sturdy words and understanding. For letting her into your world and trying to understand hers. For supporting her in spite of everything..both Mu Hee and Do rami, were probably really happy for you taking their side.

language was also in the cinematogrpahy... that was able to capture the beauty, the sadness, and the story so well.

WELL this turned into a really long thing..so I will stop here. I should really start planning these out before write them, because the brain dumps are getting unreal. I sort of miss them already. I miss the meeting of random strangers that had no childhood friend, or younger fated story that connected them. it was just a story. One of two people meeting each other, working together, getting intrigued and facinated by each other, falling in love with each other, going through rough patches with each other, and well...continuing to be in love.

To the readers and watchers:
Loving someone is learning their language without demanding they become fluent in yours. It’s patience over certainty, actions over explanations, and choosing to stay when misunderstanding would be easier. We hurt each other not because we don’t care, but because we translate through fear, memory, and longing. And love (daydreaming...real love) is the decision to keep listening anyway. Their love was a love lost in translation. It was also a love of learning each other's language.

May this kind of love find you. Stay away from me though.

Finally...Can you translate this love, as much as I love you. Goodbye.

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A Charming love story that lost its way after 4 episodes!!

The drama starts strong, drawing you in from the very first episode .. But somewhere along the way, writers forgot it actually needed a story till the end. It was soo bland after 4 episodes!!

Don’t get me wrong, Jo Hojin and Cha Muhee had amazing chemistry. Their scenes together felt warm, natural, and comforting, and Kim Seon-ho once again proved he can generate butterflies just by staring sadly into the distance. The romance worked. The problem is… the story kept running in circles.

After Jo Hojin and Cha Muhee confessed their feelings, the drama practically stopped evolving. The misunderstandings that followed felt like meaningless back-and-forth added only to stretch the plot, not deepen it. There was no big obstacle standing between them, emotional tension was not strong enough to make you desperately root for their reunion. Honestly, the drama should’ve ended around episode 10.

And Muhee… begged little too much for love!!. The drama keeps telling us she feels unlovable, which is a very real and relatable fear, but the way it was written became exaggerated “alter ego” situation. I kept wondering: is this meant to represent a real psychological condition? Is she bipolar? We do get some answers in the last episode but they were vague as well.

And Jo Hojin deserved to have a story of his own. Despite being the male lead, it feels like we barely know him because the entire narrative revolves around Muhee & her alter ego.

Also I’m sorry but the second lead couple did absolutely nothing for me. Their storyline felt soo dense and disconnected that half the time it seemed like they were only there to fill episode runtime.

Overall, the drama is watchable and has some genuinely sweet moments. But despite all the emotional buildup, it somehow leaves almost no lasting impact.

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Can This Love Be Any More Frustrating?

I had big hopes for this show. Both the leads being some of the absolute bests of kdrama world, I was seated from the moment this show was announced.
I can't say I am fully disappointed, no. But it still didn’t hit the mark I really thought it would. And that dissatisfaction really left a bitter taste that
is not easy to avoid.

Acting and chemistry from the leads were really good,one of the saving graces of the show. Go Yoon Jung shined as Do RaMi,she did so well as that psycho horror-ish character and her crazy bits were really entertaining.She proved her range again!! Kim Seon Ho is a seasoned actor and he showed it gracefully. These two saved the show even though there was enough elements for the downfall of the show.

Another good thing was the cinematography, it was so eye pleasing,from natural scenarios of different countries to Do Ra Mi dancing happily with her red umbrella... Everything was top notch. OST's were also good,soothing to the ear. Comedy bits were funny, I smiled a lot in many scenes.

Now...the real problem,story writing. Idk how after such a promising start of first few episodes, the story took such a sharp turn into a story of push and pull relationship that was making no sense.The complete shift of genre in the midway wasnt expected.From a refreshing start as a romcom where everything was enjoyable with a smile it suddenly turned into a heavy toned psychological drama with lots of trauma,heartbreaks,mental disorders....for which we weren’t prepared.

