"Absolute Dependence When Words Fail"... The Hong Sisters Reveal the Story Behind "Is This Love Translatable?"

Four Countries as the "Third Character" in the Story
The Most Memorable Scene: The Ending of Episode 9
"A Beautiful, Exciting, Yet Sorrowful Emotion Condensed"

"In a foreign place where you can't communicate, you inevitably become completely dependent on your interpreter. I saw the potential for romance in that intense relationship."

This is the intention behind writing the Netflix original series "Is This Love Translatable?" as revealed by the star writer duo "Hong Sisters" (Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran). Released on January 16, the series tells the story of multilingual interpreter Ju Hojin (Kim Seonho), who becomes the interpreter for top star Cha Muhee (Go Yoonjung), leading to a series of events.

In a written interview distributed on January 19, the Hong Sisters identified "communication" and "dependence" as the core keywords of the work. They said, "The language of love is different for everyone, making it difficult to convey true feelings," and added, "We wanted to depict the process of a professional interpreter, who meets someone with a completely opposite way of speaking, misunderstanding and understanding each other, and ultimately reaching sincerity."

The story unfolds across Korea, Japan, Canada, and Italy. The Hong Sisters emphasized that these locations are "not just simple backdrops, but third characters." For instance, Kamakura in Japan represents the exciting first meeting between the two leads; the aurora in Canada marks a turning point in their relationship; and the ancient castle in Italy symbolizes the climax of their romance. They added, "We designed the setting of unfamiliar travel destinations to serve as a device that amplifies the characters' emotions."

They also expressed strong trust in the lead actors. Regarding Kim Seonho, they commented, "He portrayed the interpreter's unique neatness, the moments of wavering in love, and the composure to control unexpected situations, all beyond our expectations." On Go Yoonjung, with whom they previously worked on "Alchemy of Souls," they said, "We were confident that the bright energy we saw then would suit this role perfectly," adding, "Her visuals and acting skills in playing dual roles in the series are key points to watch."

They picked the ending scene of episode nine as the best moment. In this scene, Cha Muhee, embraced by Ju Hojin, recites the line, "Please love me, Ju Hojin. Just as I love you. Goodbye," quoting an Italian opera. The Hong Sisters described it as "a beautiful, thrilling, yet poignantly emotional scene," and urged viewers to pay attention. They concluded, "As this is a work that opens the new year of 2026, we hope it becomes a universal love story that resonates with viewers all over the world, transcending borders."