ONE OF MY TOP FIVE K-DRAMAS!
I was 14 when I watched this, and I was smitten by everything! Han Hyo Joo and Lee Seung Gi's chemistry was the right combination of sweet and warm. I even wrote a fanfiction of this set in Silla (lol it was the same time I watched this with Queen Seondeok. Imagine the power of 2009 K-Dramas!). I designed my lead OCs like Eun Sung and Hwan!Was this review helpful to you?
HA JI WON'S BEST DRAMA
Everything is perfect. Ah! It's so good. The acting, the writing, the costumes, the story, everything. There's a mixture of war, history, romance, women's empowerment, and a bittersweet tragedy. Ha Ji Won really showcased her best acting chops in here. Ji Chang Wook and Jo Jin Moo were actors incarnate! And Baek Jin Hee? Yassss! You may have been the villain of the show but my God! You were so effective as Tanashiri!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Not For Me...
I hope more people will read reviews before watching this one..Did the actors do a good job? Yes- wonderfully. Did the plot absolutely irk me and give me the ick? 1000%. Were there good moments despite that? Absolutely. The ending was very cute, wish we could've seen a better ending, as in a closure for both characters, between Wen Lang and Gao Tu.
But are we ignoring the fact that everything about this plot is Hua's lies, deceit, manipulation, and unhealthy obsession of Shao You? Cause I haven't!
I feel like this show could've been a really good dark BL if they had made Hua's character a rival; someone who is obsessed with Shao You and will try to do anything to have him, and still could've had Hua as the CEO of X, hiding his identity, have loved Shao You for a long time without making it a whole lot of "Yeeeep! That is too much for me" moments.
But having that as the love interest for Shao You is taking "dark BL" to another level that makes me scared for what Chinese BL's are like for the near future, honestly.
Like, I thought it would've been similar to "Revenged Love" but at least that one isn't this one sided craziness. Both parties were clearly scheming: Suo Wei schemed to make Chi Cheng fall in love with him to get back at his ex. While Chi Cheng knowing everything Suo Wei is doing, still letting him to make Suo Wei fall in love with him.
ABO Desire was just a bit too much... "Revenged Love" had aspects that genuinely balanced out the "darker" part of the show, in my opinion. I hope "Knot The Series" that is coming out soon isn't manipulative.
So.. in other words! If you aren't good with topics such as manipulation, next level scheming, lying nearly every scene, etc.. DO NOT WATCH IT! I watched it without looking at reviews, I wish I did.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not a RomCom but so much deeper than that
This TV series was marketed as a romcom and I went in expecting that. I was presently surprised by the second half and the deeper story line. To begin with the cinematography was out of this world and definitely the top selling point. I’ve watched so many of Go Youn Jung’s dramas and she is a phenomenal actress. She plays her role(s) with so much conviction and manages to captivate the audience. I always liked Kim Seonho as an actor and this role was no exception. He has amazing chemistry with Go Youn Jung and their entire journey was an adventure. This is my first time seeing Sota Fukushi on my screen and can’t wait to watch more of his work. The 3 characters balance out so well and I was invested to see their growth through the series.Now coming to the story. I like the sweet, funny start. The playful banter between Cha Muhee and Joo Hojin which turns into a slow burn romance and a deeper connection. It was interesting to see this translator who clearly is proficient in multiple languages fumble and learn to communicate with his love interest. It was fun to see Cha Muhee and Hiro’s relationship develop too. They have a rocky start which turns into understanding and this relationship underscores how two individuals don’t speak the same language but can still grow to understand each other. The side characters and stories were sweet, funny and balanced out the main story line well. The OST is so good and compliments the entire tv show, captivating the audience.
Overall, this was a good show and a great start to the year. I binge watched the episodes and sad it’s over. I was left wanting more.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
Can never top the webtoon but still very good
I wrote this on Letterboxd first (I’m on there a lot more than here nowadays) and just decided to add it here. After a certain past experience (Sweet Home) I didn’t expect this adaptation to have as good and accurate casting as it did. They also incorporated the artistic elements from the webtoon pretty well considering it’s a live action drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Wasted potential
The beginning was genuinely strong. I was surprised by how engaging it was, and for a moment, I thought this might turn into an easy 8/10 for me. The setup was interesting, the dynamic had promise, and I could see where a really solid romance could have formed.Then the middle happened — and it was a mess.
The story became scattered, melodramatic, and completely lost its focus. Too many unnecessary plot points, too many exes hovering around when they had no business being there, and way too much time spent on people who absolutely did not deserve grace or forgiveness. It felt exhausting instead of emotional.
