7 Sports K-Dramas for Your Next Binge-Watching Marathon!

Sports-themed K-dramas are fun, exciting, and adrenaline-filled. You don’t necessarily need to be a sports fan — just an avid drama enthusiast ready to cheer for a young, hopeful protagonist or a team putting their heart and soul into the game, whether it’s baseball, tennis, soccer, or anything in between. These stories aren’t just about winning against all odds; they also teach valuable life lessons about friendship, teamwork, accepting failure, staying disciplined, and most importantly, finding joy in a sport that becomes an essential part of life.

We’ve listed seven sports-themed K-dramas for your next binge-watching marathon (pun intended!).

Note: These are dramas that are purely sports-focused, drawing out life lessons with a touch of romance — not romance-driven dramas that just happen to feature sports (looking at you, Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Fight For My Way).

1. The Winning Try (2025)

   
   
   
   

   A former rugby player, Ju Ga-ram (Yoon Kye-sang), falls from grace after a drug scandal ruins his flourishing career, forcing him into early retirement and cutting short a promising future in sports. Three years later, he returns to coach his old high school rugby team — the weakest team in the league. Ju Ga-ram must not only reclaim his lost glory but also mend his broken relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Bae I-ji, while instilling confidence and passion in his players.

   
   

   With determination, he hopes to lead these talented but struggling young athletes to victory. The Winning Try is an inspiring series that tugs at your heartstrings, delivering a powerful message of rising from the ashes against all odds. An ongoing series, it is a must-watch on Netflix.

2. Racket Boys (2021)

   
   
   
   

   Sports K-dramas often thrive on the timeless underdog trope, and Racket Boys embraces it wholeheartedly. The story follows a determined coach tasked with reviving a ragtag team of young badminton players brimming with untapped potential. As he pushes them toward victory, the journey becomes just as much about reigniting his own lost confidence and rediscovering his purpose. Heartwarming, inspiring, and full of charm, Racket Boys proves that teamwork truly makes the dream work.

   
   

   
   

3. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo (2017)

   
   
   
   

   While often mistaken for just a romance drama—thanks to the sparkling chemistry between Nam Joo-hyuk and Lee Sung-kyung—Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo is at its core about chasing dreams, practicing with dedication, and giving your all to win. The drama beautifully follows Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) on her journey from a girl insecure in her own skin to someone who embraces her true strength. Alongside her, Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) learns to confront his fears, shed his restrictive mindset, and swim his way to the finish line. Their growth, both individually and together, makes this drama a compelling and inspiring watch.

   
   

   
   

4. Hot Stove League (2019)

   
   
   
   

   This Daesang-winning K-drama shines a spotlight on one of Korea’s most beloved sports: baseball. Baek Seung-soo (Namkoong Min) is appointed as the general manager of The Dreams, a professional baseball team that has languished at the bottom of the league for four consecutive seasons. Armed with sharp instincts, extensive experience across multiple sports, and unconventional strategies, Seung-soo takes on the challenge of breaking the team’s losing streak and leading them toward a championship—despite the many odds stacked against him, including a lingering jinx tied to his career.

   
   

   What makes Hot Stove League truly special is its unique focus: rather than centering only on the athletes, it highlights the coaches, managers, and support staff whose dedication shapes the success of a team. As the series shows, it really does take a village—and Hot Stove League proves it brilliantly.

   
   

   
   

5. Good Boy (2025)

   
   
   
   

   Park Bo-gum’s big comeback drama after When Life Gives You Tangerines takes sports storytelling in a fresh direction. Good Boy follows a group of former Olympic gold medalists who join forces to form a special police unit, using their athletic skills and discipline to fight crime. The drama offers a poignant look into the lives of athletes long past their days of glory, shedding light on the harsh reality that one injury, scandal, or controversy can abruptly end a sporting career. Yet, it also explores how talent and training can be repurposed, opening doors to unexpected new paths. While Good Boy may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s definitely worth a shot.

   
   

   
   

6. My Lovely Boxer (2023)

   
   
   
   

   Few sports K-dramas feature a female protagonist at the forefront, which makes My Lovely Boxer both special and underrated within the genre. The story follows Lee Kwon-sook, a child prodigy who rose to fame as a boxing star at just 19, only to disappear suddenly in search of a completely different life. Her path crosses with Kim Tae-young (Lee Sang-yeob), a sharp and ambitious S&P sports agent with an eye for real talent and a no-nonsense approach to business.

   
   

   What makes this drama stand out is its focus on the professional ecosystem behind an athlete’s success—the coaches, agents, managers, and mentors who shape careers. It shows how a strong, supportive relationship not only leads to victories in the ring but also ensures long-term growth and stability for a sporting star.

   
   

   
   

7. Like Flowers in Sand (2024)

   
   
   
   

   This drama shines a spotlight on ssireum, traditional Korean wrestling, which may feel unfamiliar to some viewers but remains one of the country’s most beloved sports. Set in a small town, the story follows Kim Baek-doo (Jang Dong-yoon) and a group of young athletes who are struggling to grow, flourish, and question whether ssireum is truly their purpose in life. Like Flowers in Sand is a healing, slow-paced drama that gradually draws you in. Will they bloom or will they bite the sand? Either way, it’s worth giving a try.

   
   

   Which of these sports K-dramas are you most excited to watch next? Let us know in the comments below!

   
   

   #LikeFlowersinSand #MyLovelyBoxer #GoodBoy #WeightliftingFairyKimBokJoo #HotStoveLeague #RacketBoys #TheWinningTry #SportsKdramas