Of course, I agree that this show is likely going to be the underrated gem of the year. It truly is a shame that for whatever reason--the marketing, the premise, the weak first episode--this drama hasn't at least pulled in 3% of the audience. It's so thoughtfully and intelligently put together, and there's never really a wasted moment (even Jae-min, as annoying as he was through most of the story, served a key purpose in Kwon-sook's life and the development of her feelings for Tae-young). All the actors are great as well--shout out to the actor playing Ok-buk. He manages to be both bone chillingly scary and manipulative yet someone still likeable. His genuine joy at eating Chul-young's soup was kindof adorable.

As everyone knows, I've always enjoyed the slow burn romance underpinning everything, and never struggled with the age or maturity gap. But I was still nervous about Kwon-sook's confession and how Tae-young would handle it. Yet again, I needn't have worried because the show--and Tae-young--made it clear that although he reciprocates, he knows he's not in any position to offer her a real future. Is that technically noble idiocy? I guess. But it would have been far more idiotic if he accepted her feelings and started dating her while simultaneously risking her and his own life by trying to outsmart these gangsters. I did love the hugs we got though.

I also loved Tae-young's line about how a mistake designed to correct another mistake just creates more problems. It's the same theme that underlies Chul-young's relationship with Kwon-sook, and at least in that case, it's so satisfying to see characters have that realization and make better choices that don't undo past harms, but atone form them just enough that a healthier relationship is possible.

I'm a little nervous about how this will all resolve, from the match to Tae-young's plan. No matter what, I think Kwon-sook has enough good people around her and a strong sense of self so she'll be ok even if Tae-young isn't in her life. But I think they'd both be happier (and especially Tae-young) if they stayed by each other's sides.

Thank you, @daebakgrits, for the weecap! I'm really enjoying this show. I think the couple will be Kwon-sook's coach and Jo Ah-ra, what with the latter getting peeved that Coach's attention is focused on Kwon-sook. I will be sad when this show ends next week.

I like this show but the whole sport part is really difficult to take seriously. Her coach didn't think to find her a partner to train? She didn't fight since 3 years... And I know she's supposed to be a genius, but I'm pretty sure any boxer guy could do the job. So the whole thing : no partner, bad guy offering help, her wound, etc was hard to take seriously.

This drama is really better when it focused on Kwon-sook and her journey. Even if Tae-young had bad intentions at the beginning, thanks to him she could heal and become an adult. It was really nice to see her with her boxing partner, Yeon Kyung, and talk. Both of them needed it. Her relationship with her father is a little bit too good compared with her past trauma, but I think she needs it too.

For the romance, Tae-Young is focused on his redeemption arc and not knowing what will happen to him, it's better to not accept her feelings.

Oh @daebakgrits I love your re-cap as much as I love this drama and that's A LOT! I love how you captured the nuances of their relationship and I so agree that this is the most underrated drama of this year. It being a sports drama makes it that much more of a draw for me too. Thanks for putting into words what is in my heart about this. The actors are so right for their roles too.

Tae-Young's ex, Soo-Yeon is an ex Archery athlete.
I just realized the actress playing the part, Ha Seung-Ri, was the super cool Archery Athlete in All of Us are Dead

I do love the portrayal of the rival A-Reum. I can't help but root for her too. I see a enemies to friends coming out of this. I also can't help but root for the Soo-Yeon, Tae Young's ex. She seems like a very likable victim here and deserves a whole lot more. She communicates directly but Tae-Young doesn't.

While I do like this show, parts of it irritate me. I could really do without Jae-Min. I really need to turn off my reality goggles as an untrained person is keeping up with the early morning jogs of an elite athlete. Didn't the writers ever watch Rocky. Those early morning jogs are anything but leisurely. It's supposed to show some grit and hard work.
I also agree that bringing in an unknown sparring partner now, right before the big match requires all my effort to suspend my belief. I mean, A-Ra is standing right there in the same friggin gym? and what about her boxing coach. i don't think the coach has ever done anything boxing coach related. Are they serious about not being able to find a sparring partner?

Thanks, @daebakgrits--you really have described well everything I have felt about this drama throughout your recapping of the show, especially for these episodes.

Actually, as I have said before, I have never felt that the romantic nature of the relationship between the leads was central, except for how it helped the two leads develop as individuals. I still feel that way, even after the confession, which I took to be not just the usual kdrama trope, even though the words were exactly the same as many confessions, but rather a sign of Kwon-suk's developing maturity.

But also, as a fan of sports dramas, I have especially liked the way some of the things Kwon-suk and Ah-reum have said that speak to the difficulties still faced by women athletes--whether it was Kwon-suk worried about being a "monster" because she was in this typically masculine and violent sport, or Ah-reum concerned about the integrity of the sport and her struggles to be recognized being damaged by Kwon-suk's sudden retirement before the previously scheduled title match.

