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The "Witch Trio", Park Sung Yun, Lee Ji Hye, and Hong Yoon Hwa comment on their Pump Up the Healthy Love characters.
Pump Up the Healthy Love follows Do Hyun Jung (Lee Jun Young), a vigorous fitness enthusiast, correcting the lives of novice gym members.
In the drama, Park Sung Yun plays Im Seong Im, the troublemaker of the gym and the leader of the "Witch Trio". Lee Ji Hye appears as Yoon Boo Young, the second-oldest of the trio who struggles with poor physical strength, while Hong Yoon Hwa plays Park Dul Hui, the youngest, who joins the gym to lose belly fat. Gathering at the gym with their own unique backstories, the three women become as close and supportive as real sisters.
Park Sung Yun shared what drew her to Pump Up the Healthy Love: "It was fun because, as I was reading the script, the situations and characters came to life as if I were watching a comic book or webtoon."
When asked what she particularly focused on in her performance, she said, "I poured my menopause into it." She added, "Seong Im is the leader of the 'Witch Trio,' the most influential figures among the gym members, and she's the busybody queen. She's like a villain but not quite a villain yet sort of a villain."
Lee Ji Hye described her character by saying, "Boo Young is someone who's loved both inside and out. She has a puppy-like charm and gets along well with others, and playing a character like this brought a ripple of her energy into me." She also said, "As the second in the 'Witch Trio', I really tried to uphold the duties and stance that come with that role. I had fun observing chatty aunties at the sauna [for inspiration]." She added, "Through her outfits and props, I tried to highlight that Boo Young is a lovable and cute woman," describing the character with keywords like "curly hair," "headband," and a "lovely, sentimental type."
The actress went on to lavish praise on Lee Jun Young, who leads Pump Up the Healthy Love, saying, "I have endless respect for actor Lee Jun Young, who delivers so many lines without getting even a single word wrong, performing every time as if it were the first — fresh and really fun. Maybe because this is our second time working together, I have a special regard for him. Through this project, I feel like I've truly discovered his true worth."
Hong Yoon Hwa, who described Pump Up the Healthy Love as "a drama that's healthy for both body and mind," proudly highlighted her strong connection with her character, saying, "Dul Hui doesn't give up delicious food even after joining the gym — and that aspect of her makes her so much like me."
She also emphasized the strong bond among the cast: "The set was always filled with laughter because everyone got along so well. I especially learned a lot working with the 'Witch Trio' sisters, since our chemistry was just that great."
Hong Yoon Hwa chose "sweet potato," "agujjim (spicy braised monkfish)," and "Zumba" as her character keywords. She explained, "Because it doesn't make her gain weight, Dul Hui is always with her sweet potato like it's her companion. As for Agujjim, it's the go-to dish for the 'Witch Trio' and the gym family — whether they're happy, struggling, or comforting each other. And Zumba is the workout Dul Hui struggles with the most at the gym. She's not good at it, but she never skips a session and always gives it her all."
Finally, the "Witch Trio" encouraged future viewers to tune in to Pump Up the Healthy Love. Park Sung Yun joked, "Let me do a little promo for our gym maniac, director Do Hyun Jung. At 24-Hour Gym, membership is just 30,000 won, you get free sweet potatoes, and there are Zumba classes too — so I kindly ask for lots of sign-ups and viewership!"
Lee Ji Hye added, "There's a saying, 'You can never emphasize health too much.' When you're out for your daily run, I hope you'll watch our drama and get your 'end of the gym for today'. Muscle morning!"
And Hong Yoon Hwa wrapped it up, saying, "Every Wednesday and Thursday night, we hope you'll join us at Pump Up the Healthy Love so your body and mind can be healthier than on any other night. Please show us lots of love!"
Pump Up the Healthy Love is set to premiere on April 30. News about the K-drama's global OTT platform is yet to come. Stay tuned!
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