Racket Boys

Official promotional poster

***Racket Boys*** (Korean: 라켓소년단; Hanja: 라켓少年團; RR: *Raketsonyeondan*) is a 2021 South Korean television drama. The series, directed by Cho Young-kwang and written by Jung Bo-hun, stars Kim Sang-kyung, Oh Na-ra, Tang Jun-sang, Son Sang-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Kang-hoon, Lee Jae-in, and Lee Ji-won. The series follows the growth of sixteen-year-old boys and girls and the challenges faced by badminton club at their school. It was premiered on SBS on May 31, 2021 and aired every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST). The series is available worldwide on Netflix for streaming.

## Synopsis

A city kid is brought to the countryside by his father's new coaching gig: reviving a ragtag middle school badminton team on the brink of extinction. A story of a boys' badminton team at a middle school in Haenam as they grow, both as people and as players.

Yoon Hyun Jong was once a very good badminton player, but now he struggles to make ends meet for his family. Therefore, he jumps at a chance to coach a middle school team, only to find a team on the verge of disbandment with only three players: Bang Yoon Dam, Na Woo Chan, and Lee Yong Tae. The three boys struggle along, improving as Yoon Hae Kang, Yoon Hyun Jong's son, joins the team along with Jung In Sol. Now having enough players to enter competitions, they try to soar to new heights.

Meanwhile, Ra Young Ja, former top badminton player and Yoon Hyun Jong's wife, is the coach of the girls’ badminton team at a girl's middle school in Haenam. On her team are Han Se Yoon, the #1 ranked junior female player in Korea and Lee Han Sol, Se Yoon's best friend, allowing them to be one of the best teams among their peers.

## Cast

### Main

* Kim Sang-kyung as Yoon Hyeon-jong: A badminton coach and father of Hae-kang who moves to the countryside to earn more money
* Oh Na-ra as Ra Yeong-ja: A living legend in the badminton world and junior high school coach, also called as "Ranos" for her go-by-the-book attitude, mother of Yoon Hae-kang and Yoon Hae-in
* Tang Jun-sang as Yoon Hae-kang: An ex badminton prodigy and baseball enthusiast, who starts playing badminton again after moving to the countryside
* Son Sang-yeon as Bang Yoon-dam: The captain of the badminton club and ace player. He wants to have 100,000 followers on instagram. He is quite handsome.
* Choi Hyun-wook as Na Woo-chan: A mediator, mediates conflicts between congregations with a caring personality and excellent empathy
* Kim Kang-hoon as Lee Yong-tae: Youngest member of badminton club, a big fan of badminton player Lee Yong-dae
* Lee Jae-in as Han Se-yoon: A badminton player who dreams of becoming the youngest member of national team
* Lee Ji-won as Lee Han-sol: A student and talented badminton player. She has a crush on Bang Yoon-Dam.

### Supporting

* Ahn Se-bin as Yoon Hae-in (Yoon Hae-kang's little sister): Cute and feisty just like her mother. Independent and outgoing. Also, has asthma
* Jung Min-seong as Kim Tae-ho, husband of city couple, timid and caring
* Park Hyo-joo as Shin Phil-ja, wife of a city couple: A typical urban couple, married for 10 years, they came to Haenam leaving the busy city life
* Shin Jung-geun as Coach Bae: A PET at Haenam Seo Middle School and a badminton coach also known as 'white wolf'
* Kim Min-gi as Jeong In-sol: classmate of Hae-kang, Yoon-dam and Woo-chan. He is the class president. Gets excellent grades but yearns to play badminton with his new friends.
* Woo Hyun as Hong Yi-jang: The head of the village and the youth president
* Baek Ji-won as Shin Song-hee, lady who claims to be a guardian of the territorial village
* Shin Cheol-jin as grandfather
* Cha Mi-kyung as Grandma Oh-mae
* Kim Ki-cheon as principal Hae-nam, Seo-jung
* Song Seung-hwan as Lee Seung-heon: a player in National Spring Badminton League
* Ahn Sang-woo as Mr. No, badminton store owner
* Ahn Nae-sang as Fang, national team coach
* Yoon Hyun-soo as Park Chan: badminton player has crush on Se-yoon
* Hong Seo-joon as Chairman Jung: In-sol's father
* Song Seung-hwan as Lee Seung-heon:middle school badminton player

