Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

Overall- 9/10

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo was a great drama to watch, no doubt. It was enjoyable from start to end with our entertaining Bok Joo keeping us company for the entire series. Bok Joo and Joon Hyung is a slightly unusual yet cute couple to look at, especially towards the end of the series when everything blossoms.

Story- 7/10

The story was OK. In my opinion, the weakest part of the drama. Too many plot conveniences, repetitive storyline, and slowish development. Other than that, no major problems or plot holes evident. It was smooth throughout.

Characters- 10/10

Kim Bok Joo was obviously my favorite character as the protagonist, with the most focus and development. This drama really showed everything about a character so well. She is such a lovable character overall with starting with her cuteness and ending with her masculinity. The male lead, Joon Hyung, was good as well. His playful nature got to be very compatible with Bok Joo as time went on. Not to mention, the important side characters were excellent too.

Acting/Cast- 10/10

The cast was excellent. I respect Lee Sung Kyung for gaining weight to act as Bok Joo, from her model figure. Her acting skills were on point. I enjoyed her funny scenes and tomboyish nature as a weightlifter. The male lead, Nam Joo Hyuk, was good as well, and in the drama, I saw them work well together very comfortably. The supporting cast did their job as characters who weren't useless who weren't entirely useless.

Music- 8/10

The music overall was cheery. I liked it, the theme matched well with the story. Though it was nothing extraordinary. Soundtracks were good but there was nothing to take home to.

Enjoyment- 9/10

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. It was a great drama with a few shortcomings, mostly in the plot.

Rewatch value- 9/10

I would definitely rewatch this drama in the future as I enjoyed the first time watching it. I don't see any reason why no other than the OK story.

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Even though the concept of the story has been seen before many times, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is in its own way quite extraordinary, and can easily get you hooked.
I can't think of any aspect of the show that I disliked, everything just falls into its place perfectly, from the cast, and their phenomenal acting, to the music and atmosphere. The numerous comical, romantic, and heartwarming moments, as well as the sad and compassionate ones can make you instantly fall in love with the show.
Weightlifting Fairy wouldn't be the same if even a tiny detail would change,but what truly gives this show it's shine is Lee Sung Kyung's masterful performance. As the show is mostly about her relationships with the people around her, she gives a unique melody to each one of them. It makes you want the show to have a lot more episodes, just to see the simple things in it, such as the late night talks on the rooftop, or the walks around the campus. Because of all this, and much much more, it is clear that she was the perfect person for the job. Of course, besides her, all the other members of the cast did their parts amazingly.
However, what really made this show exceptional for me, was the fact that it can make you laugh in moments that are not purposefully made to be funny, and almost any scene can easily put a smile on your face. Therefore, it is without a doubt one of the best shows I have seen, and would highly recommend it to anyone.

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I have to say 2016 was the most cute year in dramas to me, Love O2O, shopping king Louie and now.. Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok Joo!
Okay, okay I have a crush in Nam joo hyuk and Lee Sung-kyung since years ago. You can hate or love them, but on this drama.. they gave everything. * Hands up*

About the drama:
Cute story, cute romance, and fantastic cinematography. The colors in every image are a pleasure to my eyes.
Most important thing on this drama apart of actors/actresses perfomances, are the way writers made the story. A real story, where the characters grow up together but most important, where they know support, admire and treat each other.
They are relationship goals? Hell yeah!

No suffocating triangles where the leads feed this,NO.
No makjang or amnesia stuffs, or idk dramatic things what only happen in other universe called TV, lol

But..
Lot of love and emotions.
Cute relations.
Funny moments
and lot of adorable clips where you will remember at least, a crush, a relation, a friend, a laugh or the youth we were or are leaving behind!!

I recommend a lot this drama, you will enjoy from minute 1 to the last minute, and this will be hard to forget. (I can't believe I kept watching a drama all this long without fall in depression while waiting for episode lol)

Thank you kim Bok Joo, Thank you Joon Hyung, be happy together my babies!!! I will keep you forever in my heart.

... And remember , a powerful relation where both grow up (in every obstacle ) and overcome everything together in this thing called life is the best option always.. !!! Cherish people who always will support or stay next to you :D ..

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if you haven't watched weightlifting fairy yet, PLEASE DO. Probably one of the only dramas i ever watched from start to finish without skipping. WFKBJ is such a precious drama, that shows you love, friendship, family, growth and youth without all of that cringey-ness dramas tend to have. I think people might be a bit put off by the premise... but seriously, this is soooo down to earth.. everything about it is PERFECT. i would not change it in any way except to add a sequel

STORY
I gave it a 9.5/10 because I wish it was longer :( I mean 16 episodes is pretty typical but I love this drama so much and really didnt want it to end. I kind of wanted to see more of the other characters too like maybe see them both adjusting to lives in their professional school.

ACTING/CAST
the development of the two characters is so natural and done so well. you can't help but fall in love with lee sung kyung and nam joo hyuk (please date already). you will be fully convinced of the love between the two leads. also I love the friends of the leads. they played and acted their parts very well, it makes you wish you had friends like that. I also really love the relationship between bok joo and her dad... it's so precious

MUSIC
on point.

REWATCH VALUE
I would definitely rewatch this. in fact i'm rewatching it right now. the relationship between nam joo hyuk and lee sung kyung gave me soooo many feels, and i literally just cannot get enough.

OVERALL
10000000000/10
like i said earlier, if you haven't watched it yet, then please do. it's definitely very different from your usual drama. and lee sung kyung is ridiculously pretty regardless of how dressed down she is and her acting is actually soooo good, im super surprised. i am literally in love with her. i am unable to find another drama that can compare to this.

