Pump Up the Healthy Love

Sweet, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming!

I'm gonna be honest here: this drama is a cringe fest, and nothing about it should work but miraculously, it does! It's sweet, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming.

Heads-up: Don’t go into this expecting a full-blown romance drama, because you will be disappointed. But also, it’s so much more than that! This story is really about personal growth and healing (although it really doesn't seem like one) and it's totally worth it.

It could have been almost perfect, but there were a few things that ruined it for me.

My main issues with it are:
1. There is no country or planet where the female lead would be considered fat. Not even South Korea. She’s healthy-looking, and honestly, she's on the skinny side!
2. This is one of those rare times when we needed extra episodes. Even just 14 would have been fine! The development of their relationship was so organic and perfect that I didn’t mind it taking 11 episodes to get there. The problem is we only got one episode of them being together, I feel robbed! Such a waste of amazing chemistry. They were so cute together, they could’ve been one of the greats!

All in all, this drama had no right being so cute and wholesome but it was!

It's such a great watch: light, fluffy, and sweet.

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Flex your writing not your muscles.

The show was engaging, funny, until around the 8th episode. The problem is none of the loose threads of the plot were tied up satisfactorily or given time to breathe. The Ahjumma dealing with her husband’s cheating on her? Resolved in ten minutes and never brought up again. Alex being a medical student and losing his way? 5 minutes. The male lead, being figuratively adopted by the gym director? Gets 10 minutes of screen time and the old gym director is never brought back into the storyline.

The female lead needing to lose weight? Oh, she gets her dream body and fits into that dress she wanted by episode 2.

And don’t get me started on the second female lead. She was a wonderful woman and deep character who the show definitely needed for longer. I don’t mind the way they dealt with her, but she definitely needed longer to flesh out the backstory.

How do Lee Bongwon/Roy and Director Do know each other and why are they frenemies? Never explained.

Even the male lead falling in love- literally takes him 15 minutes of the second to last episode.

The relationship between the male and female lead is also terribly weak. I don’t buy it.

In short, great idea, terrible execution and also, we are supposed to believe the female lead is ‘fat’ which is insane. She is very slim the entire show, just dressed in baggier clothes.

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How To Become A Whole Person

This was actually pretty adorable.

I had watched the first episodes when it was airing, then took a break and revisited it, finishing it in one go.

The humor is cringe and over-the-top, yet sometimes I genuinely howled with laughter. And the leads are so funny and SOOO dorky that sometimes it hurt. 😅

The exboyfriend and girlfriend coming into the story was also handled in a refreshing way, and not a part of the story in a way you'd expect.

It's not much of a romance drama, if you're looking for that; instead, it's more about how to become a healthier version of yourself (not just physically) as a WHOLE PERSON, which results in an added perk of automatically becoming a better boyfriend or girlfriend, which we got to appreciate for slightly longer than one episode.😉 (The way the ML discovered he likes the FL was precious and a very original reveal).

I enjoyed watching Do Hyeong Joong become more human, and the antics and growth arcs of the gym members.

Loved the voice over of the last few minutes of Episode 12 about the stories our bodies tell. I thought that was actually so beautiful!

Cute, cringy, quirky, and super heartfelt. Enjoy!

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The Toxic Side of Gym Love

I had high hopes for Pump Up the Healthy Love, especially because I really like the lead actors, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It quickly turned into something overly silly and, at times, downright cringe-worthy.

While the gym and fitness theme was meant to be central, the show pushed it to the point of obsession. It went beyond quirky fun and started feeling uncomfortably exaggerated. After a few episodes, the plot became more and more unbearable, making it hard to stay engaged.

Even though there’s a moral lesson wrapped up at the end, by then it had already crossed the line. The extreme focus on the gym culture ended up overshadowing the romantic storyline, which was a real shame considering the chemistry between the leads.

Overall, it’s mildly entertaining in some parts, but if you’re expecting a meaningful romance or a balanced storyline, this one might disappoint.

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Cringey one joke wonder

I was excited about this show because it is the same director who helmed Gaus Electronics. Gaus is zany and quirky but has hearts. One of my fav, yes please!

Spoilers! While it starts with a hint of that quirkiness, it ended up being cringey, claustrophobic and forgettable.

Ok, let's start with the good points. It is good to see the "love yourself" message in a k-drama where beauty can be skin deep. The show tries to highlight some societal issues as well. The romance of the leads is cute but more on that later. There are some comedic moments that land but . . .

And it is a big BUT because this show has issues. While setting the whole series in a rundown gym has a lot of potential, what we got is less than the sum of its parts.

