3 Bittersweet Moments In Episodes 9-10 Of "Pump Up The Healthy Love"

As “Pump Up the Healthy Love” heads toward its final episodes, things are getting intense for the members at 24-Hour Gym. Love, jealousy, heartbreak, and a scandal seem to have overtaken workouts and diet schedules. On one hand, Mi Ran (Jeong Eun Ji) has been struggling with her strong feelings toward Hyeon Joong (Lee Jun Young), and on the other she is consumed with jealousy, wondering about the relationship between Hyeon Joong and Kang Sol. A tragic incident involving Kang Sol lands Hyeon Joong in deep trouble, leading to his subsequent disappearance. Mi Ran and the rest at 24-Hour Gym now need to step it up and seize the day for both Hyeon Joong and the gym.

Here are three bittersweet moments from last week’s episodes of “Pump Up the Healthy Love.”

Warning:spoilers from episodes 9 and 10 ahead!

Mi Ran wearing her heart on her sleeve

Mi Ran has a tough time hiding her feelings. Things have been difficult for her ever since she realized that what she feels for Hyeon Joong is true love. Heartbroken after seeing him and Kang Sol together at the hotel, she tries to keep her distance from both of them. But her situation is made worse by the members of the gym, who are enthusiastically “shipping” the so-called new couple.

Putting up a brave front, Mi Ran tells her sister that it is for the best since Hyeon Joong is so obsessed with his fitness that she would always come second in his list of priorities. It is clear she is trying to console herself and avoid feeling too hurt.

Mi Ran, struggling to conceal her emotions, becomes visibly awkward around both Kang Sol and Hyeon Joong. Noticing the shift in her demeanor, Kang Sol asks to meet with her. Unable to contain her curiosity, Mi Ran directly asks Kang Sol about what she witnessed at the hotel. In response, Kang Sol shows her a video, explaining that Hyeon Joong was merely helping her shoot a fitness video. Mi Ran is overjoyed as though she has overcome her biggest hurdle. But her relief is short-lived.

Still highly strung in Hyeon Joong’s presence, Mi Ran inadvertently causes a minor accident at the gym. To make amends, she volunteers to help Hyeon Joong organize a “fitness in nature” camp. However, her hopes are dashed once again when she notices that Hyeon Joong is constantly attentive toward Kang Sol.

From cushioning Hyeon Joong’s head with her hand to singing a sad ballad, Mi Ran continues to hold onto her heart and emotions. She even makes everyone play truth or dare so as to get Hyeon Joong to reveal the truth about him and Kang Sol. He answers that they knew each other very well in the past.

The stress of the situation ends up making her physically unwell. In an attempt to get Hyeon Joong’s attention, Mi Ran deliberately takes Kang Sol’s prescribed medication, or so she thinks. While this does get Hyeon Joong’s attention and concern, her bluff is called-out when it is cleared she had only taken a regular digestive pill. But what is endearing is that Hyeon Joong doesn’t judge her nor scold her but rather sweetly escorts her back to the camp on his back, barefooted. His actions speak louder than words, but Mi Ran is too distraught to notice these little details.

Observing them, Kang Sol asks her upfront if Mi Ran has feelings for Hyeon Joong and warns her kindly that boys who love fitness are quite weird. Kang Sol has another confession, which is her admiration for Mi Ran. She admires Mi Ran’s honesty and sincerity, and she praises her for being unfiltered and emotionally pure. Touched by the sincere compliment, Mi Ran feels empowered and seems to have finally found her courage.

However, tragedy strikes. Kang Sol, who had been unwell, succumbs to her illness, and Hyeon Joong subsequently disappears from the gym. Yet this time, Mi Ran is determined not to give up on Hyeon Joong, or on herself.

Hyeon Joong’s trial by fire

Hyeon Joong’s initial resentment toward Kang Sol’s return gradually transforms into deep empathy. After she confesses that she is terminally ill, she expresses her determination to continue training despite her condition. Kang Sol reveals that she had intentionally ended their relationship before his competition, wanting him to experience the same emotional pain she had endured during their time together. Hyeon Joong finally understands Kang Sol.

She asks for his support in helping her continue to work out. Empathetic and genuinely concerned, he fully immerses himself in assisting her. Hyeon Joong is attentive, focused, and indulgent toward Kang Sol. Known for never giving up on those who come to his gym, he devotes both his time and energy to supporting her.

