You dramas KoreanSports dramas are celebrated for their rich storytelling, and sports-themed series are a prime example. If you’re looking for a mix of motivation and heart-warming moments, Korean sports dramas have a lot to offer. These shows combine athletic prowess with compelling personal narratives, making them highly engaging.

Sports dramas in Korea go beyond the action on the field. They explore the struggles, achievements, and personal growth of athletes, offering a narrative that resonates deeply. From overcoming challenges to achieving personal milestones, these series provide inspiring stories that keep viewers engaged.

Whether you’re a sports fan or simply enjoy a good drama, these top 13 Korean sports dramas are sure to impress. They cover a variety of sports, from weightlifting to figure skating, each with their own unique set of challenges and emotional depth. These shows highlight not only the physical demands of sports, but also the emotional and mental journeys of the characters.

Get ready to be moved by stories of perseverance, teamwork, and triumph. These dramas emphasize the dedication and spirit it takes to succeed in sports, while delivering exciting and entertaining stories. Experience the impactful blend of sports and drama that Korean television excels at.

1. Reply 1997

In the nostalgic series set in 1994, six college students from various South Korean provinces find themselves living together in a boarding house in Sinchon, Seoul. The house is run by a couple and their daughter, Sung Na-Jung, played by Go Ara. The students, each with their own unique backgrounds, navigate their lives in the bustling city.

Echoing the style of Reply 1997, the narrative shifts between 1994 and 2013, creating a mystery as to which of the male characters will eventually become Na-jung's husband. This non-linear narrative adds a layer of intrigue as viewers piece together clues from both timelines.

The series weaves together pivotal historical and cultural events from 1994, such as the emergence of the iconic K-pop group Seo Taiji and Boys, the devastating collapse of Sampoong Department Store, and the founding of the Korean Basketball League. These events provide a rich backdrop for the characters' stories.

To preserve suspense, the male characters are initially introduced only by their nicknames. Their true identities and roles become clear over time, keeping viewers engaged and curious about their connections to Na-Jung and the unfolding drama.

• Displayed: October 18, 2013 – December 28, 2013
• Number of episodes: 21
• Cast:Go Ah Ra, Yoo Yeon Seok
• Streaming platform: Viki

2. Cheer Up!

Set in the elite environment of Seoul’s Sevit High School, Cheer Up! follows five students from vastly different backgrounds. Kang Yeon-doo, played by Jung Eun-ji, leads the “Real King” street dance club, a group of underachieving students. On the other side is Kim Yeol, played by Lee Won-Keun, who leads “Baek Ho,” a prestigious club for top performers.

The drama intensifies when the school forces these rival clubs to merge into a single cheerleading squad. Initially fraught with tension and competition, this forced collaboration sparks unexpected growth as Yeon-doo and Yeol learn to work together.

As they navigate the pressures of cheerleading and high school life, the students compromise on personal struggles, love, and heartbreak. Their journey through these challenges highlights their growth and the development of deep, lasting friendships.

Cheer Up! shows how the coming together of these disparate groups leads to deep connections and personal transformation. It portrays the students’ resilience and the lasting impact of their shared experiences amid the academic pressures of Sevit High School.

• Displayed: October 5, 2015 – November 10, 2015
• Number of episodes: 12
• Cast: Jung Eun Ji, Lee Won Keun, Chae Soo Bin
• Streaming platform: Netflix, Viki

3. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

In Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, the focus is on a young weightlifter named Bok Joo who is determined to win the gold medal. As she dedicates herself to the rigorous demands of weightlifting, she unexpectedly experiences romance for the first time. This new relationship introduces a different set of challenges, contrasting sharply with her intense training regimen.

Bok Joo struggles to balance her passion for weightlifting with her budding romance. The drama delves into her inner conflict: pursuing love could undermine her athletic career, while focusing solely on her sport could jeopardize her chance at true affection.

The series is set in the competitive world of sports, featuring athletes in weightlifting, swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics. Each character works hard to achieve their goals while dealing with their own personal challenges.

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo explores the themes of youth, love, and ambition. It vividly portrays the journey of balancing professional dreams with personal relationships, highlighting the trials and triumphs of young athletes.

