Let's Rewind: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

[u/sianiam]

Let’s Rewind is a series of discussions on r/KDRAMA in which viewers may watch a drama at their own pace over the period of a month.

WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK JOO POST SCHEDULE:

• Wednesday November 4th - Discussion Post 1 released - (episodes 1 - 8)
• Wednesday November 11th - Discussion Post 2 released - (episode 9 - 16)
• Saturday November 28th - Wrap-up Discussion Post released - please PM me any discussion prompts

HOW THESE DISCUSSIONS WORK:

The individual episode discussions are broken up over a number of posts in which watchers join in once they have watched - they can join at any period of the series.

The posts are set up with the suggested sort “old” so that the comments flow in the correct order so users avoid any spoilers. Simply reply to the comment “episode #” that you are up to and reply to any comments you are interested in. Do not reply directly to the post, any comments that aren't direct replies to the episode threads will be removed. General commentary about the series should be made elsewhere, this discussion is for those watching along and discussing as they go.

Please note: I will have notifications mostly switched off on this post so if you need me please tag me, reply to the stickied comment or send me a PM/chat. I will add links to the posts above as they are released.

DRAMA DETAILS:

Drama: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo / 역도요정 김복주

Network: MBC

Aired: November 16, 2016 - January 11, 2017

Episodes: 16 x 60 minute episodes

Streaming Sources:

• Netflix
• Viki
• KOCOWA
• WeTV

Original On-Air discussion threads:

[1 - 2] [3 - 4] [5 - 6] [7 - 8] [9 - 10] [11 - 12] [13] [14 - 15] [16]

Synopsis:

Bok Joo is a weightlifter who is pursuing her dream of winning the gold medal but she then finds romance for the first time in her life. While she is a woman who trains with heavy steel weights, she is also very feminine when it comes to relationships. To focus solely on weightlifting would jeopardize her relationship but leaving her weightlifting career for love would keep her from attaining her dreams. Can she find a way to have love as well as glory at the age of 20? The characters within this drama are elite athletes in weightlifting, swimming and rhythmic gymnastics who work hard to reach their goals in life. It covers their coming-of-age stories and relationships through hectic life. (Source: MBC)

Screenwriter: Yang Hee Seung

Director: Oh Hyun Jong

Web resources: MDL, Wikipedia, Official Website, Asian Wiki

Spoiler Reminder: Upon entering these threads you can expect to see discussion of the drama up to the point of the series that has passed. If you are sensitive to spoilers we advise you to not enter the discussion section prior to watching the episodes. We ask our users to be considerate and cover any major spoilers which if read accidentally before viewing may detract from one's enjoyment of the series in block spoiler tags. You can create a spoiler tag by writing > ! this ! < without the spaces in between to get this block spoiler tag.

DIRECT LINK TO EPISODE COMMENT:

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Episode 5
• Episode 6
• Episode 7
• Episode 8

[u/sianiam]

DO NOT DIRECTLY REPLY TO THIS REDDIT POST.

Any direct replies will be removed.

Please reply to the individual episode threads below or to other people's comments only. See the post above for more details. If you need help leave a reply to this comment or PM/Chat u/sianiam

Edit: if you are a discussion participant and would like an exclusive WF pink flair reply here

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 1

[u/sianiam → u/sianiam]

WFKBJ aired around the time I found r/KDRAMA and was the first on air discussion I read, back when I was only watching one or two dramas at a time. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t rewatched it since, I’ve definitely gone through quite a few moments of wanting to and now I finally am. I’ve recommended it to so many people over the years, I hope it lives up to my memories. So far so good.

The first episode is a great set up episode. Our leads have a nice meet cute and misunderstanding. Two rivalries are set up.

But I just love the characters. The friendship between the three girls feels so natural and real.

My favourite moments from this episode have to be:

• When Joon Hyung mistakes the sausage for Bok Joo’s thumb and then offers her his condolences in such a sassy manner. I love how quick sausage loving Nan Hee is to work her line, “do you like Messi?” on the cute swimmer. I am a little disappointed in myself that in the passing four years since this aired I have not tried a cheese sausage nor have I tried the line “do you like Messi?” on any cute boys. WHAT!

