Heartbeat (2023)

Not Good Enough

Korean Drama " Heartbeat " is a fantasy romantic comedy about a vampire and a human girl who have to live together.

The first part of the drama was smooth, with plenty of comical acts, enjoyable pace, interesting story, an intriguing mystery, and engaging mythology concerning the vampires. The action scenes were nicely handled as well.

However, things started deteriorating after that first half. The romance was cheesy and boring, and, thus, not enough to save the drama, that started leaking from its many plot holes. All of which led to the shipwreck that was the ending, which more or less did not make any sense and ruined every plot development that was made in the previous episodes. And sure, I don't believe that what makes a good drama is a happy ending, but an ending that makes sense and doesn't erase everything that one has watched for the previous 15 episodes is a major factor for success.

Still, the performances were enjoyable and the actors did a good job with their characters.

So, overall, four and a half out of ten.

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Mostly Fun... But Oh That Ending

Full disclosure, I mostly watched this drama for Taec-yeon and I am also now reviewing this months after having finished so some details will be lost--
I enjoyed watching this drama for the most part (until about two-thirds in) so that's what saves the score from being lower. The cohabitation trope, the classic fantasy immortal man looking for his girl, the historical elements and mystery of the flashbacks slowly coming together, the SML and his mystery disease-- chef's kiss. FL being different than the average Kdrama girl and actually kinda liking SML. Mystery girl with the matching face. It had some unique elements that made me enjoy it beyond Taec-yeon's acting (and face).

Honestly, I don't remember the OST. It didn't end up on my playlists, so I guess it was probably average.

SOME SPOILERS COMING

I watched it as it was being released, and waited each week for the next episode. At some point, that excitement faded. The intrigue started getting clouded by annoyances: the SML becoming kinda obsessive, the side characters being useless and ruining things, the weird cat guy who was just kinda there to be mystical and weird and then ALL OF A SUDDEN drops this very important lore he failed to mention before, the cheesy vampire antagonist, and honestly just the whole "I want love that makes my heart beat" message felt shallow. Like that could've been a joke because ML is such a goofy romantic, and instead it's legit serious sometimes but it feels corny. Cool FL starts to catch the corniness too, but I suppose that's what happens when Taec-yeon catches you.
Also that one side character's hair...

SPOILER WARNING

And then two thirds in you get a prediction of how things will end and I'm thinking "well this hasn't been the most unique drama ever, it's been full of tropes, so nah not happening they'll do the classic everybody lives except maybe a side character" and then it does happen. It's predictable in the worst way. The whole tone is just depressing after the revelation is dropped and then you just ride that wave thru a bunch of annoying "not telling you so I won't hurt you" tropes until the end. If you're gonna try to be a different Kdrama than the rest, be consistent. It just made his sacrifice feel like a noble idiot moment, she has no choice in it. Instead of character growth and them truly enjoying each other thru real communication (I know it's a Kdrama but still) it just feels like another grand gesture from him but this one goes horribly wrong. Questions left unanswered in other elements of the plot too. Ugh. Such a disappointment.

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Not a strong story...

Definitely a hot/cute/handsome ML. The story is everywhere, meaning you will have unanswered questions throughout the 16 episodes. You will need to use some imagination to make sense of the ending. I am really not a fan of the first and second female leads. I don't know exactly why but there just aren't enough strong scenes for me to like both actresses. In other words, it was boring to watch them. I typically can tear up easily whenever there is separation/death but I did not feel much of the last bit of the story. It would have been a better scene if she chose to cut herself and drain her blood to save the ML but nothing. It was a huge disappointment because she practically did not do enough to save him. And again, their time together were not sweet and steamy enough for me to even consider give this a 7/10.