On the one hand we have the worthy health and body image stories, but the delivery is inconsistent and confusing. While the show offers different perspectives, it is a zero-sum game for most involved. For instance, the regular members treat the gym like a social club. They make a mockery of any healthy living messages.

Taking a step back, the A-plot centres around the ML being a famous bodybuilder who operates a rundown basement gym. The FL wants to lost weight to make herself attractive again hence the meet cute. It is tropey but it has potentials.

Fundamentally, the ML's persona is purely based on his past achievements and that he was a preterm baby. He alternates between roleplaying He-man and a dorky gym junkie with a cheesy grin. He is earnest and honest, but he has zero EQ and he can't hold a conversation without referencing his muscles/training. It is kind of cute in the beginning but by the halfway mark, it was wearing thin . . very thin.

He does "grow" as the drama progresses, but it is contrived. Like when he realises mums of young children need more help than just having a personal trainer. We see his lightbulb moment, and he tried to help but it is largely forgotten by the next ep. That is a recurring problem. Most subplots are very transient.

While most subplots have the memory of a goldfish, the central romantic storyline is draggy. The FL fell in love with the ML fairly quickly but the ML was totally ignorant of all the signals from the FL. Honestly, if the FL doesn't have Stockholm Syndrome, she would have run away in despair. They didn't get any clarity until EP.11 and the show has to rush to dial up the fan service.

Oddly enough, the 2CP is firing from EP.1. They alternate between sex crazed and pining for each other after nonsensical breakups. I don't know their backstory and they are just there to chew up screen time. It is telling that the more I watch their antics, the less I cared.

That is a fundamental problem with this series. While it is an ensemble drama, most support roles are one dimensional.

The end of this review is nigh and it is usually where I would comment on the HEA ending but I am numb after watching it. I guess the rooftop, fully exposed, outdoor gym is their last attempt at humour. Enough said.

In the end, our talented actors are wasted in this production. It is watchable in a mindless way. It is such a departure from the cleverness of Gaus Electronics, I am beyond disappointed.

Rather than using the gym as a source of engaging human dramas, we ended up worrying about plumbing and broken equipment. Peace.

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Over the top meaningless slapstick

Disclamer: ppl complain that they want to see the ML again in a villain role like he was in Weak Hero. PLEASE do not try to lock up actors in the same type of role!!! that is so nasty to the actor... it is like locking the actor in a creative JAIL and also limiting their income and exposure.
**** Let the actor try different roles and advance their skills and repertoire.

Also, in Weak Hero, ML looks soooo different, I did not recognize him in his drama. Yeah ML was a great villain in Weak Hero but that role is easier bc it is so one-dimensional, there is not much to act.... That dude is a villain only, he fights, that's it... And the messages are so much more black-white cut out in Weak Hero... it is just ... well... boring :) ....
ML in this kdrama has a lot more COMPLEX role with so many layers.... So many!!!! there are so many facets of his life 1.5lb baby, his coach, betrayal, winning competition, missionarry zealous work to convert people into his religion, perfectionism of a workout saint, his pent up personal life, his pent up personal emotions, his facade of PERFECTION AND SAINTHOOD that falls apart when a hot ex invites him to eel meal and hotel, etc etc etc so many contradictory roles, beliefs and feelings....

ML in this kdrama is a very COMPLEX character... So to an actor, that is a good thing to try something more difficult with more nuance...

SO PLEASE LET THE ACTORS ACT ANYTHING THEY WISH TO TRY TO ACT. It is for their creative growth, $$$ and fame.

As for the drama: apparently this drama has some nitch fans to get these great ratings here and on Viki LOL I think the drama is cheap kitsch

Perhaps the only value of this kdrama is to draw some attention to the need to keep the body healthy and in shape. But the CRUDE way it is done, it wont be interesting to anyone except those who are already in gyms

This COULD have been a great kdrama but ... the acting is so shabby and the script is so bad, it is so .... shallow and pretentious.... it is over the top screaming and exaggeration but there is no MEANING to the conversations, it is all just for the sake of screaming and flashing...... I watched 5 episodes and dropped it.

it is like a slapstick comedy of acting how they feel rather than what really happens........ meaningless chaos of screaming, too much in English, forced efforts to be "funny" but it is not funny because the conversation is meaningless,

This kdrama has some sweet moments and it is doing a job of trying to get a message about health across but IT IS NOT FUNNY AND THE MESSAGE IS TERRIBLY NAZI.
1. The bodybuilder Director is NOT someone you wish to train with, he is NOT funny with his yelling and pushing and overdoing, it is not funny to watch him chase away all clients of his gym.
2. FL character is also not funny with her meaningless screaming and actions and her overall dumbness.
3. AND IT IS A SUPER BAD IDEA TO PROMOTE UNHEALTHY DIETING AND ARTIFICIAL FOODS. That dude lives on some tiny protein bars. Where is that great Korean food that we love to watch everyone eating in kdramas???? A whole family sitting around a table and eating some good home made food. WHERE IS THAT????

