Korean Drama ’24-Hour Fitness Club’ Debuts with Laughter and Muscle
KBS 2TV’s latest Wednesday-Thursday drama, ‘24-Hour Fitness Club’, kicked off with an eccentric mix of comedy, romance, and sweat. The premiere episode shed light on a unique pairing between a muscle-bound gym owner and a heartbroken woman clueless about fitness, setting the tone for a delightfully comedic and emotionally resonant journey.
Lee Jun-young stars as Do Hyun-jung, a legendary bodybuilder whose glory days on stage ended abruptly after winning the coveted ‘Mr. David’ title. Stepping away from the limelight, he resurfaces as an unconventional, overly enthusiastic gym owner with a passion for changing lives through hardcore training.
Enter Jung Eun-ji’s character, Lee Mi-ran, who ends up meeting Hyun-jung after a series of personal disappointments with her boyfriend, Yeom Jun-suk (played by an unlisted actor). Mistaking the gym for a night club, Mi-ran’s wild dancing and awkward antics become an instant source of laughter, right before being pulled into Hyun-jung’s world of sweat and muscle.
The show quickly lifts off with its eccentric dynamic: the ‘hell-bent trainer’ and the ‘reluctant client’. Hyun-jung proposes a radical life transformation for Mi-ran via an all-inclusive ‘Total Life Care’ plan. The offer is bizarrely charming yet filled with potential for an emotional arc.
The emotional weight of Mi-ran’s low self-worth becomes evident, but her decision to embrace the gym life marks a turning point. Meanwhile, Hyun-jung, whose gym is struggling financially, sees Mi-ran as a potential savior, welcoming her tears with a hilariously misguided line: “If you cry, you’ll lose muscle mass.”
Their comedic chemistry comes to life fully when Hyun-jung catches Mi-ran from falling and slyly quips, “Overweight… What the fat!”—a line that perfectly captures the show’s over-the-top humor and endearing sincerity.
The episode ends with a mischievous grin from Hyun-jung, teasing what’s to come: the healing of broken hearts and a gym revival. Viewers can’t get enough of the unexpected pairing, praising both actors for their transformative performances.
Lee Jun-young and Jung Eun-ji’s dramatic body transformations were already talk of the town before the premiere. Onscreen, they deliver performances full of comic timing and emotional nuance, garnering rave reviews. Lines like “I feel like the gym coach is yelling at me too!” and “I want to start working out now!” flooded social media channels.
Directed by Park Joon-soo and written by Kim Ji-soo, the series dives into deeper themes around body image and self-esteem with a comedic lens. ‘24-Hour Fitness Club’ promises to be the go-to weekday drama for viewers looking for laughter and inspiration. Episode 2 airs tonight at 9:50 PM.
