Go Youn-jung Levels Up Again with 'Can This Love Be Translated?,' Expanding Her Range with Every Role

Actor Go Youn-jung keeps stacking “career-defining” roles―and her filmography is only getting stronger.

Go’s latest turn as global superstar Cha Moo-hee in Netflix’s "Can This Love Be Translated?" (released Jan. 16) is another standout. Known for carving out a distinct on-screen rhythm with each project, she anchors the series with a lively, grounded performance that slips effortlessly into the show’s tone―reminding viewers just how wide her acting range has become.

Go first drew industry attention with a scene-stealing debut in tvN’s "He Is Psychometric" (2019). She went on to reach global audiences with Netflix titles "The School Nurse Files" and "Sweet Home." As Park Yu-ri in "Sweet Home," she broke away from her early image with a bold, forward-driving character, signaling serious growth and potential.

In JTBC’s "Law School," she played Jeon Ye-seul, a seemingly polished student carrying deep wounds, delivering a grounded portrayal that resonated with viewers. She then made a successful big-screen debut with the film "Hunt," leaving a strong impression as she nimbly crossed formats and genres.

tvN’s "Alchemy of Souls" became a double showcase for Go’s star power and chops. In Part 1, her first-episode appearance as Naksu instantly turned iconic―mystical visuals paired with demanding swordplay made for an unforgettable entrance. In Part 2, "Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow," she stepped into the lead as the enigmatic Jin Bu-yeon, coloring the character’s intricate emotions with her own palette and marking a true leading-lady leap.

Her breakout continued with Disney+ original "Moving," where she embodied high-school athlete Jang Hee-soo, gifted with rapid regeneration. From the now-legendary 17-on-1 brawl in the mud to moments of youthful tenderness, she toggled between freshness and ferocity with ease. The performance earned “a rediscovery of Go Youn-jung” raves, fan-favorite status, and trophies including Best New Actress at the 5th Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards and the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards.

In Tving’s "Death's Game," Go delivered a warmer, deeper emotional register as Lee Ji-soo. Her raw, gut-punch breakdown after losing a loved one became one of the series’ defining scenes, with her expressive gaze and smooth emotional arcs underscoring just how far she’s come as an actor.

Last year’s tvN hit "Resident Playbook" cemented another signature role. As first-year OB-GYN resident Oh I-young, Go gave the character a beating heart―tracing a growth journey where clumsy inexperience and fierce responsibility coexist. She handled medical, human drama, and rom-com beats with stability, helping power the show’s popularity from the center.

Now, in "Can This Love Be Translated?", Go is leaning all the way into rom-com. As she and Joo Ho-jin (played by Kim Seon-ho) learn to understand each other’s “love languages,” she brings a fizzy, heart-fluttering charm to the screen. Tackling a dual role―top star Cha Moo-hee and her alter ego Dora-mi―she widens her range with deft tonal shifts.

Project after project, Go Youn-jung keeps one-upping herself with “career characters,” building trust with audiences who can’t wait to see what she does next. Up ahead, she’s set to transform again as PD Byun Eun-ah at film company Choi Film in writer Park Hae-young’s new JTBC drama, "We Are All Trying Here," slated for the first half of this year.

[Photos: The Walt Disney Company Korea, tvN, Netflix]

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)