It was really frustrating to watch both of them continuously miscommunicating,pushing the other one out of their lives,then suddenly they're happily chatting....and in the next episode,same thing happens again as a repeat cycle. And there wasn’t any definite reason cause the explanation of Mu hee's past,her traumatic childhood,reasons for her insecurity everything happened much later, so as an audience it was frustrating to watch her repeating the same thing without knowing any reason. And finally when they got together around episode 10,it was'nt as satisfying as it should be cause I wanted to see their growth together,how Mu hee finally get rid of her past,how they shaped their relationship as a stable one. And I couldn’t see that cause there was only two episodes left where there wasn’t much time to show so many things.

The final 30 minutes was completely unnecessary. Mu Hee's parents being alive,her disappearance for unknown time, male lead waiting and then she suddenly appears... Not needed.

Also was'nt it surprising how easily Ho Jin accepted Do Ra Mi and accompanied her instead of taking her to a specialist? This part was so illogical.

Our Japanese second lead's character was another waste. He was there just for comic relief I think? If you erase him from the story,it wouldn’t harm the story a bit,cause he did nothing memorable the entire show. He had potential to make the plot more interesting, his growth from being a childish narcissist actor to a green flag second lead was good to watch even though they used him only as a prop.

Same was the second couple. There was ample scope of exploring their relationship. We didn’t even see how bad Ji Seon's relation was with her ex...we just had to assume. And then boom! Suddenly she's so in love with her new lover with whom she properly talked for like two times??


Overall... This show had the potential to become one of the best one of the year if they didn’t try to take the story in different routes and fail miserably. It's still enjoyable though if you can overcome the frustrating part and watch solely for entertainment and visually ver pleasing cinematography.

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Had more potential than it showcased

The first half of the show was quite entertaining. The ML's chemistry and comedic timing were good, and the overall
production quality was great. The start felt fresh.Some emotional moments and quotes were also very touching.

The core theme of the story was good as well. Every person really does have their own language, shaped by beliefs, morals,
life struggles etc. In that regard, the show's message was strong, showing how people battling their own hardships are often misinterpreted or ignored. The idea worked story-wise, but not screenplay-wise. The leads' conflict swung between
unresolved and resolved that was dragged too many times, which made their chemistry very unbalanced.

After the first half, they really messed up the flow. I hated the jumbled mess of love triangles between multiple characters,
many of which were completely unnecessary,hence sidelining the core conflicts of the main characters. A lot of subplots were added, with little to no explanation towards the end.

Overall, Can This Love Be Translated started strong, with it's exploration of inner conflicts. However, the muddled second half - filled with unnecessary love arcs, draggy story and underwhelming screenplay, restricts the drama heavily, to reach to it's full potential.

My Rating : 6.5/10

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Something was missing and couldn’t say what !!

The drama started off really strong with a unique storyline and great chemistry between the characters, but somewhere around episode 7, I completely lost the plot. Honestly, everything after episode 6 felt like a haphazard mess. By episode 8, I had completely lost interest. I was genuinely sitting there wondering what was even going on.

Jo Hojin kept saying he didn’t want to get involved with Muhee, yet he constantly kept getting into her problems and Mu her’s life. After a while, Jo Hojin stopped feeling like the male lead and started feeling more like Muhee’s romantic interest with no story of his own. I really wanted more depth and individuality from his character.

Muhee, on the other hand, was a very complex character. I had a love-hate relationship with her throughout the drama. There were times when I liked Do Ra Mi more simply because she didn’t come across as pathetic. Watching Muhee beg for love again and again became frustrating after a point. It felt like the same emotional cycle repeating over and over without any real character growth.

The story felt weak and inconsistent to me at times. Muhee clearly needed serious psychological help, and the drama hinted at that in the earlier episodes, but after episode 3 it was almost completely ignored. Her entire career was supposedly on the line, yet later episodes treated the situation so casually that it lost all impact.And Jo Hojin trying to “fix” her problems on his own had me wondering hello sir, are you also a medical expert now?

I also didn’t like the way poor Hiro was used and discarded!! Like do they have to make him fall for Muhee? Dumb af

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Lost in translation

Let me preface this by saying I am a HUGE Kim Seon Ho fan. I have loved him in all of his works and have always supported him. So I went into this series primarily because of KSH. And, I also have been loving Go Younjung lately. Totally loved her in Alchemy of Souls and Moving, so I had no doubt that this series would be good because of the two of them.

