K-Drama 
5
1
Absurd and Entertaining
Take Charge of My Heart is a ten-episode fantasy romantic comedy with a generous dose of absurd humor.
Its premise is remarkably similar to The Master's Sun (2013), starring Gong Hyo Jin. The main difference is that ghosts have been replaced by electricity.
And that fantastic element allows us to examine the series from a different perspective. An absurd story is not necessarily a bad story. Quite the opposite: once we accept the rules of its fictional universe, seemingly ridiculous situations can become part of its charm. Just think of the 1960s Batman television series or Get Smart.
In that respect, Take Charge of My Heart works quite well.
The chemistry between the leads is excellent. Chae Soo Bin has a natural charm and remarkable expressiveness that greatly enrich her interactions. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with everyone delivering convincing performances. And I will repeat something I have said many times: Korean actors tend to be exceptionally well-trained and disciplined professionals.
However, Bo Bae is practically a metahuman. She possesses extraordinary electrical powers that could have been explored far more creatively instead of being used primarily as a romantic device.
Another weakness is the series' length. Ten episodes for a story that could easily have been told in a two-hour film, with considerably better pacing.
To fill that running time, we once again get the familiar corporate intrigues, family conspiracies, power struggles, and the inevitable woman obsessed with marrying the wealthy chaebol.
These elements have been recycled so frequently in K-dramas that they have become tiresome, particularly because we can usually predict exactly how they will be resolved.
Ultimately, Take Charge of My Heart is a charming romantic comedy, well acted and genuinely funny at times. Its absurdity can be one of its strengths, but its conventional narrative structure and excessive length prevent a promising premise from reaching its full potential.
Its premise is remarkably similar to The Master's Sun (2013), starring Gong Hyo Jin. The main difference is that ghosts have been replaced by electricity.
And that fantastic element allows us to examine the series from a different perspective. An absurd story is not necessarily a bad story. Quite the opposite: once we accept the rules of its fictional universe, seemingly ridiculous situations can become part of its charm. Just think of the 1960s Batman television series or Get Smart.
In that respect, Take Charge of My Heart works quite well.
The chemistry between the leads is excellent. Chae Soo Bin has a natural charm and remarkable expressiveness that greatly enrich her interactions. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with everyone delivering convincing performances. And I will repeat something I have said many times: Korean actors tend to be exceptionally well-trained and disciplined professionals.
However, Bo Bae is practically a metahuman. She possesses extraordinary electrical powers that could have been explored far more creatively instead of being used primarily as a romantic device.
Another weakness is the series' length. Ten episodes for a story that could easily have been told in a two-hour film, with considerably better pacing.
To fill that running time, we once again get the familiar corporate intrigues, family conspiracies, power struggles, and the inevitable woman obsessed with marrying the wealthy chaebol.
These elements have been recycled so frequently in K-dramas that they have become tiresome, particularly because we can usually predict exactly how they will be resolved.
Ultimately, Take Charge of My Heart is a charming romantic comedy, well acted and genuinely funny at times. Its absurdity can be one of its strengths, but its conventional narrative structure and excessive length prevent a promising premise from reaching its full potential.
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