Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo explained

Creator:Han Hee
Director:Oh Hyun-jong
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Num Episodes:16
Editor:Oh Sere-na
Camera:Single camera
Runtime:60 minutes
Company:Chorokbaem Media
Channel:MBC TV

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is a 2016–2017 South Korean television series starring Lee Sung-kyung in the title role, with Nam Joo-hyuk. It is a coming-of-age sports drama, inspired by the life of Olympic gold-medalist Jang Mi-ran.[1] [2] It aired on MBC every Wednesday and Thursday at 22:00 (KST) from November 16, 2016, to January 11, 2017.

The series resonated with the young demographic; although it averaged 4.6% in audience share and received the lowest viewership ratings in its time-slot throughout its run,[3] [4] it gained a cult following among young viewers and received mostly favorable reviews.[5] [6]

Synopsis

Kim Bok joo (Lee Sung-Kyung), a young woman chasing her dream of weightlifting on an athletics college campus, develops a crush on her friend Jung Joon-Hyung's (Nam Joo-Hyuk) older brother, Jung Jae-Yi (Lee Jae-Yoon). At first, Joon Hyung teases her and goes along with her act, even helping her, but soon finds himself falling in love with her. This series is a coming-of-age story about a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.

Cast

Main

A naturally gifted weightlifter with an ambitious and outgoing personality who attends a sports university. Growing up with her father, who was a former weightlifter, she is inspired to follow in his footsteps. She stands up for herself and her friends. She does not hesitate to beat people up if they provoke her. She hides her insecurities and fragile heart under her strong exterior. At first, she experiences a one-sided love with Jung Jae-yi but later falls in love with his brother/cousin Jung Joon-hyung.

He is a talented swimmer with a playful personality who attends the same university as Bok-joo. He and Bok-joo were childhood friends when they were in elementary school. At first, when they meet again at the university, they do not recognize each other, until an incident occurs that refreshes their memories. He is raised by his kind aunt and uncle after his mother leaves him behind and moves to Canada, where she starts a second family. Joon-hyung suffers from trauma and during tournaments often suffers a panic attack and makes a false start leading to him getting disqualified. He enjoys teasing Bok-joo, but gradually falls in love with her.

Joon-hyung's cousin and ersatz older brother, with a kind and gentle personality. A former athlete who becomes an obesity doctor due to an injury. He becomes Bok-joo's first love (without him realizing it) after he kindly lends her his umbrella on the street, even though at the time she is a complete stranger, and she enrolls in his obesity clinic so that she can meet him, although her need as a weightlifter is to put on weight rather than losing it. He treats Bok-joo like a younger sister and generally shows support to his brother's decision to like and date Bok-joo.

Bok-joo's roommate and Joon-hyung's ex-girlfriend. She still has feelings for him and initially becomes jealous of his and Bok-joo's strong relationship, leading her to expose Bok-joo's secret trips to Jae-yi's clinic to Bok-joo's father and coaches at one point. After Bok-joo saves her life and sent her to the hospital on time, her relationship between her and Bok-joo and Joon-hyung gradually improves. She is a top-class rhythmic gymnast, who won a silver medal at the Asian Games at the age of eighteen, but she returns to the sports university due to a decline in her performance. Shi-ho is an overachiever and is under constant stress about her weight and skills, which led to her breakup with Joon-hyung, a psychiatric eating disorder and her acting rashly in various situations.

Supporting

Weightlifting team

Swimming team

Joon-hyung's junior. He has a habit of dating women, then ghosting them, and thus is hated by all his female peers.

Joon-hyung's senior. He has a crush on Shi-ho and treats Joon-hyung with a gruffer demeanor.

Rhythmic gymnastics team

A rising star collegiate rhythmic gymnast who competes with Shi-ho.

People around Bok-joo

Bok-joo's father, a former weightlifter who owns a fried chicken restaurant

Bok-joo's uncle, a part-time aspiring actor who works at the restaurant

People around Joon-hyung

Extended

A doctor at the Hanwool College of Physical Education. She has a crush on Jae-yi.

Special appearances (Cameo)

Production

The series is written by Yang Hee-seung of the 2015 romantic comedies Oh My Ghostess and High School King of Savvy; and directed by PD Oh Hyun-joong of 7th Grade Civil Servant. The first script reading took place in August 2016 at MBC broadcasting station in Sangam, Seoul, South Korea.[16] [17]

Original soundtrack

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo OST
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Various artists
Recorded:2016
Genre:Soundtrack
Label:KT Music
Star entry entertainment

OST Part 8

Ratings

!rowspan="3"
Broadcast dateAverage audience share
TNmS[18] AGB Nielsen[19]
width=90Nationwidewidth=90Seoulwidth=90Nationwidewidth=90Seoul
1November 16, 20164.1% 4.1% 3.3% 3.6%
2November 17, 20165.0% 5.2% 3.5%
3November 23, 20164.8% 5.3% 4.4% 4.9%
4November 24, 20164.9% 5.2% 4.6% 4.9%
5November 30, 20164.8% 4.9% 4.4% 4.5%
6December 1, 20164.5% 5.3% 4.6% 5.4%
7December 7, 20164.4% 4.8% 5.7%
8December 8, 20164.6% 4.6% 5.4% 5.5%
9December 14, 20164.2% 4.4% 4.1% 4.4%
10December 15, 20164.8% 5.3% 5.1% 5.6%
11December 21, 20164.7% 5.2% 4.4% 4.6%
12December 22, 20165.1% 5.3% 4.5% 4.7%
13December 28, 20165.5% 6.3% 5.0% 5.8%
14January 4, 20175.0% 5.9% 5.4% 6.3%
15January 5, 20175.5% 6.4% 5.8%
16January 11, 20175.4% 5.5% 5.2% 5.3%
Average
  • In the table below, represent the lowest ratings and represent the highest ratings.
  • NR denotes that the drama did not rank in the top 20 daily programs on that date.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
201635th MBC Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries[20] Lee Sung-kyung
Best New Actor[21] Nam Joo-hyuk
Best Couple AwardNam Joo-hyuk and Lee Sung-kyung

