User Reviews

Dear writernim & PDnim, I admire your amazing script with lots of beautiful & heartwarming stories just like in your previous dramas. I love this series but please cut that inappropriate scenes in eps 5 immediately!!! It hurts us as citizen of a country who have great history in badminton.

Looks like this series has been brigaded, which is a shame. It's standard Korean fare, multiple story lines, lots of characters, some cringey stories but overall still a fun show with likeable characters.

There's some regrettable comments about another country in one episode, but it is what it is.

I have a feeling the Indonesians dragged the average score a bit down because of the things said in episode 5. The show isn't all that bad. It is not really about badminton it is more used as a way to bind the characters together. The main plotline is really interesting and fun but the sub plotlines about the village members bored me quit a bit and often had to much screen time, therefore my low score.

It's a decent-ish drama but there is some scene in there that is kinda disrespectful.

This is a charming coming of age tale against the backdrop of country life and high school sports.

This is a great show for families to watch together, as long as the subtitles aren't an obstacle. Qualities that the show reinforces include: Loyalty, standing up for what's right, defending the weak, hard work, compassion, respect, and teamwork.

Racket Boys follows badminton teams from a high school in rural South Korea. There's not a lot to do in a town that's does not have sufficient population to support many forms of entertainment. It's difficult to even get wi-fi. Therefore sports and friendships are what the kids work on most.

We follow them through regular match-ups, individual and team competitions, and various family dynamics as they gradually become a cohesive unit.

The show also addresses the problems of viscious hazing and other abuses that can arise in a group of uber competitive Type-A personalities.

Cross-generational relationships are also displayed in RB. The elderly couple down the road loves to host the kids to share a meal and wi-fi. In return, the kids help them with reading and operating their phones. It's darling.

YIKES! A Fight!!!! We see another side of the coin in a town hall where a village elder and one of the young players tackle each other over conflicting ideas on how to generate more business in town. The problem apparently is that they have matching personalities:) Neither one of them had good ideas anyway. It was a funny scene.

The kids help plan a birthday party for the oldest grandma in town. The whole thing is precious. As grandma is from Busan, can you guess what movie they played? Yep, the Zombie thriller: Train To Busan. All Young-tae saw was that the title contained the word "Busan." Some of the party-goers didn't open their eyes for 2 hours, lol.

It's impossible to review this show without addressing the controversy that has arisen around it. In EP5, an athlete was met with some boos while playing in Indonesia. There were some that saw this as an attack on on their country. In The West we generally don't understand much about Asian culture. This does appear that they are sincere about their complaint as it is a matter of their honor. We should accept that. However, it's highly doubtful that being offensive was the intent of the screen writer and Netflix.

Instead of giving feedback, a world wide vocal group took to their keyboards, attacking the show and Netflix as if it was intended. It spread over social media and the ever outraged went out of their way too give the show a low rating. Most K-dramas have under 3000 viewers on IMDB registering their ratings of a given show. Contrast that with Racket Boys, which had a whopping 24k ratings of "1" weeks before all the episodes were out. I actually watched it to find out how bad it was. I'd never seen such a low rating on IMDB.

I wonder if most of the people on the train-to-umbrage actually saw this show before they rapaciously rambled down the tracks? Anyone who posted a review and never watched the show, is neither genuine nor trustworthy. The show creators are much tougher on their own country than anywhere else.

I initially breezed by EP5 and never noticed anything offensive. (To be fair, I'm originally from right outside of Philadelphia, where the fans are notorious for being ill-behaved. I'll grant that my bar must be a little skewed downward by that;)

There's no perfect country. Perhaps everyone should unclutch their pearls, remove the shuttlecock from their eyes, and take a wider-angle view of the issues here: What happened in EP 5 is trivial compared to what actually goes on in sports.

Fans in Wembley Stadium have booed during other team's national anthems.

