Racket Boys

Promotional Poster

***Racket Boys*** ( 라켓소년단) is a 2021 SBS South Korean drama that follows the growth of sixteen-year-old boys and girls and the challenges faced by badminton club at their school. It is directed by Jo Young-kwang and written by Jung Bo-hun. It stars Kim Sang-kyung, Oh Na-ra, Tang Jun-sang, Son Sang-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Kang-hoon, Lee Jae-in and Lee Jae-won.

## Plot

A story of a boys' badminton team at a middle school in Haenam as they compete in a junior athletic competition. The 16 year old boys and girls in Haenam grow as people during this time.

Yoon Hyeon-jong was once the best badminton player and he now takes the coach job of a boys' badminton team at a middle school in Haenam. The badminton team is on the verge of being disbanded. The players on the team are Yoon Hae-kang, Bang Yoon-dam, Na Woo-chan, and Lee Yong-tae. The players are not very good yet.

Meanwhile, Ra Yeong-ja is the coach of the girls’ badminton team at a different middle school in Haenam. Her badminton team ranks #1 among their peers.

## Cast

### Main

* Kim Sang-kyung as Yoon Hyeon-jong
* Oh Na-ra as Ra Yeong-ja
* Tang Jun-sang as Yoon Hae-kang
* Son Sang-yeon as Bang Yoon-dam
* Choi Hyun-wook as Na Woo-chan
* Kim Kang-hoon as Lee Yong-tae
* Lee Jae-in as Han Se-yoon
* Lee Ji-won as Lee Han-sol

### Supporting

* Ahn Se-bin as Yoon Hae-in
* Jung Min-seong as Kim Tae-ho
* Park Hyo-joo as Shin Phil-ja
* Shin Jung-geun as Coach Bae
* Kim Min-gi as Jeong In-sol
* Woo Hyun as Hong Yi-jang
* Baek Ji-won as Shin Song-hee
* Shin Cheol-jin as grandfather
* Cha Mi-kyung as Grandma Oh-mae
* Kim Gi-cheon as Hae-nam's middle school principal
* Song Seung-hwan as Lee Seung-heon
* Ahn Sang-woo as Mr. No
* Ahn Nae-sang as Fang
* Yoon Hyun-soo as Park Chan
* Hong Seo-joon as Chairman Jung
* Song Seung-hwan as Lee Seung-heon

### Special Appearances

* Kim Min-seok as Hun-hoon (Ep.2)
* Park Ho-san as Park Sun-bae (Ep.1)
* Jonathan Thona as Jonathan (Ep.1)
* Jo Jae-ryong as restaurant owner (Ep.2)
* Park Ok-hool as Bang Yoon-dam's mother
* Kim Tae-hyang as Bang Yong-shik
* Choi Dae-hoon as reporter for badminton magazine
* Yoon Bong-gil as baseball coach
* Im Chul-hyung as Woo-chan's father
* Jo Ryeon as Woo-chan's mother
* Kim Sung-cheol as general secretary Park
* Ko Soo-bin as Ivana Putri (Ep.5)
* Park Hae-soo as Lee Jae-joon (Ep.6)
* Lee Jun-hyeok as Banjang Yu (ep. 6)
* Kwon Dong-ho as college coach for Hyeon-jong and Jae-joon (ep. 6)
* Ki Eun-se as Lee Yu-ri (Ep.7, 8)
* Jo Deok-hee as disciple of director Bae
* Jo Jae-yoon comic performer as 'The End of the Earth Avengers' (Ep.7, 8, 14)
* Seo Do-jin as comic performer as 'The End of the Earth Avengers' (Ep.7, 8)
* Lee Si-eon as Busan Citizen (Ep.9)
* Heo Sung-tae as Coach Cheon (Ep.10)
* Jung Hee-tae as Hong Jeong-hyeon
* Lee Yong-dae as himself (Ep.15)
* Kang Seung-yoon as Kang Tae-seon (Ep.12-16)
* Kim Jung-young as Seon-yeong
* Lee Seok-hyung as Lee Kyung-min
* Seo Dong-won as Dong-hwi (Ep.15)
* Kwon Yu-ri as Im Seo-hyun (Ep.16)
* Lee Kyu-hyung as Park Jung-hwan (Ep.16)
* Kim Seul-gi as Jang PD (Ep.16)
* Jo Jung-shik as SBC news anchor (Ep.16)
* Kim Ji-young as Ah-young (Ep.16)

## Production

"Racket Boys" was produced by the South Korean television network SBS and was directed by Jo Young-kwang, known for his work on other popular dramas like "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo" and "The King in Love." The series was written by Jung Bo-hun, who crafted the storyline and characters.

The production aimed to capture the essence of youth, friendship, and the world of badminton. It was filmed in various locations in South Korea, including the picturesque countryside, which added to the authenticity of the setting.

The casting process involved selecting a mix of established actors and newcomers. Actors like Kim Sang-kyung, who played the coach, and Oh Na-ra were part of the main cast, while rising stars like Tang Jun-sang, Son Sang-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Kang-hoon, and Lee Jae-in portrayed the young badminton players.

The team behind "Racket Boys" worked to create a compelling storyline that not only focused on the sport itself but also delved into the personal lives, aspirations, and growth of the characters, making it relatable to a broader audience beyond just sports enthusiasts. The drama received praise for its realistic portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of young athletes, alongside their friendships and coming-of-age experiences.

## References

1. ↑ https://m.joynews24.com/v/1338111#\_DYAD
2. ↑ https://www.hancinema.net/korean\_drama\_Racket\_Boy\_Band.php
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racket\_Boys
4. ↑ https://asianwiki.com/Racket\_Boys
5. ↑ https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/609/0000413158
6. ↑ https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article\_id=E10010195590&cooper=en.wikipedia.org&utm\_source=en.wikipedia.org
7. ↑ https://www.newsen.com/news\_view.php?uid=202011300852046510
8. ↑ https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/609/0000437098
9. ↑ https://tenasia.hankyung.com/drama/article/2021032528834
10. ↑ https://tenasia.hankyung.com/drama/article/2021052577304
11. ↑ https://tenasia.hankyung.com/drama/article/2021022536684
12. ↑ https://tenasia.hankyung.com/drama/article/2021032529914