‘Brightness in my life’: Kim Young-kwang finds charm in tropes of ‘Take Charge of My Heart’

South Korean actor Kim Young-kwang has recently ventured into the romantic comedy genre with the series "Take Charge of My Heart," marking a significant departure from his previous intense and darker roles. Known for dramatic portrayals such as a serial killer in Netflix’s "Somebody" (2022) and gangsters in crime thrillers like ENA’s "Evilive" (2023) and Netflix’s "Trigger" (2025), Kim’s latest project embraces the lightheartedness and emotional spontaneity of rom-com narratives.

"Take Charge of My Heart" unfolds as a quintessential Korean romantic comedy, populated by familiar archetypes: a quirky heroine whose endearing clumsiness captivates men, a cold yet gradually softening third-generation business heir as the male lead, and a devoted second male lead who has silently harbored feelings for the heroine since childhood. Rather than shying away from these well-worn tropes, Kim and his co-stars consciously embraced them, aiming to refine and elevate the genre’s traditional elements.

Kim portrays Baek Ho-rang, an executive director at a family-run hotel, characterized by competence blended with a prickly demeanor. His character’s life becomes intertwined with Na Bo-bae, a drama writer played by Chae Soo-bin, whose unique ability to generate electricity provides the life-sustaining power for Ho-rang’s artificial heart. Their relationship begins with mutual aversion but gradually blossoms into romance, delivering the classic opposites-attract dynamic.

In preparing for this role, Kim chose to immerse himself naturally in the character’s circumstances rather than force conventional romantic expressions. His approach involved internalizing the scenarios to deliver sincerity over stereotypical sweetness. However, some scenes posed challenges, such as the haunted-house date sequence, which required numerous takes and induced stress due to its complexity and the tension involved.

The series also features imaginative sequences born from Bo-bae’s vivid imagination, adding absurd and humorous layers to the narrative. Kim found these scenes particularly difficult to film without breaking into laughter, reflecting the playful atmosphere of the production.

Kim’s transition into rom-com was a deliberate decision after years of focusing on darker, more serious roles. Following his work on "Somebody," he sought to diversify his acting portfolio and explore different facets of performance. This pivot not only broadened his range but also provided a refreshing emotional outlet, allowing him to reconnect with lighter, more spontaneous interactions on screen.

Despite the shift, Kim maintains an ambitious outlook for his career, expressing interest in undertaking roles that involve prosthetic makeup and non-human characters, signaling a desire to explore fantastical or monstrous personas in future projects.

Currently, Kim continues to engage with the romantic comedy genre, with an upcoming ENA series tentatively translated as "Queen of Taming." He has acknowledged the personal benefits of participating in rom-com projects, noting that after years of portraying villains and intense characters, he welcomed the emotional openness and increased levity this genre offered.

Kim also highlighted the contrast between the demands of thriller roles, which require sustained tension and calculated fear, and rom-com roles, which afford greater spontaneity and collaboration among actors. This freedom, he suggests, is a compelling aspect of working in romantic comedies.

As "Take Charge of My Heart" unfolds over its 10-episode run, viewers can anticipate a blend of classic rom-com motifs delivered with renewed energy by an actor eager to challenge his own boundaries and explore new creative territories. Details about specific plot developments and supporting cast members remain limited but the series’ embrace of genre conventions forms the core of its appeal, according to reports by koreajoongangdaily.joins.com.