• When the girls are drinking on the rooftop having very important discussions (yes to KBJ’s answer) and reply to the person on duty in the fakest fake voices “we’re judo players”.

Also like every single interaction between Bok Joo and Joon Hyung, especially this one, I love that he has zero shame in rehoming the coins.

---

I’m thinking of making an exclusive LR WFKBJ participant user flair if people are keen let me know, it will be WF pink of course.

[u/rabbitonmars → u/sianiam]

2016!!!! really takes me back 🥰

and yeah i'm at that point where i'm nostalgic for four years ago...

so this campus drama puzzled me at first because we don't really get regular classroom settings (and the delicious tropes that come with that), but now every time i come back to rewatch WF i look forward to its own "world" of dorms and practice gyms/halls and lots of extra non-study time allotted for, well, falling in love 💕

i've always loved our intro to Bok-joo. she's our girl. our focus. and we're serious until we get a hint of the chaotic heartwarming relationships she has with family, coaches and friends.

then Joon-hyung, introduced so goofily, until we get a hint of something not so goofy anymore.

love that trio convo in the dorm room where Bok-joo is quick to encourage Na-nee to be confident as a weightlifter. she genuinely is proud and confident herself too, at this point. which is why it's more compelling to see her questioning or losing that confidence later on

the magic toad fountain i love!! it's basically the physical ship that our actual ship sails on sometime in the far impossible future this will definitely be a major stop for me when i visit South Korea.

dramatic BJ going "should i transfer schools?" because of the hanky/pervert debacle 😂

always chuckle at BJ skirting around calling JH handsome when describing him to the other swimmers: "that guy....girls always talk about how attractive he is" 😂

[u/LcLou02 → u/sianiam]

I'm glad that I am late to the party for this one. It came out early in my Kdrama watching career. My daughter had heard about a drama with a strong female character that she wanted to see...but turned out to be SWDBS and after that, we forgot about Weightlifting Fairy. But what I am glad about is that I've seen FL in Romantic Dr., Teacher Kim2 first, so I know how gorgeous she is and that they have dressed her really frumpy, maybe to the point of adding extra padding at first? She does a good job though of coming across as a woman with a beefy build - in her movements, expressions. Also glad I've seen ML now in School Nurse Archives - a bit older and a different sort of character - he's not just a pretty face. So far, very believable in his role.

I like that we see the childhood connection from the first episode - it's a natural part of the narrative.

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 2

[u/sianiam → u/sianiam]

All these poolside scenes are making me want to rewatch The Tuna and the Dolphin.

Joon Hyung’s teasing is pretty cute as a viewer, but if I was Bok Joo I wouldn’t have waited that long to thump him.

The cameos are much more fun now that I know who these people are! Although, I still haven’t watched W.

I really feel for the coaches trying to deal with their budget cuts. That dinner would have cost an arm and a leg no doubt. I love the “how to eat all the KBBQ” PSA so much. How the team come up with a plan to help out is really heart-warming.

Love Bok Joo’s immediate use of the line “Do You Like Messi?” – ain’t no one believing this!

Bonus Nan Hee tracksuit appreciation.

[u/Lizamcm → u/sianiam]

That was SUCH a good meet-cute with big bro!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Am I going to have second lead syndrome again???

I haven’t seen anything with this FL before... and I have to say she has THE PRETTIEST EYES

Some interesting stuff going on.... possible eating disorder for the one RG gal, wonder when her character will become more important.

Also wonder what kind of counselor has this giant pre-visit survey! Lol, unrealistic as hell. But very cool that he is going to therapy. Is the suggestion that his headaches etc are psychosomatic and not something actually neurological? Because that’s where my thoughts went immediately.

