Summary: It had the perfect amount of sweet innocence of a first romance and inspiration to keep you coming back for more. The thing I loved about this drama was how relatable and applicable it is to the female audience, even though I'm sure not even 1% of the watchers were weightlifters.
[Side Note: I'm so sad this show had so much competition with other more popular dramas that garnered all the attention--Goblin and The Legend of the Blue Sea. I wish I had watched this sooner!]
+/- Plot:
The first few episodes of this drama are similar to most school dramas (the pervert, the mean girls, etc.), but don't let those be the deciding factors of continuing. This "school drama" is nothing like any other drama I've seen before. There was not a moment when I thought the writers were dragging the storyline or questioning the direction of the show. I don't think there's a thing I would change about it, and I can't tell you how many times I actually laughed out loud. My goodness, I can't express in words how cute the duo were as their friendship blossomed...?!
The themes throughout this drama were so relatable and were what made this drama so wonderful. The writers highlighted Bok Joo's struggle to find her identity as a woman and an individual, gaining self-esteem and confidence, and the importance of family and friends. I loved that even though Kim Bok Joo was a little eccentric, the writers still made her completely relatable to all maturing girls.
My favorite part of watching this show was seeing how the characters grew and developed. There really was something to learn from every character as they each dealt with their own struggles.
+/- Acting/Cast:
?????. Literally everyone in this show was so lovable, even if you were determined to dislike a character there was still someway you sympathized with them and some aspect that you fell in love with. And since I loved every single person I will only mention the main characters.
Lee Sung Kyung: She may be one of the most underrated up-and-coming actresses; in all of the roles I've seen her in (Cheese in the Trap and Doctors), I thought she did an excellent job. She portrayed Bok Joo's warm character impeccably. In all the ups and downs, the silly, cute, and loving moments, etc. there was not a moment that I questioned her character and acting abilities. From what I heard in an interview, she suffered from mild depression due to the weight gain for the role. However, I think she took those emotions and welded them into the character perfectly and am thoroughly impressed by all of her hard work.
Nam Joo Hyuk: I could literally fan girl about Joon Hyung, but I'll keep it to the bare minimum (those abs!!!!). Moving on to his actual acting, I was swept off of my feet. And, while I admit I'm an easy target for almost all main male characters, I couldn't believe how sweet and thoughtful Joon Hyung was. Joo Hyuk added the perfect amount of smirk to his jesting and teasing to make your heart flutter and fall for his charms. He played the character with confidence and I was really touched towards the end of the show. That's when I feel like his acting abilities were at its peak, he portrayed the struggles convincingly and that's what I loved.
And a special shout out to Bok Joo's two besties! Together, the trio were so cool and totally #squadgoals. SWAG!
+/- Music:
This soundtrack is perfect for this drama, every song is just as sweet and happy as this drama. It's like listening to a spring day--warm and reminiscent.
While this isn't part of the music, I have to make a shout out to all of the wonderful sound effects, my favorite was the "WHAAAATTTT???" every time there was something surprising.
Rewatch Value: This drama was such a feel good drama and I'm so sad to see it end. It's one of those that you can't seem to let go of. You know one of those you get slightly depressed that there will never be another drama that can fill the empty place in your heart? I will definitely be back to watch this show again.
[Side Note: I absolutely loved all of the references to other dramas and the character's they played. I thought it was a super cute touch added.]
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Cute Yet Forgettable
After hearing so much praise for this rom-com, I saved it for a rainy day when I needed a good pick me up. While I liked certain aspects of it, the show failed to really capture my heart.❤ The romance between weightlifter Kim Bok Joo and swimmer Jung Joo Hyeong was really sweet. It's not my favorite friends-to-lovers romance (that award still goes to Fight For My Way), but it does capture a certain charm and innocence of the falling in love experience.
❤ While I liked Bok Joo and Joo Hyeong's friends when they were together as a unit, I never felt that we got enough of their backstory to make them truly memorable as individuals. The actors in those roles were great so it's disappointing feeling like they were as much in the background as the scenery sometimes. The few secondary characters actually fleshed out in the show, such as Song Shi Ho and Jong Jae Yi, failed to deliver riveting performances.
