Alberta's Scenic Backdrop Takes Center Stage in Global Netflix Hit
The Netflix Korean romantic comedy sensation Can This Love Be Translated? has unexpectedly become a visual love letter to Alberta's breathtaking landscapes and urban charm. While the series follows a globe-trotting reality dating show premise, its Alberta filming locations have captured both local attention and international viewers' imaginations.
Calgary and Alberta's Iconic Settings Feature Prominently
During a 15-day filming period in fall 2024, the production crew captured numerous iconic Alberta locations that appear in Episodes 4 through 6 of the popular series. From downtown Calgary's recognizable skyline to the majestic Kananaskis Lakes area and the dramatic Badlands, Alberta serves as a picturesque backdrop for the romantic storyline.
Calgary landmarks appear throughout the series, including clear shots of the Calgary Tower visible during a drive down Centre Street Bridge. Other easily identifiable locations include Stephen Avenue's street performers in front of William Hod McElcheran's Conversation sculpture, Olympic Plaza with Old City Hall in the background, and the distinctive Galaxie Diner in the Beltline neighborhood.
Geographical Quirks and Local Reactions
Despite the clear Alberta focus, the series contains some geographical inconsistencies that haven't gone unnoticed by local film professionals. Mark Cogan, assistant locations manager for the Alberta shoot, pointed out a particularly curious sequence where a drone shot over Kananaskis Lake transitions to Calgary's Centre Street Bridge, then unexpectedly cuts to Toronto's skyline featuring the CN Tower.
"I'm like, 'Did they just pull this from a travel book or something?'" Cogan remarked about the geographical jump. "To me, that was quite distinctive. No one else seems to have brought that up."
Since the series began streaming on January 16, 2026, Albertans have taken to social media to discuss and sometimes misidentify local filming locations. Some viewers mistakenly believed a romantic northern lights scene was filmed at Lake Louise when it was actually shot at Upper Kananaskis Lake.
Recognizable Local Businesses and Settings
Sharp-eyed viewers will spot several familiar Calgary establishments throughout the series. The Next Page bookstore in Inglewood appears with its distinctive tall shelves and old chair in the window during a book shopping scene. The historic Lougheed House serves as the exterior for a hotel where the fictional production crew stays.
The series has generated excitement within Alberta's film community, demonstrating how international productions can showcase the province's diverse locations to global audiences. While some geographical liberties have been taken, the overall representation highlights Alberta's potential as a filming destination capable of standing in for various international settings.
Plot Context and Production Background
Directed by Yoo Young-eun, Can This Love Be Translated? follows the relationship between a multilingual translator fluent in English, Japanese, and Italian (played by Kim Seon-ho) and a Korean actress (Go Youn-jung). Their story unfolds across multiple countries, with Alberta serving as one of several international filming locations alongside Japan, Korea, and Italy.
The Alberta filming experience has created positive buzz for the local film industry, with residents enjoying the opportunity to see their familiar surroundings through the lens of an international production. As Cogan noted about the location misidentifications: "It's fun to see people misidentify locations; I thought that was quite funny."
This exposure represents valuable promotion for Alberta's film industry and tourism sector, demonstrating how international productions can benefit local economies while showcasing Canadian landscapes to worldwide audiences through popular streaming platforms.
