I Love Verticals

A Heartbeat Away

image from IMDb

Katie heartlessly abandoned her boyfriend. Years later, Sean becomes a young CEO and stands before Katie. He wants her to see her mistake in choosing, but he gradually realizes that the girl before him has actually always loved him.

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Credit

director Ying Xiao
production studio Journey Entertainment
year 2024

Cast

My Review

final score
4.2
originality
chemistry
dramas
romance
development

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I’ve been catching up on my unwatched verticals featuring Kyra, and I finally got around to this one!

A Familiar Storyline, but Still Enjoyable

While this may not be the most original plot, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The chemistry between Kyra and Armand was so compelling that it almost made me forget about other versions of this story that I’ve seen before.

Second Chances and Family Drama

I’m a big fan of second-chance romances—the history between the characters always adds depth to the present-day storyline. However, can we please get a supportive mother-in-law for once? It feels like they’re always written as troublemakers!

The Past: Miscommunication at Its Worst

Katie (Kyra) is doing everything she can to pay for her mother’s medical bills. Instead of confiding in her boyfriend, she chooses to break up with him, thinking it’s for his own good. While I understand her intentions, relationships thrive on communication—Shaun deserved to know the truth, and they could have faced it together.

As for Shaun (Armand), I wish he had fought harder for their love. Did he really believe she would leave without a reason? It baffles me how male leads in these stories always assume the worst instead of recognizing a breakup as a sign that something deeper is wrong. Maybe his pride blinded him.

The Present: A Tough Work Environment & an Unexpected Reunion

Despite her hard work, Katie is still just an intern, constantly dealing with workplace bullies. I always wonder how these female leads endure such toxic environments. And, of course, who better to play the office mean girl than Paige as Jessica? She excels at playing manipulative characters, though I must admit, she’s less cruel here than in other roles I’ve seen.

Then, Shaun reappears in Katie’s life, and she’s completely unprepared. Seeing him again is a shock, especially because—whether she admits it or not—she still loves him. I admire her strength; not only does she endure workplace toxicity, but she also has to face the ex she once broke. And to top it off? He’s now her boss.

Shaun’s Flawed Approach

This is where I start having issues with Shaun. His pride and ego take center stage as he flaunts his success. It’s almost as if he returned not for closure but to prove a point—to show Katie what she lost. Did he really need to choose such a small company to take over unless he wanted to make a statement? The way he handles their reunion feels more like a power move than an attempt at rekindling their love. This arrogance makes him less appealing, which is a shame because deep down, he’s actually a great guy.

The Drama: Workplace Schemes & an Unwanted Engagement

Unlike many similar stories, the office mean girls aren’t trying to steal the male lead this time. Instead, Jessica aids Selma, the real antagonist. Selma is obsessed with forcing Shaun into marriage, even though she knows he doesn’t love her. What I don’t understand is why he even considers it—his business is thriving, so he doesn’t need Selma’s money. Regardless, she still tries to manipulate the situation, though she never truly feels like a major threat.

The Real Barrier: Themselves

In the end, the biggest thing keeping Shaun and Katie apart is… Shaun and Katie. Their love for each other is obvious, but Shaun’s pride stops him from admitting it, and Katie assumes he hates her. If only they had sat down and had an honest conversation sooner, so much unnecessary heartache could have been avoided.

It takes a near-death experience for them to finally confess their feelings. After that, the final stretch of the story focuses on exposing the villains and making them face the consequences—a classic but satisfying conclusion.

Final Thoughts

This is a sweet and easy-to-watch second-chance romance with great leads. It doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, but the strong chemistry between Kyra and Armand makes it a worthwhile watch. If you enjoy heartwarming reunions, a bit of office drama, and a satisfying takedown of villains, you’ll definitely like this one!

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