❤ The athletic setting and storyline were interesting. Rarely do I watch sports shows (even if it does have a well-developed romance). This show did a great job of explaining the nuances of the training occurring and the effects it had on the athletes without overexplaining it.
Watch if you like: 💖 Friends-to-lovers romance | 🎓 College students | 🏋️ Athletes
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I didn't like much when i watched it first time
I gave it 6 as a rate and my review was really bad about it
After all these years i don't know why i want to watch again although i didn't like much and also i can't remember it's events
But surprisingly it was amazing
Light , joyful, funny , amazing chemistry between the main leads and the romance was very cute and made me happy
What was nice that it was a real story (biography of Olympic weightlifter)
I enjoyed every minute
Although i didn't like that the writer didn't give any space for the other side stories
But the main story was really cute full of support , understanding and love
Highly recommended ❤️
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But hear me out!
Coming out of this show, I can really appreciate the satisfying and heartwarming ending that our cast has given us. Looking back on all the growth these characters had is fantastic (more on it in the story evaluation) and left me feeling complete. But that isn't to say I was on board the entire time. The show definitely hit a few road bumps that hurt my final opinion and put me in somewhat of a daze while watching.
Story 〆(・∀・＠): I'm just going to get this out of the way... I get bored of slice of life shows pretty quickly. That's probably one reason why I didn't fall for this show as hard as others have. So if you're a massive slice of life fan, then my rating shouldn't bug you as much, since it's because of that genre that I had some problems. The plot was straightforward in a good way. All the conflicts had a reason and were resolved reasonably without being dragged on for 5 - 10 episodes. All the characters were special in their own right. Nobody was just a cookie-cutter stereotype that the writers added to increase the number of people. Each character had their own issues and their own way of doing things, which made them so much more believable. That was one thing this show did really well: make the situations and people involved actually feel real. There wasn't a perfect character, but even the "antagonistic" characters weren't necessarily evil. In fact, my favorite character coming out of the show started as my least favorite one. So that just goes to show how smoothly and satisfying the writers wrote out their development. What hit me the wrong way was the subplots. You either love them or hate them. Due to each character being written independently and rounded out well, they also had their own issues that didn't revolve around the main characters. This made them feel like real people but at the same time bored me quite a bit. I really did struggle to watch a large handful of scenes just because I wasn't invested in them. And sometimes I'd lose interest so fast that I would miss the cute romance moments that I've been waiting for. Yes, the problems were real and not too over the top, but they seemed similar to each other, all while not sticking with me. This was one of my main issues, and has been with other slice of life shows I've seen: the problems just don't captivate me or pull me to watch more. I ended up going on my phone at some parts just to keep myself occupied—something I really hate to happen during a show.
Acting ｡゜(｀Д')゜｡: The acting was done so well by everyone, not just our two leads Lee Sung-Kyung and Nam Joon-Hyuk. Before going into Weightlifting Fairy, I haven't watched anything with Sung-Kyung, but I have watched something with Joon-Hyuk. My first impressions in the past of him were extremely different from how I see him now. He was remarkable in playing a happy-go-lucky swimmer while also staying true to his struggling self. The moments where he was joking around made you feel so light and cheery, but in the moments where he switched gears to show Joon-Hyung's pain just hit me like a ton of bricks. He definitely made me see him in a different light, and when being accompanied by Sung-Kyung, the duo just felt right and worked together in every way. It wasn't only the two leads that made me feel good. As mentioned earlier, every character was rounded out so well. I enjoyed the banter of Bok-Joo's two friends as well as the relationship between her father and his brother. But my favorite character by far was Shi-Ho. She started to be nothing but a needy ex-girlfriend to me, although, in the end, I was able to connect with her the most. She was the one who went through the most hardships, suffered the most mentally, and was still able to walk out of it all with a smile. Kyung Soo-Jin did amazing and made my heart root for her! So much so that I just wished to see her more in the final, but at least I knew she ended satisfyingly.