What bothered me the most was how bad characters never truly paid for what they did. The female lead’s “friend” stole her boyfriend, tried to marry him, lived with him for years, and somehow… everything just gets brushed off. I hate that. I needed consequences. Real ones. The kind where bad choices actually come back to haunt people.
I also really disliked how the drama handled the gay misunderstanding storyline. It felt forced, preachy, and oddly Westernized in a way that didn’t feel natural or well-integrated. Instead of adding depth, it distracted from the romance and made large portions of the drama feel like something else entirely.
When the leads finally got together, they had good chemistry — but it barely lasted. It felt rushed, awkwardly handled, and then immediately sabotaged. By the time episode 16 rolled around, everything was resolved so fast it gave me whiplash. I barely had time to process what was happening before it was over.
That said, I will give credit where it’s due:
For a 2010 drama, this was ambitious.
Compared to something like Boys Over Flowers, this was far more watchable.
It was interesting, even when it was frustrating.
But watching this in 2025? It just doesn’t hold up.
This could’ve been an 8 if they stayed true to the beginning. It dropped to a 7 in the middle. And by the end, it firmly landed at a 6/10 for me.
I don’t regret watching it — but I wouldn’t rewatch it, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless someone is specifically curious about older K-dramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
Fairy tale gone wrong but Better than the reviews
If you care about romance, emotional payoff, devotion, and actually feeling something while you watch, then I don’t agree with the way people completely dragged this drama. Is it flawed? Absolutely. Is it a 5.5? No way.For me, this landed closer to a 7.5–8/10. I liked a lot. I hated a lot. But I was still invested, still emotional, and still thinking about it after it ended — and that counts for something.
LIKES
The opening pace was almost perfect. Not rushed, not dragging. It immediately made me want to keep watching.
That first kiss was INSANE. Perfectly filmed, perfectly timed, everyone looked amazing. My jaw was literally on the floor.
The whole setup felt like a modern Cinderella story — one magical moment, she disappears, and he spends the rest of the drama searching for her. I loved that parallel.
It genuinely felt like a fairy tale at times, especially early on.
I loved how relatable the female lead’s situation was — struggling with work, feeling behind in life, trying to survive adulthood.
I was relieved they didn’t make the lies painfully tragic right away. Turning something that could have been devastating into something lighter made it easier to watch, especially because I felt so bad for him.
I like when writers take heavy situations and make them funny instead of torturing the audience. That helped me stick with it.
Around episode 6, it finally slowed down enough for emotions to breathe, and she started falling for him — that helped a lot.
I loved that the second female lead wasn’t written as a villain. She was confident, kind, and honestly someone I could admire. That’s rare.
One of my favorite things: people actually talked. They explained themselves. The male lead listened. No instant assumptions, no screaming matches. That was refreshing.
The bed scene was one of the most romantic I’ve ever seen — not sexual, just beautiful. It felt like a fairytale ending dance scene.
His devotion was top-tier. Full protection mode 24/7. Completely smitten.
The directing and color grading were gorgeous. The hospital montage where time passed while he cared for her was especially well done — it really made you feel like you were there.
I liked the amnesia arc more than I expected.
I loved that they showed a full ending — marriage, kids, a complete life together.
The final dancing scene was unique and joyful. I’ve never seen that done before.
DISLIKES
Only drama ehere I genuinely hated a FL. She did not deserve this man. Not one bit and no one can convince that she actually loves him.
The drama throws extremely heavy plot points at you way too fast. Things that should have unfolded slowly were dumped all at once.
The constant misunderstandings felt unnecessary and exhausting. I hate when writers keep couples apart by piling on lies.
The fake “married with a kid” lie went on WAY too long, and it was cruel to the only innocent person in the situation.
Even by episode 6–7, the misunderstanding still wasn’t cleared, and watching him suffer for no reason was painful.
The female lead frustrated me a lot. She gave up on him instantly, acted like she didn’t care, and kept hurting him while he was clearly devastated.
She went back and forth emotionally in a way that felt unfair. He was all in, and she kept walking away.
The small-town arc made it worse — she openly said she was single while he was still fighting for her. That really bothered me.
He literally brought her proof so she could stop lying, traveled to her, begged her to stay — and she still pushed him away.
I genuinely don’t think she deserved him for a large portion of this drama.
The second female lead deserved better. Years later, she still got nothing, while everyone else had full families. That felt cruel and unresolved.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This drama is messy. The writing isn’t tight enough. Too much happens in too little time, and the misunderstandings go on longer than they ever should.
But despite all of that, it still has heart. It still has romance. It still has moments that made me swoon, cry, and smile. And that’s why I can’t agree with the extremely low ratings.
If the writing had been more focused and the emotional development slower, this could have been something really special.
Rating: 7.5–8/10 for me.
