What the Fat!?
Only two episodes released so far - here are my thoughts.This is a lighthearted look at a serious topic.
The show is silly and over the top.
But it is comedy, and entertaining.
At several points I laughed out loud.
I think the characters are quirky and funny!
Can’t wait to watch the rest - hope they keep it on this same trajectory.
There are a myriad of ways to ruin a drama.
So far it looks like they’ll avoid the common pitfalls - fingers crossed!
I appreciated the way family is presented - not perfect!
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What the fresh kdrama.
So hinged with this kdrama. From the start i was so excited for this one and yaah it doesn't disappointed me. Jun-young is such a fine nice actor I love every role he plays. Also for FL i haven't watched her drama that much but she super cute and talented. Every single cast of this drama is so wholesome.There aren't so many dramas where they talk about someone's way of looking, their body, insecurities and the problem they are facing because of society's beauty standards.You should watch this.☺️Was this review helpful to you?
“Pump Up the Healthy Love”
As of episode 4, I’m struggling to stay optimistic about this show. While it’s marketed as a health-themed romantic comedy, what we’ve gotten so far feels more like a shallow excuse to promote toxic body standards—especially through the male lead’s constant flexing and fat-shaming behavior. His character isn’t just unlikable; cringe-worthy obsession with his own muscles and an arrogant attitude that makes it hard to root for him.That said, the bright spot in all this is the female lead. She brings some much-needed humor and charm to the screen, and her comedic timing keeps the show from being a total flop. Alex’s character also adds a bit of balance and groundedness to the chaos.
But again, it’s too early to tell… maybe the writers have a redemption arc in mind. Here’s hoping they do more than just flex it out.
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A Quirky Gym Romance That's Not for Everyone
"Pump Up the Healthy Love" is a 2025 rom-com that’s quirky, loud, and a little over-the-top—but that’s also part of its charm. It centers on a former bodybuilder (Lee Jun-young) who runs a hardcore gym and a heartbroken office worker (Jung Eun-ji) who stumbles into his world. Their odd pairing leads to chaotic, funny, and surprisingly sweet moments.Why you might want to watch Pump Up the Healthy Love:
It’s fun, silly, and has a fresh take on romance. The main leads—Lee Jun-young and Jung Eun-ji—have great chemistry, and the whole fitness-gym setting is unique. If you like quirky, lighthearted shows with a bit of heart, you might enjoy it.
Why you might skip it:
The humor can be too exaggerated or cringey for some. It feels more like a cartoon than a real-life story at times. If you prefer realistic or emotionally deep dramas, this might not be your thing.
Simple verdict: Watch it if you’re in the mood for something goofy and different. Skip it if you want a grounded, serious love story.
Final Thoughts
“Pump Up the Healthy Love” offers a unique blend of fitness culture and romantic comedy, characterized by exaggerated humor and distinctive characters. While its bold style may not appeal to everyone, viewers seeking an unconventional K-drama experience might find it worth exploring.
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Kinda cringe but hilarious
First of all, if brain-rot comedy is not your thing, then this drama is not for you. The only way to watch this drama is to acknowledge and accept the over-the-top comedy as granted and just take everything at face value. '24-hour Health Cub' is not for serious watching.For me, over-the-top comedy is not my genre to be honest. I started this because of Lee Jun-Young and my initial thought was why the hell would he choose a script like this? But once you get used to the ridiculousness of the genre, this drama is actually hilarious and good for light-watching. And while it may be a little too soon to say this, we can see them trying to tackle more serious issues like beauty standards, body-shaming, being underweight, etc. in the comedic context, so I'm hoping for some meaningful messages and plot behind the comedy. The main characters themselves are also flawed individuals with kind of biased mindsets, so I'm looking forward to seeing their character grow too. The romance also seems promising as Lee Jun-Young and Jung Eun-Ji has good chemistry and their characters are both crazy, hilarious and a compatible duo which makes them really fun to watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Shallow Take on "Healthy Love
"Pump Up Your Healthy Love" tries to sell itself as a quirky gym romcom but instead delivers a parade of body shaming, toxic gym culture, and cringe-worthy humor that feels decades out of touch. The title promises something uplifting, but what you get is a relentless barrage of fat-shaming jokes and a lead male character who confuses arrogance and obsession with actual health.
Male Lead: Protein Powder and Zero Personality
The male lead, a washed-up bodybuilder-turned-gym-owner, is less a symbol of health and more a walking advertisement for protein powder and unresolved mental issues. He insults anyone who walks into his failing gym, justifying his cruelty as "motivation," but comes off as a third-rate trainer whose only skill is making people feel bad about their bodies. His so-called "health" is all muscle and no mind—his obsessive behavior screams for psychiatric help, not romantic admiration.
Female Lead: Not Overweight, Just a Punchline
The female lead is supposedly struggling with weight, but the actress is clearly fit and healthy—making the entire premise even more absurd and offensive. The show forces her into humiliating situations and treats her insecurities as a joke, while the male lead repeatedly body-shames her for cheap laughs. This isn't empowerment; it's lazy writing and tired stereotypes.
Comedy or Cruelty?
