The success of a romantic comedy largely hinges on the chemistry between its lead characters, maximizing their synergy with convincing charm. Cha Soo-bin embodies this genre's virtues perfectly.
Netflix's drama 'Charge Me Up' features a man with a depleted artificial heart battery and a woman with electric powers, creating a thrilling romantic comedy. In the series, Cha Soo-bin plays Na Bo-bae, a romance screenwriter and a human power bank.
"Bo-bae doesn’t see herself as cute or pretty. I thought if I acted with the mindset of 'I need to look pretty,' it might come off as trying too hard to be cute. I aimed for a more down-to-earth portrayal, but after watching the first couple of episodes, I wondered if I appeared too casual. I was relieved when it was well-received," she said.
Bo-bae's charm was not a calculated outcome. Cha approached the character as someone who needed free-spirited energy rather than a rigid framework, allowing for various on-set explorations.
"I think I let myself go more than I thought. Bo-bae isn’t a character confined to a structured mold; she’s unpredictable. So, I tried different things. The director clearly guided what worked and what didn’t, which allowed me to explore freely," she explained.
'Charge Me Up' employs the familiar romantic comedy formula of a wealthy heir and a woman with special abilities. However, Cha Soo-bin viewed Bo-bae not as a typical romantic lead but as a contemporary character capable of solving her own problems.
"I think our drama conveys that message. 'I know the cliché of a wealthy heir is predictable, but so what? It’s entertaining.' While it has a cliché setup, Bo-bae is someone who can tackle issues on her own and isn’t just a character to worry about. I believe that’s why viewers have responded positively," she said.
The director's approach also differed for the male and female leads. While it was crucial for Baek Ho-rang to maintain his charm even in comedic moments, Bo-bae was given more freedom to express herself.
"For Ho-rang, there was a clear guideline that he should remain appealing even in comedy. He wanted to try various things, and the director emphasized not losing his charm, which made their interactions enjoyable," she noted.
In contrast, Bo-bae had a wider range of expression. Cha Soo-bin felt free to share her ideas while trusting the director to gauge the relationship's progression.
"The director didn’t confine Bo-bae to a specific mold. This freedom allowed me to act with more confidence. In the airport scene, when we suggested ideas like 'Should we hug and spin?' the director would clarify the relationship stage, which helped us stay on track," she said.
Ultimately, the most crucial aspect of a romantic comedy is the chemistry between the actors. When Cha Soo-bin first met Kim Young-kwang, she found him intimidating, but as they spent more time together, she discovered a different side of him.
"At first, it was challenging. I’m not the type to quickly get close to someone, so I think we naturally grew closer while filming. Initially, I thought Young-kwang seemed sharp and tall, making him hard to approach, but he turned out to be really gentle and kind. I initially wondered if he was a scary person when he grumbled about lines, but once I got to know him, I found that endearing," she shared.
The timing of their growing friendship coincided with the deepening relationship between Ho-rang and Bo-bae in the series. The initial awkwardness transitioned into comfortable dating scenes, reflecting the actors' evolving rapport.
"I think that’s true. At first, Bo-bae and Ho-rang bicker and dislike each other. During that time, we were less familiar with each other, but as their relationship grew closer, we became more comfortable. That’s why the later scenes of them dating and being close felt more natural. There are many cute moments from Ho-rang in the latter half that reminded me of Young-kwang. He can be grumpy and irritable but ultimately caring and playful. I thought, 'This is just Young-kwang being himself,'" she said.
Cha Soo-bin often receives praise for her chemistry with co-stars. She reflected on this and believes her ability to adapt to her partner's style contributes to this dynamic.
"I’ve thought about it, and I don’t think I’m the type to have a very strong, distinctive personality. So, I think I tend to have good chemistry with various actors," she said.
Her experience in multiple romance projects has also naturally enhanced her skills. Although she hadn’t consciously recognized it before, she now acknowledges the value of the insights and techniques she has gained over time.
"I reflected on previous interviews and realized that my experiences in romance projects must have contributed to my skills. I felt a sense of pride in recognizing how my past work has helped me now," she said.
However, despite her confidence in romantic comedies, she continues to ponder the longevity of her career in this genre. As she enters her mid-30s, she questions how long she can continue in romance and worries about becoming typecast.
"Now that I’m in my mid-30s and my peers are getting married and having children, I find myself wondering, 'How long can I keep doing romance?' and 'What if I can’t act anymore after only doing romance?' I’ve had many concerns about wanting to broaden my acting range and not becoming too stereotyped," she admitted.
A conversation with Kim Young-kwang also served as a turning point for Cha Soo-bin. He suggested that building a solid foundation in a genre she excels in could expand her future options.
"While waiting for a promotional shoot, Young-kwang and I discussed this. He said, 'If you do romance well while you can, it will give you more options as you age. It’s good to build on what you can do now.' I realized he was right. I thought, 'Have I been too caught up in this worry?' and it shifted my mindset to focus on doing my best with what I have now," she said.
As she approaches her 14th year in the industry, Cha Soo-bin expressed her desire to become an actress who can effectively convey the emotions and messages of her projects.
"Da-eun from 'Sweet and Sour' is grounded in reality and deals with emotions we can all experience, which made filming enjoyable. Watching talented actors makes me aspire to perform as well as they do. I want to express human emotions well, even if the character isn’t particularly standout. Looking back, I feel like I’ve just been diligently working on each project. Moving forward, I truly want to become a skilled actress who can convey the messages of the works I’m involved in," she concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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