From the U.S. to Taiwan, 'Weak Hero' takes over Netflix worldwide upon Season 2's release
Writer Kim Ji Soo of Pump Up the Healthy Love reveals what inspired her to pen the K-drama.
Pump Up the Healthy Love follows Do Hyun Jung (Lee Jun Young), a vigorous fitness enthusiast, correcting the lives of novice gym members weighed down by worries of life.
With the premiere just about two weeks away, writer Kim Ji Soo shared that the inspiration for writing the drama came from her husband, who runs a gym.
Kim shared, "Since my husband runs a gym, I often hear stories from him, and that's how I came to know that every member comes to the gym with a goal of his own. Whether it's dieting before a wedding, strength training to regain stamina lost with age, or rehab after an injury, the reasons for working out are different for every gym goer — but in the end, they all share a common desire — to live better, even if only by a little."
She continued, "The gym began to feel like an even more intense space to me, and I found it cool how people pushed through pain, screaming as they worked out, in pursuit of happiness. I hope the struggles and efforts of these gym members are well conveyed through the drama."
Regarding what sets Pump Up the Healthy Love apart from other K-dramas, writer Kim Ji Soo said, "There's a gym owner more passionate than anyone, an adorable trainer character, and members who remind us of ourselves — people you can't help but root for. We've captured those relatable moments that anyone who's ever worked out will relate to, using comedic direction and imaginative scenes. I hope viewers will enjoy watching it just as much."
Kim also praised the cast, especially the lead actors Lee Jun Young and Jung Eun Ji, praising their character portrayals.
She said, "Lee Jun Young brought his own unique style to the character of Do Hyun Jung — someone who's a bit too invested in his members' well-being — portraying him with warmth and charm. He played the role in such a way that it genuinely made me want to sign up at a gym run by Director Do."
She also praised Jung Eun Ji: "Jung Eun Ji turned Mi Ran into such a lovable character — someone you genuinely want to root for. To portray Mi Ran, who struggles with body image issues, Eun Ji even went through cycles of gaining and losing weight to shape her body for the role. I'm truly grateful to her for all the effort she put in."
Writer Kim Ji Soo also highlighted why the show is a must-watch, saying, "Pump Up the Healthy Love is a story of growth through the body. It explores a variety of struggles and insecurities people have about their bodies, and I hope viewers will connect and watch with empathy."
She explained, "It's not about the desire for a slim and pretty body that others admire, but a story about caring for and loving your life through a 'healthy body.' I want to emphasize that this isn't a story about being loved because you have a great body — it's about something much deeper."
Finally, she said, "I believe our bodies hold the stories of our lives. An office worker's neck hump, a middle-aged person's belly fat, a student's swollen legs — these are all traces of living hard each and every day, etched into our bodies."
I hope that through their bodies, people will come to see themselves in a more loving light for living so diligently. Please tune in and show lots of love for the drama."
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.
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