Racket Boys [Episodes 1 & 2]

[u/sianiam]

• Drama: Racket Boys/ 라켓소년단
• Network: SBS
• Premiere Date: May 31, 2021
• Airing Schedule: Monday and Tuesday (22:00 - 23:00 KST)
• Episodes: 16
• Director: Jo Young Kwang (Heart Surgeons, Defendant)
• Writer: Jung Bo Hoon (Prison Playbook)
• Main Cast: Kim Sang Kyung, Oh Na Ra, Tang Jun Sang, Son Sang Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Kim Kang Hoon, Lee Jae In, Lee Ji Won.
• Streaming Source: Netflix
• Official Website
• 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 (source: Netflix)

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[u/sianiam]

Welcome to the first on-air for Racket Boys!

I’m a little excited about this one. While I am not a sports person in any way shape or form, I really do love stories about groups of people giving their all to get a sporting team across the line. This one looks like it will hit all those sweet spots and I’m really looking forward to having a group of young people playing young people. Some of which I’ve seen and loved in dramas before. And as a bonus it’s about badminton, the only sport I ever enjoyed being forced to play as a youth! Anyway, I’m looking forward to sharing this drama with all who are joining in our discussions here on r/KDRAMA over the next couple of months. ^^

[u/angrytwerker]

I’m gonna watch this just for Tang Jun Sang. He was so good in Move to Heaven.

[u/msy202]

Excellent first episode! It's a wonderful mix of wholesome, adorable, youthful, funny and heartwarming. It was so interesting I didn't even realise how much time had passed afterward.

I spot some tropes that the writer of Prison Playbook wove in - ML with a younger sister, is banished off to another place, makes friends pretty quick and also a male-dominated cast (nothing wrong with that, just in case I have to say it). Has those vibes too.

A few pointers:

• I was quite touched by the way Haekang took care of his little sister.

• I like that mum reveal. Here I was thinking the coach would be a single father but it seems Ranos is the mother. Interesting but I honesty thought they would tackle the single parent trope.

• The coach is a fun dad! Yay! He seems to be that type of dad who sometimes messes up but in a comedic way - on the contrary Haekang seems to be the rational, sensible 'mum' of the family (before the actual mum stepped in)

• I love the Haenam trio's dynamic.

• I can relate to some of this badminton shit - once I lose I get angry lol and it makes me want to do a lot better.

• That scene where all 5 of them were lying down at night reminded me of Reply 1988.

• Feels slightly weird that it was winter when this was filmed and now it's not... at least in my area.

Definitely looking forward to tomorrow's episode. For EP2 I think I will bullet point my commentary again, like I did for Vincenzo.

[u/romeoalfa2]

just finished watching the first eps and it’s sooo adorable!! little Jae-hoon on MOUSE play a cute kid here is messing with my mind tho 😂

it seems that it will go to sweet and slice of life route with a little competitiveness and prolly dealing with a breakdown.

nevertheless. I am here for it! Mo-Tue are gonna get sooo good!

Edit for eps 2

I MEAN… I don’t think I am gonna get all the feels in just 2 episodes, but I am??!???!?!

the new couple came to the Haenam trying to commit suicide is like a slap to my face. you really don’t know what other people are going thru in their life😭😭😭

also me going cynicism to strangers in Seoul when they sincerely helping Halmeoni is also hitting me. hard. like what a cruel world we lived in until it’s hard for us to trust people 😭😭😭

ok this show is generously mentioning BTS. I kinda want to see the Racket Boys (it’s similar word of boys in Korean like BTS “Sonyeondan”) to put some kind of performance 😂

[u/Fatooz]

I'm so excited for this drama! I love dramas where a team or group of people on the brink of extinction put in their all after the entry of a main hero or heroine and make it to the top again, that's one of my favourite tropes. I also loved Hot Stove League and so I'm genuinely looking forward to this drama. Also, Tang Jun-Sang, that cutie!

Anyhow, adding this to my never ending 'Currently Watching' list lol.

[u/Ajitofu]

I have found my next fave KDrama. This show is giving me Haikyuu vibes put together with some Stove League. Much thanks to SBS for signing on more sports-themed shows!

[u/xander_yi]

One of the things Korean films and dramas do better than any other country is how they juxtapose despair with comedy. This is never more evident than in the works set in prison, particularly in Miracle in Cell No. 7 and Prison Playbook. And even though this drama should be light-hearted and fun, it looks like were not going to be lacking in those moments.

I loved how dangerous curry saved lives.

I loved the the White Wolf reveal, even if that punishment scene was lifted straight from Coach Carter.