### Special appearances

* Kim Min-seok as Hun-hoon

Takes Grandma Oh-mae from subway station to Father's Table restaurant in spite of his busy schedule (ep.2)
* Park Ho-san as Park Sun-bae

Yoon Hyeon-jong's friend (ep.1)
* Jonathan Thona as Jonathan

An exchange student and GFriend's fan (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

Bang Yoon-dam's father, very supportive of his son and it is evident that Yoon-dam is his favorite child as he makes his children eat Yoon-Dam's favorite food every single day
* Choi Dae-hoon as reporter for badminton magazine
* Yoon Bong-gil as baseball coach
* Im Chul-hyung as Woo-chan's father

A military man and a father with an iron fist. Initially, disapproves of his son's passion for badminton.
* Jo Ryeon as Woo-chan's mother
* Kim Sung-cheol as general secretary Park
* Ko Soo-bin as Ivana Putri

Indonesia's badminton player (ep. 5)
* Park Hae-soo as Lee Jae-joon

Exercising with Yoon Hyeon-jong since childhood (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

A former badminton national and coach of Seoul Jeil Girls' Middle School badminton team, in rivalry with Haenam Jeil Girls' Middle School coach Ra Young-ja (Ep.7, 8)
* Jo Deok-hoe 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

The younger brother of Hong Yi-jang
* Lee Yong-dae as himself (Ep.15)
* Kang Seung-yoon as Kang Tae-seon

Former badminton youth national team player. He used to be a badminton player at Haenam Middle School. (Ep.12-16)
* Kim Jung-young as Seon-yeong

Coach Bae's Wife
* Lee Seok-hyung as Lee Kyung-min

Former national badminton player and a senior of Kang Tae-seon.
* Seo Dong-won as Dong-hwi (Ep.15)
* Kwon Yu-ri as Im Seo-hyun (Ep.16)

National badminton player, the person Han Se-yoon considered as a role model
* 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

### Casting

Tang Joon-sang was invited to play in sports drama on November 30, 2020. The cast of the series as Tang Jun-sang, Kim Kang-hoon, Oh Na-ra and Kim Sang-kyung was confirmed on January 26, 2021. Lee Jae-in joined the cast on February 25, 2021. Park Hyo-joo joined the cast in March 2021. On 25 March, production company Pan Entertainment announced that with six boys and girls; Jun-sang Tang, Sang-yeon Sang, Choi Hyun-wook, Kang-hoon Kim, Jae-in Lee, and Ji-won Lee, the lineup of players was completed. Kim Sang-kyung and Baek Ji-won appeared together in 2019 office themed drama *Miss Lee*.

### Preparation

Tang Joon-sang has mentioned in an interview that all the cast members who play badminton all trained extensively for months prior to filming in order to get the right forms and techniques. Kang Seung-yoon (Kang Tae-seon) has also admitted in a Behind-The-Scenes video uploaded on the SBS Catch Youtube channel that has also taken badminton lessons as he plays a top player in the drama. However, there was never a scene where he was seen playing the sport.

### Filming

Principal photography began on January 30, 2021. On April 21, 2021 SBS released images of script reading. The filming locations of the series are Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Miryang-si and Gyeongnam.

## Reception

Kim Hee-kyung writing for *Hankyung* opined that the drama is fresh in respect that it is 'bringing liveliness and tension at the same time'. Praising the directing technique, Hee-kyung wrote, "He [the director] uses his cartoon imagination to draw white wolves and bears with computer graphics." She felt that the game scenes were portrayed realistically, and to stress on the players and present a dramatic atmosphere, voices and lights were removed.

