Ok Taec-yeon opens up about ‘Heartbeat’, its appreciation in India, the popularity of Korean content across the world, how OTT has helped in taking Korean dramas to the world, and lots more.
Amazon Prime Video recently released the Korean romantic drama ‘Heartbeat’. The 16-episode series is a romance drama about a semi-human vampire named Seon Woo-hyeol, who failed to become a human by a day out of 100 years, and a woman Joo In-hae, who doesn't have a single human decency, starting to live together and finding true warmth.
The series stars the multitalented actor and artist Ok Taec-yeon, who previously starred in ‘Let’s Fight Ghost’, ‘Vincenzo’, and ‘Blind’. ‘Heartbeat’ features a thrilling romance between a vampire who desires to experience heart-throbbing love and a cold-blooded woman who doesn’t have time for romance. The show has been garnering a great response on the platform.
Talking to Prateek Sur, Ok Taec-yeon opens up about ‘Heartbeat’, its appreciation in India, the popularity of Korean content across the world, how OTT has helped in taking Korean dramas to the world, and lots more. Excerpts from the candid chat:
If given a chance, would you want to work in an Indian film or an Indian show?
If there's a good opportunity, yes. It won't be easy to try new things in an unfamiliar environment, but I am willing to try because I can learn a lot and I want to get good stimulus through global projects.
Your romantic drama Heartbeat has been released to a massive appreciation in India. Did you know before that you had such a big fan following in India?
I know that ’Vincenzo’ was loved greatly in India. I was so thankful, and hearing that ’Heartbeat’ is also liked a lot made me feel that I should work harder to repay fans’ love.
Do you think the popularity of Korean content across India and the world has happened because of the numerous OTT platforms and the easy availability of films and shows in local languages? What are your views on OTT breaking language barriers?
I agree. Through various OTT platforms, you can watch Indian films and dramas, and since you can access Korean dramas in India more easily through subtitling or dubbing, I think the influence of OTT platforms is great. I’m just grateful because I know India is showing a lot of love for Korean content through various OTT platforms.
As a vampire is immortal and lives for endless time, if given an option would you like to stay immortal? What according to you are the pros and cons of being immortal?
I wouldn’t choose immortality. Even if I were to maintain immortality, I would eventually have to be separated from the people I love and if memories of them fade over time, I think the purpose of life would disappear. If life lasts forever, every choice in every moment becomes meaningless and I think a life without meaning is no different from death.
What next can we see you in?
My next title has not been decided yet. For the second half of the year, I’m planning on various meetings with fans. I hope you can look forward to my Asia fan meeting tour as well as ‘2PM’s 15th anniversary fan meeting.