Kim Rae Won, Park Hoon Star in Baseball K-Drama 'Full Count'

SBS is watching to see if its baseball drama "Full Count" will recreate the phenomenon of "Stove League." Starring Kim Rae-won and Park Hoon, the drama depicts the survival struggle of two men vying for a professional baseball manager position. Revealed as one of SBS's representative works for the second half of the year at the "SBS Drama Media Day: Next Episode," celebrating the 6th anniversary of SBS's drama production company Studio S, SBS is confident that "Full Count" will spark a new baseball drama craze. Directed by Ham Jun-ho and written by Park Myung-rang, the drama is scheduled to air in 2027.

"Full Count" tells the story of the survival struggle of two men competing for the position of professional baseball manager, a role granted to only ten individuals. This position is described as the ultimate throne desired by all baseball figures, yet simultaneously a "poisoned chalice" where one must bear all the blame for defeat alone. Kim Rae-won plays Hwang Jin-ho, the acting manager of the popular team "Stars," which is on the verge of missing the postseason. A former catcher and battery coach, Hwang Jin-ho is an unfortunate baseball figure who spent most of his playing career as a backup, but he is well-regarded as a coach. However, in the exclusive atmosphere of "Stars," which values purity, he has lived as an outsider. Taking on the role of acting manager, he plunges into the greatest storm of his life. The fated confrontation between Kim Rae-won and Park Hoon is the key element that will heighten the drama's immersion. Yooi has confirmed her appearance as Oh Hyun-joo, Hwang Jin-ho's wife, a math academy instructor who first proposed to Hwang Jin-ho.

The basis for SBS's confidence in "Full Count" as a hit drama lies in the success of "Stove League," which aired in 2019 and recorded a peak viewership rating of 20.8%. Despite the prevailing jinx that "sports dramas in Korea generally fail," "Stove League" garnered significant attention. One of the reasons for "Stove League's" success was that it was "a baseball drama with very little actual baseball gameplay." The camera focused on the team's front office, which supports the players, instead of the field, and by depicting a microcosm of everyday office life—power struggles, corrupt team leaders, and parachute appointments—it drew in viewers who weren't even interested in baseball. Namkoong Min, as the new general manager Baek Seung-soo, provided catharsis to viewers with his cool and rational leadership. His reform of the organization based solely on skill and data, without being bound by personal connections or favors, offered vicarious satisfaction through fairness rarely seen in reality. Furthermore, the drama meticulously recreated behind-the-scenes stories of the KBO, such as sabermetrics, player trades, and salary negotiations, igniting enthusiasm among baseball fans and lowering the barrier to entry for those unfamiliar with baseball by naturally introducing terminology. The outstanding acting of actors like Namkoong Min, Park Eun-bin, and Oh Jung-se, and the decision to boldly forgo a romantic storyline in favor of focusing on business partnerships and camaraderie, were also analyzed as key success factors.

In addition to "Full Count," a total of three baseball-themed dramas are scheduled to be released this year and next. This is an unprecedented situation, with broadcasters like MBC, SBS, and tvN competitively scheduling baseball dramas.

1. "Your Ground" (MBC, scheduled for the second half of 2026): A youth romance drama based on the 1996 American film "Jerry Maguire." It follows the journey of a baseball player (Gong Myung) whose career was halted by a setback, as he returns to the field after meeting a lawyer-turned-agent (Han Hyo-joo). The drama features the intense collaboration and conflict between a female sports agent and a professional baseball player.
2. "Gift" (tvN, scheduled for broadcast in 2027): A drama based on the webtoon of the same name from Kakao Webtoon. It depicts one season in the life of a professional baseball coach who gains special abilities after an accident and becomes the manager of the last-place amateur team, Deokcheon High School's baseball club. Starring Kim Woo-bin, Seo Eun-soo, and Seo Hyun-woo, it differentiates itself from other works by focusing on a high school baseball team.

While all three works are set against the backdrop of baseball, they adopt different approaches: "Your Ground" focuses on youth romance, "Gift" on growth and inspiration, and "Full Count" delves into the harsh realities of power and survival.

Actress Gong Min-jung has been cast as Jung Seon-ae, a veteran baseball reporter for a sports newspaper, in SBS's baseball drama "Full Count." Gong Min-jung has consistently received praise for her realistic acting in every role she takes on, and in this drama, she is expected to portray a sharp and tenacious baseball reporter. "Full Count" is a sports drama depicting the survival struggle of characters vying for a professional baseball manager position, with Kim Rae-won and Park Hoon playing acting manager Hwang Jin-ho and pitching coach Jo Dong-hee, respectively, engaging in fierce competition. Gong Min-jung will play a reporter covering their rivalry, forming a crucial part of the narrative. She is expected to deliver a multi-dimensional performance, oscillating between a professional reporter with a passion for baseball and an ambition for scoops, and a human being grappling with personal pain related to baseball. Gong Min-jung has recently garnered acclaim for her impressive performances in various projects, including Netflix's "Monthly Boyfriend," the film "Method Acting," and "SNL." "Full Count" is currently filming and is scheduled to be broadcast in 2027.