Even Idol or Netflix-Level Talent Can’t Save This Struggling K-Drama

As it enters its final stretch with only four episodes left, the Korean drama Pump Up The Healthy Love (Korean title: 24-Hour Health Club) is facing a major crisis: it may soon dip into 0% viewership territory. Since its premiere, the show has remained stuck in the 1% range, sparking questions over whether it can pull off a last-minute turnaround.

According to Nielsen Korea, the episode aired on May 21 recorded a nationwide rating of just 1.1%, a 0.2-point drop from the previous episode.

Episode 7 focused on Hyun-jung (played by Lee Jun-young) helping member Mi-ran (Jung Eun-ji) overcome her workout slump. Still reeling from a breakup, Mi-ran considered quitting the gym, prompting Hyun-jung to reignite her passion through various sports. However, Mi-ran’s unexpectedly elite athletic abilities—revealed to be the result of past efforts to gain love—added a bittersweet layer to the episode.

In a heartfelt moment, Hyun-jung visited Mi-ran at her workplace, asking her to return to the gym. Misunderstanding their interaction, Mi-ran’s colleagues cheered them on like a couple. Eventually, Mi-ran resumed working out, and the two even went hiking together—until Mi-ran suddenly went missing. The tension quickly turned comedic as it was revealed to be a case of food poisoning.

The episode also saw Hyun-jung open up about his own past for the first time. Born prematurely at 1.5 kg, he was physically weak and started working out with help from Dong Han-chul (Choi Moo-sung). He confessed to feeling abandoned at his strongest point, revealing his emotional scars.

Mi-ran told Hyun-jung, “Show us that you won’t give up. Be the first example.” Moved, Hyun-jung brought his competition trophy to visit Han-chul in the hospital and learned from his workout journal that Han-chul had been rooting for him all along. Mi-ran also found closure with her ex, Yeom Joon-seok (Jung Wook-jin), and ended things for good.

Just as Mi-ran fully returns to gym life, the episode ends with a surprise twist: Hyun-jung’s ex, Kang Sol (Park Hae-in), appears as a new gym member. Shocked by her name on a PT contract, Hyun-jung freezes, while Kang Sol casually greets him with, “Long time no see, oppa.” Her sudden arrival sets the stage for an unexpected new development.

Despite a star-studded cast—including Lee Jun-young, who rose to global fame through When Life Gives You Tangerines and Weak Hero Class—the drama continues to struggle to attract viewers on cable.

Fans have voiced frustration over the show's lackluster storyline:

“Give us the romance already.”

“For a rom-com, episodes 7–8 should bring the main couple together—why are we getting an ex and Mi-ran in one-sided love?”

“I liked the episode, but it was honestly the most frustrating and pointless one so far.”

“The cast is doing a fantastic job, but the script feels way too sluggish.”

“Such talented actors, and this is the story they get?”

Meanwhile, Pump Up The Healthy Love isn’t alone in its struggle. Other terrestrial K-dramas are also seeing a ratings decline. SBS’s Spring of Youth dropped from 1.4% in its premiere to 0.7% in just its second episode. The drama, about two university students who bond over music, airs once a week on Wednesdays.

MBC’s Crushology 101 (starring Roh Jeong-eui and Lee Chae-min), based on a webtoon, debuted on April 11 with 1.3% but fell to 0.9% by its second episode. It has continued to slide, reaching a new low of 0.7% in episode 8—making it the first MBC Friday-Saturday drama to dip into 0% territory. Previously, The Season of Kkokdu had dropped to 1.3%, but Crushology 101 has officially hit lower.

Among terrestrial channels, only SBS’s The Haunted Palace is holding strong. It started with 9.2% and reached a new high of 10.7% in episode 9, which aired on May 16.

Unlike Pump Up The Healthy Love, both Spring of Youth and Crushology 101 are led by relatively unknown young actors. Industry experts point out that younger viewers tend to watch content via YouTube or streaming platforms, making it harder for traditional broadcasts to gain traction.

Episode 9 of KBS2’s Pump Up The Healthy Love airs on May 28 at 9:50 PM KST.

[‘Pump Up The Healthy Love’ Ratings – Nationwide via Nielsen Korea]

Ep. 1: 1.8%

Ep. 2: 1.8%

Ep. 3: 1.5%

Ep. 4: 1.7%

Ep. 5: 1.1%

Ep. 6: 1.3%

Ep. 7: 1.1%

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