Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)

Nam Joo-hyuk played Jung Joon-hyung in this 2016 adolescent drama, which would become one of his most memorable performances. This drama, inspired by real-life weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, not only paid honor to the sport but also captivated viewers' hearts. Many people were intrigued by the coming-of-age drama about Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung), an ambitious weightlifter on the road to self-discovery. Bok-joo is unlike your average adolescent since she has committed herself to weightlifting. But her path was turned upside down when she fell in love with Joon-hyung, a fellow student at the same school who was preparing for the national swim team.

Many were amazed by how Joo-hyuk depicted his character in a coming-of-age drama that tackled themes like athletics, family troubles, and even delicate subjects like despair. As his affections for Bok-joo got stronger, he realized he had a lot to learn from her as they both journeyed towards recovery. Not for nothing did Joo-hyuk look the part, as he was a swoon-worthy swimmer. His onscreen chemistry with Sung-kyung was so good that it's almost heartbreaking knowing that their real-life romance, which grew as a result of this drama, didn't play out as well.

Detailed information:

Starring: Lee Sung-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Jae-yoon, Kyung Soo-jin

Original release: November 16, 2016 – January 11, 2017

Link to watch: imdb.com/title/tt6157148/