### Controversy

Episode 5 drew outrage from Indonesian netizens due to its negative portrayal of the country and its people as being cheaters and lacking in sportsmanship. Some of the dialogue between the main characters about the country and the wide gap in score between Han Se-yoon from Korea and Ivana Putri from Indonesia (21-7, 21-9) were also considered insulting, leading to some accusing SBS of racism with ratings showing a slow but steady drop as a result. In response to the backlash, SBS released an apology on their official Instagram account over the way the country had been portrayed.

## Notes

1. ↑ The episode was aired in full as advertisements in middle were not allowed at that point of time.
2. ↑ 'Racquet Boys' announced, "Due to the schedule change due to Corona 19 and issues with the Olympic program, we have decided to schedule it once a week." Therefore the 14th episode will be aired on July 19 instead of July 13.
3. ↑ It was announced that due to issues with the Olympic program, the broadcast of 16th episode on August 2 is cancelled. The finale episode will be aired on August 9.

## References

1. ↑ Racket Boy Band Drama - 2021. *HanCinema*. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Yang-soo, Kim (January 26, 2021). 장동윤, 악령이 삼킨 조선·백성 구하는 충녕대군..첫 스틸 공개(조선구마사) [J[Exclusive] SBS'Racquet Boys', first filming begins on the 30th... First broadcast in May]. *Joy News*. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
3. ↑ Jeong-jin Kim, Park So-yeon (May 4, 2021). [방송소식 SBS 새 월화드라마 '라켓소년단' 31일 첫 방송] [[Broadcasting News] SBS new Monday and Tuesday drama 'Racquet Boys' first broadcast on the 31st]. *Yonhap News* (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved on May 4, 2021.
4. ↑ Robinson, Jacob (May 6, 2021). Netflix K-Drama 'Racket Boys' Season 1: Plot, Cast & Episode Release Schedule. *What's on Netflix*. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved on May 8, 2021.
5. ↑ Lee Min-ji (March 15, 2021). 라켓소년단' 김상경-오나라 출연확정, 배드민턴 아이돌 만든다(공식) ['Racquet Boys' Kim Sang-kyung and Onara confirmed to appear, making badminton idols (official)]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
6. ↑ Kang Seon-ae (March 15, 2021). 김상경-오나라, '라켓소년단' 출연 확정…국내 최초 배드민턴 소재 드라마 [Kim Sang-kyung and Onara confirmed to appear in 'Racquet Boys'… The first badminton drama in Korea]. *SBS* (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Seok Jae-hyun (November 30, 2020). 탕준상 측 "SBS '라켓소년단' 출연 검토중"(공식) [Tang Jun-sang's "SBS' Racquet Boys' appearance under review" (official)]. *Newsen* (in Korean). HanCinema. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
8. ↑ Lee Min-ji (May 5, 2021). '라켓소년단' 탕준상-손상연-최현욱-김강훈, 4인4색 인싸 중딩 ['Racquet Boys' Tang Jun-sang-Son Sang-yeon-Choi Hyun-wook-Kim Kang-hoon, 4 people and 4 colors insa middle schooling]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved on May 24, 2021.
9. ↑ Kim Ji-won (March 25, 2021). 신예 최현욱, SBS '라켓소년단' 주연 [Rookie Choi Hyun-wook, starring in SBS 'Racquet Boys']. *Ten Asia* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved on March 25, 2021.
10. ↑ Jeong, Tae-Geon (May 25, 2021). '라켓소년단' 김강훈 "아역 벗은 부담감? 없다면 거짓말" ['Racquet Boy Scouts' Kim Kang-hoon "Are the burden of being naked?"]. *Ten Asia* (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved on May 25, 2021.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Noh Gyu-min (February 25, 2021). '사바하' 이재인, '라켓소년단' 주인공 발탁 [공식] ['Sabaha' Lee Jae-in, selected as the main character of 'Racquet Boys' [Official]]. *Ten Asia* (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
