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Deciding to DNF: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (Lia)
🕑 Added 2021-10-04 04:27:37 +0000 UTCI’m heading to DNF town for my second time ever. I want to like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo. I realllly want to like it. But I’m pulled out by all the weight stuff…heroine is nicknamed “Fatty” and there is a “funny” bit of her going to obesity clinic because she has a crush on the doctor who encourages her for losing 300 grams? Has anyone else seen this? Does it get better because right now I’m like ….I think there are too many other choices out there for me to be blergh on this one
Comments
Megan Crutchfield
I only watched this for Nam Joo-hyuk. It was right after I finished the start up and it's honestly one of my all time favorites. It is heavy on the fat jokes and weightlifting. But let me tell you that the male lead give off Kim Min Kyu vibes. The enemies to friends to lovers is so much fun. I laughed out loud so many times. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but I really did like this and it remains a top one for me. Especially if you're a Do-San fan!
Megan Erickson
Ok these are all fair points. I think I want to like it—and the leads are sweet and lots of familiar fun folks in the ensemble. But I’m not….investing but I will keep trying especially as it’s not an ugly duckling trope. Also— I don’t always hate an ugly duckling story but I’m picky. I’ll soldier on a bit more and see if I turn a corner. I often do… It’s funny as a DNF books all the time. But dramas? Almost never.
Sarah @afternoonaasks
I don’t think I’ll be able to answer this properly because on the one hand, I finished this drama and I liked it. But I didn’t love it the way others did, so there’s a part of me that is like, there’s SO MUCH right now, move on. However I would say it is a really lovely coming of age story. Her crush is both painful and incredibly authentic, evoking all those painful first crushes you have. The heroine has her growth story on weight too - so don’t worry there is no ugly duckling retelling where she finishes looking totally different, to be happy. The hero is just one of the most supportive lovely ones in KDrama, I love her family and the weightlifting squad and it is super cute. Btw - On the “issue” with her weight - this is also a toughie. - seen through a western lens is disturbing but as a British born Chinese who is like a US size 10, this was my reality whenever I went back to HK - clothes that fit me in stores are a XL. So in some senses it reflects reality but importantly by the dramas end, it has a good story to tell re: weight especially juxtaposed with the gymnasts who don’t get to eat. I think I’ve talked myself into talking you into finishing it. I do remember how much you liked the coming of age for Healer so this part of it might work for you by the end.
