Review of ‘Heart Man’: This article contains spoilers.
Seung-min (Kwon Sang-woo) was once the vocalist of a rock band called “Ambulance” in his college days, armed with a flamboyant style and overwhelming confidence that could make even a hermit crab cry. After an unexpected accident during a performance in front of his first love, Bo-na (Moon Chae-won), he was taken away in an ambulance and eventually gave up on his dream of music.
Now living an ordinary life running a musical instrument shop, Seung-min suddenly faces Bo-na again, who had disappeared from his life. His heart begins to race once more, but he carries a secret that must never be revealed to his returned first love.
They say love always comes back, but why now? Will Seung-min’s future and his relationship with Bo-na reach a happy ending?
Comedy that tries too hard to be funny never succeeds. Director Choi Won-seop, who sharpened his comedic instincts through the ‘Hitman’ series, clearly understands this principle. In ‘Heart Man’, he places greater emphasis on drama than comedy and cleverly employs a “child actor” as the film’s secret weapon.
Kwon Sang-woo, who effortlessly moves between melodrama, action, and comedy, leads the story not with exaggerated humor but with laughter born from situations and character-driven rhythm. Some early scenes may appear slightly over-the-top, but they function as narrative devices to emphasize major turning points. His performance gives those moments credibility. At this point, Kwon Sang-woo-style comedy feels less forced and more comfortably familiar.
He portrays Seung-min, a man burdened with an unspeakable secret, with his signature sly charm and warm humanity, delivering both laughter and empathy.
Moon Chae-won’s return after a hiatus is visually overwhelming. Living up to her title as a “legendary first love,” she captivates not only male audiences but female viewers as well. From her reunion with Seung-min onward, she delicately expresses the subtle emotional shifts of her character. Although this is her first full-fledged attempt at comedy, she shows strong chemistry with Kwon Sang-woo, adding layers of unexpected humor to unpredictable situations.
The film’s most powerful weapon, however, is child actor Kim Seo-heon. While the performances of Kwon Sang-woo and Moon Chae-won are impressive, ‘Heart Man’ could have ended up as a typical human drama or an ordinary comedy. Director Choi succeeds in drawing out pure, 100% genuine laughter through Kim Seo-heon without resorting to artificial humor.
Kim Seo-heon stands as a scene-stealing presence, following in the lineage of Wang Seok-hyun from ‘Scandal Makers’ and Gal So-won from ‘Miracle in Cell No. 7,’ elevating the film’s entertainment value.
Cleverly avoiding forced comedy, ‘Heart Man’ opens in theaters on January 14.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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