12. ↑ Shin So-won (March 25, 2021). 이지원, '라켓소년단' 출연…실력파 배드민턴 선수 역 [Lee Ji-won, appeared in 'Racquet Boys'... The role of a talented badminton player]. *Ten Asia* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved on March 25, 2021.
13. ↑ Lee Joon-Hyun (May 7, 2021). '라켓소년단' 김상경X탕준상X안세빈, 윤家네 우당탕탕 도시 탈출기 대공개 ['Racquet Boys' Kim Sang-kyung x Tang Jun-sang x Ahn Se-bin, Yunga's Udang Tang Tang to escape from the city]. *Hankyung* (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on May 31, 2021.
14. ↑ Sung Yoo-min (June 1, 2021). 정민성 "정보훈 작가 드라마 출연 기뻐"...'라켓소년단 [Jung Min-seong, "I am delighted to appear in the drama by Jung Bo-hoon"...'Racket Boys']. *Newsis* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on June 1, 2021.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Kim No-eul (March 10, 2021). 박효주 측 "'라켓소년단' 출연, 촬영 진행 중"(공식) [Park Hyo-joo's "'Racquet Boys' appearance, filming in progress" (Official)]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Daum. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on March 17, 2021.
16. ↑ Kang Seon-ae (April 7, 2021). "생활연기 달인 총집합"…'라켓소년단' 신정근→우현, 명품 조연 라인업 ["The total collection of life acting masters"... 'Racquet Boys' Shin Jung-geun → Woohyun, luxury supporting actor lineup]. *SBS Entertainment News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved on April 7, 2021.
17. ↑ Kim Bo-young (April 9, 2021). 차미경, SBS '라켓소년단' 출연…명품 신스틸러 기대 [공식] [Cha Mi-kyung, appearing in SBS 'Racquet Boys'.. Expecting a luxury new stealer [Official]]. *E-Daily Star* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved on April 9, 2021.
18. ↑ Park Sang-hoo (April 30, 2021). '라켓소년단' 탕준상→김강훈의 좌충우돌 성장기 ['Racquet Boys' Tang Jun-sang → Kim Kang-hoon's growth period]. *TV Daily* (in Korean). Daum. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved on May 25, 2021.
19. ↑ Go Jae-wan (June 3, 2021). 신예 송승환, '라켓소년단' '마인' 동시 출연…자연스런 연기 시청자 '눈도장 [Rookie Song Seung-hwan to appear in 'Racquet Boys' and 'Mine' at the same time... Natural acting viewers 'eye painting';]. *Sports Chosun* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved on June 3, 2021.
20. ↑ Moon Ji-yeon (June 30, 2021). 찬며들었다"..'라켓소년단' 윤현수, 데뷔작으로 주목도↑ ["I was blown away"..'Racquet Boys' Hyunsoo Yoon, attention as a debut work]. *Sports Chosun* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved on June 30, 2021.
21. ↑ Kim No-eul and Lee Jae-ha (August 11, 2021). 라켓소년단' 홍서준 "나보고 아버지 같단 김민기, 아들처럼 교감했다"[EN:인터뷰①] ['Racquet Boys' Hong Seo-joon “Kim Min-ki, who looks like a father to me, communicated like a son”[EN: interview ①]]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved on August 11, 2021.
22. ↑ Kang Seok-bong (August 11, 2021). 배우 송승환 "라켓든 마이콜로 기억해주셔서 감사합니다" 종영소감 [Actor Song Seung-hwan "Thank you for remembering me as a racquet or my call" Ending Comments]. *Sports Kyunghyang* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved on August 11, 2021.
23. ↑ Lee Seung-Gil (May 24, 2021). 김민석, '라켓소년단' 의리의 특별출연 [공식] [Minseok Kim, special appearance of 'Racquet Boys' loyalty [Official]]. *My Daily* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved on May 24, 2021.
