Leaving viewers with an uplifting narrative, Cheer Up also unfolds the struggles and anxieties of university students.
Wrapping its premiere week, SBS’s Cheer Up perfectly starts the month with the cast’s unparalleled bright energy and performance. Furthermore, the series hints at a dark secret of Yeonhee University’s cheering squad, Theia.
sun_drae watches Cheer Up on Viu!
Opening Week Rating:
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 & 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Finale + Review
PRESS CONFERENCE: “Cheer Up” To Rally Encouraging Messages About Dream-Aspiring Youth
Cheer Up Opening Week Story
Losing her father at a young age, Do Hae-yi (Han Ji Hyun) grew up in a financially deprived yet loving household. To help her family and secure herself a stable future, Hae-yi worked in different jobs while studying at Yeonhee University.
Whenever she has free time, Hae-yi accepts sideline jobs to pay unpaid bills and help to pay for her brother’s tuition fee. Despite how busy she is with work, she is encouraged by her best friend, Joo Sun-ja (Lee Eun Saem), and her boyfriend, Lee Jae-yeok (Eun Hae Sung).
During her first week as a freshman at Yeonhee University, fate continues to let Hae-yi meet Theia’s Cheering Captain, Park Jung-woo (Bae In Hyuk). On the other hand, Hae-yi’s lively, hardworking, and strong personality captures the heart of a popular and rich student, Jin Sun-ho (Kim Hyun Jin).
“So, if I join the cheering squad for a month, you’ll pay me?”
Despite existing for 50 years as Yeonhee’s cheering squad team, Theia continues to lose members and is on the brink of disbandment. Two out of the three prophecies on the team became true, which drove students to join the “cursed” cheering team.
However, alumni and former Captain Bae Young-woong (Yang Dong Geun) still see hope for the team as he financially and emotionally supports Theia.
As he observes the start of the opening of different clubs, he eyes Do Hae-yi and Jin Sun-ho as potential bridges to recruit new members. He knows Sun-ho will follow Hae-yi to Theia while many students will follow the new popular boy.
With that, Young-woong makes a deal with Hae-yi and offers to pay her if she joins Theia. Since money is important to her, Hae-yi accepted the deal.
As Yong-woong guessed, Sun-ho also applied, and many students became interested in joining the team. Immediately after Sun-ho starts his first training in Theia, he bravely questions Jung-woo about Theia’s third prophecy — a squad member will die.
“I sometimes wonder why I put myself through this time. But then there’s a moment that makes you forget it all.”
Moreover, Hae-yi’s good week shifts as her long-time boyfriend admit that he slowly loses interest in her. As she confronts Yae-yeok about this, he revealed that Hae-yi spends more time at work than with him.
Despite how heartbreaking this was to Hae-yi, she bravely ends her relationship with Yae-yeok. With a wound in her heart, she continues to earn money and keeps a positive attitude at school.
Jung-woo, who incidentally knew about Hae-yi’s struggles, comforts her with words and bread. Hae-yi grabs this chance to ask him what keeps him motivated to stay at Theia rather than securing his future.
Even though he did not directly answer his reasons, being able to perform on stage eased his anxieties and the pressure of ‘adulting.’
Cheer Up Opening Week Musings
Shifting from a very contrasting character in The Penthouse, actress Han Ji Hun successfully embodies Do Hae-yi’s contagious positive energy. Even though I find the actress’ acting a bit more unnatural than in her previous roles, Han’s portrayal might be intentional as I understand Hae-yi’s character more in the second episode.
Nevertheless, her character is very raw, and youth can easily resonate with her story. The series breaks stereotypes about young people, such as showing that anxiety attacks are real despite how one is vigorous.
On Hae-yi’s anxiety attack, we still have to uncover the story behind her past that triggers this. Furthermore, a mysterious man eyes Hae-yi, hinting that she might fulfill the last prophecy on Theia.
Overall, Cheer Up let viewers reminisce about the lively atmosphere of the school grounds, including; the excitement of the first day of school, joining clubs, and watching school events, to name a few.
We can also see and feel the efforts of the whole production team and cast in the process of filming the drama. The set design and performances of the cast did not disappoint, elevating expectations for the next episodes.
With a balance of bright and dark tone in its narrative, Cheer Up offers a distinct approach to the youth drama genre.
Don’t miss out on the motivating and high-spirited episodes of Cheer Up every Monday and Tuesday at 9 PM! International fans can stream it on Viu.
Photos/Videos: SBS
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