SO now kdramas turned into american thing, eating fried chicken and beer and getting fat and then working out in a gym and eating tiny protein bars instead of real food???? WHERE IS SOUTH KOREA GOING???

Sorry but this kdrama needs to be redone properly. It is kinda a WRONG repeat of the earlier kdrama "Oh my Venus" where a fat lawyer gets in shape under a personal trainer.

The topic is interesting and needs to be addressed BUT WE NEED A NEW KDRAMA THAT WILL DO IT PROPERLY

I dont feel that this kdrama is about fat shaming, it is more about promoting bodybuilder culture and paying 5 million won to a personal trainer and then millions of won for protein bars, which is actually dangerous.
***** That bodybuilder dude eats some little artificial protein snacks and is constantly on a diet. THAT IS UNHEALTHY*****

And, imo, that bodybuilder body is unhealthy too. It is an unsustainable and artificial look. Until he eats normal foods and can do normal things like dancing properly and being flexible, I consider him UNHEALTHY.



I love older kdramas bc women too look like they got muscles

imo New kdramas ARE about fat shaming bc the ACTRESSES ARE TOO SKINNY and look totally unhealthy

Great female bodies with really nice legs and muscles in old kdramas like in "Heavenly love" Or "five enough" younger actresses,

compared with skeletons in modern "REal has come" FL or female lead in "My love from another star", and many others who are just SKELETONS

I RATHER WATCH OLD KDRAMAS WITH A TABLE FULL OF GREAT HOME MADE KOREAN FOOD FULL OF VEGETABLES AND KIM CHI AND EVERYONE EATING TOGETHER AND LOOKING SLIM AND MUSCULAR

I think more than anything, kim chi is the magic food :)

Also I want to see FUNCTIONAL HEALTH, not some bodybuilder permanently on a diet and eating some artificial food and protein drinks, just so he could look like that.

HONESTLY ANY SURFER LOOKS BETTER THAN THIS ARTIFICIAL LOOKING OVERLY MUSCLED UP DUDE, any basketball player looks better, has nicer body than this artificial pumped up body obtained by dieting and protein bars.

I want to see HEALTHY people who eat homemade food and are flexible and strong and can do cardio too, who are FUNCTIONAL in their daily lifes

The bodybuilder director is DISFUNCTIONAL AND TOXIC. He cannot relate to people, he doesnt understand life, he overpushes his clients and oversteps all human boundaries. He is NOT a good role model at all. He is a religious fanatic, to be blunt. And he has NO sense for business or training. He should be training people for the international David of Asia competition in Las Vegas (where he won), not ordinary people in a city gym who want to shed a few pounds or socialize.


So overall, this kdrama just looks... like some cheap Hollywood show. Sorry but that is the worst thing I could say about any entertainment, that it looks like Holywood.... I NEVER WATCH ANYTHING AMERICAN BECAUSE IT IS SO MEANINGLESS and this kdrama is like that. But right now I cannot say there is any new kdrama I wish to watch!!!!!!! Except For Eagle Brothers and Haunted Palace (minus the horror) but everything else showing, including this, is bad.

I dropped into later episodes to check what is going on, since I do not like giving bad reviews without a reason. Episode 8 was not bad... finally we saw his REAL self, he went to a hotel room "to do anything for his gym" LOL and he couldnt give people easier time for the sake of his gym... ?

But then ep 9 is a complete DISASTER the story is a mix of super soapy ad super sexist trashy, FL is a loser 100% by the script, it was incredibly boring and annoying

Surprisingly many ppl like this kdrama, it got 9.1 rating on Viki which is SHOCKING

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Something for people who love when the script is hikarious and real!!!

You wouldn't find this drama topping chart or having fans build edits or swoon over romance.
But,
If you like reply 1988 for it reckless abandon with acting -- if you stories which are not the same themes rinse and repeat --- and if you like wholehearted tears while laughing.

This is the one for you.

It IS super common in k drama spaces to shut down any constructive commentary on any weight or health issues and when it is done - it is half baked and almost coated under being healthy.

