The creators of Korean dramas know how to incorporate emotional narrative, even in a sports-themed drama. Even though rom-coms and thrillers are more popular in K-dramas, sports series has a separate fanbase. Let’s take a look at the world of sports dramas were an athletic thrilling experience gives a roller coaster ride of emotions.
From Racket Boys to Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, and more – the list of sports-related K-dramas with gripping narratives goes on. From showing nail-biting championships to personal struggles, the backdrop of every drama tells a different story. Here are a few recommended dramas that one must watch if one likes different genres of sports. Scroll ahead.
Racket Boys
Racket Boys is one of the sports K-dramas that revolves around a group of teen badminton players. Set in the backdrop of a rural area, the narrative follows Yoon Hae-Kang (Tang Jun-Sang) who loses his passion and quits playing badminton for personal reasons. How these boys and girls practice to ace the championship while facing different struggles is all about drama. This drama hits the right notes of emotions and shows the journey of these teen players. It also stars Choi Hyun-Wook, Son Sang-Yeon, and Kim Kang-Hoon.
Stream it on Netflix.
Fight for My Way
Fight for My Way is a romantic comedy that follows Ko Dong-Man (Park Seo-Joon) and Choi Ae-Ra (Kim Ji-Won). The storyline revolves around Dong-Man, a taekwondo champion, who quits his sports after an incident. However, his passion for his sport never left him. After some struggle, he again starts to practice. How he comes back to his shape and regains his confidence to fight in another championship is all about the drama. In the process, the series also shows how he falls in love with his best friend Ae-Ra who works as a receptionist.
If you haven’t watched this drama, stream it on Netflix.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo is another rom-com with a sports-themed storyline. The narrative follows Kim Bok-Joo (Lee Sung-Kyung), a weightlifter at Hanwool College of Physical Education. Even though she is great at her sports, she is insecure about her appearance. But her life takes a massive turn after she meets Jung Joon-Jyung (Nam Joon-Hyuk), a swimmer who practices at the same college. How their love story blooms amid the championship is all about the drama.
Enjoy it on Netflix.
Twenty Five Twenty One
This is another sports-based romantic drama. Twenty Five Twenty One stars Nam Joon-Hyuk and Kim Tae-Ri in the lead. The storyline revolves around Na Hee-Do’s life journey as a fencer. In her journey to become a great fencer, she meets Baek Yi-Jin, a sports reporter, and her life changes. Even though they didn’t end up being together, their love story becomes a historical one. The drama shows heart-pounding matches and the scenes are enough to captivate your attention towards the series.
Watch it on Netflix.
Mental Coach Jegal
Mental Coach Jegal is another sports K-drama that follows a former taekwondo player Ja Gal-Gil who after a scandalous incident gets labeled as an unlucky prodigy. He falls into a dark phase and after overcoming his past traumas he becomes a mental coach to other athletes who go through various problems. His story further unfolds after meeting Cha Ga-Eul (Lee Yoo-Mi), a former world-class short-track speed skating gold medalist. Ga-Eul who is known as Ice-Princess in the sports world, falls into a self-doubting phase after an incident. How they both work it out is shown in the drama.
Stream it on Viki.
