The series resonated with the young demographic; although it averaged 4.6% in audience share and received the lowest viewership ratings in its time-slot throughout its run,[3][4] it gained a cult following among young viewers and received mostly favorable reviews.[5][6]
Kim Bok joo (Lee Sung-Kyung), a young woman chasing her dream of weightlifting on an athletics college campus, develops a crush on her friend Jung Joon-Hyung's (Nam Joo-Hyuk) older brother, Jung Jae-Yi (Lee Jae-Yoon). At first, Joon Hyung teases her and goes along with her act, even helping her, but soon finds himself falling in love with her. This series is a coming-of-age story about a group of college athletes who are fighting for their dreams, experiencing and finding love in the process, and growing every step of the way.
A naturally gifted weightlifter with an ambitious and outgoing personality who attends a sports university. Growing up with her father, who was a former weightlifter, she is inspired to follow in his footsteps. She stands up for herself and her friends. She does not hesitate to beat people up if they provoke her. She hides her insecurities and fragile heart under her strong exterior. At first, she experiences a one-sided love with Jung Jae-yi but later falls in love with his brother/cousin Jung Joon-hyung.
He is a talented swimmer with a playful personality who attends the same university as Bok-joo. He and Bok-joo were childhood friends when they were in elementary school. At first, when they meet again at the university, they do not recognize each other, until an incident occurs that refreshes their memories. He is raised by his kind aunt and uncle after his mother leaves him behind and moves to Canada, where she starts a second family. Joon-hyung suffers from trauma and during tournaments often suffers a panic attack and makes a false start leading to him getting disqualified. He enjoys teasing Bok-joo, but gradually falls in love with her.
Joon-hyung's cousin and ersatz older brother, with a kind and gentle personality. A former athlete who becomes an obesity doctor due to an injury. He becomes Bok-joo's first love (without him realizing it) after he kindly lends her his umbrella on the street, even though at the time she is a complete stranger, and she enrolls in his obesity clinic so that she can meet him, although her need as a weightlifter is to put on weight rather than losing it. He treats Bok-joo like a younger sister and generally shows support to his brother's decision to like and date Bok-joo.
Bok-joo's roommate and Joon-hyung's ex-girlfriend. She still has feelings for him and initially becomes jealous of his and Bok-joo's strong relationship, leading her to expose Bok-joo's secret trips to Jae-yi's clinic to Bok-joo's father and coaches at one point. After Bok-joo saves her life and sent her to the hospital on time, her relationship between her and Bok-joo and Joon-hyung gradually improves. She is a top-class rhythmic gymnast, who won a silver medal at the Asian Games at the age of eighteen, but she returns to the sports university due to a decline in her performance. Shi-ho is an overachiever and is under constant stress about her weight and skills, which led to her breakup with Joon-hyung, a psychiatric eating disorder and her acting rashly in various situations.
Cho Hye-jung as Jung Nan-hee (정난희), despite her strength is a very feminine girl who dreams of romance and always willing to spread happiness.
Lee Joo-young as Lee Seon-ok (이선옥), is direct, loves to eat, and does not show much affection but is loyal to her friends. She eventually "demonstrates" some potential interest in Tae-Kwon.
Choi Moo-sung as Yoon Deok-man (윤덕만), Professor/Coach
^[美친시청률] '푸른바다' 첫방부터 16.4%, 수목대전 압도적 1위. OSEN (in Korean). 2016-11-17. Archived from the original on 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-01-05. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo premieres in last place with 3.3%
^이성경·남주혁 '역도 요정', 5.2% 종영. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2017-01-14. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo ends in last place with 5.2%
