Lee Jun-young and Jung Eun-ji bring heart-pumping healing in '24-Hour Gym'

🏋️‍♂️ Chicken Breast Drama? Director Says "It's Feel-Good and Good for You"

KBS2's new rom-com '24-Hour Gym' promises more than laughs—it's a workout for the heart.

At the press conference held on April 29, director Park Joon-soo described the series as "a drama like chicken breast—healthy and satisfying."

Set in a 24-hour fitness center, the drama follows gym owner Do Hyun-jung (Lee Jun-young) as he transforms the lives of struggling "hellinies" (gym newbies). It's romantic, funny, and uplifting—just what your weekday nights need.

💪 Lee Jun-young's Transformation: From Netflix Villain to Gym King

Lee Jun-young steps into a whole new light. After back-to-back dark roles in 'Weak Hero Class 2', 'Mask Girl', and 'D.P. 2', he's now the inspiring gym owner Hyun-jung—a former world-class bodybuilder born prematurely at just 1.5kg.

To prepare, Lee ate five meals a day and treated chicken breast like a snack. "The set itself was a gym, so I worked out every chance I got," he said.

Fans can expect to see his comedic timing, too. "People might say, 'Oh, this guy is actually funny!'" he laughed.

❤️ Jung Eun-ji's 'Hellinie' Journey: 9kg Up, Then Down

Jung Eun-ji plays Lee Mi-ran, a heartbroken woman who stumbles into the gym—and into a life-changing challenge.

She gained 9kg for the role, only to begin cutting weight during filming—all while juggling activities with Apink.

"It wasn't just about gaining weight," she shared. "Knowing I had to lose it later made it tough. But it gave me confidence that I can really take control of my body."

🎭 The Real Chemistry: Same-Age Lead Pair Sparks On-Screen Magic

Lee and Jung are the same age in real life, and their chemistry shines.

Jung shared: "Jun-young is so good at improv, and he reacts to mine in such fun ways. It kept the energy high on set."

Lee added: "Eun-ji has this 'harmless' warmth. No matter how exhausting the day, she'd make everyone smile at least once."

📺 KBS Hopes for a Ratings Comeback with This Relatable Rom-Com

While KBS's recent Wednesday-Thursday dramas struggled with single-digit ratings, '24-Hour Gym' could be the bounce-back.
"We really thought hard about what today's younger viewers want," said director Park. "This drama lets you laugh, but also gives you something to take away—like a satisfying chicken breast meal."

Jung Eun-ji concluded: "It's not just about working out. It's about how fitness mirrors life itself."

The first episode of '24-Hour Gym' airs April 30 at 9:5