Take Charge of My Heart Review: What happens when your artificial heart’s battery is slowly failing and suddenly there’s a woman with an incredible power who can keep you alive? Netflix’s latest K-drama, Take Charge of My Heart, offers an interesting and fantastical look into finding love and acceptance in another person – meeting your perfect match. Bo-bae’s odd predicament means that she has been unsuccessful in love for 30 years, while Ho-rang’s ailment has been a problem for him, especially because he is a chaebol heir; TS Group needs his undivided attention.
As with every K-drama, there’s romance and a ton of heart-fluttering moments, along with some slight twists and turns that only exist to make the central relationship more challenging to attain. With great performances, this one’s for the K-drama lovers who enjoy their shows extra sweet.
The cast includes Kim Young-kwang, Chae Soo-bin, Cha Woo-min, Kim Ah-young, Jung Jae-kwang and Shin Do-hyun. Directed by Park Soo-won, the series (나를 충전해줘) is based on the web novel “Charge Me Up” (나를 충전해줘) by Hae Beon (해번).
Take Charge of My Heart Review
A Refreshing Twist on the Rom-Com Formula
A romantic comedy is as good as its protagonists and whether they can make the central romance believable. Netflix’s Take Charge of My Heart showcases a usual enemies-to-lovers relationship wherein two people are forced to get into a contract relationship thanks to Bo-bae realising that her mystical electric powers don’t have any effect on chaebol heir Ho-rang, and the latter needs her to keep her artificial heart battery charged and operating. The premise requires viewers to buy the high and mighty claims that it makes and, for the most part, this rom-com is a breezy and silly watch that has literally zero stakes.
The characters’ respective limitations and how they complement one another so well is mostly the reason why the show works the way it does. While far-fetched and silly, the series is a light-hearted romp through every K-drama trope imaginable, complete with an electrical Bo-bae screaming “Pi-ka-chuuu” in a drunk haze in the middle of the night. It’s a goofy and adorable watch, one that doesn’t make viewers want to get too deep into anything.
The push and pull between the characters make the bubbling romance and chemistry all the more exciting, with both of their circumstances creating the perfect recipe for a storm – there’s an exciting and intimidating factor that keeps viewers engaged. Moreover, the playful dynamic that the two characters share, with their stolen glances and silly tactics to not give away their feelings, while obvious, leaves a smile on your face. While the story’s progression is obvious, the series wins thanks to its quirky central twist and a rather charming couple at its centre.
Kim Young-kwang and Chae Soo-bin Bring the Central Romance to Life
On that note, Kim Young-kwang and Chae Soo-bin are adorable as the protagonists who find a spark between them after they stumble upon one another. As the episodes progress, viewers can feel the heightened tension between the two as they see beyond just an answer to their problems, making the emotional stakes more meaningful and heartfelt.
Kim Young-kwang has always been known for his intense screen presence in other dramas, and in this one, his cold exterior slowly opens up to showcase a more tender person underneath. On the other hand, Chae Soo-bin’s kind Bo-bae is the perfect antithesis to Ho-rang’s coldness without overdoing it. The fantastical spin works because these two characters bring out a vulnerable side of their characters and play them with such conviction that viewers are forced to believe that something like this is possible.
While the initial arrangement of charge giver and romance teacher offers some tense confrontations, the undercurrent of bubbling romantic tension is obvious and apparent. Moreover, the romance storyline complements both of their professional ambitions well, and neither overshadows the other.
What Works Against Take Charge of My Heart?
While there are some subplots in Take Charge of My Heart, with secondary romantic leads, controversies and professional failures, none of these topics is well written into the plot for them to matter. The series, throughout its 10-episode runtime, really wants its viewers to believe that there might be some other turn of events other than Ho-rang and Bo-bae ending up together. However, K-drama fans will spot the obvious silliness from a mile away. It’s actually a bit disappointing how surface-level the subplots are, considering none really make an impact.
From the arranged marriage setup to Do-yoon trying to steal Ho-rang’s seat, it’s all just fluff added to give the illusion that there’s some other ending other than happy, but the lack of depth gives it away.
Final Verdict
Whether or not you want to believe Take Charge of My Heart‘s fantasy elements and go along with how surface-level the subplots and side characters are, I think the series works if you enjoy lighthearted romcoms with charismatic protagonists. The series is enjoyable, but at 10 episodes, it can get too much after a while. Overall, this one’s fine for a one-time watch.
Watch all 10 episodes of Take Charge of My Heart on Netflix right now. What did you think about the series? Let us know in the comments below!
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