• Displayed: November 16, 2016 – January 11, 2017
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Lee Sung Kyung, Nam Joo Hyuk
• Streaming platform: Netflix

4. Fight for My Way

In Fight for My Way, the story revolves around Ko Dong Man, who has long aspired to make a name for himself in taekwondo. Despite his dreams, he now finds himself stuck in a routine job as a contract worker. Alongside him is his friend Choi Ae Ra, who dreams of becoming a television anchor but is currently employed at the information desk of a department store.

Their journey is complicated by their friends, Kim Joo Man and Baek Seol Hee, who have been together for six years. Their relationship is now under strain from outside pressures, adding another layer of challenge to their lives.

The series portrays the struggle of these four friends as they strive to achieve their dreams despite lacking prestigious backgrounds or high-status qualifications. Their journey highlights the perseverance needed to overcome obstacles and pursue aspirations.

Fight for My Way offers a candid look at the challenges faced by ordinary individuals trying to make their mark. It illustrates their determination to break through social expectations and achieve their personal goals, demonstrating that passion and courage can sometimes trump formal credentials.

• Displayed: May 22, 2017 – July 11, 2017
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Park Seo Joon, Kim Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hong, Song Ha Yoon
• Streaming platform: Netflix

5. Rebound (Movie)

The once-proud basketball team of Jungang High School in Busan faces closure after years of mediocre performance. In an attempt to revive the team, alumnus Kang Yang-hyeon, a former coach of the under-16 men’s national team, is appointed as the new head coach. His arrival, however, causes many players to leave, unwilling to play under a relatively unknown coach.

Undeterred, Coach Kang assembles a makeshift team of six players who have been overlooked by other top basketball schools. As he prepares them for the National Basketball Championship, he instills a new mindset focused on teamwork and relentless effort. His guiding principle is clear: “There are no missed shots, only rebounds.”

Coach Kang’s approach emphasizes that every play counts and every opportunity can be recovered. His efforts aim to transform the underdog team into a competitive force by instilling a sense of unity and resilience in his players.

The story highlights their journey through the championships, illustrating how a new perspective and unwavering determination can change their fortunes. The team’s evolution from underdogs to contenders highlights the power of perseverance and team spirit.

• Displayed: April 5, 2023
• Director: Jang Hang Jun
• Cast: Ahn Jae Hong, Lee Shin Young, Jung Jin Woon, Kim Taek, Jung Gun Joo, Kim Min
• Streaming platform:

6. Hot Stove League

The drama revolves around the transformation of the Dreams, a struggling Major League Baseball team, as they prepare for an extraordinary season under their new general manager. Each episode focuses on different challenges the team faces in their quest to become stronger and more competitive.

Se Young, the youngest head of the management team, is celebrated for her dedication and passion for the Dreams. Despite the team’s poor performance, she is determined to turn things around. The arrival of Seung Su as the new general manager brings a mix of hope and skepticism. Known for leading teams that won championships but later faced dissolution due to financial problems, Seung Su’s track record is mixed.

Seung Su's task is to overcome the team's bad reputation and lead them to success, supported by Se Young's relentless commitment. Meanwhile, the team includes Han Jae Hee, an energetic grandson of a furniture manufacturer, Kim Young Chae, a former softball player turned sportscaster, and Yoo Min Ho, a passionate pitcher who is obsessed with baseball.

As the team faces various challenges and strives to improve, the series highlights their efforts to overcome obstacles and achieve their championship dreams, blending personal and professional struggles into an engaging narrative.

• Displayed: December 13, 2019 – February 14, 2020
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Namkoong Min, Park Eun Bin, Cho Byeong Kyu, Oh Jung Se
• Streaming platform: Netflix

7. Racket Boys

At an elementary school in Haenam, a boys' badminton team is on the verge of collapse when former star player Yoon Hyun Jong takes over as coach. Once a star athlete, Hyun Jong is now struggling financially and seizes the opportunity to revitalize the team. However, he inherits a group of only three players: Bang Yoon Dam, Na Woo Chan and Lee Yong Tae, who are all discouraged and close to quitting.

