20 Best Sports K-Dramas Of All Time, Ranked

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Great K-dramas often feature well-developed characters with their own distinct goals and dreams, and sometimes those characters have a passion for sports. Whether it’s a male lead who loves to play sports in his free time, or a character who’s working hard to achieve something, these shows frequently use athletics to show how characters grow and explore deeper meanings.

The real power of sports stories lies in their ability to fit into many different kinds of narratives. From suspenseful thrillers to sweet romantic dramas, sports can be woven into the main plot, with characters striving for a championship or overcoming a huge challenge as part of their own personal growth and transformation.

20. Triple

2009

First airing in 2009, the K-drama Triple draws on familiar storytelling elements. The series follows Lee Ha-ru, played by Min Hyo-rin, who moves to Seoul after five years of living alone to chase her dream of becoming a figure skater.

Ha-ru relies on a complicated network of relationships, including a close but unconventional bond with her stepbrother, Shin Hwal (Lee Jung-jae), who largely takes care of her. The story features compelling skating sequences, but some viewers may find Ha-ru’s romantic feelings for a much older man difficult to relate to.

19. Heading to the Ground

2009

Though it’s an older K-drama, Heading to the Ground has a story that still resonates today. It centers around Cha Bong-gun, played by Jung Yun-ho, who is a huge fan of the Manchester United soccer team.

When Bong-gun meets promising sports agent Kang Hae-bin (Go Ara), he gets a shot at realizing his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Although the show received negative reviews when it first came out, many K-drama fans still enjoy it as a lighthearted and fun watch, even after almost 20 years.

18. Head Over Heels

2025

Head Over Heels is a fantastic teen romance with a touch of the supernatural. The K-drama follows Park Seong-ah (Cho Yi-hyun), who secretly works as a shaman. When she falls in love with Bae Gyeon-woo (Choo Young-woo), a classmate predicted to have a tragic fate, she’s determined to save him.

Gyeon-woo’s involvement with the school archery team adds a sports angle to the story. While Head Over Heels is a very popular romantic fantasy K-drama, its engaging storyline about archery wasn’t a major focus.

17. Puck!

2016

Even though it only has two episodes, the series Puck! is surprisingly impactful. The story centers around Jo Jun-man, played by Lee Kwang-soo, who ends up working as a loan shark to cover his wife’s debts, despite his reluctance to enter that world.

Jun-man goes undercover as a hockey player to collect a debt from a coach. But as he gets more involved with the team, he experiences a powerful realization that changes his life, and his commitment goes far beyond just doing his job as a tough guy.

16. My Lovely Boxer

2023

The film My Lovely Boxer offers a unique take on its main character. Unlike many sports stories featuring newcomers, Lee Kwon-sook (played by Kim So-hye) isn’t an inexperienced rookie. She’s already had success as a promising young boxer, having first gained attention at age 17.

Kwon-sook returns to competitive boxing, but quickly finds herself struggling to stay true to her principles. She faces powerful opponents and dangerous schemes – including rigged fights – that could derail her attempt at a comeback.

15. Just Dance

2018

School-set K-dramas often feature students with big ambitions and a youthful energy. But instead of aiming for typical celebrity dreams, the characters in Just Dance are focused on achieving success in the world of competitive ballroom dancing.

While K-dramas rarely focus on dance as a sport, “Just Dance” stands out for its genuine emotion. The show is based on a real 2017 documentary following ambitious young people striving to become professional dancers.

14. Short

2018

Starring popular actors Kang Tae-oh and Park Eun-ho, the short series Short centers around two very different speed skaters. Ho-young is a rising talent recently discovered by a demanding coach, while Hoe-hyun is a seasoned veteran who’s been a top performer for quite some time.

Even though Ho-young and Hoe-hyun start as rivals, they quickly become close friends because they understand each other’s difficulties. The show does include typical K-drama romantic complications, like a love triangle, but when it focuses on the skating itself, it’s truly captivating.

13. Love All Play

2022

The series Love All Play explores the emotional connection between rivals and builds a captivating romance around it. Park Tae-yang, played by Park Ju-hyun, is driven by her desire to succeed in competitive badminton, a passion fueled by the legacy of her accomplished older sister, an Olympic medalist.

Honestly, Park Tae-joon, played by Chae Jong-hyeop, just doesn’t feel it – not for badminton, not for much of anything, really. But things start to shift when he’s paired up with Tae-yang, and they’re forced to work together to try and win the mixed doubles championship. It’s like something awakens in both of them as they push towards that goal.

12. Good Boy

2025

Sports-themed K-dramas usually focus on either athletes striving for success or former players dealing with the challenges of life after their careers.

Unlike other stories, Good Boy brings together retired Olympic athletes – including fencers, shooters, boxers, wrestlers, and discus throwers – and unites them in a mission to fight crime. The comic book style and exciting action scenes really enhance this unique idea.

11. Racket Boys

2021

Racket Boys delivers the classic tension of a sports story, but it’s set in a charming Korean rural town. One young athlete experiences more than just a change of scenery when he moves from the bustling city to the quiet countryside.

To help save his father’s job coaching a struggling middle school badminton team, a young player steps up to inspire the team. It’s a remarkably heartwarming and feel-good sports drama from Korea.

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2026-02-04 21:13