Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Cheer Up!, which delivers a perfect blend of college romance, friendship dynamics, and the competitive world of university cheerleading that will leave you rooting for every character.
Cheer Up! aired on SBS from October to December 2022, consisting of 16 episodes with an average duration of 60 minutes each. This Korean drama takes viewers into the vibrant world of Yonhee University’s cheerleading squad, exploring themes of teamwork, personal growth, and romantic relationships against the backdrop of collegiate athletics and academic pressures.
Unlike typical college dramas, Cheer Up! uses the cheerleading setting to create a unique environment where physical performance meets emotional vulnerability, allowing characters to grow through both individual challenges and team dynamics. The series masterfully combines the excitement of competitive sports with heartfelt character development, creating a story that celebrates both personal achievement and collective success.
The Squad: Dreams, Drama, and Determination
The story follows Do Hae-yi, a college student who joins Yonhee University’s cheerleading squad Theia to earn money and support herself financially. What begins as a practical decision quickly becomes a journey of self-discovery as she navigates the demanding world of competitive cheerleading while dealing with complex relationships within the team. Cheer Up! doesn’t shy away from showing the physical and emotional demands of the sport while exploring how shared goals can transform strangers into family.
The cheerleading squad becomes a microcosm of college life, where academic pressures, financial struggles, and romantic complications all intersect through the bonds formed during intense training and competition.
Do Hae-yi: The Determined Newcomer
Hae-yi represents the hardworking student who must balance multiple responsibilities while pursuing her dreams, making her incredibly relatable to viewers facing similar challenges. Her character development throughout Cheer Up! showcases her transformation from reluctant participant to passionate team member who discovers her own strength and leadership abilities.
Her journey involves learning to trust others and accept help while maintaining her independence, creating compelling character growth that resonates with anyone who has struggled to find their place in a new environment.
Park Jung-woo: The Caring Team Captain
Jung-woo serves as the reliable team captain whose leadership style balances high standards with genuine care for his teammates’ wellbeing. Cheer Up! uses his character to explore themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and the pressure that comes with being depended upon by others.
His relationship with Hae-yi develops naturally from mentor-student dynamic to romantic partnership, creating one of the series’ most satisfying love stories while highlighting the importance of mutual respect and shared values in relationships.
When Competition Gets Personal: The Championship Stakes
The series reaches its peak intensity during the national cheerleading championships, where months of training and personal growth culminate in high-stakes performances that will determine the team’s future. Cheer Up! masterfully builds toward this climax while showing how competitive pressure reveals both the best and worst in people.
These championship moments transform individual character arcs into collective triumph, demonstrating how personal growth contributes to team success and vice versa.
The Supporting Squad: Friendship and Rivalry
The diverse members of Theia each bring their own backgrounds, motivations, and conflicts to the team dynamic. Cheer Up! excels at developing ensemble characters who feel like real people with authentic relationships rather than simple archetypes.
From the experienced veterans dealing with graduation anxiety to the talented newcomers struggling with perfectionism, each team member’s story contributes to the overall narrative about finding your place and supporting others in theirs.
Success on SBS
Cheer Up! gained popularity on SBS for its fresh take on college life and its authentic portrayal of cheerleading culture in Korea. The series resonated with viewers who appreciated its emphasis on teamwork and personal growth over melodramatic conflict, while the cheerleading sequences impressed audiences with their energy and technical skill. Critics praised the series for its positive messaging about friendship, determination, and finding passion in unexpected places, making it a feel-good watch that still addressed real challenges.
An Uplifting Journey Worth Every Spirited Moment
If you love college dramas with sports elements and heartwarming friendships, Cheer Up! is the perfect series to binge on streaming platforms.
Why You Should Join This Energetic Squad
Positive Points:
- Authentic portrayal of cheerleading culture with impressive choreography and performances
- Well-developed ensemble cast where every character gets meaningful development and screen time
- Positive messaging about teamwork, perseverance, and finding your passion through unexpected paths
- Realistic depiction of college financial struggles and academic pressures without overwhelming drama
- Sweet romantic relationships that develop naturally alongside personal growth and team dynamics
Negative Points:
- Some romantic subplots feel underdeveloped compared to the main relationship storylines
- Cheerleading competition outcomes can feel somewhat predictable for sports drama veterans
- Limited exploration of the broader university setting beyond the cheerleading squad environment
- Certain character backstories could have been explored more deeply given the episode count
- Pacing occasionally slows during episodes focused heavily on training sequences
Cheer Up! proves that Korean dramas can celebrate youth, ambition, and friendship while delivering both entertainment value and genuine inspiration that motivates viewers to pursue their own dreams.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Platform: SBS (available on various streaming platforms)
- Release Year: 2022
- Current IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Genre: Romance, Sports, Youth, Comedy
- Production Type: K-drama
- Status: Completed series
- Protagonists: Han Ji-hyun (Do Hae-yi), Bae In-hyuk (Park Jung-woo)
- Antagonist: Various rival teams and internal conflicts rather than traditional antagonists