And it would have been if they focused on the romance in this romcom. It was giving! They had such great chemistry - KSH and GYJ looked great together! Both fresh-faced, wholesome and not, beautiful, and those winning smiles! But no they had to ruin the plot with some mental health issues drama. I totally understand that they may be trying to make a point or something but they totally missed it. The story still could have been great without all that depressing drama which was not even properly addressed. I mean, if you are giving us something to go to therapy about might as well get us into therapy and healing by the end of the series?

Suffice it to say, I was frustrated with this series. Yes, I loved all the sweet and cute moments but damn, they really had to ruin it. KSH and GYJ were amazing. And so were the rest of the cast, the scenes were so beautiful - I can't believe they had such a big budget for it to just be a total letdown. I was not impressed. But it was still a good watch. However the short 12 episodes felt more like a chore and pledge of allegiance to Kim Seon Ho - which in a way, it really was. I only finished it because of him.

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mixed feelings about this drama

I have mixed feelings about this drama, the acting was amazing but the plot got a little out of proportion, and got unnecessarily complicated at times.. Understanding that she actually suffers from a split personality took time and it was a shame. Her communication in Japanese could have done with a mobile translation, the repetition of scenes was a bit confusing. There were situations where I didn't understand who was against whom and why.. Something went wrong with the writing.. Again, the acting was excellent as was the soundtrack, the shots of the scenery in all the countries/destinations were spectacular (made me want to visit there) the use of several languages ​​was great, at the same time, this is not an easy drama, it is a psychological drama that has a mental disorder. The first few episodes did not indicate the continuation of the plot. It is advisable to watch it with an open mind

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I enjoyed the cinematography and switches between Korean and Japanese ever since “what comes after love” I hoped for more Korean and Japanese kdramas. I like how the jobs are different in this K drama like she’s an actress and he’s an interpreter. We never really see like different types of jobs in K drama. We always get the same CEO and employee type of relationship here we get to see more in depth of being an interpretor. Muhee waking up famous makes up for the six month coma that director caused.

You can tell Muhee and Mr joo we’re both attracted to one another after the first meet. It’s just that I feel like Mr joo avoids his feelings he clearly like munhee but yet acts as if it’s because he’s just there to interpret. As the show goes on there isn’t much romance between the two main leads. Because Mr joo is so avoidant he lost his chance to confess to his crush before. He’s such a coward Ngl. Muhee is also avoidant as well but in a different way. As soon as Mr joo and her are on good terms she self sabotages and causes even more misunderstandings.

The second lead

Hiro is such an asshole especially in episode 4 . Like I get it u helped her from falling when she fainted and u expect a thank you . Sometimes when someone almost faints it’s not like have a memory cuz what they see is fuzzy kinda. He could now after having a translator bring it up instead of still acting all entitled. He so arrogant. I still root for Mr joo he helped her find hiro. Cuz hiro being a petty person was gonna keep letting go of balloon while moving in a bicycle making her run everywhere. Just because she doesn’t remember him catching her cuz she fainted like? So childish and inconsiderate. I feel like hiros contacts being lost was a lie after he said “this is the worse” to muheee leaf heart. He so mean for what?

Mr joo should tell muhee what hiro actually said but then again she’d probably freak out and ruin the filming. The filming is already ruined because of hiro so he could just tell muhee.

The translation

If muhee is having a hard time understanding hiro, why doesn’t she just use the translator that she’s been using since episode one. Like did the plot just drop that?

The split personality

The split personality doesn’t quite fit in with this show Ngl. It’s very minor and should fit in romance with Mr joo instead.

Jisun and Mr joo

Why doesn’t mr joo clarify he’s not into jisun anymore yet he still acts like he is when muhee is around. After the back n forth with Mr joo’s brother I ended up skipping her scenes. She was quick to get with yongu as well. Didn’t care for their relationship at all. It’s crazy how three guys wanted her when she’s like literally basic. She barely had any personality.

