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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This drama in one word: REFRESHING.
It's just great if you want something light, simple, fluffy(but not cringy) and heartwarming after all those heavy business politics or chain-deaths of characters in one episode kind of things.
To be honest, the first couple of episodes I expected this to be one of those same old typical romantic comedies but rest assured, you get a lot more out of it than the romance. You have the stereotypical characters that make up a typical kdrama (like the ex girlfriend, bully etc) but at the same time they all deviate from their stereotypes into something more complex. (At least they didn't make me want to rip my hair out unlike other ones where they should belong in a daycare center so ppl can supervise their immature behaviour.)
All the characters were well developed and well rounded, AND NOT TO MENTION NO ASSHOLE MALE LEAD. I felt like finally the main characters are people who are considerate of one another and behaving like mature adults. Unlike other dramas I've watched, any stupid miscommunication or misunderstanding gets resolved quickly and efficiently. No crazy lie that falls deeper and deeper until you get so tired of the main leads constantly misunderstanding each other.
One of the most important things I love about this drama is how they spoke about issues like eating disorders, mental health, and body issues.
Quick note of the cinematography: definitely very bright, light and something that's very "korean" like colour grading. I love the subtle aesthetics in the drama that's somewhat casual.
This drama is so freaking cute and lighthearted. It doesn't have those cringe cliche kdrama scenes where you go "omg," instead it's fresh and light and great for a bad day coming home.
Lastly, I love some of the hoodies Kim Bok Joo wears in the drama.
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I rewatch some of it every now and then, it's so lighthearted that I can multitask while re-watching. I can't think of one character whose acting was bad. I fell in love with Nam Joo-hyuk, he did soooo well, I'm so glad that he was given this opportunity as a main to showcase his talent. Lee Sung-kyung also stayed true to the character and brought Bok-joo to life. One of my favourite characters was her uncle; he was moderately funny and never overdid it, as he could have given the nature of the character.
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Story: The story is so refreshing, it is very light yet you still have the urge to watch it and it not like other light cliche dramas. I love the idea of using sports! I love how the story tells about what athletes feel and how do athletes live despite of their problems in life. This youth, sport, light drama is perfection!
ACTING/CAST: Joon Hyung and Kim Bok Joo are PERFECT for each other. Their acting is so real that I thought they dated in real life. I love their connection, especially when they are in a relationship. The kiss feels so real, the hugs, etc. Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) is so cute and beautiful at the same time, I love her acting cute because she is cute! Nam Joo Hyuk is perfect on the Joon Hyung character. He is really good at teasing, he made me cry, etc. Kyung Soo Jin plays perfectly on the Si Ho character, I love the acting of her being obsessed and depressed from her problems. And other actors/actresses did well too. Really awesome.
MUSIC: THE OST IS SO CUTE and it brings you to a different world. I even downloaded the OST and some background music (I don't know if it is weird or crazy to download the background), because you feel like you are also in the drama and it really relaxes you. The soundtracks are cute and it makes you cry for some songs. It is perfect.
OVERALL: It... is... PERFECT! I can't stop repeating the drama. It has been months now and I still can't get over it. You should watch it if you are into youth and light dramas. It really deserved to have higher ratings on Korea. It's sad that it is a bit low on ratings on viewers.
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