It's shocking to hear that fans in Spain have done monkey chants and thrown bananas at African players.

Fans in Philadelphia really did boo Santa and throw snowballs at him.

Suspicions were raised against the New England Patriots that they had listening devices planted in the away locker rooms. Peyton Manning would not discuss anything sensitive in the locker room at Gillette Stadium. Tony Dungee would not allow his players to have possession of their playbooks as anything left in their Boston hotel rooms was liable to end up at Gillette Stadium prior to the game.

There's other stories of away locker rooms with poor lighting, bad smells, no heat, or the thermostat not working right, no hot water, etc etc.

Are the outraged here even sports fans? If so, they would know that some sports fans can be rabid maniacs. Right or wrong, sports is a venue that fans utilize to vent their frustrations.

I've even seen reviewers sneering at badminton: They write that it is a poor concept for a show. Badminton happens to be quite popular in all of Asia. The competition is intense. The Shuttlecocks, or birdies, typically fly off the racket at speeds up to 250 mph and have reached speeds as high as 267 mph. This makes it the fastest sport in the world. That Shuttlecock would win its share of pro drag races at those speeds.

Most of the actors in this show are KIDS. They all delivered first rate performances. People are heartless to trash the WHOLE show into which these kids clearly put their whole hearts. Their efforts deserve praise.

Kang Hoon-kim (Yong-tae) is particularly special. He is a scene stealer; a top-shelf talent.

Tang Joon-sang, who plays Hae-kang, is also quite talented. He plays a boy with Aspergers in Move To Heaven, and the sweetest North Korean soldier ever, in Crash Landing On You {Don't miss that one, btw}. The parts are characters that are completely unique from each other, and he's convincing in these roles.

Ahn Se-bin plays the coach's youngest daughter, age 5 or so. She steals every scene she's in, and she also teaches the elderly couple how to read. It's cuteness overload.

Finally, the whole show is cuteness overload. It couldn't be more adorable, and these kids could not be more precious. So give it a fair go and cheer these kids on; even if you are a Pats fan :) ;) :) ;)

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I was initially attracted to this drama. But when entering episode 5, there is a scene that makes my interest disappear, even though I also like the funny scenes in this drama. I feel that the production team made a scene that is very offensive to my country. I mean, you guys can make drama without badmouthing other people.

I'm from Indonesia. I'm sad for Ep 5 too. BUT, wont it be way better if we SHOW people that we're not like what Indonesia look like in Ep 5?? I mean, Rusia often potrayed as bad country in numerous films, Arab-related country as terrorist etc. What makes people dont feel that way? Because in real life, ITS NOT TRUE! Show people that indonesian supporter are not like that! SHOW PEOPLE, dont act like you're strong just because you guys can speak freely in social media

This drama is not really badminton-centric that shows intense competition with badminton retaled story in every episode (in football, like tsubatsa hahaga). Its more an entertaining, fun with young artists type of drama. There're lots of young artist playing in this drama, so many crews put effort for this drama, etc. Just because the writer's fault, you guys give such a very low score. I mean its cruel:")

It's very sad to see that in eps 5 the portrayal of another country is shown really disrespectful, and what for?

It's invalid and doesn't show respect towards a country that really loves K-Drama. I'd say wrong move, Racket Boys :(

I don't understand why this beautiful and innocent drama has so many haters!! For me it was a breath of fresh air. Loved it!!

Contains about racism in some episodes, and it leads from my country I totally disagree about racism, Damn I'm so upset.

Not enough to humiliate another country in the olympic opening ceremony, they do it again here. Bravo.

