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 a single interpreter. I saw the potential for romance in that intensely close relationship."
This is the writing intention behind the Netflix original series "Is This Love Translatable?" as revealed by the star writer duo, the Hong Sisters (Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran). Released on January 16, the series tells the story of multilingual interpreter Joo Hojin (played by Kim Seonho) as he becomes the interpreter for top star Cha Muhee (played by Go Younjung), leading to a series of events.
In a written interview distributed on January 19, the Hong Sisters cited "communication" and "dependence" as the core keywords of the series. They stated, "The language of love is different for everyone, so it's difficult to convey true feelings," and added, "We wanted to depict the process of a professional interpreter meeting someone with a completely opposite way of speaking, experiencing misunderstandings and understanding, and ultimately reaching genuine emotion."
The story unfolds across South Korea, Japan, Canada, and Italy. The Hong Sisters emphasized that these are "not just simple backdrops but act as a third character." They explained that Kamakura, Japan, represents the exciting first meeting of 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. "We designed the setting of unfamiliar travel destinations to serve as a device that amplifies the characters' emotions," they said.
They also expressed strong trust in the lead actors. Regarding Kim Seonho, they commented, "He portrayed the interpreter's unique neatness, the moments when he is shaken by love, and the cool-headedness required to handle unexpected situations, all beyond our expectations." About Go Younjung, 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," and added, "Her visual transformation and acting skills in playing two roles in the series are key points to watch."
They selected the ending scene of episode 9 as the most memorable moment. In this scene, Cha Muhee, embraced by Joo Hojin, recites the line, "Please love me, Mr. Joo Hojin. Just as I love you. Goodbye," quoting an Italian opera. The Hong Sisters described it as "a scene where beautiful, thrilling, yet sorrowful emotions are condensed," and urged viewers to pay special attention. They added, "As this is a work that opens the new year of 2026, we hope it becomes a universal love story that resonates with viewers around the world, transcending borders."
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