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The hit SBS sports K-drama Hot Stove League is confirmed to have a remake in Japan.
On July 24, it was officially confirmed that the hit 2019 K-drama Hot Stove League is getting a Japanese adaptation. More than just a remake, Studio S will collaborate directly with a Japanese production company on this remake, aiming to create a version that resonates deeply with Japanese viewers while maintaining the strength of the original Korean story.
Given the popularity of baseball in Japan, there's much anticipation to see if this remake, with its unique take on Japanese baseball culture and reality, will achieve the same success the K-drama version achieved.
In addition to the news of Hot Stove League getting a Japanese adaptation, it's been revealed that Kamenashi Kazuya will take on the lead role. He'll portray the general manager of the major league baseball team, a character originally played by Namkoong Min in the hit K-drama.
Kamenashi Kazuya's casting is particularly exciting given his popularity in Korea through his previous projects like Gokusen Season 2 and Nobuta wo Produce.
The Japanese idol actor shared his thoughts on leading the new series, "I feel energized by this new challenge, especially as it is a joint project with Korea. We plan to produce it thoughtfully, incorporating Japanese elements while fully respecting the excellent original work."
Director Ruto Toichiro (Ossan's Love Returns) will helm the upcoming Japanese adaptation of Hot Stove League.
The 2019 SBS K-drama Hot Stove League centered on Baek Seung Soo, a new general manager tasked with transforming a struggling baseball team called Dreams. The series follows the team's preparations for an unusual season under his leadership, with each episode highlighting specific challenges they face as they strive to become stronger. The K-drama was incredibly popular during its broadcast, concluding with an impressive highest viewership rating of 20.8%.
Aside from Namkoong Min, the K-drama was led by Park Eun Bin, Cho Byeong Kyu, Oh Jung Se, Son Jong Hak, Kim Do Hyun, and more.
Hot Stove League was the joint work of director Jung Dong Yoon (Defendant, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, and Gyeongseong Creature) and writer Lee Shin Hwa.
Which actors do you wish to see in the Japanese adaptation of Hot Stove League?
