From 'Goat Boy' in 'Descendants of the Sun' to National Track Star: Namadi Joel Jin Sweeps 100m & 200m National Championships

Namadi Joel Jin, who captured hearts as the 'Goat Boy' in the hit drama 'Descendants of the Sun,' is now emerging as South Korea's next big track and field sensation.

On October 20th, at the 106th National Sports Festival held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, the 19-year-old dominated the men's 200m final, crossing the finish line in a blistering 20.70 seconds.

This victory marks a significant achievement as it follows his triumph in the 100m race the previous day, where he clocked 10.35 seconds. In his first year as a professional, Joel Jin has now swept both the 100m and 200m events, solidifying his position as a rising star in Korean athletics at just 19 years old. His 200m winning time also shattered his personal best, shaving off 0.2 seconds from his previous record of 20.90 seconds.

Joel Jin had already made a name for himself on the international stage back in July. He was a key member of the South Korean team that won a historic gold medal in the men's 400m relay at the '2025 World University Games (Universiade)' in Germany, with a time of 38.50 seconds. This was the first-ever relay gold medal for South Korea at a major global multi-sport event, including the Universiade.

At the time of his Universiade success, many recognized his face, sparking renewed interest in his unique background. It was revealed that Joel Jin was a child actor, famously appearing in the 2016 KBS 2TV drama 'Descendants of the Sun.' He played a memorable role, innocently asking Dr. Chi-hoon (played by Onew) to 'buy a goat instead of shoes,' a scene that brought both tears and laughter to viewers.

Born to a Korean mother and a Nigerian father who was a former national long jumper, Joel Jin harbored dreams of becoming an athlete from a young age. Now, having transitioned from a child actor to a promising track and field prospect, he is receiving immense support from fans as he continues to grow.

Korean netizens have reacted with surprise and admiration, with comments like: 'Is that the kid from Descendants of the Sun? He's become a star!' and 'He was good at acting, and now he's this good at sports? That's amazing!' Many are expressing excitement for his future potential, stating, 'I'm really looking forward to seeing him compete more, go Namadi!'