SBS Drama War: 3 Networks Vie for Top Spot

SBS is targeting home theaters with its baseball drama 'Full Count'. There is much anticipation as to whether it can replicate the success formula of '​Hot Stove League', which recorded a peak viewership rating of 20.8% in 2019.

SBS drama production company Studio S unveiled its main programming plans for the first half of next year, introducing the 12-episode Friday-Saturday drama 'Full Count'. Directed by Ham Jun-ho and written by Park Myung-rang, the drama centers on the fierce competition and struggle for survival surrounding the position of a professional baseball team's manager.

Kim Rae-won plays Hwang Jin-ho, the acting manager of the popular team 'Stars'. A former backup catcher, he was recognized for his abilities as a coach but always lived as an outsider within the team's exclusive culture. He is unexpectedly thrown into a maelstrom when he takes on the role of acting manager. Park Hoon will portray Jo Dong-hee, the legendary former pitcher turned pitching coach, who will confront Hwang Jin-ho. Yooi joins as Oh Hyun-joo, Hwang Jin-ho's wife and a math academy instructor.

SBS's expectations for 'Full Count' are based on the success of its predecessor, 'Hot Stove League'. 'Hot Stove League' started with national viewership ratings in the 3% range and soared to a peak of 20.8% based on the Seoul metropolitan area, becoming a hit. The key to its success was its focus on internal team dynamics rather than game scenes. Conflicts over personnel, budget issues, and factional disputes within the Dreams team's front office resonated with the realities of office workers, creating a narrative that could be understood even by those who are not baseball fans.

The character of General Manager Baek Seung-soo, played by Namkoong Min, was also a factor in its popularity. The line, "Are you going to engage in factional fights? Then do it through performance. If you're good at politics but bad at baseball, isn't that the most embarrassing thing?" remains a memorable scene. The portrayal of a character who values performance and principles over connections and friendships resonated with viewers. The drama also received praise for its accurate depiction of the professional baseball world, including sabermetrics, salary negotiations, and the recruitment of foreign players, and for its focus on the goal of rebuilding the organization without melodrama.