Netflix's 'My Sweet Dear,' starring Kim Young-kwang and Chae Soo-bin, will be released in its entirety on the 9th at 5 PM. /Netflix

[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byul] A contract romance between a third-generation chaebol and an ordinary woman, with the added fantasy elements of an artificial heart and electric abilities. It seemed to be a "K-rom-com standard" with a unique twist on a familiar romantic comedy, but what we encountered was the standard of 2000s internet novels. While the overly old-fashioned dialogue and flimsy plot might make you pause, the heart-fluttering chemistry and lovable performances of the two lead actors, along with the captivating OST, bring the drama back to life.

Netflix's new series 'My Sweet Dear' (written by Song Yu-chae, directed by Park Soo-won) will be released worldwide in its entirety today (9th) at 5 PM. Prior to its release, Netflix provided reporters with a preview of four out of ten episodes through a press screening.

'My Sweet Dear' is a romantic comedy about Baek Ho-rang (played by Kim Young-kwang), whose artificial heart battery is drained, and Na Bo-bae (played by Chae Soo-bin), who has the ability to generate electricity, entering into a contract out of mutual necessity. Based on a web novel of the same name, the series consists of a total of 10 episodes.

The story begins as the two protagonists, each with their own secrets, become entangled like characters in a shojo manga. A crowd gathers due to the top-star popularity of Ji Eun-ho (played by Cha Woo-min), and Baek Ho-rang and Na Bo-bae, pushed by the crowd, kiss. After that day, Na Bo-bae realizes that Baek Ho-rang is an "electric-proof rubber glove" to her electricity.

The two then meet again in a hospital during a power outage. Baek Ho-rang is scheduled to undergo surgery to implant a high-performance battery for his artificial heart and prepare for his succession to TS Group. However, on the day of the crucial surgery, the hospital experiences a power outage, and his artificial heart battery drains. It is then that Baek Ho-rang returns from the brink of death thanks to Na Bo-bae, who was in the same hospital, and discovers that his heart recharges through skinship with her.

As can be seen from the initial plot, 'My Sweet Dear' follows typical clichés. Setting aside the "contract romance between a third-generation chaebol and an ordinary woman," even the fantasy element of "charging upon touch and discharging upon separation" is predictable, but it can still work if viewed as a "rom-com standard."

Netflix's new series 'My Sweet Dear' aimed to be a rom-com standard but filled its early episodes with somewhat old-fashioned settings and dialogue reminiscent of internet novels. /Netflix

The problem is that the way these elements are handled is overly familiar, and the dialogue is extremely dated. Situations like a hospital where a major corporation's executive is undergoing surgery losing even emergency power due to a lightning strike, the cliché power struggles surrounding a chaebol family, club brawls, and especially the secretaries' raid on the scene like investigators to uncover the general manager's corruption, feel like an internet novel sensibility with poor prior research.

Furthermore, cheesy lines like Choi Do-yoon, Baek Ho-rang's cousin who is wary of him, saying to Na Bo-bae, "I'll treat you better than he does," and during the contract negotiation, exchanging large sums of money with lines like "Is this right? It looks like there's an extra zero" and "Heh. That's the correct amount. TS values you that much, and we can negotiate if you want," appear constantly.

The lack of plausibility surrounding the entertainment and broadcasting industries further hinders immersion. Ji Eun-ho, who becomes acquainted with Na Bo-bae through her debut work, boasts top-star-level influence from the first episode, contrary to his vague "recycled rookie" setting. Despite this, he acts somewhat recklessly towards the third-generation chaebol Baek Ho-rang, walks around outside wearing only a mask, and the setting of him picking up Na Bo-bae, despite being a close writer, is difficult to accept.

Of course, there's no need to apply overly realistic standards to a fantasy romantic comedy. However, not all plot holes can be overlooked simply because it's fantasy. When moments that seem detached from reality repeat, it eventually feels not like a fantasy romance but simply like sloppiness.

Given that the drama centers around unrealistic settings like "electric abilities" and "artificial heart batteries," it makes one wonder if the surrounding world could have been built more solidly.

Ultimately, the drama's excessive old-fashionedness demands viewers to have both "rubber gloves" and "batteries." Rubber gloves are needed for when your hands curl up at the predictable and familiar dialogue, and physical stamina is essential to endure the somewhat flimsy plot.

Attention is focused on whether actresses Chae Soo-bin and Kim Young-kwang, with their individual charms and chemistry, can elevate 'My Sweet Dear' beyond its childishness and transform it into a romance that captivates the world. /Netflix

Nevertheless, the power that keeps viewers hooked is undeniably the actors' performances and chemistry. In particular, the two leads, Kim Young-kwang and Chae Soo-bin, who boast the perfect rom-com visuals with their height difference, create excitement just by their presence.

Kim Young-kwang adds a playful charm to Baek Ho-rang, the seemingly cold and perfect third-generation chaebol. However, the romantic excitement is not yet fully ripe. Due to some overly sentimental lines and scenes, there are moments that are difficult to overcome solely through the actors' performances. Despite this, he portrays the character with his characteristic relaxed demeanor, showcasing a different charm from his previous roles and adding strength to the drama.

Chae Soo-bin's presence is unparalleled. She brings the character to life with her unique loveliness, even within a setting that could easily become over-the-top. She naturally handles even childish lines or scenes that overtly try to be cute, making viewers smile.

This is also due to Chae Soo-bin's accumulated experience. Having starred in works with fantasy elements like 'I'm Not a Robot' and 'Where Stars Land,' as well as works based on webtoons like 'The Call,' she is accustomed to making viewers accept unrealistic settings on screen. Therefore, Chae Soo-bin's performance is the biggest saving grace of 'My Sweet Dear.'

The supporting actors' performances are also noteworthy. Heo Dong-won, as Baek Ho-rang's secretary Yoon Jae-ho, shows a different side from his usual roles, making viewers realize, "He can do this kind of role well too." He adds vitality to the drama with his witty secretary portrayal and chemistry with Kim Young-kwang. Yang Hyun-min also naturally elicits laughter as director Yeom Min-gyu, who demands Na Bo-bae to write romance. Even in scenes that could easily become childish, he maintains the drama's rhythm with appropriate tone control and realistic acting.

The OST is also a major strength of the drama. The music, which appears from the beginning of the first episode, greatly enhances the romantic comedy's unique atmosphere. Each OST featured up to episode 4 is so good that sometimes you find yourself looking forward to the OST more. Especially when the leads' scenes are paired with the music, it makes you think, "Yes, this is what a rom-com should be like."

Ultimately, 'My Sweet Dear,' despite its many flaws and awkward moments in the first four episodes, maintains a light and enjoyable framework thanks to the extraordinary chemistry between Kim Young-kwang and Chae Soo-bin, the strong performances of the supporting cast, and the emotional music. Viewers who are prepared to endure the cringeworthy sensibility of 2000s internet novels can enjoy getting lost in the charms of the actors in this lighthearted rom-com.

sstar1204@tf.co.kr
[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]