[TF Interview] Chae Soo-bin, the "Save Pitcher" for 'Recharge Me'

Chae Soo-bin, who played the role of Na Bo-bae, completed a perfect romantic comedy chemistry with Kim Young-kwang.Her know-how, accumulated through diverse works ranging from fantasy to romance adaptations.Actress Chae Soo-bin met with [THE FACT] and held an interview regarding the release of the Netflix original series 'Please Charge Me'. /NetflixActress Chae Soo-bin recharged the hearts of viewers worldwide with her irreplaceable charm. This is the result of her unique natural acting and delicate emotional portrayal breathing solid vitality into the character, even within a fantasy setting that could have easily seemed over the top. Proving the saying "familiar tastes are the scariest," Chae Soo-bin acted as the most reliable relief pitcher for 'Please Charge Me,' walking the fine line between childishness and excitement.Chae Soo-bin recently met with [THE FACT] at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, for an interview commemorating the release of the Netflix original series 'Please Charge Me' (written by Song Yu-chae, directed by Park Soo-won). She played the role of Na Bo-bae, a drama writer whose romance was drained due to her electrical abilities, and shared various stories about the work and her character.'Please Charge Me,' which was fully released with all 10 episodes on the 9th, is a romantic comedy that tells the story of a contract formed out of mutual necessity between [Baekho]rang (played by Kim Young-kwang), whose artificial heart battery was drained, and Na Bo-bae (played by Chae Soo-bin), who has the ability to conduct electricity.In the drama, Na Bo-bae harbors loneliness due to being different from ordinary people but maintains a bright and cute charm. In particular, as an "electric human Pikachu" who lives with static electricity, her visual with naturally curly hair and thick-rimmed glasses garnered significant attention immediately after its release. This unique external styling was the result of Chae Soo-bin's meticulous consideration.Chae Soo-bin explained, "When I first saw Bo-bae, I wondered how to bring out the setting of her frequently experiencing static electricity," adding, "I thought giving her a naturally curly look would be cute and lovely, so I came up with that concept."Her decision to use her own hair instead of a wig or extensions also drew attention. She shared, "I felt that wearing a full wig during 'I'm Not a Robot' caused severe headaches and was difficult," and "Unless it's a special hairstyle, I tend to use my own hair as much as possible. However, I had to curl a few strands every day with a curling iron for filming, and eventually, my hair started breaking."In this way, Chae Soo-bin first chose external "letting go" to portray Na Bo-bae. While the character appears endlessly cute to viewers, the actress herself meticulously shed any calculations about looking pretty."I didn't think Bo-bae felt cute herself. So, rather than how I would look, I focused more on how to bring out the fun in scenes like shouting 'Pikachu' or dancing. There were times when I was surprised watching myself on screen, thinking, 'Oh my, what is this?' but I filmed with the mindset of trying everything I could. (Laughs)"Actress Chae Soo-bin utilized her know-how accumulated through previous romance projects by taking on the role of Na Bo-bae in the Netflix original series 'Please Charge Me.' /NetflixAlthough the character seemed to be made for Chae Soo-bin, she had many reservations before deciding to appear in the project. This was due to concerns that she might become typecast in similar romantic roles.Chae Soo-bin confessed, "When I first received the script, I had many concerns, thinking, 'What if I get stuck in a similar image?' I even went to the meeting with the production team with the intention of declining." However, director Park Soo-won's confident attitude swayed Chae Soo-bin's decision. Chae Soo-bin said, "The director expressed great confidence in his ability to present the familiar taste in a delicious way and assured me that he was confident in making a great production. I decided to trust his words and go for it."The production team's confidence turned Chae Soo-bin's concerns into pleasant anticipation. Furthermore, her chemistry with co-star Kim Young-kwang led to synergy on set and served as an element that maximized the romantic comedy atmosphere of the drama.Regarding Kim Young-kwang, Chae Soo-bin said, "At first, I found him a bit difficult because he's not the type to approach people casually. However, once I got to know him, I became more comfortable. He's completely genuine and takes great care of people. Seeing him take care of not only the staff but also the 'older brothers' made me feel he's a truly warm person.""Oppa is a type I've never seen before in my life. I tease him about being a grumbler, and it's true because he always grumbles on set, saying the lines in the script don't make sense. But he's also the one who pulls off even the most absurd things. Thanks to him portraying potentially cheesy scenes in a clean and simple way, our drama was able to have a beautiful ending."Actress Chae Soo-bin revealed that she was able to enjoy watching Kim Young-kwang act out the lines in the Netflix original series 'Please Charge Me.' /Netflix'Please Charge Me' was filled with the cheesy lines characteristic of romantic comedies. In Chae Soo-bin's case, she had to bring these lines to life by using completely different tones for Bo-bae and Hye-ju, a character within a drama within the drama. Chae Soo-bin explained, "When Bo-bae spoke, I used my usual tone, but Hye-ju and Lee Hyuk (played by Choi Min-ho) were characters in situations difficult to experience in reality, so I tried to emphasize the comedic points with an exaggerated tone. I even intentionally applied old-fashioned speech patterns."Watching the other actors become embarrassed while delivering their lines was also one of the joys of filming. Chae Soo-bin said with a laugh, "It seems to be relative. Min-ho oppa delivered his lines so nonchalantly that I felt embarrassed, whereas Young-kwang oppa struggled so much that I enjoyed watching his performance."Her ability to convincingly deliver unrealistic settings to the small screen is a result of the expertise Chae Soo-bin has accumulated. Her "immunity," gained from experiencing diverse works, from those with fantasy elements like 'I'm Not a Robot' and 'Where Stars Land' to those based on web novels like 'The Call of the Doctor,' has become her unique weapon."I'm grateful that you say that. Now that I think about it, my previous experiences have indeed been helpful. Since I encounter such lines every few years, I personally find it okay. (Laughs)"Actress Chae Soo-bin announced that she will return with another romance project based on a web novel, showcasing a different kind of character. /NetflixOf course, concerns about being typecast are still ongoing. However, Chae Soo-bin expressed her determination to do her best with each step without rushing.She shared, "Young-kwang oppa told me, 'When you can do romance projects, if you build on what you're good at, other genres will naturally open up.' I'm still concerned because I need to do various things to broaden my acting range, but what I need to focus on now is doing my best in the project I've been given."Her next project is also a romance based on a web novel. Chae Soo-bin, who will appear on screen in 2027 with 'The Flower is a Lure,' previewed that she will show a character of a different kind than in 'Please Charge Me,' stating, "It tells the story of a tree doctor who is hurt by people and doesn't believe in love, meeting a psychopath."Finally, Chae Soo-bin left a warm message for the viewers who will be watching 'Please Charge Me.'"It's not a work that delivers a profound message about life, but I hope you will laugh a lot and feel comfortable while watching this project. Bo-bae is not a character who would cause anxiety no matter where she is, so I hope you can enjoy it comfortably without too much worry or thinking. Thank you so much for viewing Bo-bae so lovingly, and I will work hard to research and show you a better performance in new projects."[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]sstar1204@tf.co.kr