Flawed, frustrating, but nowhere near as bad as people make it out to be.
Was this review helpful to you?
This is so good
First off, they did a great job casting the main actress. I loved her. She’s phenomenal, truly. Her acting was pretty good here and I found myself laughing hard at how her character handled certain situations. What I love is that her acting doesn’t feel over the top & exaggerated to elicit laughs. It felt pretty natural. I found the side characters to be pretty interesting too. They felt more realistic compared to other dramas I’ve watched for some reason. Their characters felt grounded and had substance. I loved the crush the younger guy had on the main actress. it was super entertaining to watch. The main leads character definitely annoyed me at times though which is no shade to the actor himself. Overall, a solid watchWas this review helpful to you?
True love / How to love someone
Should've been called How to Love or Love 101. I’m honestly in love. From episode one all the way through the end, this drama felt like a beautiful sunny day. Cute, funny, healing, comforting — the kind of drama that leaves you smiling without even realizing it and you could just watch it over and over again.LIKES
-From episode 1 to episode 7, I absolutely adored this drama. It felt warm, light, joyful, and healing — like sitting in the sun.
-The chemistry between the leads is immaculate and explosive. When he looks at her, I scream.
-Episode 10’s kiss was jaw-dropping, toe-curling, and unforgettable.
-Episodes 11 through 15 are pure bliss. THIS is how you write a sweet, lovely comfort drama.
-I love the female lead — innocent, naïve, super feminine, sunny, bright, and adorable. I want to be her.
-He’s cold and distant but deeply kind-hearted, and the way he loves her is beautiful.
-I loved the fake-dating setup and that they cleared the gay misunderstanding early without it ever stopping him from liking her.
-Their communication is so refreshing — they talk, apologize, and resolve things in real time.
-I loved the premise of him becoming her new obsession and her no longer fangirling over someone else.
-The female lead loves him selflessly and goes out of her way to help him heal.
-Their banter is hilarious and natural.
-The parents were kind, welcoming, and supportive — no unnecessary trauma. (until I got towards the end like what?)
-The OST fashion, cars, and overall production were stunning.
-I usually hate long, pointless breakups — and this drama spared me. I kept waiting for it and it never came.
-I will absolutely rewatch this. It’s been three years since I last saw it, and I love it even more now.
DISLIKES
-I hated that the dumb fake breakup caused by the jealous second female lead’s lies lasted TWO whole episodes. They’re usually great at communicating, but during that stretch, they acted irrationally and out of character.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t know why I didn’t get this drama before, but now I do — and I’m obsessed. Maybe I didn’t understand Korean dramas the way I do now, but watching this again completely changed everything for me.
This is one of the best examples of a loving, communicative, emotionally safe relationship in a K-drama. It’s comforting, romantic, funny, and healing.
Rating: 10/10.
I genuinely love this drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
The best kdrama for me this year!!
After a long kdrama slump this drama brought me back to it! I was actually anticipating this drama since long n it didn't disappoint me.. i totally loved it. The starting episodes were sooo sooo good, i binge watched first 6 episodes in one go till late night. Though the later episodes were a bit slow n I didn't get why they were breaking up again n again, I still loved it n would definitely recommend it as the drama I loved this year!! N not to forget I loved all the casts in it, also special mention to the 2nd lead, the Japanese actor, he was so swoonworthy ;), I almost got 2nd lead syndrome becos of his ckt development by the end, if it wasn't for a better ML cktwise n actorwise😊9/10 for me. Oh n I m so impressed that KSH learned n mastered three different languages for this! I was so awestruck! Last but the least, the FL, GYJ did such an amazing job of portraying two different personalities n she is so pretty, this is my first drama of her n I m won over!! Soo altogether a wonderful experience, definitely rewatching! A solid 9/10 for me😊!!
Was this review helpful to you?
best
I like everything. I'm too lazy to type long. Long story short, I like this story. The acting is also the best.I like everything. I'm too lazy to type long. Long story short, I like this story. The acting is also the best.
I like everything. I'm too lazy to type long. Long story short, I like this story. The acting is also the best.
I like everything. I'm too lazy to type long. Long story short, I like this story. The acting is also the best.
Was this review helpful to you?
best
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
Was this review helpful to you?
best
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
drama and everything is great, it makes me entertained. I'm too lazy to write long. In short, this drama is good.
Was this review helpful to you?
Recent Discussions
-
[MDL Writers] Article Ideas & Discussion9 minutes ago -
Last Japanese song you listened to? #211 minutes ago -
Share your BL drama lists here!14 minutes ago -
Post tagging bug, wording confusing on settings16 minutes ago -
Which Was the Last Drama Episode You Watched? Part 317 minutes ago