the rivalry was great
it was an amazing drama plot and acting was at best love it i really recommend it, i really wish they mak edramas like this about youth and growth in life . .Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing Friendship, Exciting Badminton scenes but dragged down by Outsiders' side plot
“Racket Boys” is one of those dramas that is universally praised as amazing. To have an 8.8 MDL rating is no small feat. It has been on my PTW for a long time but I just couldn’t find the right mood to start watching it. Even now, it took me two tries to get into it. I blame this on a slow first episode and not a very fun start. But nonetheless, this is a great drama but with some areas I am not a fan of. Let’s start with what I don’t like first.What I Have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like:
1. Slow Start - As mentioned, it took me 2 tries to get into it. The introduction of Papa/Coach Yoon is not really that exciting. He does not seem like someone I want to root for but of course, I expect some type of character development later on. Nonetheless, the first 15-20 mins did not suck me in, but I persisted and binge-watched the rest with no problem.
2. Villagers/Adult Storylines - This ‘negative” is the main reason I am not rating “Racket Boys” 9.0+. I like the story of all the villagers interacting, caring and loving our young badminton players. But I fast forwarded all the scenes regarding the City hikers and the redevelopment. I don’t care for them, and they have nothing to do with my beloved players. In fact, those scenes happen during exciting badminton matches and cutting back-and-forth between villagers and matches annoy me big time. The drama could have given me more screen time for the players and for me to get to know their backgrounds/families more. I do like some of the villagers' storylines, especially with Grandma and her playroom and the mural.
3. The White Wolf - I don’t dislike the White Wolf storyline but am not sure how I feel about him being away from the boys in the latter episodes to wrap up the story of the other player. I knew we would eventually see this player on the screen since his name was mentioned so frequently throughout the drama. I just feel if we take away that side plot, it would not have made a difference.
What I Like:
1. Racket Boys - I love all the boys! They are the stars of the show and the reason why everyone loves the drama. They each have distinct personalities and complement each other so well. I love that the drama focuses on their friendships and how they support each other through disappointments, rivalries and successes. There’s no jealousy or childish arguments. They are a joy to watch! I enjoy the rivalries between teams and that nothing really malicious happens.
2. Yoon Hae Kang - Hae Kang is an interesting male lead and I enjoy watching his development. He appears cocky and arrogant, but deep down he is the sweetest kid with a kind and gentle soul. That becomes evident right from the start of his introduction to viewers. He works hard for the scholarship and never brings up how poor his family is. He is always so sweet to his younger sister and immediately shows his kindness when he first moves to the village and meets Grandma Ki. It’s lovely following his journey of being a lone wolf to be the best of friends with other players is heartwarming. Personally, I would like to see him pitch a few innings to show me what an amazing ace he was, but we never got the chance.
3. Badminton Play - If you are a fan of badminton, this is an excellent drama. There are so many badminton scenes and matches, and all look so good and realistic. In the first episode, I thought the badminton play was a little subpar compared to “Love all Play'' and “Nothing But You”. But these are middle schoolers and college or pro players. But after the initial episodes, the badminton play improves a lot. It shows the hard work all actors put into their training. I love all the badminton scenes. However, I can also see some viewers might find these scenes a little excessive.
4. Other Characters - Aside from the Racket Boys, I also enjoy watching the coaches' stories. I knew Coach Yoon had to improve after the first episode, and I am glad to be right. He has changed as a coach and it’s nice to see the hard work he put into coaching the kids. It's nice to see the opposite of Papa Yoon, his wife, Coach Ra. Their styles are so different, and their journey of growth as a coach is different. The two female players might have a smaller role, but they are in no way inferior to the boys. In fact, the drama shows us the top female player of the country in Han Se Yoon. Even the villagers are sweet and caring. Oftentimes we see villagers or country folks as boisterous and irritating and I am glad that none of them are annoying to me.
5. Guest Stars - Since the writer of “Racket Boys” is the same writer for “Prison Playbook”, it’s probably not that hard to invite PP actors to guest star in this drama. It’s lovely to see so many of them just showing up for a scene/episode here and there. Hey, if Lee Kyu Hyung is reprising his role in PP, I am very happy that he’s moving to the countryside ?
Overall, this is an excellent drama about these young badminton players. It’s a story about friendship and growth first and foremost. I strongly recommend this if you are a sports or badminton fan, or a lover of such teen dramas.
Completed: 6/3/2023 - Review #314
Was this review helpful to you?
