As women crowd ballparks, K-drama actors take on new professions

As Korean dramas and films continue to attract an increasing number of female viewers, it seems that actors involved in baseball-themed projects are gaining popularity. Kim Woo-bin and Ryu Seung-ryong, two prominent actors with distinct acting styles and ages, are about to share a common thread in their upcoming roles.

In December, Kim Woo-bin will take on the role of a former baseball player who coaches a high school baseball team in the tvN drama “Gift.” Ryu Seung-ryong, on the other hand, will play a famous baseball player in the film “Portrait of a Family,” set to release next month. This trend of baseball players and coaches appearing in dramas and films is not limited to these two actors.

Gong Myoung, known for his role in MBC drama “Your Ground,” is currently filming a project where he plays a pitcher. Additionally, Kim Rae-won will portray a coach in SBS drama “Full Count,” which is expected to air next year. These are just a few examples of the growing number of baseball-related roles in the Korean entertainment industry.

With these four projects alone, the total number of baseball-themed dramas and films reaches a significant count. Alongside these four mentioned works, there are more baseball-related projects in the pipeline, such as “Green Light” and “Sunning Baseball Club,” all of which contribute to the increasing presence of baseball characters in Korean media.