Just finished the last episodes, and I must said this drama impressed me. Despite filming in a pandemic, the show still able to bring healing time to me. Playing badminton myself, this show had able to teach people about badminton, the sport and competitions, as well as the athletes who playing it. I understand where the reviews came from, but if you have time, gave this drama a chance. Truly a healing for me ^^~

A lot of clichés to start with, but everything is sorted out for the best as often is the case with teenage groups. A surprising amount of decent badminton showing dedication, commitment, technical progress, challenges met and conquered. A glimpse of the pressure the kids and their coaches are under, as well as the situation in a typical agricultural township which is gradually experiencing depopulation and all of its inconveniences. Some confusing parts, such as suggesting a third of the way through that Hae Kang Yoon and Se Yoon were in elementary school together when in fact he was from Seoul and she from Daegu. Though its a highschool team we never meet any other students, aside of the 25 baseball players, there is nobody that isn't a badminton player. There seem to be only 7 adults in the whole town yet they initially truly believe they've been outvoted about the development proposal even though it's being proposed by a man they have little regard for to a room full of these same 7 people, none of whom wanting to accept the terms.

But if you collect the names of Korean dishes you will be well served as food is hugely important and symbolic in this show, if that's your thing it'll peak your curiosity.

With one more episode I am amazed at the speed in which I devoured the whole series. Excellent character development and some wonderful acting. My favorite scene is probably when the whole town came to cheer in typical festivity garments.

It's a show with some heart warming story lines. True, there is some xenophobic plotlines, but rest of it is good and clean entertainment.

I stopped this movie after watching the 3rd episode. The movie was just funny but too slow and boring, you could find yourself easily being distracted while watching this movie. However, I appreciate the director took the badminton games for this sport genre. Just try again.

Loved this. A story about playing badminton. Have respect for badminton players because we tried it at school, and I had neither the grace nor temperament for it.

Characters are all well depicted. Cussing involved is not a whole lot compared to the unintelligent use of the fword in grade A or grade B pictures. But comes from mouths of kids. Why I'm not surprised or offended? As one who entered teaching service in 2005, less than 20 cusswords minus the fword is nothing compared to what I heard in my first hour on a compound. Rough baptism indeed.

Depiction of characters is top-class and comedic intent in some scenes undeniable. But plot and subplot raise social issues and delivery of latter provoked deep respect for creators for doing so. So, while not as interesting as main plot, it is top of the class among subplots because it has worth and specific to local audience. Many may disapprove because it doesn't take them far from reality and cussing raises an uncomfortable truth- it jolts you back to earth.

But if you let go of your offense at cussing or annoyance at a few of the characters in the subplot, you find hilarity that is both good for the bones but bad for under garments. So, thanks for keeping art with a social conscience alive. Today's viewing is often about escapism via mindless entertainment and not necessarily an act of curiosity. Too often we demand more from television and other entertainment services than we have the courage to demand from politicians and too much market trends bear witness to the awful truth: in this modern world too many are not as smart as their phones yet pride themselves on being smarter than their ancestors.

If you need to laugh, watch this. If you desire to learn of the fate of other sports or care to learn about, or from, a different culture or people, watch this. If you want to see good talent in an under-rated drama, watch this. If you can stand not to be part of fashion trends on social media, watch this.

If not, be happy with allowing your phone or social media to direct your train of thought. New colonialism is subtle but powerful and makes millions for the few everyday. Deadly, invisible, effective... Racket Boys just contain a little antidote. Why be bitter or complain. Even if powerless, never hide from the truth.

Decent, and it get boring every episode!

I don't recommend you to watch it...

Just like a very bad adapted version from Reply 1988. Similarity in the plot and in the lines. "This is the first time of my being mom" The same from Reply 1988. I know they both have the same scriptwriter but please at least make it unique. Moreover, soooooo unrealistic. None of the cast make me interested. Instead, all of them are wayyy too much. Especially the father. Though I am a fan of Reply series, cant stand this. I dont like the girls at all.

1/10 for the plot. And the rest are 0/10. I stopped at the 4th episode.

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.

One of the best K drama's! From cast to storyline! I love it! Can't wait for the rest of the episodes.

It made me cry, laugh and wanting to smash the tv!

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!