Oh god, I love Yiseo! :heart_eyes: I didn't expect much from the drama, just started watching it because it got recommended to me many times. I'm glad I finally started watching it, this is really enjoyable. The character developments are interesting, I'm really looking forward to see how everything will go on in the remaining 12 episodes! I was already hyped after the great first episode but slowly things are starting to get really exciting!
This show is killing me especially the found family of it all :sob:
These last couple of episodes were really satisfying! :smirk:
Stoveleague is a sports drama but not in the usual sense, it entirely focused on the the business, commercial and political aspects of running a team. And yet, it is so interesting! I know nothing about baseball but it's not about the game anyway.
Both Namkoong Min and Park Eun-bin did a great job, i was fully invested. I can see why this drama won the Baeksang!
Dreams. Teamwork.. The greatest underdog story in a while.
This is a typical Nam Goong Min drama "Stove League " is the Chief Kim and Doctor Prisoner of sports. I have seen many baseball anime , tv shows and movies but this is the first drama that focuses on off-season and less on the games.
Plot twists and cliffhangers are front and center of Hot Stove League (Stove League). Sherlock-esque, the Main Lead (Baek Seung Soo) solves each turn, mostly on his own, with the big reveal happening after the resolution. Just through pure storytelling, the drama delivers quite an emotional punch, which is surprising given its subdued character development. Do not let Stove League go under your radar with its compelling and heartwarming message.
This drama hits all the right notes. Folks who trivialize saying 'this is Moneyball version of K-drama' are grossly downplaying the depth of this show. There is so much happening in each episode. The first episode instantly sets-up an intriguing plot and every episode unravels something interesting or tackles a deep rooted issue.
The realism and relatability of the niche topic of off-season baseball highlights the main strength of Stove League. No challenge seems ridiculous, though some resolutions are a tiny bit far fetched. There is a real feeling of distress with each downturn and a huge sigh of relief with each problem solved. It makes the drama easy to look forward to on a weekly basis.
Although its set against a Sports (Baseball) backdrop it isn't simply a Sports story. Please don't turn away thinking its a Sports drama. Infact there is hardly any on-field action through its 16 episodes length. It focuses more on the management side of the team and the problems that pop-up after years of under-performance. Along the way you may even pick up few useful tips on topics such as negotiation, presentation skills and general management.
The only drawback is that so much time is spent on presenting and solving each issue, which leaves little time for other types of character development. There is little comedy or romance; like most of Nam Goong shows ;but it is satisfying and the ending is like nothing another drama has ever done before. The lack of character growth is worse for the female lead, Lee Se Young, who mostly gets dragged through BSS’s antics. Luckily, the “main” side character of each plot arc gets significant development in comparison. This is doubly true for the antagonist, Kwon Kyung Min.
Tight storytelling makes it easier for the actors to play their role while weak character developments hurts their ability to shine. Baek Seung Soo’s past frequently appears on screen, and the actor Nam Goong-Min admirably plays his past-self well in contrast to his present character. Unfortunately, Park Eun-Bin’s character does not get enough opportunities to perform. Even supporting characters get more character development as their arcs are completed over the course of 1-3 episodes. In that sense, the supporting cast did a great job of acting given their window to shine. Oh Jung-Se especially left a good impression by the conclusion of the drama.
Stove League, as mentioned, is a solid watch, especially as it aired, but it does lose much of its shine when the outcomes are known. On the other hand, the feel good nature of the overall message cannot be overstated. So, I will recommend another hardworking drama, Chief Kim, which shares the same male lead and a similar character vibe (i.e. talented and misunderstood) as I fondly remember Hot Stove League. For those that prefer comedy to distress this may not be great but whenever the dreams achieve a goal you feel like you have achieved one too.
This one reminded me of why I started watching kdramas in the first place. Tons of fun, a very engaging storyline and an amazing cast, Chief Kim had a unique brand of humour that was super addictive, and managed to keep things light even when the story dealt with very serious issues like corrupt companies, embezzling and slush funds. Highly recommended!
-Everyone: Lee Joon Gi is just perfect!
-Me: Choi Young Joon, would you marry me?
The iconic and legendary Lim Bokja is back this season OMG!
We are back babyyy:blue_heart::blue_heart::blue_heart:. Let's get Revenge.....
By far, the most beautiful episode this show has created to date. The moment those space creatures were born, the talks in ten four, the talk between riker and picard, the catapulting of the asteroid, nothing here wasn't solid gold. Ignore the hater reviewers calling this filler, star trek's heart has always been in it's substance, not in it's flash.
The Sun, Moon and stars all aligned. This episode and season are some of the best Trek I’ve watched in a long time.
If you didnt cry for Data, even if you saw what he was doing coming, then screw you bruh! The gang is back together for one final round, and if you don't get why that's awesome, get the fuck outa here!
Hilarious when "Hot Stove" was mentioned
The penultimate episode ties together the threads sewn throughout season one setting up a tense platform for the finale.
Glad to see season 2 has been green lit already. I’m ready to rank this season now. I think it’s the best tv series of 2023 so far.
Don't get everyone's issue, people seem to think this is season 2 of Squid Game or something aha, it's a reality show, of course it's not gonna have an in depth plot and 'characters', I think people genuinely believe this is meant to be the second season. I actually had fun with this, went in with the lowest expectations are don't care for reality shows and actually managed to have some fun with it!
10 stars for the last 30 seconds of the episode. when we say thinking outside the box
I love the actress playing roscoe, plus the ending of the episode was perfect.
Great starting.
Whoever didn't catch the Sarah Connor line from the actual man himself should be banned from the site!
Its been a long journey!
Goodbye Momo and Kinemon! Goodbye Wano!
Egghead greatness lets goooooo
Peak romance, the fact that a SciFy drama delivered a better love story than actual romantic dramas this year is beyond, wow
OH GOD THE FILTHY WATER DRINKING SCENE. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: Also the scene where the maid-servant was treating his wounds, those two are also funny together. :face_with_hand_over_mouth: Master Heo is such a troublemaker too. :rofl: This show is way funnier than I expected. Also I just realized that the crown prince was also playing in D.P, I like his role here!
Absolutely outstanding, while I really liked the characters in episodes 1 & 2 i felt like this was the episode that made me fall in love with the majority of them, while also getting more attached to the actual plot. Music, action, acting, cinematography and special moments like the final scene there make this episode a 10/10 for me. Incredible stuff!
THOSE NURSES GOD MOOOOOOOOVE OUT OF MY WAY
This season has a very different tone to it and I can't say I like it. I have no idea where this is going. But instead of being excited I'm bored. Now, I'm sure there is a bigger picture being revealed I just don't see yet. Remains to be seen if I like everything comes together. And why does Cortana look different ?
The one constant to season one: Kwan is still an uterly uninteresting character.
I didn't believe the reviews that it's crap and had hopes that maybe there is a new interesting sci-fi franchise being born (finally, right?). But my oh my! It is a pile of crap indeed, unfortunately.
The story itself is very "second hand", fights are weak and not believable, ears of the Star Wars & Dune are sticking out from everywhere, and - oh my freaking god - so much pathos in slow-mo it's unbearable. I don't know how they didn't eat soup in slow-mo too.
Oh yeah, and don't worry he didn't forget woke agenda too. The main protagonist is a very strong female lead, the party is very inclusive and all the bad guys are white men. We're good on that side.
Can't wait for the second part! (nope)
Rand and Tommy kinda deserve each other. Pamela deserved better, no doubt.