24. ↑ Lee Da-gyeom (May 27, 2021). 박호산, '라켓소년단' 특별 출연...'슬빵' 정보훈 작가 의리 [Park Ho-san, special appearance of'Racquet Boys'...]. *Daily Economy* (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved on May 27, 2021.
25. ↑ Choi Na-young (June 16, 2021). 라켓소년단' 김태향, '부부의 세계' 차도철 의원의 훈훈한 변신 ['Racket Boys' Kim Tae-hyang, 'The World of the Married' Rep. Cha Do-cheol's warm transformation]. *Osen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved on June 16, 2021.
26. ↑ Kim No-eul (June 9, 2021). 라켓소년단' 측 "박해수-김성철 특별출연"‥'슬감빵' 작가 의리(공식) ['Racquet Boys' side "Park Hae-soo and Kim Seong-cheol make a special appearance"...]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved on June 9, 2021.
27. ↑ Park So-young (June 9, 2021). [단독 의리의 박해수x김성철, '라켓소년단' 특별출연..'감빵생활' 작가 인연] [[Exclusive] Loyalty Park Hae-soo x Kim Seong-cheol, 'Racket Boys' special appearance...]. *Osen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved on June 9, 2021.
28. ↑ Moon Ji-yeon (June 15, 2021). [공식 '슬감빵' 인연..박해수, '라켓소년단' 특별출연] [[Official] 'Sorrow Bread' relationship..Park Hae-soo, special appearance on 'Racquet Boys']. *Sports Chosun* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved on June 15, 2021.
29. ↑ Lee Min-ji (June 12, 2021). 라켓소년단' 이준혁X김성철 특별출연, 우당탕 가출 대소동 ['Racket Boys' Lee Jun-hyeok X Kim Seong-cheol special appearance, Woodangtang runaway]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved on June 12, 2021.
30. ↑ Lee Seol (June 15, 2021). 라켓소년단' 권동호, 특별 출연으로 완성한 '신스틸러' 면모 ['Racquet Boys' Dong-ho Kwon, a 'scene stealer' aspect completed with a special appearance]. *Financial News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 15, 2021.
31. ↑ Shim Eom-kyung (June 18, 2021). [단독기은세, '라켓소년단' 합류…쉴 틈 없는 '열일' 행보] [[Exclusive] Eun-se Ki joins 'Racquet Boys'... Non-stop 'working days']. *Sports TV News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 18, 2021.
32. ↑ Tae Yu-na (June 18, 2021). 기은세 '라켓소년단' 합류, 오나라와 라이벌 [공식] [Ki Eun-se joins 'Racket Boys', rivals Oh Nara]. *Ten Asia* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved on June 18, 2021.
33. ↑ Im Lim-jeong (June 16, 2021). '라켓소년단' 조덕회 출연 확정..신정근 제자 役으로 열연[공식] ['Racquet Boys' Jo Deok-hoe confirmed to appear.. Performed as Shin Jeong-geun's disciple [Official]]. *Herald POP* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 16, 2021.
34. ↑ Shim Eom-kyung (June 18, 2021). [단독조재윤, '라켓소년단' 특별출연... 조영광 PD와 의리 지킨다] [[Exclusive] Jaeyoon Cho to make a special appearance on 'Racquet Boys'... Stay loyal to PD Jo Young-kwang]. *Sports TV News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 18, 2021.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Lee Seo-eun (June 18, 2021). 조재윤·서도진, '라켓소년단' 특별 출연··· 코믹 연기 예고 [Jo Jae-yoon and Seo Do-jin to make a special appearance in 'Racquet Boys'... Comic postponement notice]. *Export News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 18, 2021.
36. ↑ Moon Ji-yeon (June 27, 2021). [공식 이시언, '라켓소년단' 특별출연..'찐 부산시민'役] [[Official] Si-eon Lee, 'Racquet Boys' Special Appearance... as 'Busan Citizen']. *Sports Chosun* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved on June 27, 2021.
37. ↑ Kim Myung-mi (June 29, 2021). 허성태, 오늘(10일) '라켓소년단' 특별출연…김상경과 2년만 재회 [Heo Seong-tae to make a special appearance on 'Racquet Boys' today (10th)... Reunited with Kim Sang-kyung after 2 years]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved on June 29, 2021.