This drama confronts with straight forward and it has themes which encompass health and mental health and familial wellbeing and most importantly found family themes.
It is truly well done because it shows real struggles in a very light but with gravitas. a very rare feat and remarkably done.
It is truly beautiful as you wouldn't know what to expect the next moment and when you do - you'll not be able to stop laughing.
Stick it out with the first episode, it gets better and better as you go on.
The characters are very nicely baked - do not change personalities in half season, there is no love triangle horribleness and it shows both the extremes and where the middle path is.

I love the actors and their struggles are very real but very entertaining.
I endorse it very much. Please watch it.
YOU'LL COME OUT SAYING - WHAT THE.....

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Give up on giving up!! Hilarious and refreshing drama

No spoiler summary

I found myself rewatching this drama while it was still airing that's how good it was. I enjoy how it is mainly a comedic drama with some romantic and serious aspects written in. The plot is not too heavy and is easy to understand. It does not contain too many tropes and when it does, it makes fun of them. It feels like the cast were having fun and doing a lot of ad libs. As a gym goer myself the way they played around with common "gym community" tropes was hilarious and how they explored different ways in which exercise can be the foundation to improving other aspects of your own life. "Ones body reflects ones life"

Spoiler area


The best parts come from Do Hyun Joong's arc from a typical gym bro who starts off being insufferable, making them do heavy reps until failure and forcing chicken breast upon them to someone who is able to understand people's mental wellbeing, guilty pleasures and that not everyone's life revolves around exercise. At the start he would bail on dates and refuse to eat cake just because it would ruin his gains but by the end, is able to appreciate his partners favourite foods even if they are high calories. The drama has romantic aspects woven throughout but they are mainly stopped by comedic timing which may throw a lot of people off who wanted a normal rom com. I have never seen a drama where the kiss happens in epsiode 11/12 but I didn't go into this drama with heavy romance expected as I had seen only funny clips of it at first.

Mi Ran's arc is great because she mainly exercises to escape from being unloved but is able to finally start to exercise because she wants to and to start loving herself more. For example she is often saying that manager Do believes in her more than she believes in herself. Then she is able to stand up without falling when the bus stops she realises how her body has been slowly changing even when she doesn't realise it. The turning point is when she realises she has just been exercising in order to get over her ex and takes a break to reflect on her own reasons.

A highlight episode is where both Hyun Joong and Mi Ran realise going all out and forcing willpower and can hurt one's lifestyle and maintaing a balance is key. This is where Mi Ran stops eating flour and starts hallucinating and going insane, even affecting her work life which is referencing many of the extreme diet culture that goes on in social media and various fad dients influencers are trying to push. Hyun Joong's moment is where he tries to look after the baby using only his strength and willpower and realises how difficult it is to be a mother with greater priorities than the gym.

The side characters are really great and each have their own side story which weaves their personal struggles with connection to the gym. Kang Seol's story was really sad but it did break the drama's flow which was comedic the majority of the time. They could also add to Alex's story as well as I wanted more from the short backstory they gave him. However these were introduced late and given the episode constraints it would shift the story too much away from Mi Ran and Hyun Joong.

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It's okay

The first episode wasn't great but I enjoyed the 2nd episode which even made me laugh. That is when the FL starts exercising and it is quite relatable. However, somewhere down the line, I stopped enjoying the show as much. Might have been around episode 5 or 6.

There isn't much of a story here. Just the FL turning to exercise because of low self-esteem when it comes to love. I do appreciate them showing that the path to fitness isn't easy and your mood can also hinder your progress. To be honest, the characters are nice. But the show isn't that enjoyable. The male lead is also over the top so people find find that to be a big turn off. For me, it was just bearable because I was focusing on the female lead.

I enjoyed the character of the influencer. She added a nice touch to the story.

I like one of the main OSTsof this show - I Can't Stop This Feeling. It's quite nice.

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They tried too hard with the comedy, the plot was all over the place and really dragged, and it was kind of cringe. It was supposed to be a romance, but they barely touched on that it was a waste of time honestly

They tried too hard with the comedy, the plot was all over the place and really dragged, and it was kind of cringe. It was supposed to be a romance, but they barely touched on that it was a waste of time honestly

They tried too hard with the comedy, the plot was all over the place and really dragged, and it was kind of cringe. It was supposed to be a romance, but they barely touched on that it was a waste of time honestly


They tried too hard with the comedy, the plot was all over the place and really dragged, and it was kind of cringe. It was supposed to be a romance, but they barely touched on that it was a waste of time honestly


They tried too hard with the comedy, the plot was all over the place and really dragged, and it was kind of cringe. It was supposed to be a romance, but they barely touched on that it was a waste of time honestly

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