The drama relies on "shock humor" and mean-spirited gags that quickly become exhausting. Instead of offering any real commentary on health or self-acceptance, it doubles down on outdated ideas about body image, making it a tough watch for anyone sensitive to these issues. The gym scenes are over-the-top, and the chemistry between the leads is non-existent, buried under layers of awkwardness and mockery.
Final Verdict
"Pump Up Your Healthy Love" is a tone-deaf, shallow, and at times downright offensive drama that confuses cruelty for comedy. Unless you enjoy watching unlikeable characters insult each other in a gym no one would join, skip this mess and find a show that actually understands what healthy love—and healthy living—means
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meh
I liked it at first honestly. I liked the female lead in sassy go go and was excited to see her in this drama. But to be honest I feel like the story is all over the place. There is no story line to begin with. It started out with her wanting to lose weight. But right now I'm not sure what exactly is going on besides them wanting to.. work out? is that it? Is there more to it? I was thinking it might turn out like oh my Venus but nope. Then I thought okay maybe it's like welcome to waikiki it had similarities. But I just think they pushed the gym as a overall idea and went with it. It's kinda boringWas this review helpful to you?
That said, some moments with the male lead’s arrogance and body obsession still make me cringe, but it fits the quirky, over-the-top vibe of the show. The mix of humor, chaos, and sweet scenes keeps things fresh and entertaining.
Overall, it’s a fun, heartfelt rom-com that balances serious themes with comedy pretty well. Definitely worth sticking with if you’re into something different and lighthearted!
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This review may contain spoilers
3 Reasons to Watch Pump Up the Healthy Love
How many rejections does it take to break confidence?Just one. It takes one NO to break everything that makes you.
This latest GYM love story chronicles the journey of two different individuals seeking their true selves. Do Hyeon Jung is determined to promote health and has even given up his love life for that. And there is Mi Ran, who has given up her body and health after facing immense rejection. Their paths crossed, and a vow was made.
It's been almost half of the year, and the Korean drama industry has delivered another underrated yet striking story. It's been the seventh episode, and love has appeared in a subtle note. MLs and FLs are in lov,e but they are lingering over it. For the first time, a director has treated love like it happens in real life. The rejection, the dilemma, and the pain felt so connected. Mi Ran is like the inner child who does not whisper breath and tries to survive in a sarcastic society.
The sister bonding is realistic and plays a good charm in bringing happy twists. Ji Ran is the sweetest yet convincing sister ever. Lee Da Eun adds blood and flesh to such a character who needs to be supportive, yet not lose herself in the process.
The story, as the title suggest,s reflects the need to build yourself first before falling in love. In today’s society where competition and comparison thrives, building of such story is of utmost importance.
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Hilarious Over the Top Comedy
This show is an absolute gem — it's still airing, but it's already one of the funniest series I've seen in a long time. Packed with clever slapstick humor and over-the-top gags that are clearly meant to be taken lightly, it manages to be both ridiculous and genuinely clever at the same time. The comedic timing is sharp, and the physical humor lands every time.What really sets it apart, though, is the cast of characters. They're not just punchlines or caricatures — each one feels distinct, with real personality and surprising depth beneath the surface. As absurd as the situations get, the character work keeps you invested.
If you're looking for something that can make you laugh out loud while still feeling connected to the people on screen, this one's worth your time. Highly recommend keeping up with it as it airs!
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Enjoy the comedy
The body is always a sensitive topic. Audiences might feel overwhelmed when the central theme is about being too skinny, too fat, or even just average. So, this series probably isn’t for everyone. The way the male character is portrayed may come across as too extreme for some viewers, especially in how he talks about and reacts to body image. It might feel too harsh for people who struggle with body issues. However, this characterization of the gym instructor works for me—I was actually worried they’d go with a sugar-coated personality to address the idea of working out. Instead, I think the male character is being honest and genuinely wants his trainee to achieve their goals.I like the female lead because, even though she seems like an old character who has never been lucky in love and struggles with body image, she still sets high standards for herself in other areas. For example, in the workplace, she knows she’s good at her job, so she’s confident, capable, and stands her ground against co-workers who might try to take advantage of her.
The best part of this series is the comedy. I'm here for the laughs, and I’ve really enjoyed and been entertained by it. I hope they can keep the humor going until the end of the series. For me, it’s a solid 9 out of 10
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“I’m punishing myself by eating fried chicken”, “don’t wear baggy clothes or you’ll end up filling it”
if you don’t have a healthy relationship between yourself, food, exercise and health, it won’t last and you won't find happiness by just reaching that
she loses weight in the second/third ep, but she's still not happy or satisfied, she became a size small and yet what she wants to be xsmall?
her confidence shakes too much by her shallow bully coworker, she wants a v shaped face, s line, xsmall, 40kg, honestly the korean beauty standard won't be reached just cuz you reached a weight category
that dress did not “sparkle” again anywhere else, shaming a woman for wanting to eat, then shaming men for being skinny, and him saying she wanted to dress in “kids size” then still not let her eat…
Also calling the restaurant owner “you’re a pig for thinking they’re anchovies” when she was just talking about their food, that dude is too self centered
At one point also, he’s like super dumb and it can become cute but he’s like a brick wall with a cute smile
Atleast fl shows signs of change but he’s just so comical
zero romance/ chemistry between the characters
They had better chemistry in the pre release vids
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