38. ↑ Choi Hee-jae (July 6, 2021). 정희태, '라켓소년단' 특별 출연…우현과 특급 케미 기대 [공식입장] [Jung Hee-tae, special appearance on 'Racquet Boys'... Looking forward to the express chemistry with Woohyun [Official position]]. *Export News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved on July 6, 2021.
39. ↑ Jang Jin-ri (July 7, 2021). [단독이용대, '라켓소년단' 특별출연…'꿈'이 '현실'된 특급 만남] [[Exclusive] Lee Yong-dae, special appearance on 'Racquet Boys'... A special meeting where 'dream' became 'real']. *Sports TV News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved on July 7, 2021.
40. ↑ Jang Jin-ri (July 26, 2021). 라켓소년단' 레전드 이용대 뜬다…"연기 리드해준 김강훈 감사 [Racquet Boys' legend Lee Yongdae is rising "Thanks to Kim Kang-hoon for leading the acting]. *Sports TV News* (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved on July 26, 2021 – via Naver.
41. ↑ Park Jin-young (June 8, 2021). [단독 강승윤, '라켓소년단' 특별출연…'슬빵' 작가와 의리] [[Exclusive] Seungyoon Kang to make a special appearance on 'Racquet Boys'... Loyalty with the writer of 'Seulbang']. *Joy News 24* (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved on June 8, 2021.
42. ↑ Hwang Hye-jin (July 12, 2021). 강승윤 '라켓소년단' 전격 합류, 돌아온 비운의 천재 강태선 役(공식) [Kang Seung-yoon joins 'Racquet Boys' by surprise, returning as the unlucky genius Kang Tae-seon (official)]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved on July 12, 2021.
43. ↑ Yoo Byung-cheol (July 13, 2021). 김정영, '라켓소년단' 특별 출연...따뜻한 힐링 선사. *Korean economy tv* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved on July 13, 2021.
44. ↑ Kim Ye-eun (July 13, 2021). '라켓소년단' 이석형, 첫 등장부터 강렬…불량기 가득 ['Racquet Boys' Lee Seok-hyung, intense from his first appearance... full of bad times]. *Export News* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved on July 13, 2021.
45. ↑ Kim Seon-woo (July 27, 2021). 서동원, '라켓소년단' 특별출연...강렬한 존재감 [Seo Dong-won to make a special appearance on 'Racquet Boys'... strong presence]. *Sports Seoul* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved on July 27, 2021.
46. ↑ Yoon Hyo-jeong (July 13, 2021). [단독 권유리 '라켓소년단' 마지막회 장식한다…'특급 의리' 카메오] [[Exclusive] Kwon Yuri decorates the last episode of 'Racquet Boys'... 'Excellent Loyalty' cameo]. *News 1* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved on July 13, 2021.
47. ↑ Tae Yu-na (August 9, 2021). [공식 소녀시대 권유리, '라켓소년단' 특별출연…국대 여신 役] [[Official] Girls' Generation Kwon Yu-ri, 'Racquet Boys' special appearance... National Goddess]. *TenAsia* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved on August 9, 2021.
48. ↑ Kim Ga-young (July 27, 2021). [단독 배우 이규형, '라켓소년단' 마지막회 빛낸다…의리의 지원군] [[Exclusive] Actor Lee Kyu-hyung shines in the last episode of 'Racquet Boys'... Loyalty's Reinforcement]. *edaily* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved on July 27, 2021.
49. ↑ Seo Ji-hyun (July 27, 2021). '라켓소년단' 측 "이규형 마지막회 특별 출연"...끝까지 빛난 '슬빵' 의리(공식) ['Racquet Boys' side "Lee Kyu-hyung's last special appearance"... 'Seulbang' loyalty to the end (official)]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved on July 27, 2021.
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Shin So-won (August 1, 2021). 라켓소년단' 이규형X김슬기, 차도남녀 특별 출연 [Racquet Boys' Lee Kyu-hyung X Kim Seul-gi, Chado Men and Women Special Appearance]. *TenAsia* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved on August 1, 2021.
