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Beyond Fluff: The Quiet Depth of Can This Love Be Translated
Over the years, we’ve seen rom-coms get hijacked by murder-thriller plots, so genre-blending in romance shows is nothing new. Personally, I’m of the opinion that in a rom-com, offering only romance and comedy is simply not satisfying enough. Watching two people giggle, stare into each other’s eyes, argue, then kiss and make up over and over again for 12 episodes isn’t really how I picture myself spending my weekend.
That’s why I prefer it when another drama genre—almost as present as the romance and comedy—is included. Some shows, like Crash Landing on You and Goblin, manage to strike a suitable balance and incorporate these elements in interesting ways, while others, like Would You Marry Me, are not so fortunate. The point of this lengthy prologue is to say that I think Can This Love Be Translated is a brilliant example of genre-blending done right.
What impressed me the most about this show is Cha Muhee’s character writing. Sadly, complex female leads are hard to come by in dramaland, and even more so in the romance genre, so Muhee felt like a breath of fresh air. The bold decision to blend rom-com elements with psychological drama paid off, in my opinion. The result is a deeply meaningful, distinctly unique story about two complex individuals.
Our female lead is a deeply flawed woman, desperate to be loved in spite of her brokenness. The way her backstory is structured—and how it shapes who she is—makes it clear that the writers were incredibly intentional with every decision concerning her character. The same care is given to the male lead. Every choice our main characters make, though seemingly illogical at first, is actually a direct manifestation of their past experiences and inner struggles. Watching them confront their trauma and slowly realise that it does not define them is nothing short of healing.
This emotional depth is brought to life by the talented actors, who deliver layered, compelling performances. Their microexpressions convey emotions beautifully, and I felt every word they spoke. Kim Seon-ho’s ability to transition seamlessly between languages while sounding natural and fluent shows just how much effort he put into this role. His character’s yearning, restraint, devastation, and eventual surrender are all communicated through subtle looks and gestures.
Go Youn-jung’s dual portrayal of Cha Muhee and Do Rami is both fun and heartbreaking to watch. She is convincing as both, and you can always tell them apart—even when one is pretending to be the other. You always understand what Muhee truly wants, even when her words contradict her feelings. Her detailed performance, paired with excellent writing, makes Cha Muhee a truly memorable and unforgettable character for me.
The actors also absolutely delivered in the comedy department 😂. When this show wants to be funny, it really is.
Can This Love Be Translated is a deep, thoughtful piece of art, full of small moments that compound into an awe-inspiring, breathtaking experience. I went in expecting a light, cheesy, fluffy romance, and I’ve never been happier to be disappointed. This drama is a love letter to scenery. K-dramas are already known for their visual appeal, but this one takes it a step further—every frame is picturesque, even during the most mundane moments, like two people simply talking. The OST is memorable and elevates every scene it accompanies.
If I had to point out a negative, it would be my lack of investment in the second couple. Their romance started too late and too abruptly, ultimately feeling more like filler than something meaningful. Also, while I have no personal experience with dissociative identity disorder, something about its portrayal here felt slightly inaccurate. That said, the way it’s depicted is integral to the premise and plot, so I’m willing to allow some creative wiggle room.
All in all, I really enjoyed this drama. I’ve always felt that typical rom-coms aren’t for me—I didn’t enjoy King the Land, and I found Business Proposal to be a middling experience. Can This Love Be Translated does something entirely different. It abandons familiar tropes and forges its own path. It’s original in every sense of the word, and I truly hope to see more rom-coms like this in the future.
That’s why I prefer it when another drama genre—almost as present as the romance and comedy—is included. Some shows, like Crash Landing on You and Goblin, manage to strike a suitable balance and incorporate these elements in interesting ways, while others, like Would You Marry Me, are not so fortunate. The point of this lengthy prologue is to say that I think Can This Love Be Translated is a brilliant example of genre-blending done right.
What impressed me the most about this show is Cha Muhee’s character writing. Sadly, complex female leads are hard to come by in dramaland, and even more so in the romance genre, so Muhee felt like a breath of fresh air. The bold decision to blend rom-com elements with psychological drama paid off, in my opinion. The result is a deeply meaningful, distinctly unique story about two complex individuals.
Our female lead is a deeply flawed woman, desperate to be loved in spite of her brokenness. The way her backstory is structured—and how it shapes who she is—makes it clear that the writers were incredibly intentional with every decision concerning her character. The same care is given to the male lead. Every choice our main characters make, though seemingly illogical at first, is actually a direct manifestation of their past experiences and inner struggles. Watching them confront their trauma and slowly realise that it does not define them is nothing short of healing.
This emotional depth is brought to life by the talented actors, who deliver layered, compelling performances. Their microexpressions convey emotions beautifully, and I felt every word they spoke. Kim Seon-ho’s ability to transition seamlessly between languages while sounding natural and fluent shows just how much effort he put into this role. His character’s yearning, restraint, devastation, and eventual surrender are all communicated through subtle looks and gestures.
Go Youn-jung’s dual portrayal of Cha Muhee and Do Rami is both fun and heartbreaking to watch. She is convincing as both, and you can always tell them apart—even when one is pretending to be the other. You always understand what Muhee truly wants, even when her words contradict her feelings. Her detailed performance, paired with excellent writing, makes Cha Muhee a truly memorable and unforgettable character for me.
The actors also absolutely delivered in the comedy department 😂. When this show wants to be funny, it really is.
Can This Love Be Translated is a deep, thoughtful piece of art, full of small moments that compound into an awe-inspiring, breathtaking experience. I went in expecting a light, cheesy, fluffy romance, and I’ve never been happier to be disappointed. This drama is a love letter to scenery. K-dramas are already known for their visual appeal, but this one takes it a step further—every frame is picturesque, even during the most mundane moments, like two people simply talking. The OST is memorable and elevates every scene it accompanies.
If I had to point out a negative, it would be my lack of investment in the second couple. Their romance started too late and too abruptly, ultimately feeling more like filler than something meaningful. Also, while I have no personal experience with dissociative identity disorder, something about its portrayal here felt slightly inaccurate. That said, the way it’s depicted is integral to the premise and plot, so I’m willing to allow some creative wiggle room.
All in all, I really enjoyed this drama. I’ve always felt that typical rom-coms aren’t for me—I didn’t enjoy King the Land, and I found Business Proposal to be a middling experience. Can This Love Be Translated does something entirely different. It abandons familiar tropes and forges its own path. It’s original in every sense of the word, and I truly hope to see more rom-coms like this in the future.
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