Sports Variety Shows: From Seasonal Trends to Mainstream Genre

Sports variety shows are no longer a 'seasonal trend' but have firmly established themselves as a definitive mainstream genre in broadcasting.

The power of 'unscripted reality' inherent in sports provides viewers with a new way to engage. It goes beyond simply enjoying exercise or determining winners and losers, offering narrative emotions like human will towards victory, teamwork, growth, and recovery after failure.

The trend began in 2005 with 'Fly Shoot Dori,' which created touching moments through the growth of young soccer prodigies. In 2009, 'Invincible Baseball Team' laid the foundation for sports variety shows with the passion of an amateur baseball team.

'Kick a Goal,' and 'Strongest Baseball' have continued this momentum. 'Let's Kick Together' (2019) perfectly blended entertainment and dramatic narrative by featuring legendary sports stars playing amateur soccer. This flow has now extended to shows like 'Strongest Baseball,' 'Kick a Goal,' and 'Iron Girls.'

Culture critic Jung Deok-hyun explained, "The power of reality in sports is immense. While past variety shows focused on character shows, reality is now the trend. Sports inherently contain a lot of unpredictability and create unscripted dramas. When combined with an entertainment perspective, the narrative completeness increases."

Viewer reactions have been explosive. JTBC's 'Strongest Baseball' has secured a loyal fanbase by targeting 'Mondays without Baseball.' SBS's 'Kick a Goal' is a prime example of a successful season-based show since 2021. Its futsal format, short and dense matches, fierce teamwork, and the earnest challenges of the female cast members have captivated viewers.

New challenges continue in the second half of the year. Basketball legend Seo Jang-hoon returns to the court with SBS's 'Passionate Basketball Club.' Volleyball empress Kim Yeon-koung embarks on a coaching career in 'Rookie Coach Kim Yeon-koung.' The program depicts the challenge of 'Feal-Seung Wonder Dogs,' a team formed by players released from professional teams, semi-professional players, and those dreaming of a comeback after retirement. It's not just a game program but a moving narrative about the human will towards a 'second chance.'

Expansion in other directions is also noticeable. Actor Ma Dong-seok is trying variety shows for the first time in 21 years with the boxing show 'I Am Boxer,' which he personally planned. He will portray a gym owner, capturing realistic training and matches with his actual disciples. Additionally, a new wave of running shows joins with Kian84's marathon challenge in 'Extreme 84.'

Culture critic Ha Jae-geun commented, "Dramatic stories unfold in the process of preparing for and executing games, creating dramatic moments. These real emotions strongly draw viewers in. Sports variety shows have evolved beyond simple laughter into a narrative genre that deals with human challenge, failure, and recovery."

Netizens are reacting enthusiastically, with comments like 'I'm hooked on watching sports variety shows these days,' 'Seeing them sweat motivates me to exercise too,' and 'Legendary shows that capture both emotion and fun.'