Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo: 10 similar feel-good Kdramas to watch

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon | Image Via: JTBC
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon | Image Via: JTBC

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is an iconic K-drama. To start off, one cannot deny that this K-drama brings out the aspect of romance and ambition in a realistic manner.

From the beginning, we see a realistic depiction of Bok-joo’s struggles. Her life is not easy. Her family is struggling, yet her father tries his best to give Bok-joo everything. Bok-joo is also his father’s pride.

Her happy demeanor and friendly nature make her a favorite character. Her determination to win and become a prestigious weightlifter resonates with us.

If you just finished watching Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, or this K-drama is one of your favorites, then this list is just for you.


Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo: 10 similar feel-good Kdramas to watch

1) Start-Up

Start-Up | Image Via: tvN
Start-Up | Image Via: tvN

ooking for a feel-good K-drama like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo? This K-drama is a great start. It is truly infectious and heartwarming. Similar to Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, this K-drama also brings forth a very heartwarming feeling from the very start.

You will also get Nam Joo-hyuk as the lead here. Nam Do-san was once a math genius. He now has a tech company that is not working properly, and he is almost on the verge of giving up.

During this time, his life takes a turn when he meets Seo Dal-mi. Seo Dal-mi thinks that her pen pal is Nam Do-san. However, his mistaken identity quickly gets more and more complicated.

This K-drama is filled with numerous heartwarming moments. Even the supporting characters play a vital role in depicting the storyline. The viewers witness their struggles to make it big.

The happy ending in this K-drama reminds us of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.


2) Cheer Up

Cheer Up | Image Via: SBS TV
Cheer Up | Image Via: SBS TV

To scroll through numerous stories to find the right K-drama is a difficult task. This K-drama offers a romantic comedy storyline just like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.

Here, cheerleading is the main focus. Both stories capture the essence of youthful struggles and triumphs. This resonates deeply with the viewers. Hence, this K-drama quickly becomes an uplifting watch.

Humor is yet another key element in this K-drama that shines through. Both the K-dramas depict the power of genuine connections and choosing dreams that the viewers love.


3) Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Extraordinary Attorney Woo | Image Via: ENA
Extraordinary Attorney Woo | Image Via: ENA

It is rare to see TV shows focusing on people with special needs. These types of stories are essential in bringing awareness among people. These stories help in making sure they are given the perfect opportunities to blossom — just like anyone else.

Young-woo dedicated her life to her dreams, just like in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo. Her autism never stopped her from dreaming big. This K-drama also brings forth a feel-good aspect, which the viewers love.


4) Crash Course in Romance

Crash Course in Romance | Image Via: TVN
Crash Course in Romance | Image Via: TVN

The relatability shines through in this K-drama. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo might have sports as the focus, but this K-drama also has many similar aspects. Our strong-willed Haeng-seon shows us the strength mothers have.

She does anything and everything for her niece, whom she is raising as her own. Her romance with Choi Chi-yeol is also intriguing, just like in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.

This K-drama also features the aspect of Chi-yeol’s eating disorder. Both K-dramas are comforting. We see the beautiful realities of life through the characters of the two K-dramas.


5) My ID is Gangnam Beauty

My ID is Gangnam Beauty | Image Via: JTBC
My ID is Gangnam Beauty | Image Via: JTBC

Kang Mi-rae’s looks have been her greatest insecurity since childhood. In a world where external beauty is given immense significance, she suffered because of it.

She is extremely talented, yet she feels scared to show her talents for fear of being mocked. So she makes a significant decision that changes her life — she goes through plastic surgery.

However, even after her surgery, her insecurity remains. She constantly compares herself to others. This comparison often makes her degrade herself. On the other hand, Do Kyung-seok’s life is completely different from hers.

Where Mi-rae suffers because of her insecurity, Do Kyung-seok dislikes people who focus on external beauty. Their difference in opinions starts off a heartwarming story.

Their romance in this K-drama reminds us of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, especially the aspect of friends-to-lovers.