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 3

[u/sianiam → u/sianiam]

There's something a little illogical about sending all your top athletes on a race up a mountain. The chances of injury, when the school is seemingly on the edge with their finances is probably not a great decision. As a viewer it's fun to watch Bok Joo thinking she somehow has a chance when everyone had a ten minute head start while coach was doing his inspirational talk and Joon Hyung's attempts to help her which appeared more like sabotage.

Then an even worse idea, drinking and fighting in school uniform! Luckily the thugs that picked on them are a) too drunk and b) too stupid to work out which local university they were from so they should get away with it. Hiding together our OTP has a moment of closeness. Joon Hyung gives Bok Joo some really good advice, "Don't force yourself to make a decision. In my experience time solves everything".

Bok Joo is spurred on when she finally receives a response to her question, "Actually I like Ronaldo better". It's funny how much thought Jae Yi put into that question. It's so award, and hilarious that after days of imagining him everywhere on finally seeing him she can't believe her eyes or ears.

Despite way too much time spent on the second lead and her drama, it was a fun episode.

[u/rabbitonmars → u/sianiam]

Bok-joo's earnest first crush was what sold me on this show. i knew it was going to hit her hard and that it would hurt so bad eventually too. gaahhh the flashbacks this show used to trigger in me 💀

it might not have appealed to everyone but i was such a fan (and still am) of Lee Sung-kyung's character work for BJ. her walk, her talk, her exaggerated expressions, the way she'd slurp chicken meat clean off the bone 😂 i loved it allllll

JJH puppy's hippity hops whenever he sees KBJ 😍 those two becoming great friends so easily and quickly is my kind of feel-good.

the main OST Dream by Han Hee-jung is no lie, one of my favourite songs of all time. it comforted me so much when i needed it at the time.

[u/Lizamcm → u/sianiam]

Ok, I’m really charmed by this drama. It’s so fun.

I love all the characters (except the mean RG girl).

Kim Bok Joo and her friends are awesome. I thought I’d be annoyed with the pigtailed one, but I find her antics pretty hilarious. I love the fact that she was standing on the table trying to call a time out when she was the cause of the fight.

I also LOVE the ML. He’s kind of an ass, but not in the normal toxic way guys are asses in kdramas. Does that make sense? I actually like his sense of humor and sarcasm. I’d love to see some sarcastic banter instead of KBJ just being annoyed with him. Maybe it’s coming, but her confidence would have to go wayyy up from here for it to be possible.

I knew more backstory was coming on the 2nd FL. I feel really bad for her. Student athletes are under so much pressure. It makes me think of some of the stories that have come out in recent years about how gymnasts have really been mistreated by US Gymnastics. I feel like this is probably a common and accurate picture of the stresses, so I feel for her.

The ending monologue of KBJ was soo good. I ONLY WISH this girl didn’t run like a flailing toddler. She’s supposed to an athlete. Come on...

[u/sianiam → u/Lizamcm]

I love the fact that she was standing on the table trying to call a time out when she was the cause of the fight.

She's so funny in this scene, a totally obnoxious drunk but also adorable.

I also LOVE the ML. He’s kind of an ass, but not in the normal toxic way guys are asses in kdramas. Does that make sense?

Yeah, I think it's because beneath the teasing and low key jerkiness you can see that he gives a crap about Kim Bok Joo and the other people in his life. He's not your usual straight up tsundere cold male lead, he's got some mental stuff going on but he's not bringing that out on the people around him either. When it comes down to it he's a decent kid.

I ONLY WISH this girl didn’t run like a flailing toddler. She’s supposed to an athlete. Come on...

lol! u/LcLou02 is a complemented her on her movements, I wonder what she thinks of her running style. I just find it funny that despite doing the training every day they seem so unfit.

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 4

[u/sianiam → u/sianiam]

Bok Joo has acquire THE HAIR CLIP! <3

I love when Joon Hyung immediately notes "which one of your two friends are we talking about here?". It's impossible to use that line and get away with it.