Mr joo and his mom

Mr joo reconnecting with his is just filler episodes honestly if I were him i wouldn’t reconnect with her she went no contact with him for 13 years and is now getting married it took someone who didn’t know that she was Mr joo mom for them to talk. could’ve just not shown the mom instead build more plot around hiro and the other characters.


Second lead vs First lead

The difference between hiro and Mr joo is that hiro isn’t a coward in love. He’s willing to tell the girl he likes in front of reality tv. On their other hand mr joo is avoidant to his feelings and doesn’t confess.

Even if hiro and muhee speak the same language he still won’t win her over. If was live at first sight in a way between muhee and Mr joo.

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It takes time to learn how to translate love

I binged this drama over two days because I saw the hype and I refused to get spoiled, and I'm glad I did so. Interestingly, I would say this show can't really be spoiled, after all. There's a story being told, and though I do think it works best if you go in without expectations, it doesn't really matter because there are no stakes. There are things that this drama did really well, but others that it dropped the ball on. Overall, I would say it was underwhelming but enjoyable.

THE GOOD

- Let's start by naming the stand-out of this whole show--the acting. Every actor on screen delivered, and none more than our leads, especially our Cha Mun Hee. I've marked this review for spoilers but I'll be vague regardless. If you've seen the show, you know why whoever played this character would need to have range--and boy did Go Youn-Jung deliver! She really brought the FL to life (over and over again....like a zombie...haha). I was blown away by her performance, and really appreciated seeing the quality reflected back by everyone whom she shared a screen with.

- Next--the characters. Every single character was fleshed out and characterised thoughtfully, even for throwaway moments in the background. It truly added so much to the world that we were being invited into. I would've happily gone down any number of side roads to learn more about the side characters, which I can safely say is a first.

- Speaking of the characters and how they were directed on the screen--the cinematography and direction of this show was phenomenal. It was beautiful and scoping, and artistic in a way I really appreciated. Small touches, like FL's flashbacks and the dollhouse, changes in lighting, parallels and symbolism in the visuals--they really added a lot of depth to the narrative. One of my favourite examples is when FL is crying and Do Ra Mi is dancing in a thunderstorm. The contrast!

- The story and genre were refreshingly original. I've already talked about the characters, so I'm going to skip them here, but the story itself and the way several plot points unfolded were so deeply satisfying. The drama starts with classic set-ups--a first love ML can't forget, unrequited FL pining, childhood trauma, secrets--and ends after resolving each one without falling into the pitfalls of kdramaland--love triangles, ignored yearning, amnesia, emotional reunions. It was such a pleasant surprise to constantly underestimate how characters would react and the story would unfold. Every attempt at manipulation failed because the main leads kept no secrets from each other, for example. Or the delightful one-sided love line with Hiro, who is in reality a complete opposite to his Prince Charming persona. Oh, and my favourite call-out: "I heard all that. What is wrong with you?"

- This is a continuation of the last point, with a focus on genre. I wouldn't call this show a rom-com. I know that's what it's tagged as, and it has both romance and comedy aplenty. But there's more to it than that. It's not slice-of-life. It's not thriller. It's not a melo. But somehow, it's all of those at once regardless. There is something very comforting about this show. It plods on at a steady pace, making progress without you realising it and suddenly you're on episode 6 and you wonder, what could possibly take 12 episodes??? And yet you keep watching, and it keeps you hanging on. Romance is definitely the main story, but it's not the only story, and I think that made it stand out even more.

- I really need to shout-out the character of 'Do Ra Mi' on its own. First, the zombie dancing killer from the movie FL shoots--oof! I wish that were a real movie! The scenes we got were fantastic and FL killed it! And then the Do Ra Mi that emerges later....she was such a contrast to Cha Mul Hee and it was so much fun watching her on screen. Definitely a highlight of this show.

THE IFFY
Most of my gripes with this show stem from the writing: it wasn't super neat, and although the characters and their relationships were refreshing, certain plot points and situations weren't developed cleanly enough. It's one of the biggest reasons this drama isn't rated higher.

- The pacing was a little choppy at times, especially with the time skips and flashbacks. They were positioned oddly sometimes, making the timeline a little difficult to follow. And certain situations could have been resolved easily with a translation app (aka, all of the scenes with Hiro and FL), but because it wasn't convenient for the plot, the characters never used it. That was a little frustrating in terms of the writing.

