Can This Love Be Translated Episode 3 Recap and Breakdown

Can This Love Be Translated Episode 3 opens in the aftermath of the red carpet incident that quickly becomes the talk of the night. As Mu-hee arrives, a car pulls in directly behind hers, carrying Japanese actor Hiro. While Hiro waits for Mu-hee to finish walking the carpet, she suddenly freezes mid-walk. Unwilling to lose his chance to appear, Hiro steps out anyway—and in that split second, Mu-hee stumbles. He instinctively catches her, creating a moment that cameras immediately latch onto.

Elsewhere, producers from a travel-based variety program titled Romantic Trip are in the middle of casting. They’re searching for a female actress to pair with Hiro, and when they come across footage of the red carpet mishap—specifically the moment Hiro catches Mu-hee—they decide the chemistry looks natural enough to pursue them as a pairing.

In Japan, Ho-jin brings Mu-hee to visit a doctor he personally knows. During the consultation, Mu-hee explains that Yong-u had spotted Ho-jin at the hotel where they were staying, which is how she knew where to find him when she needed help. She asks the doctor for anxiety medication and hesitantly opens up about the visions she’s been having of Do Ra-mi. Mu-hee reveals that she survived a major accident as a child—one that killed her parents—but she has no memory of what actually happened.

Not long after, the Romantic Trip producers contact Ho-jin with an offer to join the show as an interpreter. Since the program involves travelling across different countries, his language skills make him a strong fit. Ho-jin is caught off guard when he learns that Ji-seon was the one who recommended him for the role.

That evening, Ho-jin meets Jin-suk for dinner. Jin-suk drinks heavily and, in his drunken state, announces that he plans to marry Ji-seon within the next month. When Ji-seon arrives to pick him up, she casually asks Ho-jin about the TV project. Realising that accepting the job would give him an excuse to avoid attending the wedding, Ho-jin decides on the spot that he’ll take it.

However, another surprise awaits him at the studio. When Ho-jin arrives for the preliminary preparations, he realises that Mu-hee has been cast as the show’s main female lead. During her initial interview, Mu-hee suddenly sees Do Ra-mi again. The sight shakes her badly, causing her to lose confidence and struggle to answer even basic questions.

During a break, Yong-u quietly tells Mu-hee that Ho-jin is likely only involved because Ji-seon asked him to be. Shortly after, Mu-hee and Ho-jin finally find themselves alone. She tells him that her medical tests came back normal, yet Do Ra-mi still hasn’t disappeared. Ho-jin scolds her for neglecting her health, prompting Mu-hee to retaliate by bringing up Ji-seon. Ho-jin admits that the show was never about ambition—it was simply a way for him to escape Ji-seon’s wedding.

Their conversation escalates into a heated argument about whether they can realistically work together, given how deeply entangled their pasts are. In the end, Ho-jin decides he can’t handle it and chooses to walk away from the project.

After he leaves, Mu-hee steps into an elevator—only to find Do Ra-mi already inside. As the elevator descends, Do Ra-mi mocks her relentlessly, pushing Mu-hee into a panic. When the doors open, the Romantic Trip crew witnesses Mu-hee crouched on the floor, screaming. Embarrassed, she quickly laughs it off and later tells Yong-u that they should leave immediately.

A flashback reveals Ho-jin overhearing a conversation at the hospital involving Mu-hee’s relatives. They tell the doctor that Mu-hee has completely cut ties with them and insist that he never contact them again.

READ MORE: Can This Love Be Translated Episode 2 Recap: Ho-jin and Mu-hee’s Unspoken Feelings

READ MORE: Can This Love Be Translated Episode 1 Full Story

Back in the present, the doctor prescribes Mu-hee medication and advises her to undergo further tests once she returns to Seoul. Outside, Ho-jin gently reminds her to take care of herself and warns her not to drink at the event she’s scheduled to attend that night.

At the party, Mu-hee crosses paths with Hiro. Expecting gratitude for catching her earlier, Hiro is visibly confused when Mu-hee assumes he’s simply asking for a photo. It becomes clear that she doesn’t recognise him at all.

Meanwhile, back home, Mr Kim and Ho-jin stumble upon an old family photo featuring Ho-jin’s parents, Ho-jin himself, and Jin-suk—who was born to a different mother. Mr Kim then brings up Mu-hee and cautions Ho-jin that his blunt words often end up hurting people more than he realises.

Later, Mu-hee reaches out to Ho-jin to make peace. They meet at a restaurant, where both apologise for the harsh things they said earlier. Mu-hee mentions that the producers haven’t contacted her again and seems resigned to losing the opportunity. Together, they quietly lament missing out on seeing the aurora borealis, something the show would have included.

Just as the moment settles, Mu-hee receives a call from Yong-u. Against all odds, she’s officially been cast on Romantic Trip. The excitement quickly gives way to fear as she worries about suffering anxiety attacks during filming. Realising Ho-jin might be the only person who can support her through it, she desperately asks him to come along.

Ho-jin agrees—marking a major turning point for both of them.

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