[KDRAMA REVIEW] Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo Second Half and Full Drama Review
This might be my favorite drama of all time, I swear, it never failed me, NEVER - since Day One. Never did I tried to watch dramas in RAW but with this, I find myself watching raw episodes at 12AM (1AM KST). Boy, I was and still so whipped. I loved every single episode of this drama and might be the best 16 hours of my life – I swear! The pastel and colorful theme made it so heartwarming, add that up to the actors that gave life and justice to each and every single character. I just cry happy tears from all the cuteness while watching, I also find myself making my friends watch it so that we can spazz in the wee hours of the morning and feel giddy about the cute scenes from our main leads. This show is so cute that even Chubs and Joon Hyung bickering made me feel giddy. It wasn’t cliché and was so realistic. They couldn’t take their hands off of each other because, whether we like it or not, that’s how young love is. They grew and matured together, and they were upfront about each other’s faults and also what they love about each other. The confession scene from Joon Hyung was sweet but Bok Joo confessing back was so romantic; those four kisses in the snow literally had me weak in the knees and I still get goosebumps whenever I try to rewatch it. My standards for guys went all the way up because of Jeong Joon Hyung, seriously. Though I was disappointed at times with Bok Joo for being a little too secretive to her squad, it just shows how people are not perfect and has their own flaws. But it was just right that the two of them (Nan Hee and Seon Ok), together with Tae Kwon, confronted Joon Hyung and Bok Joo, made them pay (literally!!!) and repent for what they have done. It was so cute that they supported both of them the moment they knew about their relationship. Never did the show prolonged a problem because everyone was mature to talk about everything, even after the lead’s awkward first kiss, they talked and didn’t waste any time and resolved everything by talking and confronting each other. Family affairs were also included in the storyline and it showed how family is so important not only in an athlete’s but also in a person’s life. It was great to see them overcome their problems together and also having to see Joon Hyung and Bok Joo supporting each other during the toughest or maybe the lowest moments of their life so far. It was so heartwarming to see Bok Joo rushing to comfort Joon Hyung when he finally knew why his mom went home from Canada. I cry every time one of them cries. I just realized how Bok Joo made Joon Hyung at home - while his family and everyone around him always shower him with compliments, Bok Joo was never afraid to tell him his faults – even when she knows he’s going to be hurt by it. It made Joon Hyung feel normal, that at least one person wasn’t just feeling pity for him but Bok Joo was someone who truly cares for him despite everything. It also tackled mental illnesses and how Joon Hyung and Shi Ho tried to fight their respective problems, I was glad to see the both of them being brave to fight what they were going through and to finally see them being okay and being able to at least feel normal again. I liked how Joon Hyung tried to help Shi Ho get mental assistance from his own doctor and was genuinely concerned about her well-being. Mental illness is no joke and I loved the show more because they took it seriously – all with the getting help from a doctor and all. It was great to see Shi Ho overcome her own slump and started to be happy for her ex-boyfriend and roommate, and finally moving forward by her own . With regards to the side love stories, I am so happy to see Uncle Dae Ho finally getting a girlfriend that is not in the person of Coach Choi because she wouldn’t make him happy. My heart broke with him in the fifteenth episode and I’m very glad to see him happy with a new romantic interest. On the other note, it was cute that the two coaches finally had the chance to continue their own almost-unrequited romance. For Seon Ok and Tae Kwon, well I guess the feelings were mutual and it was adorable to see them having their own little love bubble. I’m just a little sad, though, because Nan Hee, our ever adorable Nan Hee who wanted a boyfriend herself, never got one in the drama. But she’s happy, so I’m happy, too. Lastly, Dr. Jae Yi and Dr. Go, I wasn’t a fan of this loveline but honestly speaking, I liked how Dr. Jae Yi tried to woo her again because she was determined to move on. She deserved being treated the way Dr. Jae Yi finally treated her; she loved him for ten years without him realizing it, and he only found his feelings out when she was almost gone. It’s great that Dr. Jae Yi finally put an effort to make her stay in his life this time. In the final episode, Bok Joo’s dad and Joon Hyung had a heart to heart talk and I teared up at how Joon Hyung told Bok Joo’s father why he likes her, it was adorably honest. It wasn’t even the best description you say to someone’s father, but it was perfectly imperfect. The look on his eyes while telling Abeoji how Bok Joo makes him feel warm: this was so real for their case, as I’ve said before, she was his home. I’m also very happy that Abeoji has finally had a successful kidney transplant – everything has finally paid off for him being a father who sacrificed so much for his baby girl. The finale gave us what we needed the most – closure. Everyone deserves a happy ending, and everyone got what they deserved. Everyone was happy. It wasn’t a crazy episode, it was rather calm and consistently heartwarming – just like the previous fifteen. The finale was so on point and satisfying, it made me somehow accept that it’s over. A gold medal, a long-haired Bok Joo, a graduation, the meeting of the parents, a proposal, and an open-mouth kiss? Might be the best and the most heartwarming finale ever. This drama never disappointed me and it will surely stay in my heart for a very very long time. I know I’m gonna miss this drama for, like, a hundred years but the show itself left us with the best gift: laughter, butterflies and most importantly, reminding us the different kinds of love. I’m gonna miss the craziness, Joon Hyung and Chubs! Props to all the staff of this drama: not anyone can make a drama this consistent and realistic. Thank you breaking all the clichés. Thank you for casting the perfect actors and wonderful acting. Thank you for a beautifully-written drama. Thank you for something I can rewatch when I need some cheering up and heart flutters. Thank you for the sixteen episodes I can hold on to and cherish. I know I’ll have a hard time finding something like this in the future and that’s why it will always have a special place in my heart. We are all so lucky to have experienced this ride. Sad to say, good things also come to an end. Thank you for being my calm in this crazy world, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo! It was a fun and unforgettable journey.