Actor Kim Seon-ho shared behind the scenes insights into his latest role at the press conference for Netflix’s upcoming romantic comedy series ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’, revealing that he spent four months preparing to portray a multilingual interpreter fluent in six languages.
The production presentation was held on January 13 at Josun Palace in Gangnam, Seoul, with director Yoo Young-eun and lead actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung in attendance. The series is set to premiere globally on January 16 via Netflix.
A Multilingual Character With Emotional Blind Spots
In ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’, Kim plays Joo Ho-jin, a highly skilled interpreter fluent in Italian, English, Japanese, Chinese, French, and Korean. While Ho-jin excels at conveying meaning across languages, he struggles to express his own emotions an irony that forms the emotional backbone of the story. “At work, he delivers unfamiliar languages more clearly than anyone,” Kim explained. “But when it comes to emotions, he’s surprisingly clumsy.”
The character becomes entangled with Cha Moo-hee (played by Go Youn-jung), a global top star whose words he is tasked with translating leading to unexpected misunderstandings, intimacy, and romance.
Intensive Language Preparation
Kim revealed that the role required significant preparation, particularly in handling multiple foreign languages on screen. “In the series, I mainly speak Italian, English, and Korean,” he said. “I had to fully memorize the script and then layer emotion on top of it. After that, I spent the remaining time studying grammar and pronunciation.” He added that his language training lasted approximately four months, though he clarified with humor that his preparation was limited to the specific lines in the script.
“There were limits, of course,” Kim said with a smile. “So I focused on mastering the languages that actually appear in the drama.” Despite the challenge, Kim admitted he was excited and nervous about meeting global viewers in multiple languages, saying he was curious to see how international audiences would respond.
Director’s Confidence in Casting
Director Yoo Young-eun explained that Kim’s casting was about more than linguistic ability. “Language itself can be intimidating,” she said, “but what mattered most was his ability to convey subtle, detailed emotions. That’s something we trusted Kim Seon-ho with completely.” She praised his performance across genres, noting his balance of comedy, romance, and emotional restraint throughout filming.
A Global Romantic Comedy
‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ is written by Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, known for their character-driven romantic storytelling. The series blends humor with emotional nuance, using language as both a bridge and a barrier in modern relationships.
Editor’s Insight
Kim Seon-ho’s four-month preparation for this role highlights a growing shift in K-drama storytelling toward global realism.
Playing a character fluent in six languages is not just a technical challenge, it reflects the increasing international scope of Korean content. As platforms like Netflix target global audiences, characters are no longer confined to local settings or single-language narratives. This role directly mirrors that evolution.
What makes this casting particularly effective is the contrast built into the character. While Ho-jin can flawlessly translate multiple languages, he struggles with emotional expression. This creates a relatable paradox, especially in a world where communication is more connected than ever, yet often feels emotionally distant.
Kim Seon-ho’s approach also signals a deeper commitment to authenticity. Rather than relying on surface-level delivery, he focused on memorization, pronunciation, and emotional layering. That combination is what transforms the role from a gimmick into something believable.
In a broader sense, this project represents where romantic comedies are heading. They are no longer just about chemistry and humor, but about communication itself—how people misunderstand, interpret, and ultimately connect across boundaries.
If executed well, this role could mark another turning point in Kim Seon-ho’s career, positioning him not just as a rom-com lead, but as an actor capable of carrying globally resonant narratives.