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Newcomer actors mature through 'Kim Bok-joo'. The Korea Times. 16 January 2017. 22 July 2017. 20 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143813/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2017/01/386_222172.html. live.
  2. Web site: New sports drama to revolve around youth and love. Yonhap News Agency. 2016-11-14. 2017-07-22. 2016-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20161116152606/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/kwave/2016/11/15/74/3001000000AEN20161115009800315F.html. live.
  3. Web site: ko:[美친시청률] '푸른바다' 첫방부터 16.4%, 수목대전 압도적 1위. http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110537189. OSEN. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo premieres in last place with 3.3%. ko. 2016-11-17. 2017-01-05. 2017-01-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106011022/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110537189. live.
  4. Web site: ko:이성경·남주혁 '역도 요정', 5.2% 종영. ko. http://m.entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0007706229. Newsis. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo ends in last place with 5.2%. 2017-01-14. 2017-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801195230/http://m.entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0007706229. live.
  5. Web site: http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/01/04/2017010401010.html. ko:‘역도요정 김복주’ 시청률이 다는 아니올시다 [역도요정 으랏차차①]. The Chosun Ilbo. 4 January 2017. ko. 25 May 2017. 5 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170105185743/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/01/04/2017010401010.html. live.
  6. Web site: [인터뷰①] Nam Joo Hyuk Talks Weight, Ratings, and Acting Skills For "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo"]. Sports Chosun. ko. 2017-07-06. 2017-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801194813/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003037500&gid=999339&cid=1053806. live.
  7. Web site: 이성경·MBC 양 측 "'역도요정 김복주', 출연제안만…확정 無" (공식입장) . ko . Naver . 30 June 2016 . 2017-02-23 . 2017-09-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170930180211/http://m.entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000624341 . live .
  8. Web site: MBC "이성경, '역도요정 김복주' 출연 미정..여러 후보 중 한명"(공식입장) - 스타뉴스. Star News. 2016-10-16. ko. 2016-06-30. 2016-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018213408/http://star.mt.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2016063015500821795&type=1&outlink=1. live.
  9. Web site: http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201607010100002280017513&servicedate=20160630. ko:[단독] 이성경, 장미란 된다…'역도요정' 파격 캐스팅 : 스포츠조선. Sports Chosun. 2016-10-16. ko. 2017-01-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20170122142443/http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201607010100002280017513&servicedate=20160630. live.
  10. News: http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110447749. ko:[단독] 남주혁, '역도 요정 김복주' 주연 물망…'역시 대세남'. 2016-10-16. ko. OSEN. 2016-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221246/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110447749. live.
  11. Web site: http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201608081204420410. ko:엔플라잉 김재현 측 "‘역도요정 김복주’ 출연 확정". Newsen. ko. 2016-10-16. 2016-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204652/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201608081204420410. live.
  12. Web site: http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=14750162511163608002. ko:'역도요정 김복주' 신예 김우혁 캐스팅, 수영부 꽃미남 신입생役. TV Daily. 2016-10-16. ko. 2016-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204350/http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=14750162511163608002. dead.
  13. News: [단독] 이종석 '역도요정 김복주' 특별출연, YG팸 지원사격]. 2016-10-16. Naver. ko. 2017-11-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040427/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=213&aid=0000916733. live.
  14. News: http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003016285&gid=999339&cid=1050217. ko:이종석, 오늘(17일) '역도요정' 카메오 등판…분위기 바꾸나. 2016-11-17. Naver. ko. 2017-11-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20171114092851/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003016285&gid=999339&cid=1050217. live.
  15. Web site: ko:'역도요정 김복주' 김슬기 카메오…"즐거웠다". http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=119&aid=0002160867. 2017-01-03. ko. Naver. 2020-12-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20201206230617/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=119&aid=0002160867. live.
  16. Web site: '역도요정김복주' 이성경·남주혁, 첫 대본리딩 "11월에 만나요" :: THE STAR. The Chosun Ilbo. 16 October 2016. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018202116/http://thestar.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2016/10/14/2016101400906.html. 18 October 2016. dead.
  17. Web site: http://isplus.live.joins.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=20418174&cloc= . ko:이성경·남주혁, ´역도요정…´으로 생애 첫 주인공 - 일간스포츠 . JTBC . 2017-02-23 . ko . 2016-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161005195327/http://isplus.live.joins.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=20418174&cloc= . live .
  18. Web site: TNMS Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu. ko. TNMS Ratings. November 16, 2016. January 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180117221236/http://www.tnms.tv/rating/default.asp. live.
  19. Web site: AGB Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu. ko. AGB Nielsen Media Research. November 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170317134758/http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=tit_1&sub_menu=1_1&area=00. March 17, 2017. dead.
  20. News: [2016 MBC 연기대상] '쇼핑왕' 서인국 & '역도' 이성경, 우수연기상 미니시리즈 부문 수상]. 30 December 2016. Electronic Times. ko. Lee Joo-hee. 2016-12-30. 2016-12-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20161231075531/http://www.etnews.com/20161230000313. live.
  21. News: [2016 MBC 연기대상] 남주혁·류준열·남지현·조보아 신인상 영예]. 30 December 2016. Focus News. ko. Jang Ji-hoon. 2016-12-30. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161231075159/http://www.focus.kr/view.php?key=2016123000212622384. 31 December 2016.

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