But he is unprepared for the inevitable when Kang Sol succumbs to her illness. Hyeon Joong is devastated. News of her death spreads rapidly across the public domain, drawing unwanted attention and controversy. He is wrongfully accused of contributing to her death, and sensational stories begin to circulate online around him and the gym. As he becomes the target of public backlash, the typically composed Hyeon Joong decides to disappear from the gym and everyone’s lives.

As everyone starts looking for him, Mi Ran discovers that Hyeon Joong—who had never known life outside fitness and gym routines—is now working as a delivery driver. He has abandoned the one passion that once defined him. Is this new life of obscurity a form of self-imposed repentance and exile? It becomes clear that he is punishing himself for something that was never his fault.

She urges him to understand that Kang Sol had her own reasons for wanting to die with a strong, well-trained body. That is why she chose to have a photograph of herself working out displayed at her wake—it was her way of telling everyone not to give up, even in the face of death.

Why was Hyeon Joong already surrendering everything he once stood for? Is he truly the weakling he was often accused of being—giving up without a fight?

Mi Ran attempts to bring him back, but he remains adamant. In a light-hearted yet touching moment, she orders 13 boxes of spicy rice cakes just to get his attention and make him speak. Yet Hyeon Joong, never one to articulate his emotions easily, simply asks her to leave him alone. Mi Ran continues to cheer him, and it is an endearing moment when he shares the fried rice cakes with her. He cutely admits that he likes eating it. Was it his way of acknowledging his feelings for Mi Ran? He recalls how he had stopped to stare at her during one of the  food deliveries and looked at her longingly.

Although his spirit is broken and he has all but accepted defeat, he fails to realize that there are still people who have not given up on him. But is Hyeon Joong willing to come back?

The gym crusaders standing up for Hyeon Joong

Hyeon Joong’s goodwill earns him overwhelming support from everyone. As the gym is constantly hounded by headline hunters, the members come together. Mi Ran encourages everyone in the gym to unite and not give up on Hyeon Joong or the gym, just as he had never given up on them.

Even as the landlord threatens to evict them for not paying rent and receiving a better offer from a prospective tenant, none of them give up. By taking shifts and pulling all-nighters, the members prove they are all for one and one for all in their support for Hyeon Joong and the gym.

Alex (Lee Sung Woo), who is the gym’s cheerful mascot, is known to be shy and non-confrontational. Though he reveres Hyeon Joong, he guards his personal life. However, one sees a different facet to the usually reticent Alex. He takes on a group of teenagers bad-mouthing Hyeon Joong and finally divulges his story. Alex comes from a rich and influential family and had been forced by his mother to study medicine. He had not only given up on his studies but also had completely let go of himself and his life in the bargain. It was Hyeon Joong who had saved him and helped him embark on the path to fitness. Alex explains that a man who is selfless and has no vested interest in commercial gains would never compromise on his ethics. It is soon revealed the new tenant is none other than Alex’s mother, who has finally come around and understands her son and his desires.

Im Sung Im (Park Sung Yeon), one of the oldest members and the leader of the notorious “Witch Trio” in the gym, also crafts a plan to teach all the gossipmongers a lesson. She announces that she will be on social media to spill the beans on Hyeon Joong, whom she describes as eccentric and fitness crazy. As everyone awaits the biggest scandal to unfold, the entire gym, including Alex and Rosa (Lee Mi Do), recount the many achievements and the pure goodness of Hyeon Joong.

It is a deeply moving moment. Hyeon Joong, who is known to keep his tears at bay because he believes it disrupts his muscle composition, breaks down, showing his emotions openly. It is not just the members, but also by his rival and frenemy Roy (Kim Kwon) who lends his support to Hyeon Jeong. Hyeon Joong had entrusted him to look after the gym and its people.

As Hyeon Joong is welcomed back, it is obvious there has also been a shift in his personality. He openly showcases his feelings, especially towards Mi Ran. A sweet moment is when she tries to hide the rice cakes she brought him from the others and nearly embraces him, and Hyeon Joong’s face softens. The wide smile on his face is heart-melting.

It’s finally time for the brusque Hyeon Joong to show his romantic side and for Mi Ran to finally experience her true love. What lies ahead for them and the gym? The finale will have all the answers.

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Hey Soompiers, have you watched “Pump Up the Healthy Love”? What do you think of the latest episodes? Let us know in the comments below!

Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yoo Yeon Seok and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.