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LOVE MAKES EVERYONE CRAZY, EVEN VAMPIRES

I want to talk first about a vampire desiring to feel their heart beat and love, this concept is the main foundation of this drama, for me, like on that concept, the story is going to run from, and that excited me of how will that be turned out that is why I said at the title that even vampires go crazy of love.
I love the thing that this drama implies that in loving someone, you don't have your heart to be beating but loving is doing things together, protecting each other, being with each other in every situation most of all and giving everything for that loves ones.
This drama is unexpectedly heartbreaking not heart-beating because I never thought I would cry this much of this drama, coz it is really funny at first episodes, with the acting of OkTaeKyeon and his 2 brothers and the girl, I loved their friendship and brotherhood, their saying good bye at the last episodes really made me cry, like not just them but it seema everyone, even Na Daepyo. I also love their neighborhood , like the Ox blood ahjumma with her store named Daebak as far as I remembered and the Father-son there, it is really cute, that is what I am going to miss also here.
When I was watching the first episodes I was glad that they did not made it like too modernized, it has still the vibes of typical Kdrama that has a lot of character-momenting-filled-with-background-song scenes and I so loved the songs here. I was also excited that it is the drama of Ok TaeCyeon coz I barely watch his dramas, I never knew he is this handsome and very good at acting I liked his character here, but the female lead in some ways I find her not that fitting but not that much, most of the time she really did gave justice to every scenes.
Maybe many of here hated Do Shik SeonBae but, I never got to hate him throughout this drama, He is a good man, and he is just simply loving In Hae here, I don't know but I hope he will be the one ended up with In hae if we are to think practically. Na Daepyo is such a goergous woman as ever, I watched her at The witches love which is one of my most unforgettable dramas, and as usual she is very good at acting, I somehow hoped that she is the main lead here rather than the In hae coz you know there will be no confusion first of all, but she being the second female lead is still fine. The Man Hwi is also good here he really looked and acted as a villian very suited at the character.
What I learned in this drama is not everything is in favor of you and not everything you want will be given or will happen to you, and it is right! in some ways Seon Woo Yeol saying it, trying everything and risking his life just to become human and his heart to beat maked sense ! not everything he wanted has happened to him and even I knew this fact already, I was reminded by this drama.
The only thing I hated here is so many characters said good byes ! which is so sad ! but the rest is I like so much. For some reason I hope this drama has a part 2, but even without is fine. The ending is satisfyinh for me to give justice to what ever happened through out the story, I somehow assumed that Seon Woo Yeol will live and become human since In hae gave her her blood when He rested during their YeoHaeng but not.
All in all I love it, I learned many things, I enjoyed it, I laughed, felt bad, and cried, I had fun watching it, I was not wrong watching it and TaeCyeon acting here is so refreshing to me. I would recommend this one. This drama has somehow similarity concept with Hotel Del Luna and Goblin, so yeah very great I hope you watch it too. ❤️

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Watch atleast once..

I was skeptical about this drama after reading the reviews... but I gave it a shot and honestly it's not bad.... the first half of the drama was great 😃 funny and nice ... the second half was a little slow but it's okay.... it's not boring but little streched... I understand why the ratings of the drama is low... it's because of the ending..yeah it's not that great... even I didn't understand the last min of the drama but don't miss it just because of comments and reviews.... if you like sweet, fluffy, light rom-com go for it... Taecyon's visuals are 😍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍
it's like cherry on the top .... just go for it 😜

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Not Ok, Taecyeon!

The overall score in this review is (clearly) heavily influenced by my fangirl heart, beating to the rhythm of 2PM songs.
In fact, all I wanted was to listen to Taec's heartbeat! Perhaps even catch a glimpse of him tearing his shirt off as he used to...(that would have been worth at least a full point in the final score)

Indeed, my whole reason for watching this drama was really just to support our beastly idol and I had no expectation whatsoever. On the contrary, more than expectations, I had a bunch of reservations about the vampire theme, one that I explored to exhaustion in my teens and that holds little to no interest for me nowadays. Thus, I ended up putting this drama off for months while waiting to be in the most forgiving and neutral disposition possible and, when I was finally able to start it and watched the first couple of episodes, I found myself positively excited!

