Go Youn-jung to Show a Side You Have Not Seen in 'Can This Love Be Translated?'

Director Yoo Young-eun is teasing a fresh, unexpected side of Go Youn-jung in Netflix’s "Can This Love Be Translated?".

At a press conference held Jan. 13 at Josun Palace in Seoul, the director promised, “If you watch to the end, you’ll discover a charm in Go Youn-jung you haven’t seen before.” The series comes from the famed Hong Sisters―writers Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran―whose credits include "Alchemy of Souls," "Hotel del Luna," and more, with Yoo ("Bloody Heart") directing.

"Can This Love Be Translated?" is an unpredictable romantic comedy that pairs a multilingual interpreter, Joo Ho-jin (Kim Seon-ho), with global top star Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung). Sparks―and misunderstandings―ensue.

“Ho-jin and Mu-hee are complete opposites,” Yoo said. “Mu-hee is transparent and emotionally candid―even when her words don’t come out neatly. That honesty makes her lovable. Go Youn-jung’s purity, sweetness and grit lined up perfectly with Mu-hee.”

The director added that Mu-hee is “more physical and action-driven” than Ho-jin, with varied movement and energy. “Go came in having done that homework so naturally that, on set, we kept saying, ‘She’s so Mu-hee.’ When we captured Ho-jin’s flustered reactions to that side of her, their chemistry really clicked.”

Go plays Mu-hee, a bright, unpredictable A-lister who shot to fame overnight after years as an unknown. But when it comes to her own love life, she’s endearingly out of her depth. “She meets Ho-jin, an interpreter who translates even her own language back to her,” Go explained. “Through him, she adapts to a new environment and falls into a new romance―navigating all the miscommunications that come with it.”

Go says Mu-hee’s whirlwind stardom is equal parts thrill and anxiety. “She’s enjoying the celebration, but she’s also worried about when it might end,” the actress shared. “I focused on portraying the flutter of meeting new people in new places―and the unease and doubt that tag along.”

Asked how much she resembles her character, Go estimated a 50% match. The biggest overlap? “We both really love our jobs―and we enjoy them,” she said with a smile.

With swoony rom-com chemistry between Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung and globe-trotting shoots across Japan, Canada and Italy, "Can This Love Be Translated?" premieres Jan. 16 on Netflix.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)