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[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung] A Japanese-produced remake of the drama Stove League will also air domestically on SBS.
The Japan-made remake of the 2019 SBS drama Stove League — hereafter Stove League: Japan — premieres in Japan on March 28 and will debut on South Korea’s terrestrial SBS channel the following day, March 29.
The series is a Korea–Japan co-production between SBS’s drama studio Studio S and Japan’s NTT Docomo Studio&Live.
The original Stove League became a cultural phenomenon in South Korea. It followed newly appointed general manager Baek Seung‑soo (played by Namgoong Min) as he rebuilt the perennial last-place pro baseball club the Dreams through bold, sweeping reforms. The series hit a peak nationwide rating of 20.8% and won multiple awards, including Best TV Drama at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, affirming both its popular appeal and critical acclaim. That success underscored the IP’s potential for international expansion.
The remake has generated considerable buzz in Japan, where baseball enjoys deep popular interest. The timing is fortuitous: March brings the 2026 World Baseball Classic and the opening of pro seasons in both countries, which should help the series draw attention from baseball fans and general viewers alike.
Kazuya Kamenashi — KAT‑TUN member, singer and sports caster — will lead as the Dreams’ general manager, the role originated by Namgoong Min. Neru Nagahama, a former member of idol group Keyakizaka46, will play operations chief Lee Se‑young (originally Park Eun‑bin). Nomura Mansai, a scion of a distinguished Kyogen theater family and one of Japan’s foremost actors, will portray the team president who clashes with the GM (the part played by Oh Jung‑se in the original).
The Japanese adaptation also introduces fresh elements. Cha Junho of DRIPPIN joins the cast as Korean player Im Min‑jong, and Ha Do‑kwon — who played Kang Doo‑gi in the original — makes a special appearance, heightening anticipation among fans in both countries.
In South Korea, Stove League: Japan will premiere on SBS on March 29 at 11:05 p.m. KST and will air weekly thereafter. In Japan, the series will be available via local OTT service Lemino and on premium channel WOWOW.
[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung ent@stoo.com]
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