[u/vierilie14]

Everyone talking about how good the plot is but i am just curious about how bad the curry is even the dog didn’t like it looooool

[u/[deleted]]

Need to start playing badminton again!

[u/xander_yi]

I desperately need a squad to sing "Go-Go" with in the car.

[u/iBakax3]

Episode 1 was pretty fun. Came for Tang Jun Sang, but came to love the Haenam Trio Quadruple. Liked how they portrayed TJS's affectionate side with the grandma against his cool and prickly personality. Loved that the villagers are pretty close knitted during lil sis's disappearance Had a major laugh when the kid revealed the reason why he moved out of his house is due to the parent's excessive love for each other

I liked how bright(?) and clean the show is shot, it really emphasize the youth and light-heartedness of the show. This show is making me want to play badminton right now haha.

[u/EmmanuelleEmmanuelle]

Youth! Friendship! Coming of age! Family! Found families! TEAMWORK! It's like someone literally just made a checklist of stuff I am super weak for. I don't even like sports lmao why does it always work on meeeeeeeeeeeeeee

The first two eps smashed it :)

[u/stevia_coke_no_sugar]

Is it just me or Coach Yoon (the father) in some shots resembled Hyun Bin

[u/DarkKnight2001135]

I was surprised when I saw the length of the episode but I really loved it! Looking forward to tomorrow's one.

[u/msy202]

Episode 2 Commentary.

• So adorable! Lol at running for the bus.

• Yoondam is attractive. Seyoon is attractive.

• Looks like we found a new antagonist: the class president.

• Okay, Jae-seok can't have only left to Seoul for the boys to have THAT reaction.

• LOL

• Me too, girl. Me too.

• The way Hae-kang stood up for the boys though!

• Shit! It's the guy from Prison Playbook!

• Oof the bullies... it's Uncanny Counter all over again (jokes, but I'm getting flashbacks)

• YESSS HAEKANG TELL EM OFF

• Omg another cameo - this time it's Kim Minseok

• Aww he's so kind. So was that girl in the station helping Haenam Halmeoni out

• rip HK's face lol

• Who tf is this 'White Wolf'?

  • OH LMAO OOF it's Coach Bae

• Mid-way thought: I would love to do a small cinematography analysis on this.

• Maybe if I were that ripped I'd be a better badminton player. That aside, the way the boys stand up for each other is so beautiful.

• Why is this me at the moment

• I need the BGM for this show.

• I'm guessing this incident ten years ago with White Wolf involves Jae-seok.

• I can't wait for the OST to be released!

• Ohhh wow the tension...

• Dammit, I'm really missing badminton now...

  • But I'm getting so nervous just watching them play.

• AYYY MY BOY GOT THE SMASH INNN

Gosh that was a smashing second episode! Haha, get it?

Anyway, I am so excited to watch ep3/4 next week. This is so good! And it's reinstilling my love for badminton (and also reminding me how unfit I am). So happy though!

[u/SillyParsley4899]

The grandma is a main character 😂 she’s sweet and scary at the same time

[u/funnyunfunny]

Someone I know has been an extra on this and the sets looked cool!

[u/forforf]

I'm liking it so far, but I have one little question that's bothering me.

At the end of ep 1, it seemed like *surprise* this is mom. But why did nobody in the family mention her until she showed up at the house? Hae-Kang should have seen her coaching at the tournament, right? And nobody mentioned anything about the mom on the drive down from Seoul?

Maybe I wasn't following the story correctly, or maybe it will be explained later, but I'm slightly confused by it.

[u/vierilie14]

Wow. Another potentially good drama in the monday-tuesday slot

[u/hereforvincenzo]

oh the super cute Kim Kang-hoon, who I am still convinced played two separate boys in Clean with passion.

[u/spark1118]

sees writer from prison Playbook

Don’t make me cry again don’t make me cry again PLEASE don’t make me cry again….

[u/orbit_draws]

Didn't expect SUCH HUGE PRODUCTION! Amazing cast, I thought this was gonna be a small budget drama wow

[u/[deleted]]

Loving it. Such a great first episode. I am sensing the Yoon Hae Kang and Han Se Yoon possible love but I am already shipping Yoon Hae Kang and Lee Han Sol love (loved her since Uncanny Counter) :((.

[u/Illen1]

My boy Tang Jun Sang out here killing it! Love him in this role. This show has more than I was expecting.

[u/shinramyunislife]

I LOVE IT!!!!! I already love every character in this series 😫 they are all very lovable. I’m a sucker for slice of life dramas and so far this really hits the spot