Aahana Swrup
In ‘Can This Love Be Translated?,’ the central couple, Cha Mu-hee and Joo Ho-jin, have more than their fair share of complications that are keeping them from finding their happily ever after together. One of them arrives early in the form of Shin Ji-sun, the latter’s friend with whom the interpreter has been in love for years. Yet, her relationship with his older brother, Ji-sun, which soon turns into an engagement, makes things complicated. As a result, it becomes the perfect recipe for romantic disaster when new-to-stardom Mu-hee and Ho-jin find themselves working on the same reality show with Ji-sun as one of the producers. Yet, the most startling revelation of all comes when the actress’ best friend and manager, Kim Yong-u, ends up forming an unexpected connection with the producer. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Ji-sun Calls Off Her Engagement With Jin-suk
When Ji-sun’s character first enters the narrative, she’s already set up for a complicated romantic storyline. She and Ho-jin had been friends for a long time, maintaining a close relationship with one another. However, all this time, the latter has actually been in love with the former, who is oblivious to his affections. One of the reasons he keeps his feelings under wraps is because of her relationship with his older brother, Jin-suk. Therefore, it becomes all the more frustrating for the interpreter when he learns about the couple’s apparent engagement from his brother. For the same reason, when the opportunity to work on the show Romantic Trip comes up, he decides to throw his lot in with the production. As a part of the show, he would be expected to travel to international locations over the course of filming, which would fortify him with the ideal excuse to dodge the wedding between his brother and the woman he’s half in love with.
However, Ho-jin’s plan is ultimately foiled when Ji-sun ends up postponing the ceremony and joining the production as a producer in the event of an emergency. Yet, unbeknownst to him, or anyone else on the set, the producer hasn’t simply postponed her wedding. Instead, she has called off the entire thing. Her relationship with Jin-suk had always been unreliable and flaky. The duo were prone to fights and relationship-ending arguments, but had always managed to find their way back to each other. In part, their reconciliation was often the result of Ho-jin’s efforts. Nonetheless, this time around, between the show and his own developing relationship with Mu-hee, the interpreter has no time to step in and clean up his brother’s mess. As a result, Ji-sun begins to realize that her relationship with Jin-suk isn’t viable at all. Although she tries to keep this development a secret from her colleagues on set, a twist of fate reveals the secret to Yong-u.
Ho-jin Confronts the Reality of His Feelings For Ji-sun
Even though the discovery of Ji-sun’s breakup with Jin-suk comes as an accident, Yong-u finds himself fairly invested in the former’s relationship status. This is largely because of his close friendship with Mu-hee, who is steadily falling in love with Ho-jin. The only problem is that the interpreter had been harboring a years-long crush on the producer. Therefore, the possibility of something happening between the two once they get past their years of miscommunication remains real. Nonetheless, Mu-hee and Yong-u’s fears turn out to be fortunately unfounded. There had certainly been a point in Ho-jin’s life when he might have tried to confess the reality of his feelings to Ji-sun in the aftermath of her relationship with Jin-suk. Yet, now, after meeting Mu-hee, an intrinsic change had taken place.
Despite his inability to get on the same page as Mu-hee, Ho-jin remains charmed by the actress, steadily on his way to falling in love with her. As a result, he begins to realize the toxic way he had been exploiting his feelings for Jin-su to keep his heart safe all this time. If he’s in love with someone he can’t have, then he never has to open himself up to the real possibility of vulnerability and eventual hurt. For the same reason, he had been playing relationship therapist for Jin-suk and Ji-sun over the course of their connection. However, after realizing that he can have a real shot at love with Mu-hee, Ho-jin decides to move on from his previous naive crush on Ji-sun, freeing both himself and the latter from an unhealthy cycle. Ultimately, once enough time has passed and happy endings have been found, the duo is even able to talk honestly and openly about their past with each other, settling into a comfortable platonic dynamic.
Ji-sun Finds Her Unexpected Happy Ending With Yong-u
After Yong-u learns about Ji-sun’s breakup with Jin-suk, he’s also around for the aftermath, wherein the producer contemplates going on a quick rebound from the relationship with a meaningless affair or two. She frames the entire thing as an unimportant step, largely taken in order to cement the end of her romance with Jin-suk by “cheating” on him. Yet, the manager can see through her charade. For the same reason, when their paths fatefully cross once again, he confronts her about the same. Eventually, this leads the producer to kiss Yong-u in an effort to prove her indifference towards matters of the heart. Nonetheless, the manager sees through her once again and recognizes the vulnerable sincerity behind her guarded nonchalance. The pair end up hooking up the same night.
Afterward, a small misunderstanding follows, wherein Ji-sun jumps to conclusions about Yong-u’s relationship status. Yet, one simple conversation smooths all wrinkles, allowing the duo to pursue an actual relationship together beyond the confines of a one-night stand. Their relationship continues even after the shooting for Romantic Trip wraps up. However, a new hiccup arrives when the manager receives an incredible job opportunity to represent an athlete in London. Initially, he’s worried this would mark the end of his relationship with the producer. For the same reason, he tries to hastily propose to her. Fortunately, this time, Ji-sun recognizes his insecurities and proposes a healthier and viable solution. She has been considering pursuing education abroad for some time now. Therefore, she simply decides to move to London with Yong-u, showcasing her commitment to their relationship.
Read More: Do Joo Ho-jin and Cha Mu-hee End Up Together in Can This Love Be Translated?
