Sports-related content that emphasizes the thrill of victory and fast-paced fun will energize screens and home theaters at the end of the year. With the release of ‘1Win’, the first Korean film to feature volleyball, soon, sports-related entertainment shows will meet fans one after another on OTT (online video service).

The film ‘1Win’, which will be released on the 4th, is a story about the Pink Storm, a perennial last-place professional women‘s volleyball team with virtually zero chance of winning, as they take on the challenge for just one victory. It is also garnering attention as ‘national actor’ Song Kang-ho’s first sports film in 24 years since ‘The Foul King’ in 2000. Song Kang-ho plays the coach of a professional team, while Park Jung-min and Jang Yoon-ju play the team owner and captain, respectively.

The 16 actors who played the ‘Pink Storm’ players underwent rigorous training for several months, including training camps, to create thrilling match scenes reminiscent of actual professional games. Their training was assisted by commentators Han Yu-mi and Lee Sook-ja, and former GS Caltex coach Cha Sang-hyun.

The sports documentary ‘Sandstorm’, which tells the story of a women‘s professional wrestling team, was released on the 27th of last month and received favorable reviews, and Twice member Dahyun recently caught attention by choosing the track-and-field film ‘Sprinter’ as an actress. It is a work that deals with the story of a sprinter (short-distance track and field athlete) who burns the last flame at the end of his prime.

OTTs are each pouring out sports entertainment programs in order to capture both entertainment and sports fans.

Coupang Play, which is known for its sports content ‘Restaurants’, is receiving favorable reviews with ‘Shooting Star’, which depicts retired soccer legends establishing FC Shooting Star and aiming to return to active duty. Team manager Park Ji-sung and coach Choi Yong-soo are leading the team, and legends who have shared great moments in Korean soccer are coming together to create excitement.

In the meantime, Netflix will release ‘Strongest Rugby: Die or Win’, which deals with the unpopular sport of rugby, on the 10th, and Tving has decided to exclusively release a spin-off of JTBC’s popular entertainment show ‘Strongest Baseball’ and has begun full-scale production.


Reporter Lee Seung-mi smlee@donga.com