We finally get the muscle-popping romance viewers had been waiting for in “Pump Up the Healthy Love.”; While Mi Ran (Jeong Eun Ji) has been unwavering in her support of Hyeon Joong (Lee Jun Young), Hyeon Joong also has developed feelings for her but is unable to express himself. He also faces a crisis of sorts when his body fat percentage shoots up, and he stands to lose the opportunity to be on the cover of Muscle Man, Korea. He needs to get his fitness back on track and for that he needs to avoid Mi Ran and their tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) dates. Mi Ran is hurt and feels betrayed, instead choosing to work out with Alex (Lee Sung Woo). But it seems, for the first time in his life, Hyeon Joong feels out of control as he cannot bring himself to give up on Mi Ran and his newfound love for tteokbokki. As romance blossoms in the 24-Hour Gym, here are three moments that were enjoyable in the finale episodes!
Warning: spoilers from episodes 11 and 12 ahead.
Tteokbokki: the food of love
Ramyun may have just lost its star status to tteokbokki. The chewy, spicy tteok is not only a significant character in “Pump Up the Healthy Love,”; but it also played a key role in the romance between Hyeon Joong and Mi Ran. Tteokbokki is Mi Ran’s comfort food, consoling her when she feels low and adding the extra zing to her life when she is happy. It is also the humble tteokbokki and its many varieties that come to her rescue when she tries to get Hyeon Joong’s attention during his absence from the gym.
Tteokbokki emerges as the unspoken love language between the two. Hyeon Joong, who had decreed that Mi Ran stay away from her tteok binges, is now a tteokbokki convert. His explanation is that his body knows its fat threshold, while Mi Ran, on the other hand, had overcome her dependency on tteokbokki. As he downs bowls of tteokbokki with Mi Ran, enjoying her company as much as he does the spicy dishes, one can sense the fragrance of love wafting in the air.
How much tteokbokki is too much? Hyeon Joong doesn’t realize this until he receives an offer to be on the cover of Muscle Man, Korea, regarded as the Bible for fitness. He is in for a shock when he realizes that his body has long moved away from its four percent fat threshold and has moved to double digits. He has to avoid tteokbokki and by default Mi Ran as well.
It does not sit well with Mi Ran, who is heartbroken and upset that Hyeon Joong has made it rather obvious he is avoiding her. She starts working out with Alex, making it clear to Hyeon Joong that she will not belittle herself nor her feelings.
But Hyeon Joong is not succeeding either. He sees Mi Ran’s face in every rice cake. When he finally gives into his cravings, attempting to prove to himself that it is just a bowl... he fails yet again. He understands that it is not tteokbokki but Mi Ran’s company that he craves. The simple pleasure of sharing her favorite meal with her is what brings him joy.
He finally confesses his feelings to her, saying that for him, life with her is just as exciting and comforting as bowl of tteokbokki. He happily forgoes the chance to be on the cover of the magazine. He’d rather be happy in love than be miserable in deprivation, and it’s sweet to see. After all, if food is the language of love... eat on!
Hyeon Joong’s metamorphosis
Hyeon Joong tells Mi Ran that there are three truths in life: muscle loss, muscle gain, and a fluttering heart. It is a confession of love to her. And Mi Ran understands his eccentricities and fitness fetishes. She is more than happy to be a part of his routines. From sitting in a squat position as they chow down on their favorite food to lunging their way down a few blocks after a hearty meal, this is a match made in, and for, the gym. He installs a stair-master in the gym as his personalized gift for her. High on their gym dates and exercises, oxytocin runs aplenty through the 24-Hour Gym. Hyeon Joong, happy to wear his heart on his sleeve, also publicly proclaims his love for Mi Ran in front of everyone at the gym.
But that’s not the only change. Hyeon Joong has become far more flexible and is no longer rigid when it comes to himself or running the gym. The 24-Hour Gym is falling apart and needs an upgrade, both in equipment and infrastructure. It’s something Hyeon Joong had been avoiding all along, fearing he would be abandoning his mentor by doing so.
He confesses to Mi Ran that he is scared and fearful of letting the gym go and feels that, by doing so, he would be failing his mentor. Known for masking his feelings, there has been a perceptible shift in his personality. He now understands that being vulnerable is also a strength. He receives a vote of confidence from everyone including his mentor. Director Dong makes a return and tells Hyeon Joong that he has been a loyal son and has held onto the gym far beyond expectations.
With the promise to return stronger, Hyeon Joong disappears again. But this time, he studies member behavior and what drives people’s attitudes toward food and fitness. From an internship at Mi Ran’s office to doing household chores, he realizes that for a trainer, understanding the psyche of his members is just as important as managing their workouts. Hyeon Joong has finally understood that life is never one-dimensional. To live a wholesome life, one must embrace all its aspects and also learn to cut oneself some slack, which is a nice change!
Mi Ran learns self-love
Mi Ran has come a long way. She has long discarded the version of herself who was desperate to be loved. When Hyeon Joong ignores her, she doesn’t run after him, pleading to know the reason, the way she had with her former boyfriend. When she starts dating Hyeon Joong, she retains her individuality. She lets Hyeon Joong be himself and doesn’t compromise herself or her beliefs. This is when she faces her biggest challenge. She gets the offer she had always wanted, a one-year transfer to Hawaii to promote tourism. However, she doesn’t seem too sure if it would be right for her to go.
With the 24-Hour Gym shutting down and Hyeon Joong facing several challenges, she feels it wouldn’t be right for her to leave. Her sister tells her she should forgo the position. And while at the office, her colleague puts her down, saying she is selfish. But Mi Ran is not too sure. Her initial reasons to go to Hawaii were to impress her former boyfriend and prove herself. But this is now a decision she wants to make for herself and her career. It is something she wants to do. She is honest and upfront with Hyeon Joong and tells him so. Hyeon Joong supports her and encourages her to go ahead and pursue her dreams. And Mi Ran understands that to love another person, one must first love oneself and feel worthy.
Her former boyfriend also comes clean and tells her that he had always loved her. The only reason he had rejected her was because he was the one lacking. He confesses that his hair growth pills had affected his hormones. Mi Ran is understanding but also realizes she has moved on. She no longer holds herself responsible for others’ reactions towards her. It is an empowering moment, as the once pitiful woman, desperate to love and be loved, has taken control of her own life.
“Pump Up the Healthy Love”; was a simple and sweet watch, and Lee Jun Young and Jeong Eun Ji set the bar high with their performances!
Start watching “Pump Up the Healthy Love”;:
Hey Soompiers, have you watched “Pump Up the Healthy Love”;? What did you think of the final episodes? Let us know in the comments below!
Puja Talwaris a Soompi writer with a strongYoo Yeon SeokandLee Junhobias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewedLee Min Ho,Gong Yoo,Cha Eun Woo, andJi Chang Wookto name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
