K-drama romances have a peculiar power. They send fandoms into collective spirals, set wildly unrealistic relationship standards. And yet somehow still convince viewers that their own version of a slow-burn, fate-driven love story might be waiting just around the corner. That intoxicating mix of fantasy and emotional sincerity is exactly why Netflix’s K-drama pipeline never really slows down. 

And as 2026 begins, one romance in particular marks the official starting line for Netflix’s K-drama slate this year.

Can This Love Be Translated? premiered globally on Netflix on January 16, 2026. At its core, the show follows Ho-jin as he is hired to interpret for Mu-hee and her internationally adored co-star Hiro Kurosawa (Sota Fukushi). Professionally, Ho-jin bridges every language barrier with ease. But the assignment comes with an unexpected complication. 

The romantic drama stars Kim Seon-ho as Joo Ho-jin, a gifted but emotionally reserved polyglot/interpreter, and Go Youn-jung as Cha Mu-hee, a suddenly famous actress struggling to stay grounded. The series is directed by Yoo Young-eun and written by the Hong Sisters, a creative team known for blending romance with high-concept storytelling.

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What follows is not a typical K-drama love triangle, but a story where communication fails in the most unexpected ways not between languages, but between memory, emotion, and the self.

What makes Can This Love Be Translated? feel immediately distinct is how naturally it fuses romance with mystery. The cinematography emphasizes emotional disorientation, while costume design, makeup, and editing subtly chart Mu-hee’s slipping sense of control. Each location, from European cityscapes to intimate Korean interiors serves a narrative purpose rather than visual spectacle alone.

Netflix has already delivered memorable romances like Crash Landing on You, Nevertheless, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One, but this series pushes beyond familiar formulas. As the opening K-drama of Netflix’s 2026 slate, the show feels intentional. Rather than easing audiences in with something familiar, Netflix leads with a project that blends genre, challenges form, and invites interpretation.

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Have you started watching yet? Does this romance speak your language, or leave you searching for subtitles? Share your thoughts