The series begins with an upbeat and comedic tone à la "What We Do in the Shadows" that makes for a refreshing opening. I genuinely liked the vampire trio dynamic: they are endearing loosers that struggle to keep up with the times (which I find infinitely relatable now that I am in my thirties...sigh!). Also, their beef with modern capitalism is hilarious and a great variation on the abused immortal-handsome-and-rich formula.
Personally, I think Taecyeon is formidable when interpreting whimsical characters. He has great comedic timing and a natural talent for slapstick with his impressive range of cute/ridiculous facial expressions and overgrown limbs. I enjoy his acting the most when he unleashes his potential for antics (i.e. his crazy villain in Vincenzo is absolutely brilliant). I think he fares particularly well in balancing being extra without being actually over the top. That is what convinced me that the drama had robust enough premises to evolve into something worthwhile.

But mine was, definitely, premature optimism since the series takes a 180° degree turn around episode 6 or so. The tone gets abruptly serious. The story literally flatlines (ahem...) as we suddenly loose all the potentially original plot points in favor of the dullest of fanfictions. Because that is what I was reminded of while watching this drama. Especially during the party episode which employs one of the most popular romance tropes in its cringiest declination and with the most uninspired jealousy scene ever (honestly, I'm usually a sucker for party scenes done well, Pride and Prejudice style).
At that point I kept watching just to finally discover who took the gold.
The storyline has zero depth: everything happens without explanation, with an impressive number of plots non-sequitur, and because Cat-ex-machina said so.
The romance left me completely indifferent and the modicum of sympathy I felt for Woo Hyeol was totally built upon my pre-existing bias regarding Taecyeon. Not even the happy community scene at the end was enough to reanimate my k-dramatic heart.
The open casket funeral was too much...

In conclusion, I wouldn't recommend watching Heartbeat, not even to Hottest, although I made an intriguing discovery that partially redeemed this viewing: Park Kang Hyun. He can act, he can sing and he is cute as hell. Hope to see him in a better drama next.

Female Empowerment Score 2/5: Joo In Hae is written as inconsistently as the rest of the characters. In the beginning she is this tough, combative girl. Her personality traits are clearly the result of trauma (the customary kdrama unlucky orphan backstory) and make her fiercely independent and extremely reserved. She keeps her distance from others but is also ready to fight in order to protect the weakest and heal the wounded as a trained nurse (I liked the school nurse plot). She was preoccupied with mere survival for so long that she forgot how to enjoy life and be carefree with her heart. In the beginning, she is relatable and convincing (I love how Do Shik gets her and tries to help her without her noticing). But then, suddenly, we are told her character experiences growth (e.g. she falls in love, accepts help, makes friends, forgives her father), without actually being shown how or why. And, furthermore, she becomes insufferable (the acting follows the script in its decline). Despite being somewhat empowered by her character arc, she doesn't seem to have gained any real agency.
The writers didn't really care for the other female characters either.

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Still Waiting for Answers, Immortally Disappointed with the Writers

I never watch dramas as they air because I'm just so impatient, but this drama had so much potential. I waited until episode 13 or so came out before I started watching, and that's one of the only reasons I finished it. The writing just went downhill as the series progressed.

The story started so strong and witty. It was so enjoyable and refreshing to watch just a silly supernatural rom-com with all the funny cliches. The leads had perfect chemistry and all the vampire sidekicks were hilarious. I enjoyed the vampire guest house plotline too, but then the villains came into the story and sucked the fun right out of the drama. They were all bratty, spoiled, and the only one with a reasonable motivation, i.e. his potential death, still turned out stale. The villains were too cartoonish and just poorly written, I skipped over their monotonous dialogue that just got too repetitive.

