This is not a great classic, nor does it aspire to be. But it is a showcase for its two leads, especially the lovely Yoo In-na, whose beauty and easy charm would melt anyone's heart. Indeed, playing a formerly top rank actress who takes a job as a secretary for three months to prepare for her comeback role in a legal drama, she doesn't take long to capture the affections of the lawyers and staff at the firm including, eventually, the rather strait-laced lawyer to whom she is assigned. At first, everyone is overwhelmed by being in daily proximity to such a celebrity, even one who has (unjustly, it seems) been tainted by scandal, but they all soon succumb to her beauty, kindness and diligence.
As can be expected, a variety of supporting players do their part, both at the firm and at their antagonists at the prosecutor's office, as well as in Yoo's world of entertainment. It's neither the strongest nor the weakest cast I've seen in a Korean series, but everyone does what they must to keep the story going, with comedy, an assortment of romances, and a touch of drama in the legal world. One story, in particular, about an abused woman and the husband who gets killed while assaulting her, offers some interesting twists and turns. On the other hand, the entitled chaebol heir who stalks Ms. Yoo gets handled all too easily.
The comedy veers perilously close to the silly at times and, as I have frequently noted about Korean shows, there are a number of irritating features that I wish the writers and directors would eliminate: Dozens of scenes of meals and drinks that do not advance the story; intrusive product placements (most noticeably, for Western viewers, by Subway); and the basically idiotic prudery that limits romantic interactions to hugs and not very believable kisses. No one is asking for explicit sex scenes but at least let's not pretend that these characters, at the height of their youth and beauty, never have a physical relationship that goes beyond sixth grade smooches. (I am showing my age here - who knows what sixth graders get up to these days.)
Still, if we look beyond these annoyances, it's a pleasant show, anchored by Ms. Yoo and her beau Lee Dong-wook. I particularly liked the fact that Ms. Yoo's character is never portrayed as silly or flighty. Instead, she comes across as smart, hardworking, and well aware about what it means to be a celebrity in Korea - the constant scrutiny, the appallingly insensitive running commentary from gutless users of social media hiding behind anonymity, the maliciously gossip-mongering press that jumps to unkind and even cruel conclusions faster than a jack rabbit, and the public expectation that a celebrity, particularly a female one, will lose all reputation if found to be having a romantic relationship. Instead, you never cringe when she speaks her lines - which she delivers with sincerity and believability.
Perhaps 16 hours of all this is more than was needed but the time will pass enjoyably enough. If you like romantic comedies with beautiful leads with some genuine charisma, Touch Your Heart will make you laugh and soften your heart.
As can be expected, a variety of supporting players do their part, both at the firm and at their antagonists at the prosecutor's office, as well as in Yoo's world of entertainment. It's neither the strongest nor the weakest cast I've seen in a Korean series, but everyone does what they must to keep the story going, with comedy, an assortment of romances, and a touch of drama in the legal world. One story, in particular, about an abused woman and the husband who gets killed while assaulting her, offers some interesting twists and turns. On the other hand, the entitled chaebol heir who stalks Ms. Yoo gets handled all too easily.
The comedy veers perilously close to the silly at times and, as I have frequently noted about Korean shows, there are a number of irritating features that I wish the writers and directors would eliminate: Dozens of scenes of meals and drinks that do not advance the story; intrusive product placements (most noticeably, for Western viewers, by Subway); and the basically idiotic prudery that limits romantic interactions to hugs and not very believable kisses. No one is asking for explicit sex scenes but at least let's not pretend that these characters, at the height of their youth and beauty, never have a physical relationship that goes beyond sixth grade smooches. (I am showing my age here - who knows what sixth graders get up to these days.)
Still, if we look beyond these annoyances, it's a pleasant show, anchored by Ms. Yoo and her beau Lee Dong-wook. I particularly liked the fact that Ms. Yoo's character is never portrayed as silly or flighty. Instead, she comes across as smart, hardworking, and well aware about what it means to be a celebrity in Korea - the constant scrutiny, the appallingly insensitive running commentary from gutless users of social media hiding behind anonymity, the maliciously gossip-mongering press that jumps to unkind and even cruel conclusions faster than a jack rabbit, and the public expectation that a celebrity, particularly a female one, will lose all reputation if found to be having a romantic relationship. Instead, you never cringe when she speaks her lines - which she delivers with sincerity and believability.
Perhaps 16 hours of all this is more than was needed but the time will pass enjoyably enough. If you like romantic comedies with beautiful leads with some genuine charisma, Touch Your Heart will make you laugh and soften your heart.