"It's Okay To Lose" - Yun Hae-Kang
I binge watched the "Racket Boys" yesterday. This is one of the best drama I've watched in a while. The show had it all. A great storyline and the actors played their roles wonderful. It was heartwarming, funny and had perfect amount of romance in a youth drama. The drama had beautiful match scenes and I was actually very intrested in them, even though I knew nothing about the sport. Every character, both the main ones and also the filler in the hometown had acted beautifully and it was focused on their lives too, not too much which was good. It was well produced and directed. I felt like I was apart of their family and I got really attached. I cried ( a lot ), laughed and watching it was wonderful.I just loved how they showed the struggles that a person can have in life and how you can deal with them and that it's common to feel that way. Stress, anxiety, asocial, school and grades etc. That life isn't full of happiness and that every framily has their own struggles. Like the couple from the city, they had problems at their jobs and was having a hard time to have a child. The grandma and the daughter didn't seem to have so close relationship, but they still loved each other and the daughter couldn't show that. Hae-Kang's family was falling apart because the parents were working and so was he, so that was a problem. Se-yoon was dealing with stress and pressure from everyone because she was always good and was scared to do mistakes. Han-sol was overshadowed by Se-yoon and underrestimated of her talents.
I don't actually know how or why I started to watch this, even though it was yesterday. I was just bored and wanted to watch something, didn't know I would get stucked. This is a perfect drama for me and I like it, but others may have other kind of intrest and opinion. It was very refreshing from all that mystery, zombies, thriller, romance romance dramas I've watched these days. Don't look at the negative remarks and give it a try, if you won't love it, you won't hate it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Rocket Boys is an emotion....!!!
I really loved this drama. The way it showed the importance of friendship. The trust within friends. If their is anyone who love sports will really enjoy this drama to core. You will never regret watching this drama. If you are not sports lover definitely you'll start loving sports. Every sport is equally important and has it's own grace. Believe in yourself no matter what you do. Never compromise on your dream. Fight for your dream. The people who support you even in your worst are your true friends. The comic timing was also perfect. You'll enjoy the whole drama. I wish to see a season 2 for this drama. If anybody is feeling low I wish you watch this drama. Overall a very good drama. I would suggest everyone to watch this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Light hearted Sports drama
was really in the mood for an underdog rise to fame sports drama and wallah there it was . What a timing!The story is not something new but its done well. I really like the anime style effects they have put on the matches in this drama. After move to heaven I was really hoping to see more from Tang Jun Sang and he delivers :).
Another thing that really drawed me towards the drama is the sports they are focusing on badminton. To be honest I am not an athletic person at all but the one sport that really attracted me and was good at as a kid was badminton... and I am really happy a drama is focusing on this sport which is hardly talked about in the sport drama genre. Hope it gains more attention from drama viewers. Waiting for the next episode. :)
Update after episode 10 : The Indonesia thing is really bothersome not once but they did it twice... I HV no words... they are at so much fault But still stand by the fact that really like the rest of the drama and it is a good drama.. I wish they hadn't done that though.
Was this review helpful to you?
Warning: Not a good review
I started this drama with high hopes and sure enough, the first few episodes looked promising. But, once all the characters were introduced, the rest of the episodes were repetitive. The line "I'm Yoon Hae-Kang" must have been repeated at least a 1000 times over the course of the drama. The characters were all one-dimensional, showed absolutely no growth and even the big mystery with the White Wolf - you really wonder why no-one wanted to talk about it. What was the mystery there? Let me not get started on the ML (Coach). Absolutely terrible acting, permanently constipated look. Ok, I get that the character is a bit selfish, non-confrontational etc, but, did he always have to look like he ate a bad bowl of jajangmyeon? Even the villagers showed exaggerated character traits - either unreasonably confrontational or complete doormats - all possessing hearts of gold, of course. Were there any normal people in this drama? Maybe Park Chan and Se-Yoon. Let me end there.Was this review helpful to you?
Weak attempt for a sports-themed drama
It's an oversaturated manufactured cheap emotional bait that lacked the genuine human connection and necessary depth but rather opted out for easily digestible cliches. Most of the cast, especially the younger ones, were desperately overacting in an attempt to translate the youth energy to screen but it came off as fake most of the time. The actual sports scenes were average at best, it's themed around the sport but not the sport itself. Most scenes with a sweaty face, the sweat looked as fake as it can be. It's so damn laughable that some scenes the neck was sweaty but the face was perfectly dry! The cast didn't do a good job in showing the physical exhaustion of performing the sport whether it was while training or competing. Again, making the sports scenes even more fake. What's up with the drama trying so hard to pair every boy with a girl? Really unnecessary. This drama would have fared infinitely better as a standalone one-off movie. The drama really highlighted the "bad" in badminton. Going into this I had the slightest tiniest bits of hope to get something that can be remotely and ever so slightly similar to "Ping Pong the Animation" but I quickly realized within a few minutes it wouldn't be the case.Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable but underwhelming watch
I watched this as a filler and when the mood took; I enjoyed it, but it didn't make me want to binge the entire programme over other series.Nice cast, with lively acting from the younger members.