Everything was rushed at the end. Vampire villain is suddenly powerless to a human's surprise attack. Rich girl gives up and runs to the U.S. ML decides to sacrifice himself to save the dying SML. Suddenly, FL is in fact the reincarnated first love. They spent so much time talking in circles in the middle episodes that they could have been setting something up for a plot twist finale or *anything* to happen. If they would have somehow resolved the turning human thing, even if it was in the most cliched way, I would have been so much happier. I'm just so disappointed because they could've done so much better. I would have loved a happy ending for them, but the writers opted for an ambiguous one. I guess they're hopeful for a second season (like I've been seeing many K-dramas do lately).

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Strong start, messy and disappointing conclusion

I will start off by saying I genuinely don’t mind the sad ending here. I did cry a little bit and honestly love me a good tragedy every now and again. My issue with heartbeat is with how the sad story was executed. Things got quite muddled and draggy towards the end, and it genuinely felt like midway through the series the writer was like, “lol what if instead of sticking to what we told the viewers in the first half of the show we made it seem like the cat dude just conveniently forgot to say that SWH needed to kill someone to turn into a human? Like woopsies I guess he just ‘forgot’ that killing someone is kind of a big deal and didn’t think it was that important.” Like cmon be so fr who would actually ever miss such a big detail. The logic is just so weird and the side characters quite frankly were so boring, I genuinely never got into any of their personalities and they just felt so misplaced in this show if that makes any sense. Anywho, I did really really love this drama in the first half and thought it was hilarious and super cute and aesthetic, but damn the writing was such a letdown for literally no reason.

TBH though, I don't think it deserves a 7.4 rating. I think the reason it's that low is because of people who gave it significantly lower ratings just to bring down the overall rating and that's kind of sad. It genuinely wasn't as bad as it's made out to be. The writers just got a lil confused in the second half.

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Happy blood day!!! Meet the vampire who’s more humane than humans.

Glad I cared less about the poor reviews I have read and bothered myself to watch this drama. Anyway, we all have our own preferences for enjoyment.

Story: Another heartfelt story of love between an immortal vampire and a human being. The story focused on the quest of a vampire to turn himself into a human being to feel his heartbeat while loving someone. It was unintentionally ruined by a woman when he was awakened ahead of time from sleeping for a century and the turn of events led them to live together in a mansion previously owned by the vampire. They were feuding housemates at the start but became drawn to each other after a while.

The development of the plot was enough to keep me engaged at every turn. The elements of conflicts were interesting like a bite scar from the FL that would summon the ML whenever she was in danger, blood full of love could take away immortality, and blood from a half-vampire could cure a person from the curse of early death. I was slightly disappointed towards the latter part of the drama where the crises in the story were questionably resolved and like ended hazily. But I have my favorite scene, the love confession of the FL. It was a spontaneous poignant moment and deeply showed the very authentic emotion of someone who fell in love for the first time.

Acting/Cast: Everyone flaunted their individual performances according to their character’s objectives. This was the best of Ok Taec Yeon I have ever seen. He got me with those expressive skills of voice and emotional eyes. I can’t say that the chemistry between him and Won Ji An hit it off perfectly but it was rather special. I believed their pairing survived with charm on screen, and it has something to do with identifiable dialogues supported by nice directorial works.

This drama moved my heart, again with the concept of love that was always powerful to make a person capable of being selfless.

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Well...there's a lie in the title

There was not BEAT in HEARTBEAT.

Did this made me depressed and annoyed? Yes
I enjoyed this one? Yes

1. I loved TaecYeon (SO MUCH).

2. I loved the vampire trio (and the girl) Their friendship was really 🔛🔝.

3. I loved the plot but I hated the plot twist.

4. Rating-I don't really know,I loved it and I hated it at the same time.

5.The actress was just a no for me...she was great at the beggining when she was that chaotic girl,but when it comes to sad parts...OH,no emotion at all. Her character has also become stupid,like,girl,AT LEAST TRY ,he gave up at everything for you and you just stay there and tell him not to die💀. HOW CAN YOU TALK about FUTURE when you know he has no time?