Music ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪: Whoop whoop here comes my least favorite subject. I'll keep it extremely nice and simple. The soundtrack was definitely not the strong point of the show. Am I saying it was bad? No, not at all. It just never stood out to me in the slightest. Not even one line in any of the music stuck out to me (I don't even remember if the songs had words...) Sad songs came on at sad moments and happy ones at happy moments, but that's it. But it's a show about sports majors..... not music majors. XD
Just don't expect anything special.
Other (ง°ل͜°)ง: I am not an athlete in the slightest. I struggle to keep a ball in the air during a simple game of catch. But this show somehow managed to get me interested in individual sports. Or more specifically, it got me interested in what athletes have to go through / experience while pursuing their respective paths. It was incredibly eye-opening for me to see what goes on behind the scenes, especially in sports like rhythmic gymnastics. I was also interested to see weightlifting in a new light since I really aware of it before starting Weightlifting Fairy out. Even if you don't like sports or you're just naturally not connected with it, seeing how things are done through the eyes of a pro athlete makes you more understanding and curious about it. It's just something this show did really well, and I felt it needed recognition for it.
Although this show had so much good in it, I really can't give it all the praise as some others just because of the amount of times I got bored. It really had some interesting characters and issues but at the same time had a lot of problems I could care less for. The acting, concepts, and romance were all really amazing, I just wished that some smaller subplots had more impact and didn't put me to sleep in such a way.
But hey, everyone's different. What might be a dull slice of life to me could be something special for you.
I'd really recommend it for people who like the genre but if you're more of an action junkie like me, then this might not be your cup of tea (haha that rhymes).
Anyway....
Happy Watching <3
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Fluff at it's Finest
This is the first review I've written, and it seems a bit silly to be writing it for a drama that's been out for seven years as of now, but after just finishing Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, I felt like I had to write one to share just how much I loved this drama, from start to finish.First and foremost, if you're looking for a sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, high-suspense thriller, this is not the drama for you. There is no major villain plotting to destroy the lives of the main characters; there is no life-or-death threat looming over our heroes. Instead, this is a slice of life drama. Everything and everyone the viewers are introduced to in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is real. Chances are you know people just like them in your own life.
The characters are not caricatures and the plot is not unrealistic. They are not motivated by unrealistic things, and the results of their efforts are not unrealistic either. There are no chabeols popping up out of the woodwork throwing money at everything and everyone, no bouts of amnesia, and no forbidden love affairs. It's just young people trying to navigate and figure out adulthood. It's first loves, unrequited crushes, broken hearts, self-doubt, self-esteem issues, and lots of second-guessing. It's trying to figure out if what you're good at is something you love, or if you love something that's just not good for you.
For me, there was no bad episode. Usually, by the time a drama is done, I can name half a dozen plots that were unnecessary and made it drag, but that wasn't the case with this one. Every episode felt poignant and relevant to the story being told. I never felt like the story or plot was dragging. Honestly, I'd have loved even more episodes. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters by the time the drama came to a close, which is truly the mark of a good drama for me.
I can admit to being a bit of a crier when it comes to K-dramas, but this one got me in places even I was surprised by. Some of the most deeply emotional scenes for me are found in the titular Kim Bok Joo's experience with unrequited love and being a woman that the world doesn't see or treat as a woman. It was touching and relatable and again, so very real, that I almost felt like some of my own pain was healed through her journey. There's no bigger compliment I can give to the series and the acting than that. Maybe this series wouldn't resonate for anyone who was devoid of an awkward phase or who never had an unrealistic crush on an unattainable person, but for anyone who has, this will hit all the right spots.
Knowing anything about weightlifting is entirely unnecessary. I went in completely ignorant and was never left feeling like I didn't understand what was going on with the weightlifters or what they were doing. Everything is either explained or more or less just there. You don't need to really -know- anything at all about the sport in order to follow the plot.