Just to show, sadly, how I've been influenced by all the superhero/revenge dramas I've been watching this year, from time to time I can't help thinking how satisfying it would be for Kwon-suk, Ah-reum, and A-ra to band together and hand a beating to Oh-bok and his thugs. But of course one of the reasons I like this show is that it is not a superhero/revenge drama. Unfortunately, it looks from the previews like the ending is going to be at best a bittersweet one, but that is entirely appropriate--this has been an excellent show.

Nice that she still calls him ajusshi even after confessing her love for him. Thanks for keeping it awkward, queen.

When he clientzoned her… so ruthless, you can see her hopes be dashed. But it was probably necessary considering, you know, all the criminal activity. Anyways, at least half the times she's cried on this show, it's because of Taeyoung... I ship them hard but I have to point this out.

I knew from the start that Oh Bok wasn't arrested at all and I still think he's not the chairman? My theory is that chairman is actually the sexual predator grandpa at the restaurant. Otherwise they wouldn’t show that IRL villain actor so much.

I don't think they're ending up together, not after abusive dad's "hints"… and maybe they shouldn’t as much as it hurts for me to say it 😭

I hate that we have to wait a week for the finale, the delays really messed up the momentum imo. Anyways, my prediction for the ending: the dad ends up getting killed by the gangsters and she blames Taeyong for it. After a time skip, after Taeyong is out of prison, they reconcile and we maybe get a hug. The end.

I really hope he doesnt die or anything. I dont mind them not being together romantically by the end - I think the most we might get of them as a couple will be holding hands at the last minute - but I really want both of them to get a happy ending for themselves.

the drama did a good job with the development of areum bcs I really dont know who I want to win the last fight.

not the biggest fan of gangs/mafia stories, but I guess the drama needed something dangerous to make the stakes higher for our hero. its always too unbelievable to me how these people kidnap and run around clearly looking like thugs in broad daylight

As we come to the end of MY LOVELY BOXER what I will remember is the terrific performance of Lee Sang-yeob. The boxing part of this drama was in many ways absurd. 16 minutes into episode 11 Kwon-sook asked her coach for a sparring partner, well that is a little late in the game. The idea of her knocking out the professional at the beginning of the drama, absurd. The idea of hervknocking out her coach at the press conference before the first match, absurd. The idea of her agent wrapping her hands, absurd etc, etc.
It wound be interesting to get the take of the real professional boxers who were in that great trailer on their thoughts of this drama.

Thanks for the recap Deabakgrits.
Oh man, it's so sad, another great show ending next week.
I will miss these characters.
Yeah sure, the show could've done things a bit differently to make the boxing look more plausible but as a few other beanies have mentioned the focus really isn't on the boxing, it's on the characters and their relationships.
I just love the two leads, especially the ML who is very magnetic and a wonderful actor.
The script writing has been excellent.
Although it hasn't got fantastic ratings I think they should be proud of their quality show and hopefully more will come to appreciate it later on.
I don't have a problem with the age gap of the leads and if there isn't any grand romantic gesture I won't be devastated.
At the core they just want to do the right thing for each other.
Hwaiting show.

These two episodes were absolutely delightful. I'm so into this drama that I actually watched some parts of these episodes unsubbed. For me this is the 2023 drama. I might love a drama for its quality, like it happened with Revenant, but it's when I really fall hard for the characters that I become absolutely obsessed. And this is the case.
I love every aspect of this show and I feel like every single character brings something to the story. No scene is useless, no interaction wasted. And the two leads simply give me butterflies. That hug almost gave me an heart attack! <3
I agree that it's been pure luck to be able to see episode 10 and 11 together and then having to wait for the last one next week. I will be more prepared to say goodbye to these characters... or maybe NOT. I'm crying!
I felt very worried for Tae Young and still I am. It is probably silly to be. You don't show your main lead being killed in a preview... especially considering that previews of this drama have been pretty misleading in the past. Still... good job drama!
I don't have much more to say that haven't been said already in comments and the lovely review.
Just... I love you, dear drama. Thank you for being absolutely awesome <3 And I love you Lee Sang Yeob XD Wow, he is so good in this.

The relationship between the main characters is beautifully and delicately presented. First of all, they think about the other person, so that the other person does not suffer, even if they have to suffer alone. Usually in dramas it is shown in such a way that I find it difficult to agree with the characters' actions. In this drama, I can't imagine the characters behaving or saying anything different. FL's confession of feelings and ML's rejection of these feelings were part of their character development. At this point they cannot behave differently. There is love between them which cannot be fulfilled now, but in my opinion the time will come when they will be together. Perhaps after the "cursed" "2-3 years later" when ML gets out of prison. This is one of the few dramas where such a plot resolution would make sense and I wouldn't be mad at it.

I read all the praise for the series but I must admit I'm struggling to get to the 'good' parts.
First, I nominated the male lead a candidate for the Truck of Doom after the first two episodes. I understand the concept of the 'redemption arc' but they made him a straight-up villain.
And second, Kwon-sook is about as convincing a champion boxer as I am. Lee Sung-kyung was more believable seven years ago as a champion weightlifter!

I just want TaeYoung to be alive and well at the end. And while I was always on board the TaeYoung-KwonSook ship, it's fine if they don't end up together. He had played his part in her emotional maturity.