The witty writer of "24 Hour Health Club," Kim Ji-soo, revealed some essential viewing points not to be missed.
The new KBS2 Wednesday-Thursday drama "24 Hour Health Club" (written by Kim Ji-soo and directed by Park Jun-soo and Choi Yeon-soo), set to air on the 30th at 9:50 p.m., unfolds as a thrilling narrative where the passionate gym enthusiast, manager Do Hyun-jung, dramatically corrects the lives of overly anxious gym beginners through their muscle growth.
As the premiere approaches in about two weeks, Kim Ji-soo candidly shared that she was inspired to write from her husband, who runs a gym.
Kim noted, "My husband runs a gym, so I often hear stories that members come to the gym with various goals. I realized that there are diverse reasons for needing exercise, such as starting a diet before a wedding, weight training to boost declining physical strength as one ages, and rehabilitation for bodies damaged after accidents. But ultimately, there's a common reason: the desire to live better. I thought the gym space felt more intense, and I found the people who scream in pain while exercising to be amazing. I hope the struggles of these members are well conveyed through the work."
Kim Ji-soo expressed about the differentiating factor of "24 Hour Health Club," saying, "There are an enthusiastic manager and adorable trainer characters, along with members that resemble us, making us want to cheer for them. I captured the relatable points that everyone feels while exercising through comedic direction and imaginative scenes. I hope the viewers can enjoy it together. "
In particular, Kim expressed his affection for lead actors Lee Joon-young and Jeong Eun-ji, stating that the character synchronization rate is 1,000%. He said, "Lee Joon-young expressed the character Do Hyun-jung, who is overly sincere about the members, in a cute and human way with his own flair. I actually felt like I wanted to register at a gym where he is the manager." He also said, "Jeong Eun-ji made the character Mi-ran truly lovable and someone you want to support. To portray Mi-ran, who has insecurities about her body, she even went through weight gain and loss to develop her physique, and I'm really grateful for her efforts."
Kim Ji-soo identified three key themes for the work: "empathy, growth, and the romance of a gym enthusiast." She emphasized the essential viewing point that "24 Hour Health Club" is a growth story through the body. She explained, "There will be various concerns about the body, and I hope people empathize with them while watching. This is not a story about a desire for a beautiful and slim body that looks good to others, but rather a narrative about a 'healthy body' that takes care of and loves oneself. I want to emphasize that it's not about having a great body to be loved."
In conclusion, she added, "I believe our bodies reflect our lives. The turtle neck of office workers, the belly fat of middle-aged individuals, and the puffy legs of students are all traces of their hard work every day. I hope you see ourselves, who live earnestly, as more lovable through those bodies. I ask for your interest in the upcoming broadcast."
KBS2's new Wednesday-Thursday drama "24 Hour Health Club" will premiere on the 30th (Wednesday) at 9:50 p.m. as a follow-up to "Villains Everywhere."
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