The acting is perfection. Every actor and actress delivers on what the script gives them. There's not a lot of inconsistency in the performances. Everyone is believable in their roles. Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk as Kim Bok Joo and Jung Joon Hyung respectively are especially consistent and committed to their roles to the point I plan on seeking out additional dramas with them in it. The supporting cast is just as solid.
I am used to a pretty solid score/OST in my dramas, and that was something Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo actually lacked. For me, the score should be a character in the drama as well, but you don't really get that here. There's not a lot of music, and what is there really doesn't feature so much as just occasionally play in the background. It's not distracting though and what is there fits the narrative. I will be getting the soundtrack, but I would've liked the music to be a bit more prevalent.
The rewatch factor for this series is limitless for me. I am going to rewatch this one regularly, I just know it. It's just so feel good and comforting, that it will now be my go-to for something that's going to brighten my mood and take me away from life's worries for a little while. I've only just finished it, but I'm already thinking I'll give it a rewatch in the very near future, it was that good for me.
If you're looking for something to make you smile while you cuddle under a blanket and eat some popcorn, this is the drama for you. I cannot recommend it enough.
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Favourite of Favourites
I think I have rewatched this series at least 20 times. It will make you feel all the emotions.It has the most likeable FL I have ever watched in terms of K-dramas. She is easy to like and you find yourself crying when she cries and laughing when she laughs. She can be really cringey as one is experiencing your first love.
The ML is by far the best written one, he is likeable, complex, charming and at times swoon worthy. He treats her well and supports her throughout.
This is one of the best written couples in K-dramas. Yes there are misunderstandings but they grow together and try to understand each other.
The supporting cast is outstanding, girl power. Supportive family units.
This a must watch if you are just starting out with k-dramas.
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This review may contain spoilers
I don't usually watch rom-coms, but I decided to try this one out to get away from my heavy/melodramatic drama binge-watching and I was pleasantly surprised. I pretty much binge watched this in a day and a half and was left wishing for more of this beautiful college story. Watch it when college got you stressed- will result in a lot of smiles.THE STORY
Quite honestly, there was a lot of skipping for me in the first two episodes. The start was realistic but didn't have too much magic to me, but I'm glad I stuck around until around the third and fourth episodes, which is where it started to pick up a lot. The story seems like nothing new, just a college life, but in a way that was its magic. It managed to have a not-so-regular college (sports college) but show how the students are living everyday life like everyone else. I really liked the character development and how the story was very character driven based on their choices. There were not overly dramatic plot twists that were unrealistic, but portrayed the everyday dreams and how burn-out can affect college students. I particularly enjoyed the character growth of Shi Ho, how she went from living life for others and causing mutual destruction of those around her to someone who can be proud of herself. I'm really glad they developed her further than "the bitchy ex-girlfriend who only exists to create drama for the main couple and doesn't change." The directors paid a lot of attention to individual character growth and the realistic highs and lows- not all first loves work out (as seen with Bok Joo and Jae Yi), but others do (like Joon Hyung). It was lighthearted but also showcased real problems, and I liked how they addressed mental health issues. I really enjoyed the spunky heroine here and how Joon Hyung was a little wimpy- but didn't see any problems in his girlfriend being physically strong. I really liked how it wasn't "guy save girl" but the two helping each other, healing each other, and operating as equals. The part where Tae Kwon was telling Joon Hyung he must have gone crazy for liking that strong "unladylike" woman, but Joon Hyung replied with her strength being sexy- that part got me smiling hyper wide and laughing. Also the uncle falling for the strong women was hilarious and cute! There were a few things that I wished had been expanded on more, like the disappearance of the Tinnitus for Joon Hyung but overall everything was wrapped up nicely. Also the cameos and the references were perfect!
