Based on the 2019 SBS drama "Hot Stove League", the Japanese remake of the same title (hereafter, "Hot Stove League" Japanese Version) will launch in Japan on March 28. In Korea, it will air on SBS starting March 29. The project is a Korea-Japan co-production from StudioS (under SBS) and Japanese production company NTT Docomo Studio & Live.
The original "Hot Stove League" became a cultural phenomenon in Korea. It follows Baek Seung-soo (played by Namkoong Min), the newly appointed general manager of the perennial last-place pro baseball team Dreams, as he rebuilds the club through bold reforms. The series peaked at 20.8% viewership and won multiple awards, including Best Drama (TV) at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, proving both its quality and buzz―and the global potential of the IP.
A remake in baseball-loving Japan is drawing major attention locally. The timing also lines up with the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the opening of both countries’ pro baseball seasons in March, which is likely to boost interest from fans and viewers.
Kamenashi Kazuya―member of KAT-TUN, singer, and sports caster―stars as the general manager of Dreams (the role played by Namkoong Min in the original). Nagahama Neru, an actress and former member of Sakurazaka46, takes on the counterpart to operations manager Lee Se-young (played by Park Eun-bin in the original). Nomura Mansai, from a distinguished Kyogen family and a prominent Japanese actor, appears as the club president who clashes with the GM (the role played by Oh Jung-se in the original).
The remake adds fresh twists. DRIPPIN’s Cha Junho appears as Korean player Lim Min-jong, and actor Heo Dong-won―who played pitcher Kang Doo-ki in the original―makes a special appearance, heightening anticipation among fans in both countries.
"Hot Stove League" Japanese Version will premiere in Korea on SBS on March 29 at 11:05 p.m., with one episode released each week. In Japan, it will stream on local OTT Lemino and air on premium pay channel WOWOW.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
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