6. I have to give them a lesson about what a RomCom is. I wanted more romance scenes. The comedy was there in the first episodes,but then was just DRAMA. (I liked their chemistry tho).

7. That cat just pissed me off! He just came with more and more drama,why didn't he just say how things were supposed to be when they talked about the blood? Like,the whole story.

8. And let's talk about the ending. It wasn't just a RomCom,it was a fantasy too! Why a realistic ending? It ruined things more than they already were. I've watched similar dramas ,and in the end they didn't even need LOGIC,so? There were so many posibilities,even some with logic. They could just add the fact that he already drank all her blood in their previous life and Voila...wake up vampire...etc.

9. I cried💔 I hoped for a better ending ,he deserved better 🤷🏼‍♀️.

10. Hm,I'm really glad I watched the series when it was on-going because otherwise I know I would never. Even if there were disastrous aspect,there was something special too ,but I don't know what .Just no need to explain,I was obsessed with the drama back then and waited every week,maybe because I loved the fact that she fell first ,and I love vampires,for me it wasn't boring how other people say.

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They had a good start and they threw that away

when I started heart beat I was really excited because the first few episodes had me hooked and laughing sometimes but along the line when I kind of expected the romance between the leads to start it was still no where to be seen the ml was still in love with his past lover (kinda I think) and she was still bent on not being able to fall in love ( until she kinda accepted that she did). I also feel like they placed too much emphasis on the past lady. To cut all this rambling short because I don’t even know what to say anymore they had a good story and they executed it very bad (in my opinion) especially towards the ending. The romance wasn’t doing it for me heck even when they confirmed their feelings towards each other it was still meh and let’s not even talk about that ending after watching ep15 I kinda saw where they were going although I hoped they wouldn’t but they did. Needless to say it’s still a decent watch and I enjoyed it at least to a point the actors did a good job and the music was my best part.

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A great story about life, love, relationships, and family.

I like how they turned the story into literal vampire + symbolic vampire.

The FL is a symbolic vampire. A type of vampire that sucks the love and fun around her and from other people. Focused only on making ends meet, nothing wrong there, but is dead inside. She thinks she is living her life, but the truth is, she's an “undead”.

Meanwhile, the ML, a literal vampire (or half-vampire in the present day), is a vampire who wants to become a human. Who wants to feel love. Who wants to know what it means to live as a human and enjoy life to its fullest.

Two opposites meet each other. Nothing in common with them. They should repel each other… instead, they slowly attract each other.

The real vampire is making the symbolic vampire realise what she is missing. And the symbolic vampire is only making the real vampire firm in his decision to become a human.

Why? The clue is the fact that he can see his reflection only in her eyes. Because that is not only literal, it is also symbolic. He can see himself in her. The kind of life the FL is living is the life the ML had before he fell in love.

That is… just living for the sake of living.

Exactly what the FL is doing. Living for the sake of living.

Seeing himself in her, with the kind of life she is living, is only strengthening his resolve to become a human. He is done with being a vampire. He wants to find meaning. He wants to enjoy life to its fullest. Who cares if he dies? What is immortality if there is no meaning and purpose to it? He wants to love and be loved “until death do us part”.

And here's the FL, getting curious why a vampire wants to become a human. Why love is so important for this vampire. Because, for her, immortality is a gift, not a curse. For her, she can live a carefree life. She doesn't have to worry about paying bills, or what to eat tomorrow, or where to live next month. She can even make a fortune.

But… a vampire, with immortality and no worries in life, wants to become a human because of love? Knowing he will die as a human? Why indeed?

---

While for some the story is cliché, I enjoy stories that add symbolism or deeper meanings to each character, like as I've mentioned, the ML can see his reflection in the FL's eyes is both literal and symbolic. Or, how the FL is a symbolic vampire; and how the two of them are attracting each other instead of repelling.

Good job. Love it!

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