Love All Play: A Passionate Badminton Sports Romance
In the world of competitive sports, the line between professional drive and personal connection is often razor-thin. Love All Play, also known by its literal translation The Speed to You Is 493km, is a 2022 South Korean television series that explores this delicate balance through the high-energy lens of professional badminton.
Airing on KBS2, this 16-episode drama blends the intensity of a sports competition with the warmth of a romance, focusing on the lives of athletes within a business team. Whether you are a fan of athletic underdog stories or heartfelt character studies, this series offers a unique look into the lives of those who live for the game.
[이미지 placeholder: ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Genre: Drama, Romance, and Sports Drama
- Original Network: KBS2
- Episodes: 16
- Original Release: April 20 – June 9, 2022
- Main Cast: Park Ju-hyun, Chae Jong-hyeop, Park Ji-hyun, Kim Mu-jun, and Seo Ji-hye
- Streaming: Available on Disney+ in selected regions
Synopsis and Plot Overview
The series centers on the passion and affectionate love shared between the male and female protagonists of a mixed-doubles badminton team. Mixed-doubles is a category in badminton where one male and one female player compete together as a pair.
The story follows the members of the Yunis badminton business team as they navigate the pressures of professional sports, personal ambitions, and the evolving relationships that form both on and off the court.
Cast and Characters
Main Protagonists
- Park Ju-hyun as Park Tae-yang: A dedicated badminton player whose entire life revolves around the sport.
- Chae Jong-hyeop as Park Tae-joon: A player who initially views badminton merely as a profession. After being cut from the city hall team, he joins the Yunis business team with the goal of securing a comfortable life after retirement.
- Park Ji-hyun as Park Jun-young: Tae-joon's older sister and an Olympic gold medalist who was forced into retirement following an accident.
- Kim Mu-jun as Yook Jeong-hwan: A key member of the team.
- Seo Ji-hye as Lee Yoo-min: A character known as the "queen of overlapping jinxes."
Supporting Cast and Coaches
The Yunis Badminton Team is supported by a variety of coaches and players, including:
- Jo Han-chul as Lee Tae-sang: A coach for the team.
- In Gyo-jin as Joo Sang-hyeon: Known as the "Tiger coach" due to his strict rules and austere personality; players often refer to him as "Juralli."
- Lee Seo-hwan as Kim Si-bon: The team trainer.
- Various Players: Including Yeon Seung-woo (Choi Seung-yoon), Lee Young-shim (Jo Soo-hyang), and others who round out the competitive environment.
Production and Broadcast History
Produced by Blitzway Studios and written by Heo Sung-hye, the series underwent its first script reading in October 2021. The production faced minor hurdles when lead actor Chae Jong-hyeop tested positive on a COVID-19 self-diagnosis kit in February 2022, though filming resumed quickly after a subsequent negative PCR test confirmed he was safe to continue.
Interestingly, Love All Play holds a unique place in television history regarding its viewership. It recorded the lowest-ever peak rating for a Korean drama airing on free television during prime time, with its highest rating being 1.9% during the pilot episode. The series maintained an average rating of 1.4% throughout its run.
| Episode | Broadcast Date | Average Audience Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 20, 2022 | 1.9% |
| 2 | April 21, 2022 | 1.8% |
| 3 | April 27, 2022 | 1.7% |
| 4 | April 28, 2022 | 1.5% |
| 5 | May 4, 2022 | 1.2% |
| 6 | May 5, 2022 | 1.2% |
| 7 | May 11, 2022 | 1.4% |
| 8 | May 12, 2022 | 1.6% |
| 9 | May 18, 2022 | 1.1% |
| 10 | May 19, 2022 | 1.1% |
| 11 | May 25, 2022 | 1.3% |
| 12 | May 26, 2022 | 1.0% |
| 13 | June 1, 2022 | 1.8% |
| 14 | June 2, 2022 | 1.4% |
| 15 | June 8, 2022 | 0.9% |
| 16 | June 9, 2022 | 1.3% |
| Average | - | 1.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Love All Play?
The series focuses on the passion, professional struggles, and romantic connections between members of a badminton business team, specifically within the mixed-doubles discipline.
Where can I watch Love All Play?
The series originally aired on KBS2 and is available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions.
Who are the lead actors in the series?
The drama stars Park Ju-hyun as Park Tae-yang and Chae Jong-hyeop as Park Tae-joon.
How many episodes are in the series?
Love All Play consists of 16 episodes.
What is the significance of the title?
The title is also known as "The Speed to You Is 493km," which serves as a literal translation of the Korean title Neoege ganeun sokdo 493km.