- Similarly, some of the dialogues were clearly set up to have an impact, but I couldn't tell what the build up was so the scene fell flat. I don't know if this was a translation issue or a writing issue, to be honest. The translations on Netflix currently suck, which is horribly ironic.

- The biggest issue for me was the back-and-forth that happened between the ML and FL. I couldn't follow their reasons for staying away from each other. It felt a little contrived, especially when Do Ra Mi was introduced. That also contributed to the confusion because she would speak FOR the FL at times to progress the plot, and we wouldn't really see how FL felt about it all. For example, at one point she says FL is too embarrassed to speak to ML...okay...but what exactly happened? There was so much stuff happening between event X and Y that it was difficult to follow. It also felt like ML and FL had several emotional 'breakups' only to get back together. That normally would have rage-baited me, but it was tolerable here because there was still progress, you know? But it definitely made the overall writing weaker. I think the writers could have developed it better (as we do see Do Ra Mi make excuses for that behaviour at times).

- One thing I would have loved would have been increased anchoring of the story with quotes and references, like in 'Because This is My First Life'. The set-up was there, with ML being widely read and living in a house full of books, as well as his professor friend. Not to mention the many languages featured on screen! It would've added some great emotional depth to the story, as well as backbone for the ML and FL's arc.

- One last point: Do Ra Mi drugged ML. No one speaks of it again, even after they learn the actual circumstances of how FL's parents 'died' and how her aunt and uncle were afraid she was just like her mum. That should've been resolved because drugging...that's crazy.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I really enjoyed this show for what it was. If you're in the mood for a binge-worthy romance that is satisfyingly sweet, that has great side characters, and beautiful cinematography and costuming, definitely give this one a go. Give it a miss if you're looking for a story that has realistic depictions of mental health and emotional arcs of love and reconciliation. While I liked that they were a part of the story, neither of those things were anything more than a plot device. The introduction of the dissociative identity was interesting and made sense for the story, but it would have been less gimmicky had it been rooted in FL's trauma in a more realistic way. REGARDLESS.

CUTE ROMANCE, EXCELLENT ACTING, BEAUTIFUL SHOTS.

(I will admit, some part of me watched this show because I was searching for Park Chung-Seob from When Life Gives you Tangerines...)

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Great cast but inconsistent character

Overall, I enjoyed Can This Love Be Translated?. Visually, the drama was stunning, with beautiful cinematography that elevated even quieter moments, and the music fit the tone of the story well. The cast also delivered strong performances across the board — there were no weak links acting-wise, and that definitely helped keep me engaged.

That said, while the premise was interesting, I had a few issues with how the story was written, particularly when it came to the male lead.

My biggest problem was how inconsistent and jarring his character felt. Throughout much of the drama, he is harsh, emotionally distant, and highly critical of the female lead. He repeatedly pushes her away, judges her reactions, and refuses to work through her insecurities with her — even though those insecurities make complete sense given that he was in love with another woman for years. Rather than offering reassurance or communication, he coldly criticizes her and repeatedly says he wants nothing to do with her.

What made this especially confusing was how abruptly his attitude changed once he learned about her serious mental illness — something that would understandably overwhelm or frighten many people. Instead of struggling with this revelation, he accepts it almost instantly and suddenly becomes someone who knows her deepest secrets and helps her cope. The shift felt unearned. Even then, he often still seemed reluctant rather than emotionally invested.

Because of this, I was never fully convinced of his love for her. This wasn’t an issue with the actor’s performance, but with how the character was written. The emotional progression simply didn’t feel natural, and it made the romance less believable than it should have been.

I also didn’t care for the final plot twist. It added nothing meaningful to the story and felt unnecessary — almost like a last-minute attempt to end the drama on a dramatic note rather than a satisfying one.

Despite these issues, the drama was still enjoyable overall thanks to its strong visuals, music, and performances. While it didn’t fully deliver emotionally for me, it had enough strengths to make it worth watching — even if some of the writing choices ultimately held it back.

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