We have a new member abroad on the bandwagon of vampire-human romance, this one originating from South Korea. Vampire romance has always been popular amongst teens, from the Vampire Diaries novels to the Twilight ones, both of which have launched successful adapted series or movie franchises. Not many people are avid fans of the thousand-year age-gap romance with a hint of blood-sucking, but then to each their own.
Unlike most vampire romances, HeartBeat is quite different. In most cases, we see the whiny teenage girl in a new town with a journal trying to “fit in” but then needs up turning into a vampire herself. In HeartBeat though, our female protagonist is the grumpy one, and the male vampire protagonist wants to become human.
With the rapid growth in the popularity of K-drama, it is no surprise that writers Kim Ha-na and Jung Seung-Joo decided to create a new South Korean television series called “HeartBeat” or “My Heart is Beating.” It is classified under the fantasy romantic comedy genre and is directed by Lee Hyon-seok and Lee Min-soo.
We follow a half-human half-vampire named Seon Woo-Hyul many years ago in an attempt to run away from his attackers with his lover. People have always had a distaste for these immortal blood-sucking creatures, and it’s no surprise that they want Seon Woo-Hyul dead. Seon Woo-Hyul makes it out of the attack, but unfortunately, he loses his lover, who sacrifices herself in an attempt to have his life.
A Brief Summary of the Plot
Seon Woo-Hyul takes it upon himself to become fully human and live a mortal life, then dies like any other. He explains how his lover had mentioned the heartbeat when she was in love, but he being half-vampire, could not feel it. He makes arrangements for his transformation with the help of his other vampire friends.
Apparently, he was advised by an ancient cat that if he could sleep in a coffin for 100 years thereafter, he would emerge as a complete human. Arrangements are made, and he is put to sleep for 100 years, undisturbed.
Flashforward to the 21st century, we have Joo In-hae, who is having a terrible day. Soon we notice that she may also be homeless, but the gods finally look upon her, and she is now the owner of an ancestral mansion that her father had left for her in his will. She is not known around town to be the most bubble woman, and people, especially men, like to keep their distance from her cold demeanor.
As the fates have it, the ancestral mansion is the very mansion where our male protagonist Seon Woo-Hyul is taking his little nap at. Just one day before the completion of the 100-year sleep session, he is awoken by Joo In-hae. The two have a rough start but soon realize they must work out their differences and live together.
Season 1 Trailer
Cast
Seon Woo-Hyul is played by the very charming Ok Taec-yeon, Joo In-hae is played by Won Ji-an, and many others like Park Kang-hyun, Yoon So-hee, Yoon Byung-hee, Ko Kyu-pil, Seung-you are seen as supporting characters. The show has an excellent score overall on IMDb (9.4/10), and the audience seems to enjoy the plot to the fullest.
Episodes and Releases
Season 1 of HeartBeat is set to have a total of 16 episodes. The series premiered on June 26, 2023, which was a Monday, and as per schedule, the next episode was released on June 27, 2023. Each episode is approximately 60 minutes long and is to be released on Mondays and Tuesdays from the date of its premiere.
List of Episodes with Release Dates
- Episode 1 – Monday, June 26, 2023
- Episode 2 – Tuesday, June 27, 2023
- Episode 3 – Monday, July 3, 2023
- Episode 4 – Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Episode 5 – Monday, July 10, 2023
- Episode 6 – Tuesday, July 11, 2023
- Episode 7 – Monday, July 17, 2023
- Episode 8 – Tuesday, July 18, 2023
- Episode 9 – Monday, July 24, 2023
- Episode 10 – Tuesday, July 25, 2023
- Episode 11 – Monday, July 31, 2023
- Episode 12 – Tuesday, August 1, 2023
- Episode 13 – Monday, August 7, 2023
- Episode 14 – Tuesday, August 8, 2023
- Episode 15 – Monday, August 14, 2023
- Episode 16 – Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Where to Watch Heartbeat Season 1?
HeartBeat will air on KBS2 in South Korea at 9:45 pm (Korean Standard Time) and will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Videos. Unfortunately, it will only be available on Amazon Prime in selected regions, so it might be a disappointment to some of the international audiences. The series will most likely be released with subtitles, so you can give those Korean lessons a break.
International Release Timings and Schedules
The following are the release timings of episodes 3 and 4 of HeartBeat:
- South Korea Standard Time: 21:45 pm, Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Japan Standard Time: 21:45 pm, Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Eastern Time United States: 7:45 am Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Pacific US Time: 4:45 am Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Sydney Time: 22:45 pm Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Melbourne Time: 22:45 pm Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Brasilia Time: 9:45 am Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- United Kingdom Time: 12:45 pm Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Singapore Time: 20:45 pm Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- India Standard Time: 18:15 pm Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Eastern Europe Standard Time: 14:45 pm Monday, July 3, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- New Zealand Standard Time: 12:45 am Tuesday, July 4, 2023, and Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Also Read: 37 K-Drama Like Tale of the Nine-Tailed To Watch [Updated 2023]
