SBS's 'Stove League' to Be Remade in Japan

The popular SBS drama 'Stove League' is being remade for Japanese audiences. Studio S, a subsidiary of SBS Media Group specializing in drama production and distribution, has partnered with Japan's largest telecommunications company, NTT Docomo, and Yoshimoto Kogyo to officially begin production of the Japanese version this July.

Originally aired in 2019, 'Stove League' tells the story of the Dreams baseball team, which had finished last in the league for four consecutive years, as they prepare for a new season under the leadership of their new general manager, Baek Seung-soo (played by Namgoong Min). The show was well-received, achieving a peak viewership rating of 20.8%.

The Japanese adaptation aims to go beyond a simple remake, as Studio S collaborates with Japanese production companies to create a version that resonates with local viewers while maintaining the essence of the original Korean story. This adaptation is expected to evoke strong emotions from audiences in both countries, especially given Japan's deep-rooted passion for baseball.

Kazuya Kamenashi, a former member of the popular Japanese idol group KAT-TUN and a versatile actor and sports commentator, has been cast in the role of the general manager, originally played by Namgoong Min. Kamenashi expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "I feel a freshness in this new challenge as a joint project with Korea. We plan to respect the excellent original work while adding Japanese elements to create something special."

The series will be directed by Toichiro Ruto, known for his work on the hit drama 'Ossan's Love,' which created a social phenomenon in Japan.

As the trend of Korean-Japanese co-productions continues to rise, Studio S hopes that 'Stove League' will once again highlight the strength of Korean drama IP in Japan and achieve significant success. They also plan to expand their collaborative projects between the two countries in the future.