10 Recommendations for Korean Dramas about Athletes that Discuss Not Only Competition but Also Cute Romance

Kapanlagi.com - The world of sports is indeed full of pressure, fierce competition, and high dedication that requires significant sacrifices to achieve success. However, behind all the drama on the field, there is a more human side that warms the hearts of loyal viewers through several Korean dramas about athletes as follows.

Korean dramas about athletes not only showcase thrilling sporting actions but also feature sweet and adorable love stories, KLovers. The combination of the struggle to achieve dreams and romance that makes you feel emotional is the perfect formula to entertain viewers from various backgrounds.

Let's take a look at a series of Korean dramas about athletes that discuss not only competition but also cute romance. Come on, let's check it out, KLovers!

1. FIGHT FOR MY WAY (2017)

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This Korean drama about athletes tells the story of Ko Dong-man, a talented former taekwondo athlete who is forced to give up his dream of becoming a national athlete. Now he must fight hard to find a new path in life while facing the bitter realities of the adult world that do not meet his expectations.

A childhood friendship with Choi Ae-ra slowly transforms into a sweet and challenging romance during their journey. The two characters support each other in pursuing their dreams while discovering the true meaning of struggle and happiness.

2. GOOD BOY (2024)

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This Korean drama about athletes presents the story of five former Olympians who join a special police team made up of elite athletes. They must learn to combine their extraordinary athletic abilities with the challenging and dangerous tasks of law enforcement every day.

Amid dangerous missions, sweet romance begins to blossom between team members, creating an interesting dynamic. The combination of action, friendship, and love makes this drama an entertaining yet thrilling watch for fans.

3. BLOODHOUNDS (2023)

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Kim Geon-woo is a young amateur boxer who uses his fighting skills not for the ring but to survive. This Korean drama about an athlete showcases his struggle against the brutal and merciless criminal world in an effort to protect his loved ones.

Friendship and loyalty are key elements in facing various threats that come one after another at all times. Although filled with brutal action, there are warm moments that reveal the human side of the tough characters in this series.

4. RUN ON (2020)

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Ki Seon-gyeom is a top national sprinter with a strong work ethic and moral compass that forces him to leave the world of athletics. This Korean drama about an athlete explores the moral dilemmas in professional sports and their impact on an athlete's personal life.

His encounter with Oh Mi-joo, a film translator, brings new color to his life filled with confusion and difficult decisions. Their romance develops at a natural pace while facing various obstacles from the past and social pressures.

5. HOT STOVE LEAGUE (2019)

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Raising the drama behind the scenes of professional baseball management, this series follows Baek Seung-soo as the new general manager. This Korean drama about athletes focuses on the business and political aspects of the complex and intrigue-filled world of sports.

His ability to turn a poorly performing team into champions proves that the right leadership and strategy are essential. While focusing on management, there are romantic elements that enrich the story and provide a personal dimension to the main character.

6. TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE (2021)

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Kim Tae-ri plays Na Hee-do, a spirited young fencing athlete with big dreams. This Korean drama about athletes explores the physical and mental pressures faced by elite athletes as well as the intense public scrutiny.

Friendship and rivalry in the world of fencing serve as the backdrop for a heartwarming coming-of-age story. The romance that develops among the young characters adds sweetness to the narrative that discusses the struggles to reach the pinnacle of achievement.

7. LOVE NEXT DOOR (2024)

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Although his athletic career is not the main focus, Choi Seung-hyo's background as a prospective Olympian shapes his personality. This Korean drama about athletes explores how past sports experiences influence relationships with childhood friends.

The friends-to-lovers romance between him and Bae Seok-ryu creates an adorable chemistry filled with nostalgic childhood memories. Their journey from friendship to adult love is filled with sweet moments that make the heart flutter throughout the episodes.

8. WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO (2016)

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Kim Bok-joo is a talented weightlifter who sees the sport as her destiny and possibly her passion. This Korean drama about athletes depicts her struggle to form deep emotional connections within the harsh world of weightlifting.

Her love story with swimmer Jung Joon-hyung provides a fresh perspective on romance in the competitive athletic world. Both characters support each other in pursuing their dreams while learning about love, friendship, and sacrifice.

