Aahana Swrup
Netflix’s K-Drama ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ finds its female lead caught up in a tricky love triangle. Cha Mu-hee’s life changes between one blink and the other when a stunt-gone-wrong sends her into a coma. Once the actress wakes up again, she realizes that her last film, The Quiet Woman, has become a cinematic sensation, cementing her as the hottest new star in the industry. Naturally, with the newfound fame, new opportunities come her way, such as the reality dating show Romantic Trip. As per the show’s format, the actress has to travel to charming tourist spots with her co-lead, Japanese superstar Hiro Kurosawa, striving to make a real connection by overcoming language and cultural barriers. Yet, a few complications remain in her path. Ever since her coma, Mu-hee has been hallucinating the character who launched her into stardom, Zombie Do Ra-mi, and she may or may not be half in love with her interpreter, Joo Ho-jin. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Hiro Kurosawa Falls in Love With Mu-hee’s Kindness and Do Ra-mi’s Antics
Hiro Kurosawa and Cha Mu-hee first cross paths at the Tokyo Film Festival, where the former saves the latter from a red carpet accident. However, despite their memorable meeting, the actress promptly forgets the actor’s face and tries to introduce herself to him later at the event. As a result, she ends up earning the petty ire of her fellow thespian. Where Hiro had earlier been somewhat of a fan of her role as Do Ra-mi, he now insists on hating her, mostly on principle. For the same reason, he’s displeased when the two end up getting chosen as the leads for the new season of Romantic Trip. Initially, he continues holding his grudge against Mu-hee, constantly attempting to undermine or humiliate her.
Although Ho-jin, the interpreter facilitating all conversations between the two actors, attempts to initially shield Mu-hee from this, she soon catches on and begins to stand up for herself. This leads Hiro to begin seeing her in a different light. However, it’s really Do Ra-mi’s interference that ignites the first real sparks for the Japanese actor. Ever since waking from the coma, Mu-hee has been hallucinating her zombie film character. With time, the episodes get worse, and the actress ends up “switching” into her alternate self during periods of major distress. Whenever Do Ra-mi becomes in charge of the shared body, she exhibits a tendency to seek out trouble. As a result, she ends up making moves on Hiro, which further compels him to develop a romantic perception of his co-star. As a result, once the floodgates open, he begins to fall in love with Mu-hee, both for her kind disposition and bold moments.
Hiro Deals with Heartbreak While Also Learning From it
Hiro’s dynamic with Mu-hee remains complicated, with outside factors having a large impact on the nature of their dynamic. Depending on the latter’s relationship with Ho-jin and the level of chaos behind Do Ra-mi’s latest appearance, the duo’s relationship ebbs and flows. Yet, by the end of the show’s filming, the Japanese actor finds himself sure of one thing: he has fallen unequivocally in love with his co-star. Therefore, in the final scene of the season, he ends up confessing his feelings for the actress. Awkwardly enough, it’s Ho-jin on the other side of the microphone who is expected to translate the sentiment for him. In the end, Mu-hee gently lets Hiro down. Even though chemistry had been building between the two over the past couple of weeks, she has largely been in the dark about the more defining aspects of their dynamic.
Mu-hee experiences memory blocks every time Do Ra-mi takes over her body. Therefore, despite being able to figure out that her alter-ego has made moves on her co-star, the actress herself remains detached from any romantic feelings for Hiro. Eventually, she undergoes a personal journey that helps her reconcile with the part of herself that manifested as Do Ra-mi. As a result, the next time she sees the Japanese actor, she’s able to have an honest and genuine conversation with him. Mu-hee has realized that “Do Ra-mi” is actually just a coping mechanism she had developed to navigate the tougher parts of her life and give in to her impulses without being vulnerable. Romantically pursuing Hiro had also been a part of this. Mu-hee knew that a romantic relationship with Ho-jin would be something real and sincere, and thus have the ability ot hurt her in the long run.
For the same reason, Do Ra-mi tries to push her towards Hiro, the ideal Prince Charming option, with whom she stands a chance of having a picture-perfect and uncomplicated romance. Nonetheless, this was only ever a fantasy that could never lead to actual happiness. Therefore, even though Mu-hee doesn’t delve into the complicated truth behind her actions, she remains honest with the Japanese actor about the misguided intentions of her actions. In the end, they part ways on amicable terms. Even though Hiro’s heart and ego are bruised, the whole thing ends up teaching him a valuable lesson in rejection. As a result, in the aftermath, the actor is able to go after his true passion, auditioning for a Hollywood project, without letting his fear of rejection control him.
Read More: Do Shin Ji-sun and Kim Yong-u End Up Together in Can This Love Be Translated?
