Lee Jun Young, Jung Eun Ji, and cast reflect on 'Pump Up the Healthy Love'

Cast of Pump Up the Healthy Love share thoughts following the K-drama's conclusion.

Pump Up the Healthy Love follows Do Hyeon Jung, a vigorous fitness enthusiast, correcting the lives of novice gym members.

The K-drama took viewers on a journey of growth by depicting the characters' growth through physical and mental training. 

Lee Jun Young transformed into the health enthusiast and gym owner Do Hyeon Jung. 

The actor shared his thoughts, saying, "I have no regrets because I truly gave it my all for this project. I'm grateful and relieved that it gave me the message, 'I can do it too.'" He added, "Whether it was looking broken down or bulking up as a gym owner, I had to take on all of it as a challenge. That's why I think this project will remain especially meaningful to me."

Lee Jun Young added a thoughtful message, saying, "Thank you so much for being part of Pump Up the Healthy Love. I hope you all stay safe and happy. Geun-bye!" [portmanteau of geun, meaning muscles in Korean, and "goodbye"]. 

Jung Eun Ji, who played Lee Mi Ran, a newbie to the gym, said, "This project gave me the courage to take on a new challenge, and I'm so thankful for that. I was really happy to work with such good people and had the chance to learn a lot." She shared that the most memorable line for her was: "Our lives are engraved on our bodies."

She also mentioned a line from Episode 1 that left a deep impression on her, when Mi Ran breaks up with Yeom Jun Seok (Jung Wook Jin) and says: "If you just leave like this, I'll have to wonder alone for the rest of my life. I'll keep replaying every moment we had, and repent without even knowing what I did wrong."

She added, "Saying that line truly broke my heart. There were so many lines that I felt I could relate to a lot in my real life."

Jung Eun Ji also shared a heartfelt message: "Living as Lee Mi Ran, I learned a lot about the value of people and the importance of sincerity. Muscles of the body [physical stamina] matter, but so do the muscles of the mind [mental stamina]. And to build that, a healthy body is absolutely essential. Thank you for watching until the end, and I hope all our viewers stay healthy in both body and mind. Geun-bye!"

Lee Seung Woo also shared a few thoughts. Alex is a character who once entered medical school to meet the expectations of his mother, a hospital director, but gave up on becoming a doctor due to hemophobia, eventually losing his sense of purpose in life.  It was Hyeon Jung who helped him rise again through training and exercise — a story that resonated deeply with many viewers and drew their empathy. Later, when his mother returned and urged him to become a doctor again, he showed the result of his hard work — a fit body —and said: "This isn't the result of living the way you told me to. This is the result of living the way I want."

The actor shared, "If even one viewer got the thought, 'Maybe I should try working out for myself,' just like Alex, who decided to not live a life on someone else's terms, but on his own because he knew what he wanted — that alone means so much to me."

Through her agency, actress Lee Da Eun shared, "It feels like we just had our last shoot yesterday. I can't believe the drama is already over. Time really flew." 

She continued, "Since everything was a first for me, there were many times when I felt embarrassed, and many nights I stayed up, telling myself, 'I have to do better in the next shoot.' Now that it's time to say goodbye to Ji Ran, whom I prepared for so fiercely, my heart feels all over the place." Lee Da Eun added, "Thanks to the many people who supported me on set, I was able to finish safely, and I really want to say thank you again."

Lee Mi Do also shared her thoughts. She played Rosa, a trainer at the gym. 

Rosa is one of the pillars of the 24-Hour Health Club, someone who has been with it for a long time. She's like an essential nutrient that the gym simply couldn't function without. Always warm and affectionate toward the members, Rosa earned the nickname "empathetic trainer." Her character is reflected in lines like: "No trainer would leave a struggling member alone."

Rosa comforted not only the gym members but also her fellow trainers, ultimately establishing herself as more than just a fitness trainer. 

Lee Mi Do shared her thoughts, saying, "This was a character I really wanted to play, so I approached the shoot with even more affection. I had such a great time while filming, and I'm happy that the chemistry among the cast was captured so well in the drama." She continued, "While filming this series, I came to realize just how much I love working out. Exercise isn't just about building physical strength — it's about loving one's body, and ultimately, learning to love oneself. Starting today, I'm planning to begin working out again with the people I love."

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