For me, the drama encompasses adults (in parents and staff) that have regrets, missed opportunities and haven't always done the right thing, but through a team that refuse to give up when they look beaten, come good.
There is some intrigue around one character too, which added some mystery in earlier episodes.
The son who initially thought badminton a lesser sport (with a surprise for his team mates), was a character I liked; he grew through the episodes and his rough, surly exterior, belied a caring character.
A pleasant watch and heart warming at times, it did also drag on occasion. I did find it unrealistic how the main family's children were often left to their own devices and initially I actually thought they didn't even have a mother! Slightly bizarre.
Whilst not one I'd watch again, I don't regret having done so, as the young cast really did carry this story.
Was this review helpful to you?
A must watch feel-good drama which more than just a sports drama
It was an accidental discovery of a hidden gem when I watched this drama because I saw the trailer and thought that the characters looks cute and the story seems fun. At first I thought it will be all about their journey as a badminton player however as I go along the drama, it actuallly gives you a little bit of everything. I love how the story doesn't just revolved on the players but also the community they belong to. It will make you laugh hard and cry at the same time. It's very light-hearted and refreshing for me.I love the chemistry of the Racket Boys and I also loved the vibes of their village. The story took time to get to know more about the characters one by one which makes me feel like I belong with them. It's like a big family on this rural village working together towards happiness. The casts are really good, I have seen a lot of new faces on this drama and I can say that they performed well with the familiar faces. I cannot imagine someone else to do better than they did. The chemistry really worked well for the characters as well so a very big thumbs up for that. One of the things I want to commend on this series are the subtle life messages it teaches us like how losing is okay, feeling sad is okay and crying is okay.
Overall, this drama is a home run for me, the journey from episode 1 to 16 is not grand but I enjoyed every moment of it. I just wished In Sol had more screen time as I felt like, we never got to really know him fully and most of the times he wasn't playing. But still it's a great show. I recommend this for all ages. It's a feel-good series you can watch with your family.
Was this review helpful to you?
it's like a comfort food when you're sick
Every character is wonderfully potrayed. I love how every character get their own spotlight and their development is honestly so satisfying to follow. Watching this reminds me of my highschool memories, friendships, fluffy lovey feelings, togetherness and trust. Love how they try to resolve their problems together, specially between Hae Kang and Yong Dae later.Technically, some said that the sports/ badminton element game is pretty boring. I honestly think instead of technical, they are trying to focus more on the trust and efforts in the teammates and that's what makes it special and heartwarming.
Totally recommended when you're looking for something light and heartwarming.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Very recommended
Racket Boys: a heart warming, coming of age, sport-center and feel good drama fill with important life lessons and an impressive line of cameos (almost all from Prison Playbook?) I am sure I won't have space to cover all the reasons why I find this drama so worth watching, it'll probably take me more than an post to do so but I really recommend it if you are up to watching a drama with the genre I mentioned at the beginning. If you are not convinced... keep reading.“Why I am getting Prison Playbook vibe with this drama?!” Was my first reaction when I started Racket boys! And after investigating, I found it was from the same screenwriter! So no wonder why the resemblance in the screenplay techniques. (If you like PPL and love it as much as I do, that's a great reason to start) A little sneak peak? You’ll get closure for Looney's character in here.
If you are hesitating to start it because you think is going to be a boring, sport center drama and moreover about a bunch of teenagers. You are not entirely wrong but is it so much more than that.
I can’t vouch for the badminton-related scenes, for my nonathletic-eyes it was very legit, there where some exaggerated slam scenes but, come on, it was entertaining. Besides, that’s not entirely the point. The point is that this drama is a gem and is underrated. Wish people give it a chance and let these kids make you smile with their energy, motivation and innocence <3
Was this review helpful to you?
EXCEEDED EXPECTATION
What I liked:- At first I thought it will only be about sport/badminton, but it actually covers everything. Sportsmanship, friendship, family relationship.
- Before watching this, I hope there's no romance at all. But end up it do have a slight romance. Surprisingly, I don't hate it at all. Instead, I found it so cute and rooting for them.
- Every character has character development and I totally love it.
- A drama that makes me cry every episodes.
What I don't like:
- Nothing. Everything's perfect.
If you like a drama about life, family, and friendship, this is perfect for you.
Was this review helpful to you?