With Hyun Jong’s guidance, the boys begin to improve, especially after Yoon Hae Kang, his son, and Jung In Sol join the team. The addition of these new players gives the team a fresh start, allowing them to compete and aspire to greater achievements. Their journey is marked by personal growth and collective triumphs, driven by their determination to succeed.

Meanwhile, Ra Young Ja, Hyun Jong’s wife and a former top badminton player, coaches the girls’ team at a nearby elementary school. Her team, which includes Han Se Yoon, Korea’s top junior female player, and her close friend Lee Han Sol, is among the strongest in its division. The rivalry and mutual support between the two teams highlights the family’s dedication to the sport.

As the men’s and women’s teams face their respective challenges, their stories intertwine, showing their development on and off the court. The drama paints a vivid picture of perseverance, family dynamics and the pursuit of excellence in the field of high school badminton.

• Displayed: May 31, 2021 – August 9, 2021
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Kim Sanf Kyung, Oh Na Ra, Tang Jun Sang, Son Sang Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Kim Kang Hoon
• Streaming platform: Netflix

8. Love All Play

In this romantic sports drama, Park Tae Joon's life is transformed when he teams up with Park Tae Yang for mixed doubles badminton. Tae Joon, whose family runs a badminton equipment business, had lost his initial enthusiasm for the sport, seeing it more as a job than a passion. However, his feelings change drastically when he meets Park Tae Yang, a former Olympic hopeful.

Park Tae Yang, once a rising star in badminton, had to take three years off the sport due to a bribery scandal. His return to the world of badminton has been marked by personal and professional challenges. Despite his turbulent past, his talent and drive remain undiminished, rekindling his love for the game.

As Tae Joon and Tae Yang join forces on the court, their relationship evolves from mere teammates to something deeper. Their shared dedication to badminton and their chemistry bring them closer together, blending sports with romance.

The drama captures their journey of rediscovery and redemption, exploring how their mutual affection for badminton and each other helps them overcome obstacles and find new purpose in their lives and careers.

• Displayed: April 20, 2022 – June 9, 2022
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Park Ju Hyun, Cha Jong Hyeop
• Streaming platform: Disney+

9. Jegal Mental Trainer

Je Gal Gil, a former national Taekwondo athlete known for his perseverance and endearing quirks, faces a dramatic career change after a scandal forces his expulsion from the athletes' village. Once labeled an unlucky prodigy, he struggles with past traumas but eventually regains his mental strength and returns as a mental coach. His mission is to help former and current athletes who are struggling with psychological barriers.

Cha Ga Eul, a renowned short track speed skating gold medalist, finds herself in a crisis despite her reputation as the “Ice Princess.” Known for her stoic demeanor, she is isolated and struggling with inner conflicts until she meets Je Gal Gil. His unconventional approach and empathy help her confront her problems, offering a glimmer of hope.

Gu Tae Man, the ambitious director of the Korean Olympic Committee's Human Rights Center, plays a key role in Je Gal Gil's past troubles. His desire for power and control contributed to Je Gal Gil's downfall, making him a significant antagonist in the narrative. Gu Tae Man's actions highlight the corruption and manipulation in the world of sports.

Park Seung Ha, a compassionate member of the mental health support team, faces her own challenges when Je Gal Gil becomes her first patient. After enduring personal hardships, she leaves her previous job and joins the athletes’ village, where she meets Je Gal Gil. Together, they form a powerful team, helping the athletes overcome psychological obstacles while delving into their own complex relationships.

• Displayed: September 12, 2022 – November 1, 2022
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Jung Woo, Lee You Mi
• Streaming platform: Viki

10. Twenty-five and twenty-one

In a challenging time marked by the South Korean financial crisis, Na Hee Do’s passion for fencing propels her through adversity. Despite the dissolution of her high school fencing team due to the economic crisis, Na Hee Do remains determined. Her perseverance eventually earns her a spot on the national fencing team, where she aims to make her mark.

Parallel to Na Hee Do’s journey, Baek Yi Jin experiences a dramatic change in his life. Once enjoying the privileges of wealth, he faces financial ruin after his father’s business collapses. The crisis forces Baek Yi Jin to adapt, juggling part-time jobs as a newspaper delivery boy while continuing his studies.

