"Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo" (Korean: 역도요정 김복주; RR: Yeokdoyojeong Gim Bokju) is a South Korean television series that aired from November 16, 2016, to January 11, 2017, on MBC. It was shown every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:00 PM (KST). The show stars Lee Sung-kyung in the lead role and Nam Joo-hyuk. It is a drama about growing up and sports, based on the life of Olympic gold medalist Jang Mi-ran.
Although the series had an average audience share of 4.6% and the lowest viewership ratings in its time slot, it became very popular among young viewers. It received mostly positive reviews and developed a strong following.
Synopsis
Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung-Kyung), a young woman trying to reach her goal of becoming a weightlifter at a college campus, begins to like her friend Jung Joon-Hyung's (Nam Joo-Hyuk) older brother, Jung Jae-Yi (Lee Jae-Yoon). At first, Joon-Hyung jokes with her and supports her efforts, but later he starts to feel romantic feelings for her. This series follows a group of college athletes as they work hard to achieve their goals, experience love, and learn important lessons about growing up.
Cast
- Lee Sung-kyung plays the role of Kim Bok-joo (김복주)
- Nam Joo-hyuk plays the role of Jung Joon-hyung (정준형)
- Lee Jae-yoon plays the role of Jung Jae-yi (정재이)
- Kyung Soo-jin plays the role of Song Shi-ho (송시호)
- Ahn Gil-kang plays the role of Kim Chang-gul
- Kang Ki-young plays the role of Kim Dae-ho
- Jung In-gi plays the role of Joon-hyung's paternal uncle and foster father
- Lee Jung-eun plays the role of Joon-hyung's paternal aunt and foster mother
Production
The series is authored by Yang Hee-seung, who previously worked on the 2015 romantic comedies Oh My Ghostess and High School King of Savvy. It is directed by PD Oh Hyun-joong, known for the show 7th Grade Civil Servant. The first script reading occurred in August 2016 at the MBC station in Sangam, Seoul, South Korea.