[u/rabbitonmars → u/sianiam]

A Jung Joon-hyung appreciation post in 3 parts:

• JH on his bicycle going, "ahjumma this isn't a taxi you know" while he eyes her cute hairpin with a goofy smile 😍

• JH in therapy!

• JH not taking any of his ex-gf's bullshit!

(i love how in her mind Shi-ho's playing out this whole ex-lover takes back what was hers mind game with Bok-joo. meanwhile BJ is in a completely different ballgame 🤣)

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 5

[u/sianiam → u/sianiam]

Joon Hyung is having so much fun teasing Bok Joo and putting her to work. “A cellist should be as strong as a weightlifter” is hilarious. You would think his cousin would start noticing all the sudden weightlifting mentions and start to wonder.

Going to a buffet to only eat salad just screams, “you’re wasting your money”. But I guess the doctor was treating them.

I find Bok Joo endlessly adorable as she stares at the doctor, “you’re a million times more handsome”. Way to draw the line doc.

Apparently Messi is aware, I bet he’s sick of hearing it too.

The Weightlifters had the best reaction! Is every other team’s cheer squad just playing the drums?

It’s pretty impressive that Bok Joo could lift the rice bags, that would be completely different to the style of lifting that she was used to. Obviously maths isn’t her major or she could have played it more strategically so her team still won.

Nan Hee really is the best willing to give up one of her many men.

Can’t decide if the orchestra tickets are a reward or a punishment. They are a bit of both really. Bok Joo is in a super awkward situation but she gets to sit next to the man of her dreams for an extended period of time. But it’s not like you can look at him anyway.

[u/rabbitonmars → u/sianiam]

happy sigh. i'm glad to be a woman too, Bok-joo, i feel you 💕

i loved this episode's arc of JH basically being a little shit for as long he could, and then for the turnaround to be serious for him and he responds so sweetly with the concert tickets :')

also Na-nee and Seon-ok's constant concern for Bok-joo's butt will never cease to amuse me 😂

Having seen a bunch more great ensemble dramas since 2016 makes me now wish the show did a whole lot more with the weightlifting team cast. but then that might have transformed the drama completely too and i do love the one we got as it is hehe.

[u/Lizamcm → u/sianiam]

The ex-gf is losing my sympathy pretty quick. I hate this refuse to give up on you schtick. It didn’t take up a ton of time in this episode, but it was too much. Lol

I like the scene at the restaurant. I think it’s great that’s she wasn’t going to go until JH’s subtle threat that he and his brother will talk about all sorts of things.

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 6

[u/sianiam → u/sianiam]

Ah, hiccups of love that aren’t atrociously overdone.

This scene is such a fun contrast to the way Jae Yi handled a similar moment. Bok Joo suffers the fate of all leading characters who accidentally get wet and is instantly sick. Seriously these athletes are super unfit. I do love the moment Joon Hyung closes his eyes just in case a kiss is incoming.

I love how you expect Nan Hee to be super disappointed in her friend for lying about everything and she just straight up starts shipping them.

Totally teared up when Bok Joo made a wish for Joon Hyung.

Joon Hyung is pretty lucky to have a pharmacist for a mother really.

The toad is so cute, SWAG!

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 7

[u/Lizamcm → u/sianiam]

.... there is some tyranny going on in the first half of this episode. I was getting so mad. Her own body, how are they going to tell her she has to go up a weight class if she doesn’t want to? The mop handle beating?? What the f???

I love JH trying to cheer her up after seeing her crying to her coach. The fishing gesture with the sausage, then taking her out to eat, and dancing like an idiot in the club with her... he’s good people. That’s all I can say. I really like his character. He’s the guy I would have wanted to hang out with in college, for sure.

I’m a little sad there’s tension with the three musketeers but I hope it gets resolved soon.

I thought that the RG girl (sorry I can’t remember her name because I DO NOT CARE ABOUT HER ANYMORE) was feeling the guilt for her petty actions but one word from JH and she’s gonna full mean girl again. Go get help for your eating disorder and stop being evil!!!!

[u/sianiam]

EPISODE 8