51. ↑ Lim Soo-bin (March 25, 2021). '라켓소년단' 탕준상→손상연, 6인 소년소녀 라인업 완성 ['Racquet Boys' Tang Jun-sang → Son Sang-yeon, 6 boys and girls lineup completed]. *Seoul Economic Daily* (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved on March 25, 2021.
52. ↑ [INTERVIEW Tang Joon-sang of 'Racket Boys' says months of badminton practice paid off]. *Korea Times* (in en) (2021-08-10). Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved on 2021-09-01.
53. ↑ Oh Ji-won (April 21, 2021). '라켓소년단' 김상경→김강훈, 첫 대본 리딩 현장 포착 ['Racquet Boys' Kim Sang-gyeong → Kim Kang-hoon captures the scene of the first script reading]. *YTN* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved on April 22, 2021.
54. ↑ Park Hyun-taek (May 31, 2021). '라켓소년단' 인물관계도 속 프로필과 등장인물 필살기 공개…실제 촬영지 & 몇부작? ['Racquet Boys' character relationship also revealed the profile and special moves of the characters... Actual filming location & how many episodes?]. *CBC News* (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on May 31, 2021.
55. ↑ Kim Hee-kyung (June 15, 2021). [리뷰 '라켓 소년단', 착한 신선함, 생생한 연출의 힘] [[Review] 'Racquet Boys', good freshness, vivid directing power]. *Hankyung* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved on June 15, 2021.
56. ↑ Kim Min-soo (June 17, 2021). SBS Apologized to Indonesian Netizens for Racket Boys Episode 5 Scenes. *KPO Post*. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved on June 17, 2021.
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58. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `vr:nielsen`
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	* Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKim, Min-ji (June 2, 2021). {{{title}}} ['Racket Boys' ranks first on Mondays and Tuesdays despite a slight drop in viewership ratings with 5.4%]. *News1* (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on June 2, 2021 – via Naver.
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	* Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedJang, Ah-reum (June 9, 2021). {{{title}}} ['Youth of May' ended with 5.6% Monday-Tuesday drama 1st place]. *News1* (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved on June 9, 2021 – via Naver.
	* Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedYoon, Seong-Yeol (June 15, 2021). {{{title}}} ['Racquet Boys' Tang Jun-sang X Lee Jae-in, fluttering green barley field ending..up to 6.9%]. *Star News* (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved on June 15, 2021.
	* Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedYoon, Hyo-Jeong (June 16, 2021). {{{title}}} [Park Hae-soo, Lee Jun-hyeok, Kim Seong-cheol's 'Racket Boys' special appearance relay 5% record]. *News1* (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved on June 16, 2021 – via Naver.
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	* Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedLee Min-ji (July 27, 2021). {{{title}}} ['Racquet Boys' starring Lee Yong-dae breaks its own highest ratings of 5.6%]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved on July 27, 2021.
	* Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters **url** and **title** must be specifiedKim Jeong-jin (August 10, 2021). {{{title}}} [The refreshing growth drama 'Racquet Boys' ended by 4.6%]. *Yonhap* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved on August 10, 2021.
60. ↑ TNmS ratings

