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[Ishani's Picks] An Ode To Sports K-Dramas

One of the major reasons for the overwhelming popularity of K-Dramas all over the world is the diversity it offers, whether that be in terms of genres, formats, or novelty of themes. From melodrama and romance to fantasy and comedy, K-Dramas have it all. However, in recent times, there's a new genre steadily rising as a fan favourite: the sports K-Drama.

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When you think of sports dramas, the first thing that comes to mind, especially if you're not particularly a fan of sports, is that it must be intended for a niche audience that may or may not include yourself. Oftentimes, viewers might be quick to disregard a new series premised on sports solely because they're not inclined towards the idea or, alternatively, don't think it could possibly be interesting enough to be invested in. Allow me to change your mind.

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What primarily differentiates a sports drama from other genres is the import of reality which is amplified in such a way that it makes the viewer more than just a passive spectator. We're taken way past the playing ground and into the minds and hearts of the players, viewing the world through their eyes. It is no wonder, therefore, that sports dramas are characterized by palpable tension, high stakes, and high pressure. The rush of competition and the meaning it holds will keep you at the edge of your seat until the moment of climax when you can finally breathe. Mirroring the reality of sports, the unpredictability of it all is arguably more exhilarating than an action sequence in a thriller.

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In the spirit of rooting for our protagonist(s), we walk a mile in their shoes, inadvertently identifying the obstacles in our own life with theirs, and as such, the gratification of them overcoming such difficulties allows us to experience the catharsis that brings us hope. "Racket Boys", for instance, reinforces the importance of finding fulfillment in what you do and doing it with passion regardless of the outcome. After all, the true winner is one who enjoys the journey without obsessing over the destination.
Through sports dramas, we're shown, fair and square, that even though luck might not always be on one's side, hard work and perseverance pay off. When a sportsperson makes a breakthrough in real life, we might not always pause to appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it. However, sports K-Dramas will make sure you see their journey from rock bottom to the top. The perfect example of such a K-Drama is "Prison Playbook", which tells the story of legendary baseball player Kim Je-hyuk (played by Park Hae-soo) who grapples with deep-seated dilemmas about his career while being locked up in prison for assaulting his sister's attacker. From yearning to return to the field to giving up altogether out of resentment, rediscovering the joy he found in the sport, facing yips immediately after, and finally, making his grand comeback, Je-hyuk is an emblem of the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Sports K-Dramas aren't always about the athletes themselves but rather, also focus the spotlight on those around them such as coaches, managers, staff members, and so on. "Stove League", starring Namkoong Min, Park Eun-bin, Oh Jung-se, and more revolves around the new general manager of the lowest-ranking professional baseball team in the league, 'Dreams' and how he turns their fate around through extraordinary leadership. We're taken behind the scenes of professional sports into the intriguing world of Management and Operations as they guide and support the underdogs and see them come out victorious. It strikes a chord that is universally resonant and remains memorable even when the drama is over.

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I could sing the praise of sports dramas to no end but perhaps, the best thing about them is that you need no prerequisite knowledge of the concerned sport to be entertained by it. If you're looking to get into sports dramas, you can start with multi-genre works that incorporate sports into their fold, such as "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo", "Fight For My Way", "Run On", "To The Beautiful You" and the most recent addition, "Love All Play". For fans of the genre, check out "Thumping Spike", "Puck!", "The Final Match", "Triple", "Short" and "Twenty Five Twenty One" alongside the previously mentioned "Racket Boys", "Stove League" and "Prison Playbook". You might not be a sports fan before watching these dramas, but you most definitely will be after!

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By Ishani Sarkar.

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