Netflix Rom-Com 'Take Charge Of My Heart' Offers a Shockingly Silly Premise

Netflix's latest Korean romantic comedy, 'Take Charge Of My Heart,' introduces a premise that is as unusual as it is charming: a woman who possesses the ability to electrocute people and objects with a single touch finds herself drawn to a wealthy heir with an artificial heart that requires a jolt to keep functioning.

A Premature Spark

The series centers on Na Bo-bae (Chae Soo-bin), a writer whose romantic concepts are deemed immature by her colleagues. This immaturity stems from a childhood accident involving lightning, which left her with the peculiar ability to shock anyone she touches without protective gear. This involuntary power has made her hesitant to form physical connections. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she literally collides with Baek Ho-rang (Kim Young-kwang), the driven CEO of a hotel conglomerate. Ho-rang, who relies on an artificial heart with a dwindling battery, seems immune to Bo-bae's electric touch, baffling her and sparking a strange curiosity.

The accidental first encounter between Bo-bae and Ho-rang is a kiss, initiated when a group of fans bumps Ho-rang into her. This event, and Ho-rang's apparent immunity to her shock, prompts him to employ Bo-bae. His plan is for her to periodically 'jump-start' his artificial heart when its battery weakens. This arrangement serves a dual purpose: it provides Ho-rang with a solution to his medical needs, and it offers Bo-bae an opportunity to experience romance and overcome her fear of physical contact, which may, in turn, improve her writing.

Complicating matters is Ji Eun-ho (Cha Woo-min), an actor whom Ho-rang wants to represent his hotel chain and who harbors lingering feelings for Bo-bae. The narrative anticipates the development of a romance between Bo-bae and Ho-rang, despite the inherent complications, including the presence of Eun-ho.

A Silly but Watchable Premise

'Take Charge Of My Heart' shares thematic similarities with other K-romcoms available on Netflix, such as 'Our Sticky Love.' The show dedicates its initial episode to establishing Bo-bae's loneliness and Ho-rang's work-centric personality. The central conceit, involving Bo-bae's electrokinetic abilities and Ho-rang's artificial heart, is acknowledged as somewhat outlandish, even within the context of a genre that often features fantastical elements like time travel or supernatural encounters.

Chae Soo-bin delivers a commendable performance as Bo-bae, effectively portraying her character's frustration with her powers and her delight at finding someone she can touch without causing an electric shock. The series concludes with a scene where Bo-bae touches an unconscious Ho-rang after his heart surgery, confirming her continued inability to shock him.

Despite its quirky and somewhat unbelievable premise, 'Take Charge Of My Heart' is deemed 'Stream It' by critics. The review suggests that viewers may need patience as the central romance develops, acknowledging that the chemistry between the leads might take a few episodes to fully materialize. The series is available on Netflix.