	* Episode 1. *BreakNews* (in Korean) (June 2021). Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved on June 1, 2021.
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	* Episode 4. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 9, 2021). Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved on June 9, 2021.
	* Episode 5. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 15, 2021). Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved on June 15, 2021.
	* Episode 6. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 16, 2021). Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved on June 16, 2021.
	* Episode 7. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 22, 2021). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 22, 2021.
	* Episode 8. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 23, 2021). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved on June 23, 2021.
	* Episode 9. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 29, 2021). Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved on June 29, 2021.
	* Episode 10. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (June 30, 2021). Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved on June 30, 2021.
	* Episode 11. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (July 6, 2021). Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved on July 6, 2021.
	* Episode 12. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (July 7, 2021). Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved on July 7, 2021.
	* Episode 13. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (July 13, 2021). Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved on July 13, 2021.
	* Episode 14. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (July 20, 2021). Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved on July 20, 2021.
	* Episode 15. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (July 27, 2021). Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved on July 27, 2021.
	* Episode 16. *Breaknews* (in Korean) (August 9, 2021). Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved on August 10, 2021.
61. ↑ Lee Min-ji (July 6, 2021). 시청률 올려치기 끝났다, 중간광고 허용과 최저 시청률[TV와치] ['The rating increase is over, interim advertisement allowed and the lowest rating [TV Watch]]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved on July 6, 2021.
62. ↑ Lee Min-ji (July 9, 2021). '라켓소5년단' 12일부터 주1회 편성 "코로나19-올림픽 영향" ['Racquet Boys' organized once a week from the 12th "Corona 19-Olympic Impact"]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved on July 9, 2021.
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64. ↑ Myung Hee-sook (September 29, 2022). 윤찬영·탕준상, 남자 신인상 수상 [에이판스타어워즈] [Chan-young Yoon, Jun-sang Tang, Rookie of the Year Award [Apan Star Awards]] (in Korean). *My Daily*. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved on September 29, 2022 – via Naver.
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68. ↑ Lee Ha-na (December 31, 2021). 김강훈→이지원 '라켓소년단' 조연상 팀 부문 수상 "받을만 한 상"[SBS 연기대상] [Kim Kang-hoon → Lee Ji-won 'Racquet Boys' Supporting Team Award "Deserving Award" [SBS Acting Awards]]. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved on January 1, 2022.
69. ↑ Lee Seung-gil (December 31, 2021). 탕준상·이재인, 청소년 연기상 받았다 [2021 SBS 연기대상] [Jun-sang Tang and Jae-in Lee, received the Youth Acting Award [2021 SBS Drama Awards]]. *My Daily* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved on January 1, 2022.
70. ↑ Seo Ye-jin (December 31, 2021). 김영대X최현욱X손상연, '男 신인연기상' 수상 [2021 SBS 연기대상] [Kim Young-dae X Choi Hyeon-wook X Son Sang-yeon, 'Rookie of the Year Award' [2021 SBS Acting Awards]]. *Ten Asia* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved on January 1, 2022.
71. ↑ Ha Ji-won (January 1, 2022). '대상' 김소연 "믿기지 않아" 오열…'후보' 송혜교만 불참 [SBS 연기대상(종합)] ['Daesang' Kim So-yeon "I can't believe it" Oh Yeol... 'Candidate' Song Hye-kyo does not attend [SBS Acting Awards] (Comprehensive)]. *Export News* (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved on January 1, 2022.
72. ↑ Bae Su-jeong (December 31, 2021). 2021 SBS 연기대상' 김소연, '펜트하우스'로 대상 수상…이하늬X이상윤X이제훈X김유정 최우수상 [2021 SBS Drama Awards’ Kim So-yeon, ‘Penthouse’ wins the grand prize… Lee Ha-nui X Lee Sang-yoon X Lee Je-hoon X Kim Yoo-jeong Grand Prize]. *Top Star News* (in ko). Archived from the original on December 31, 2021.