THE CAST
Oh god I loved the cast. Everyone had amazing chemistry with each other- come the close friends, to the romantic relationships- everyone seemed to understand their characters and "be" their characters, instead of "acting" the part. I really appreciated how real the relationships and bonds seemed. Honestly, Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk were perfect and SO cute together. Words cannot express how good of a job they did together and on their own. They clearly had a very close bond as friends, then a couple, and even as individuals. I was so glad to see LSK as the lead here, as she often portrays glamorous and manipulative second female leads and it was a nice change that she portrayed so well! I wish she'd get more lead roles like that. THE CRYING SCENES. The time when Joon Hyung's momma came back and caused a whole ruckus- everyone's crying was so on point and really pulled at my heartstrings. Man, my little angst-loving heart. Also, special shout out to Lee Joo Young- one of my favourite actresses out there. She was amazing and besides being so hot, she always does her roles so well, and she really shined! I wish she'd be more appreciated because she deserves so much!!
MUSIC
The music was cute and fit every situation well, it's just that for me it wasn't the main "oomph" factor that could have let the drama soar. It was appropriate and the songs were pretty but that was it for me pretty much. It was good, but not out of this world amazing. Oh, but the sound effects that were added were great! There weren't too many and were put in at the perfect times.
REWATCH VALUE
Hahahah I'd rewatch any day I'd want to watch something wholesome and cute. It's a drama I'd likely not get tired of anytime soon and would watch it again to feel happy, to take a break, or be with friends.
CONCLUSION
A surprisingly enjoyable and lighthearted (mostly) watch. I feel like it should be more recognized, honestly, and was a fairly realistic rom-com. There were parts of the comedy that resembled Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, but I think the plot was more coherent and how they fell for each other made a lot more sense here. I appreciated the acting, story and character development a lot, and it is definitely one of my top five kdrama romcoms.
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GOOD WATCH- does not waste your time!!
This is the first 16 episode drama i’ve watched that i’ve thoroughly enjoyed each episode and time was not wasted in. This is the perfect bubbly romantic-comedy that does not stall 10 years for the main couple but still allows romantic development- each character is valuable to the plot in their own right and each arc is valuable to the story. It’s structured perfectly and my only critique would be of the subplot between the brother and the doctor- it’s boring and i skip it every time, but it’s easily skipped so don’t let it deter you. Overall this is one of the best mainstream romance kdramas i’ve watched and if you haven’t watched this it is a MUST-watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Just watch it
Its fun light show about growing up and learning life,living through unexpected events, dealing with self worth, and trusting yourself and others.
Cast is amazing and with friends like these in real life you would be set for life.
Really really good and fun show... worth the time and it really flies by as u slowly wish ubwere part of this cast of characters or wanna be with your own cast of characters after this show.
Music was spot on. The chemistry great and the story had enough variety that it just never got boring
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This review may contain spoilers
A bit childish slowburn feel-good romance
I can see why this is beloved by many people. If it were one of my first K-dramas, it would've been a feel-good one for me too.I really liked the male lead, he was the perfect boyfriend! The female lead was goofy and fun, albeit immature. I didn't like how the whole triangle was done though. I felt ML and FL had enough going on themselves in their personal lives, I really don't know why the second leads and triangles were necessary. Speaking of, I honestly got a Second lead syndrome, but for female lol. I felt sorry for her; in another story, she could've easily been the MC. There was so much heartbreak between the ML and her and so much potential for a second-chance romance. She felt out of place here! I don't know what they were trying to do with all the flashbacks between them, if not make us feel sad and nostalgic for them together.
Not to mention on the other side, the FL had a thing for ML's brother for 10 episodes before anything turned around. I thought the focus should've been on ML and FL more, not on other characters.
It's a solid 7/10 for me.
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Not as good as others make it seem
I only started liking the show when the main leads finally got together. I did. Like it was sometimes relatable too. Other than that the show was kinda cringe and boring at times that I even skipped some parts of the show. I don’t think it needed all 16 eps cuz there was times it felt it was dragging on. I wish there was more scenes of the other couples in the show too and not just the main couple. I wished there was more emotions in this show too. I feel like if I watched this show when it came out I would have liked it then but not now.Was this review helpful to you?
