KBS2’s Heartbeat (2023) is a fantasy romance drama that tells the story about a vampire from the Joseon era who desperately wants to become human and a cold-blooded woman from the modern times whose heart starts to grow warm upon meeting the vampire.
Huge hits like Twilight (2008-2012) and Vampire Diaries (2009-2017) have seemed to rouse the creation of such narratives, featuring mythical creatures called “vampires” that prevail to be one of the iconic dark fictional characters, either flaunted a tragic hero or villain in a novel, movie, or series.
South Korean entertainment has also produced a number of bloodsucker shows including KBS’ Orange Marmalade (2015), OCN’s Vampire Prosecutor (2011), KBS2’s Blood (2015), MBC’s The Scholar Who Walks The Night (2015), and the award-winning movie, Thirst (2009), which starred Song Kang-ho.
Meanwhile, the latest Korean vampire show from KBS, Heartbeat (2023) might be the first drama series to hit global popularity. While it remains steady in viewership ratings in South Korea, it draws international audiences more as it enjoys a weekly top spot on Amazon Prime Video since its official release.
Having seen six episodes so far, here are three key points that I find fascinating and enjoyable about the drama:
Comedy.
Seriously, I have never laughed so hard watching a Korean drama this year than at Heartbeat (2023), a rom-com show that assuredly delivers a good belly laugh.
It introduces a suave vampire from the Joseon era who is consumed with desire to become human and is advised to slumber for 100 uninterrupted years in a mysterious hawthorn coffin to attain such ambition.
Fast forward to the modern times, a nosy human being sees the special coffin and unknowingly opens it a day early, waking the vampire from his 99 years of hibernation. Despite going through a tumultuous time inside the coffin for several years, the desperate vampire fails to be fully human, only a day away. Oh, what a wretched waste of 99 years! That, my friend, is so sad and so funny, at the same time! I can’t help but laugh when I think about it! LOL.
There are other situational laugh-out-loud moments in this drama, comic scenes that feel natural and unforced, simply executed by the cast from the main to secondary leads. However, Ok Taec-yeon who plays the lead vampire is a standout with his charming vampire looks and striking sense of humor. I must say, he is the newest ace at romantic comedy.
Characters.
There’s something about the main characters of Heartbeat (2023) that I find cleverly intriguing, although simple at first watch but strikingly enough, hold some sense of depth if you proceed to the succeeding episodes.
It highlights Seon Woo Hyeol, a vampire whose heart has never beaten once but achingly craves to have a taste of human warmth more than blood, and Joo In Hae, a cold-blooded woman whose human heart is devoid of affection and avoids meaningful connections.
Simply put, it narrates the chance encounter between a vampire who behaves more like a human and a human being who appears more like a vampire.
Although bloodsuckers are known to be recklessly thrilled by the smell of human blood, Seon Woo Hyeol manages to suppress his thirst. He is also feared by co-vampires who endanger the defenseless. Perhaps the years he spent observing mortal beings in their ordinary, daily lives have formed some sense of humanity in him, which is one thing that makes you drawn to his character.
Above all, he yearns to reunite with Hae Sun, the Joseon woman who saved him from vampire hunters and planted seeds of curiosity in his mind after describing the human heart that flutters when in love, all the while looking at his vampire heart that never beats.
Hence, his personal mission of becoming fully human begins with the help of Mr. Ko, a cat man. Unfortunately, his desired outcome gets ruined by a woman who opens his coffin one day early and happens to be the ancestor of Butler Joo, the staff he entrusted to manage his mansion 99 years ago.
This pitiful incident leads the two strangers to a lot of hilarious conflicts and bickering, including the ownership of the long-standing mansion.
On the other hand, Joo In Hae, the ancestor of Butler Joo, illustrates independent women who appear and act strong on the outside but lodges vulnerability within, a realistic character that anyone could relate to. She is the type of personality who shuns human affection due to a traumatic past but longs to be known and loved at the same time, although repressed.
Self-sufficient, she seems content living alone and used to not seeking help from others. She strives alone, struggles alone, and supports herself alone. Her family background and living conditions have molded her to be iron-willed, cold-blooded, and assertive as a woman. Even in the face of personal and social injustice, she stands up for what is right.
After losing two essential things in life, her humble home and school nurse job, she wakes up one day unexpectedly gaining something new—an ancestral mansion and a mysterious vampire who instantly becomes her housemate, enemy, and partner in crime.
The age-old home becomes the key to correlate the vampire and the cold-blooded human in a more central mystery that is set to unfold, only Mr. Ko the cat man seems to know.
Performances.
After leaving viewers impressed with his iconic villain portrayal in Vincenzo (2021), Ok Taec-yeon is captivating hearts anew with his compelling performance as the powerful and comic vampire in Heartbeat (2023).
Seamlessly, he wears the visual role of a vampire from his spellbinding height to good sense of fashion and carries the character well in various occasions.
He displays madness when furious, portrays childlike innocence when wandering around the modern world, illustrates vulnerability when hopeless in romance, and flashes charms with his iressistible goofy energy onscreen. He absolutely makes Seon Woo Hyeol an appealing fictional character.
I have first seen Won Ji-an play a role in D.P. (2021) that earned her a nomination for Best New Actress at Director’s Cut Awards in 2022. However, it was in If You Wish Upon Me (2022) where she caught my attention for her absorbing portrayal of a lonely, miserable character, which granted her a win for Best Rookie Actress at the Korea First Brand Awards this year.
Having seen her play three different roles so far, I must say that she has what it takes to be among the ranks of great performers on television, if given the right assignment. And I am fully seated to see her perform in the second season of Squid Game. Her time to shine will surely come.
Meanwhile, she perfectly owns the role of Joo In Hae in Heartbeat (2023) and matches well the silliness of her vampire housemate, creating a harmonious, non-cliched romantic comedy pairing onscreen.
Together, Ok Taec-yeon and Won Ji-an make Heartbeat (2023) one of the most fascinating and enjoyable Korean dramas of the year.
Conclusion.
Heartbeat (2023) is far from perfect but it is an amusing watch that leaves you stunned with its charming characters and intriguing story arc. It’s definitely a must-watch romantic comedy!
No of episodes: 16 | Cast: Ok Taec-yeon, Won Ji-an, Park Kang-hyun, Yoon So-hee | Screenwriters: Kim Ha-na, Jung Seung-joo | Directors: Lee Hyun-seok, Lee Min-soo | Original network: KBS2 | Available on: Amazon Prime Video | Images: KBS Drama
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