Heartbreaking Tears and Unexpected Comfort: Lee Mi-ran's Exercise Crisis in '24-Hour Health Club' Episode 7

The Emotional Turning Point: Mi-ran's Exercise Slump

Episode 7 of KBS2's Wednesday-Thursday drama '24-Hour Health Club' (also known as 'Pump Up the Healthy Love') aired on May 21, 2025, bringing viewers a significant emotional turning point in the relationship between gym manager Do Hyeon-jung (Lee Jun-young) and member Lee Mi-ran (Jung Eun-ji). The episode centered around Mi-ran experiencing what Hyeon-jung calls an 'exercise slump' (a combination of exercise and burnout in Korean), which threatens to end her fitness journey altogether.

In the previous episode, Mi-ran had attempted to help her younger sister Ji-ran (Lee Da-eun) overcome breakup pain through exercise, just as she had been doing. However, this well-intentioned effort backfired when Mi-ran mistook another man for her ex-boyfriend Yeom Jun-seok (Jung Wook-jin). This incident forced her to confront the uncomfortable truth that she hadn't fully healed from her own heartbreak, leading to an emotional breakdown that left viewers deeply moved.

The newly released episode showed Mi-ran ready to give up on exercise altogether, even attempting to clean out her gym locker. This crisis prompted Hyeon-jung to take decisive action, blocking her from abandoning the gym and proposing a special project to help her overcome her exercise slump.

Beyond the Gym Walls: A Special Outdoor Date

One of the most refreshing aspects of Episode 7 was seeing the main characters step outside the familiar gym setting. The promotional stills released before the episode showed Hyeon-jung and Mi-ran embarking on what appeared to be a hiking date, signaling the gym manager's determination to reignite Mi-ran's passion for fitness through alternative physical activities.

Hyeon-jung, described in the series as a former world-class bodybuilder who lives by the motto 'It all begins and ends with muscle,' demonstrated remarkable persistence and dedication to Mi-ran's well-being. Rather than simply letting her quit, he took personal responsibility for her fitness journey, showing a side of himself that went beyond the professional trainer-client relationship.

The outdoor setting provided a beautiful backdrop for deeper character development, allowing both characters to connect in a new environment. Hyeon-jung's earnest efforts to revitalize Mi-ran's enthusiasm for exercise revealed his growing personal investment in her success and happiness, hinting at the romantic developments that viewers have been eagerly anticipating.

Confronting Unhealed Wounds: Mi-ran's Emotional Journey

What makes '24-Hour Health Club' stand out from typical romantic comedies is its willingness to explore deeper emotional issues. Episode 7 delved into Mi-ran's realization that she had been using exercise as a way to escape from properly processing her breakup, rather than truly healing from it.

Jung Eun-ji delivered a powerful performance as Mi-ran, portraying the character's emotional vulnerability with remarkable authenticity. Her vacant expressions and reluctance to engage with exercise anymore conveyed the weight of her emotional burden. Despite Hyeon-jung's enthusiastic efforts, Mi-ran struggled to rediscover her motivation, highlighting the reality that emotional healing cannot be rushed or forced through distraction alone.

This storyline resonated with many viewers who have experienced similar situations where unprocessed emotions eventually demand acknowledgment. The series continues to balance its lighthearted romantic comedy elements with these more profound emotional explorations, creating a narrative that feels both entertaining and genuinely meaningful.

The Growing Connection: Hyeon-jung's Dedication

Episode 7 marked a significant development in Hyeon-jung's character arc as well. Initially introduced as a somewhat one-dimensional 'health freak' obsessed with muscles and proper form, his determination to help Mi-ran through her crisis revealed deeper layers to his personality.

Lee Jun-young portrayed Hyeon-jung's concern and commitment with a perfect balance of intensity and warmth. His character's insistence that Mi-ran's situation was 'just an exercise slump' that he could help her overcome showed both his professional pride as a trainer and his personal investment in her well-being. The way he firmly prevented her from emptying her locker and his proposal of alternative exercise activities demonstrated his refusal to give up on her.

This episode effectively showcased how Hyeon-jung's approach to fitness goes beyond physical transformation—he truly believes in exercise as a life-changing force, as emphasized by his motto that 'Exercise changes life.' His dedication to applying this philosophy to help Mi-ran through her emotional crisis added significant depth to both his character and their developing relationship.

Viewer Reactions: Mixed Responses to Episode 7

The audience response to Episode 7 has been notably mixed, particularly regarding certain comedic elements. According to discussions on Reddit's r/KDRAMA community, while many viewers continue to enjoy the series overall, some found the crude humor in this episode off-putting.

One viewer commented that 'the crude humor was extremely off-putting' and felt that 'blurred visuals and graphic sound effects felt unnecessary,' detracting from what could have been an excellent episode focused on internal struggles and past revelations. However, others defended these moments, with one viewer suggesting that these scenes actually 'humanized' Hyeon-jung's character, showing how he tried to cover for Mi-ran in embarrassing situations.

Despite these divided opinions on specific comedic choices, viewers generally praised the emotional depth of the episode and the developing relationship between the main characters. Many expressed anticipation for how Mi-ran's crisis would be resolved and how it might transform her connection with Hyeon-jung. The community seems particularly invested in seeing Mi-ran finally move past her ex-boyfriend, with one commenter hoping 'we finally cut ties with her ex this week, and for good!'

Production Quality and Series Context

Now seven episodes into its 12-episode run, '24-Hour Health Club' has established itself as a unique entry in the romantic comedy genre. The series, which began airing on April 30, 2025, is directed by Park Joon-soo and Choi Yeon-soo, with a screenplay by Kim Ji-soo. Unlike many recent K-dramas, it is not based on a webtoon but is an original script.

The production quality continues to impress viewers, with the cinematography effectively capturing both the energetic gym environment and the more serene outdoor settings featured in Episode 7. The music by Jo Jung-chi complements the emotional beats of the story, enhancing both the comedic moments and the more poignant scenes.

For international viewers, the series is available on streaming platforms including Wavve and Disney+, making it accessible to a global audience. The show's relatable themes of exercise, self-improvement, and emotional healing have helped it build a dedicated following, with over 11,500 watchers tracking the series on MyDramaList as of May 2025.

Looking Ahead: What's Next for Mi-ran and Hyeon-jung?

As '24-Hour Health Club' moves into its second half, Episode 7 has set up several compelling storylines that will likely be explored in upcoming episodes. The most pressing question is whether Hyeon-jung's special 'exercise rehabilitation project' will successfully reignite Mi-ran's passion for fitness and help her truly process her emotional wounds.

Viewers are also eager to see how the relationship between the two main characters will evolve now that they've shared this emotional crisis. The series has been building their connection gradually, with Hyeon-jung showing increasing personal investment in Mi-ran's journey beyond his professional responsibilities as a trainer.

Additionally, the subplot involving Mi-ran's sister Ji-ran and her ex-boyfriend Kang Dan (Lee Sang-jin) continues to develop in parallel to the main storyline, offering interesting reflections on different approaches to handling relationship difficulties.

With five episodes remaining in the series, '24-Hour Health Club' is positioned to deliver a satisfying conclusion to these intertwining narratives of physical and emotional transformation. Episode 7 has raised the emotional stakes significantly, promising even more compelling character development as the story progresses toward its finale in early June 2025.