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All 10/10 it might seems to be a little too much but really, it isn't! This drama was the most beautiful and heartwarming drama that I ever watched! The chemistry is more than on point! They even had a kiss that wasn't on the script, please!

Normally I hate rewatch drama or whatever because I think that it's wasting my time to watch other dramas, but on this one I really think that one day I'll be watching it again.
I knew that Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk were amazing actors but they really show to us all and more that they are capable to do in the acting world!!
The music was perfectly well with the drama I even saved some of them to my phone,so energetic... I love it.
About this drama all I have to say is that you who is reading this review should go as fast as you can watch it, otherwise, you'll be missing the sweetest drama of your life!

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I needed a drama like this and I didn't even know it. I am so pleased with everything. The plot is really unique compared to other dramas. As a college student it was so fun to see that atmosphere and environment in the drama; I could relate. The love story of Bok Joo and Joon Hyeong was everything to me. Their relationship is so realistic unlike many in other dramas. They started as friends and then fell in love. They are truly relationship goals. This drama just gave so many feelings. I completely recommended. It is a must. It is a pity that the ratings were bad in Korea because this drama really deserves attention.

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Some stories don't have to be grand to appeal to viewers, and this is one of such stories. The drama is an apt picture of the daily lives of university students, the carefree age, immature emotions and the journey of growing up is all in this drama. Kim Bok Joo a weightlifting fairy and Joon Hyung a swimming hero will totally make you fall in love with them. This drama will also teach you the importance of family, friends, teachers, love and life. It is a must watch, a very simple, sweet, romantic and happy drama. Its probably one of the best thing that has ever happened to dramaland. The acting of the characters is perfect and realistic, the storyline is smooth and muisc is great too. You will certainly fall in love with it, and you will totally be fangirling over the couple so bad, don't even think twice and please just go for it. All the best!

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After hearing lots of rave reviews about this drama, I gave it a shot and those reviews were spot on! I loved this drama for many, many reasons. It was I'd say the "Oh my venus" of 2016/2017. I just got the same type of feel as I did when I watched OMV, and I adored that drama.

Anyway, that being said, this drama is truly a "coming of age" story. The characters were so relate-able and all the actors were phenomenal. Perfect casting! The leads were obviously the main attraction and their chemistry was great. The relationship represented by them is the definition of cute. Every time they were on screen, I couldn't help but smile. They were absolutely adorable. And not so much in a cheesy way either, like I like cheesiness but there's always a limit. Here they were just so natural and sweet.

Of course, no drama is 100% perfect, so I guess my only complaint is some of the secondary couples I didn't care too much for. I just couldn't seem to care for their story but other than that, I just loved this drama a lot. I definitely recommend it for anyone wanting to watch a relate-able and sweet story.

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Updated Review 2022:

Over the last few years, I've begun to re-watch some of my favorite dramas, the ones I've loved and cherished since I first watched them, and each time, I'm anxiously hoping they'll still live up to those feelings. So far, I've been very lucky. I've remembered why I loved a drama so much and my love for it has been renewed. I've even re-watched a couple dramas that I didn't like/didn't get the first time and discovered that the problem had actually been me all along. I finished my most recent re-watch, Weightlifting Fairy, this past week, a drama I utterly adored the first time I watched it, and I'm happy to say that the streak of good drama re-watches has not been broken.

First off, I have a newfound appreciation for everything that goes on outside of the romance. I was once one of those drama lovers who (mostly) only cared about romance, and while I didn't have anything I disliked about Weightlifting Fairy the first time I watched it, I definitely didn't give the other plotlines the attention they deserved. But now that I'm more seasoned and have developed an appreciation for stories that aren't solely about love, I found each separate plotline equally engaging to watch. There are no lulls or plot holes or draggy story points. From getting a glimpse into the weightlifting world to the heartbreaking struggles of the second female lead, there isn't a single plotline that ever feels wasteful or like a detour from the purpose of the drama. They all tie together and complement each other to provide meaningful contributions to the overarching messages of the drama. And I can't forget to talk about the characters, all of whom I love. Each and every one of them is charming and fun, Bok Joo and Joon Hyeong and their group of friend's chief among them.

But I think the thing I love most about this drama is the way it makes me feel. It's uplifting and hopeful and deeply earnest. There are heartbreaks and struggles to go around but threaded throughout is a sense of optimism and possibility, a belief in tomorrow. The story tells us this is hard, but the characters can overcome it. You can overcome it too. And I like stories that make me feel that way.

In closing, I'll leave you with this. There's a certain feeling I want to get from a drama once the story is over and there are no more episodes left to watch, a feeling that kind of takes over your body, your being, and for a moment, you and that feeling are the same. I don't know what you would call this feeling or how to describe it. Maybe peacefulness or satisfaction or a sense of completion but tinged with sadness that it's over. All I know is this drama left me feeling this feeling both times I watched it.

Weightlifting Fairy is a story filled with sweet moments and lovely characters and a genuine sense of earnestness, and I love it for it.

Original Review:
There's a certain feeling I want to get from a drama once the story is over and there are no more episodes left to watch, a feeling that kind of takes over your body, your being, and for a moment, you and that feeling are the same. I don't know what you would call this feeling or how to describe it. Maybe peacefulness or satisfaction or a sense of completion but tinged with sadness that it's all over. All I know is this drama left me feeling this feeling, and I don't get to say that often.

There are no lulls or plot holes or draggy story points. Only sweet moments and lovely characters and a sense of earnestness. And honestly, that's really all you need.

I'm sad that this drama is over, and I'll probably need a few days to recover.

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