6) Love To Hate You

Love To Hate You | Image Via: Netflix
Love To Hate You | Image Via: Netflix

Yeo Mi-ran and Nam Kang-ho’s story is truly a unique one. Kang-ho and Mi-ran’s personalities are completely different. While Mi-ran is outgoing, Kang-ho does not like to interact much with unknown people.

Kang-ho’s aloofness, especially towards women, comes from his past relationship. His past relationship ended badly, giving him immense trauma and anxiety.

Mi-ran is a lawyer, and she ends up working at the firm that has Kang-ho as a client. When Mi-ran overhears Kang-ho degrading women, she quickly starts to dislike him.

Mi-ran and Kang-ho start to work together. Mi-ran’s fighting skills impress Kang-ho, and he asks her to teach him. This sets off their initial romance. Mi-ran starts to train Kang-ho.

She sees his real nature, especially when she sees how much he cares about her niece. Kang-ho and Mi-ran start to care about one another, just like in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.


7) Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Hometown Cha Cha Cha | Image Via: tvN
Hometown Cha Cha Cha | Image Via: tvN

Yoon Hye-jin's life takes an unexpected turn when she moves to a completely different place. A dentist practicing in Seoul, she opens a clinic in a seaside village. The change is huge.

Here, she understands how different her life has become—especially when she meets Hong Du-sik. Du-sik becomes her anchor. The beauty of human connection in this K-drama is truly unique.

Each and every character adds to it. The feel-good aspect is present in both Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and this K-drama. This show also highlights the essence and significance of community, something we also see in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.


8) Lovely Runner

Lovely Runner | Image Via: tvN
Lovely Runner | Image Via: tvN

This K-drama truly took the internet by storm after its release, and for all the right reasons.

In Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, the way we see Joon-hyung and Bok-joo’s relationship evolve through the storyline, Im Sol and Sun-jae’s relationship has similar attributes.

This K-drama also has a time-travel aspect, which adds to the overall intrigue. Seeing Sun-jae trying his best to be with Im Sol, even when Sol constantly tries to protect him, is truly heartwarming.

The camping trip during Sun-jae and Im Sol’s college days reminds us of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.

If you loved the heartwarming feeling of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and are looking for a similar K-drama that will leave you with a big smile, then this one is the right option for you.

It has humor, depth, and romance in the right proportions, making the storyline one of a kind.


9) Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon | Image Via: JTBC
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon | Image Via: JTBC

This list would be incomplete without this K-drama. It is perfect for Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo lovers. Bong-soon and Bok-joo share numerous similar attributes. Bok-joo does not have magical superpowers like Bong-soon, yet she is also super strong.

Her weightlifting leaves viewers shocked. Their personalities are also alike in many ways. Every time she comes across an opportunity to help someone—such as helping the elderly or catching a criminal—she never hesitates.

For generations, the superpowers have been passed down to the girl child of Bong-soon’s family. Her mother and grandmother also have the powers. Bong-soon’s life takes a turn when she is hired as a bodyguard for Min-hyuk.

Min-hyuk is the CEO of a gaming company. He has a massive distrust of the police force in his country, so he takes matters into his own hands—especially to find the culprit who is constantly harassing and threatening him.

Bong-soon is initially attracted to her childhood friend, but she slowly starts to see the good in Min-hyuk. Even though he does not have superpowers, he never hesitates to protect Bong-soon.

Their story is truly heartwarming. It is a definite must-watch for Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo lovers.


10) Fight For My Way

Fight For My Way | Image Via: KBS2
Fight For My Way | Image Via: KBS2

The aspect of dedication and determination in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is truly remarkable. Similarly, this K-drama tells the story of Ae-ra and Dong-man's struggle to achieve their dreams.

They navigate through difficult situations. Dong-man was a highly appreciated taekwondo player; however, he lost all his glory and wants to regain it. This time, he tries mixed martial arts.

Choi Ae-ra, Dong-man's long-time friend, wants to become an announcer. Ae-ra is always scared of Dong-man getting severely wounded. She understands that the sport he is in is dangerous, yet she tries to protect him.

Dong-man also does his best to keep Ae-ra safe. Like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo made you fall in love with its story, this K-drama is also almost guaranteed to make you fall in love with Dong-man and Ae-ra’s feel-good story.


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Edited by Ritika Pal