9. LOVELY RUNNER (2024)

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Ryu Sung-jae has a bright future as a professional swimmer until a shoulder injury shatters his dreams forever. This Korean drama about an athlete explores how someone rises from failure and finds a new passion in life.

His transformation into an idol or actor demonstrates incredible resilience and adaptability in the face of change. The unique elements of time travel and romance create a fresh and entertaining narrative with unexpected plot twists.

10. RACKET BOYS (2021)

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This Korean drama about athletes tells the story of a small-town badminton team that, despite facing unfavorable odds, dares to dream big. This healing and uplifting story showcases the power of determination and teamwork in achieving common goals.

Their struggles against limited facilities and resources create inspiring moments that touch the heart. The subtle romance between the young characters adds sweetness to the narrative about friendship, dreams, and the struggle for success.

11. Q&A About Korean Dramas Featuring Athletes

Q: What are the most popular Korean dramas about athletes that must be watched?
Some of the most popular Korean dramas about athletes include FIGHT FOR MY WAY (taekwondo/MMA), WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO (weightlifting), TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE (fencing), RUN ON (running), and RACKET BOYS (badminton). These dramas succeed due to the combination of engaging sports stories with adorable romance.

Q: Why do Korean dramas about athletes always have a romantic element?
The romance in Korean dramas about athletes serves as an emotional balance to the intensity of sports competition. The romantic elements help to showcase the human side of athletes outside the arena, creating more complex character development and providing relatable aspects for viewers who may not be very interested in sports.

Q: Do Korean dramas about athletes accurately depict the world of sports?
Most Korean dramas about athletes strive to depict the realities of the sports world quite accurately, including training pressures, sacrifices, mental health issues, and politics in sports. However, there is still dramatization for entertainment value. Dramas like HOT STOVE LEAGUE have even been praised for realistically portraying behind-the-scenes baseball management.

Q: Which Korean drama is inspired by real athletes?
FIGHT FOR MY WAY is inspired by the true story of MMA champion Choo Sung Hoon and model wife Yano Shiho. WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO is inspired by Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Jang Mi-ran. Many other dramas also draw inspiration from real athletes' journeys to provide authenticity to the story.

Q: What sports genres are most frequently featured in Korean dramas?
The most frequently featured sports are baseball, basketball, swimming, taekwondo/MMA, weightlifting, and badminton. Baseball is very popular due to its status as Korea's national sport, while swimming and weightlifting are often chosen for their individual competition aspect that suits character-focused storytelling.

Q: Are there any Korean dramas about athletes that focus on team sports?
Yes, there are several dramas that focus on team sports such as RACKET BOYS (badminton team), HOT STOVE LEAGUE (baseball team management), GOOD BOY (special police team of former Olympians), and several dramas about volleyball and basketball teams. Team dramas usually emphasize teamwork, friendship, and collective growth.

Q: Why do many Korean dramas about athletes end sadly or bittersweet?
Bittersweet endings are common in sports dramas because they reflect the realistic challenges in an athletic career such as injuries, career limitations, and sacrifices that must be made. TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE, for example, shows how external circumstances and time can affect relationships. This adds depth and lasting emotional impact.

Q: Can the actors/actresses in Korean dramas about athletes really perform those sports?
Most actors undergo extensive training for their roles. Lee Sung Kyung learned weightlifting for KIM BOK-JOO, Kim Tae Ri trained in fencing for TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE, and Park Seo Joon trained in MMA for FIGHT FOR MY WAY. However, there are still stunt doubles for advanced techniques and dangerous moves.

Q: Which Korean drama about athletes is the most inspirational for pursuing dreams?
FIGHT FOR MY WAY is very inspirational because it shows ordinary people fighting for their dreams despite obstacles. RACKET BOYS is inspiring because of its underdog story about a small-town team. WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO is inspiring for young women in sports. This drama emphasizes perseverance and belief in yourself.

Q: Are there Korean dramas about athletes that depict the dark side of the sports world?
Some dramas explore darker aspects such as corruption, doping, politics, and mental health issues. RUN ON addresses ethical problems in track and field, while TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE shows the pressure and scrutiny faced by young athletes. These dramas provide a balanced view between glory and challenges in the sports world.

Those are a list of Korean dramas about athletes that could be weekend entertainment. There are still many other drama recommendations that KLovers can learn about by reading articles on kapanlagi.com. Because, if not now, when else?

(kpl/dhm)