As Baek Yi Jin transitions from a struggling student to a sports reporter, his path crosses with Na Hee Do. His new role allows him to cover stories that include her achievements, providing a unique perspective on her rise in fencing.

Together, their stories reflect a journey of resilience and transformation. As Na Hee Do struggles to achieve her dreams despite setbacks, Baek Yi Jin rebuilds his life and career from scratch, highlighting their shared struggle and triumph amid financial chaos.

• Displayed: February 12, 2022 – April 3, 2022
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Kim Tae Ri, Nam Joo Hyuk, Bona, Choi Hyun Wook
• Streaming platform: Netflix

11. Keep running

Ki Sun Gyeom, a once-promising sprinter, faces a setback in his career due to legal issues, which leads him to leave the national team. As he navigates life outside of sports, he crosses paths with Oh Mi Joo, a translator who prides herself on her work in film subtitles. Oh Mi Joo believes their meeting is a twist of fate and is excited about their new connection.

Meanwhile, Seo Dan Ah, CEO of a sports agency and heiress to the Seomyung Group, struggles with gender biases that are hindering her advancement within the company. Determined to break through these barriers and claim her rightful place, she dedicates herself to overcoming the obstacles in her path.

Into Seo Dan Ah’s world enters Lee Young Hwa, a college art student with a passion for film and drawing. His presence brings a new dynamic to Seo Dan Ah’s life, offering new perspectives and support as she strives to achieve her professional goals.

Together, their lives intertwine in a story of ambition, resilience, and finding their place in a challenging world. Each character faces their own struggles, finding strength and hope in unexpected connections and new relationships.

• Displayed: December 16, 2020 – February 4, 2021
• Number of episodes: 16
• Cast: Yim Si Wan, Shin Sae Kyeong, Choi Soo Young, Kang Tae Oh
• Streaming platform: Netflix

12. Like a flower in the sand

Kim Baek Doo, once celebrated as a rising star in the traditional Korean sport of ssireum, now faces a pivotal moment in his career. As a member of the Geosan County Office’s ssireum team and the youngest son of a prominent ssireum family, Baek Doo is considering retirement due to his declining performance.

His old passion for the sport is rekindled when he reunites with his childhood friend Oh Yoo Kyung, who returns to Geosan County to coach the failing ssireum team, which is on the verge of disbanding.

The scene in Geosan County is further complicated by Min Hyun Wook, who quickly integrates into the community, and Joo Mi Ran, a mysterious cafe owner with secrets of her own. Baek Doo and Yoo Kyung are faced with the task of reviving the ssireum team, dealing with the obstacles of restoring it to its former glory.

New vitality is brought by Kwak Jin Soo, the team's new coach, who offers innovative ideas and strategies for training. Baek Doo's loyal friend Cho Seok Hee, a police officer, provides unwavering support. Together, these characters face personal and professional challenges, working to bring the ssireum team back to its former prominence.

• Displayed: December 20, 2023 – January 31, 2024
• Number of episodes: 12
• Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Lee Joo Myung
• Streaming platform: Netflix

13. My Lovely Boxer

Kim Tae Young is a ruthless sports agent who capitalizes on the talents of athletes, quickly cashing in on their success before they inevitably burn out. Among his clients is Kim Hee Won, a talented baseball pitcher who holds particular significance for Tae Young. When Hee Won encounters a critical problem, Tae Young is given the challenging task of convincing Lee Kwon Sook to return to boxing.

Three years ago, Lee Kwon Sook was a standout boxer, gaining fame and dominating her fights at just 17 years old. Suddenly, she disappeared from the sport, leaving many questions unanswered. Now living a peaceful life away from the boxing ring, her return becomes essential for Kim Hee Won.

Determined to help Hee Won, Tae Young seeks out Kwon Sook, hoping to persuade her to return to the sport she once excelled in. This task proves to be difficult, as Tae Young must overcome the challenges of his new life and convince her to reclaim her place in the world of boxing.

• Displayed: August 21, 2023 – October 2, 2023
• Number of episodes: 12
• Cast: Lee Sang Yeob, Kim So Hye
• Streaming platform: Prime Video, Viki