When I first got into K-dramas about four years ago, my first series was "Descendants of the Sun." For me, it was like finding a gem after some lackluster TV series in the West. But, I thought that I was only lucky once. Then another series came along, and then another. To this day, I'm still amazed at how finding one "gem" has led to an entire treasure trove!
Hot Stove League is a brilliant series about the interworking of a Korean Professional Baseball team, the Dreams. In the first episode, we find out that this team is terrible in nearly every facet of the game, aside from having one of the top hitters in the league. We also find out that, despite the terrible years of being "cellar-dwellers" the team continues to have a genuine following with its fans. In other words, no bandwagon fans here!
It doesn't take long for us to realize that there is corruption at the top and throughout the team, whose owners are hellbent on gutting the team from within with the hopes of either selling or disbanding the team. Teams in Korea are owned by corporations. There have been many instances of this type of corruption within American sports teams as well. Donald Sterling (previous owner of the Los Angeles Clippers) routinely traded away any good, viable players. Publicly, he stated, "I only care about making money."
Enter Baek Seung Soo (beautifully played by Namkoong Min) as the team's newest GM. He has no experience in baseball at all, but he's put together championship wrestling teams, hockey teams, and handball teams which won Olympic medals. Clearly, one of the representing owners of the team, Kwon Kyung Min (played by one of the best Korean actors in Oh Jung Se) is hoping that Baek Seung Soo will be a puppet GM who has new clue about what to do. He's quickly proven wrong, and to everyone's wonder, Baek Seung Soo quickly begins to right the sinking ship!
Baek Seung Soo has to deal with corruption within his own people, a corrupt scouting manager, and a slugger in Im Dong Gyu, who believes himself to be untouchable and can treat everyone around him with violent disdain.
Baek Seung Soo's first task is to gain the support of his staff, many of whom are already scratching their heads regarding his hiring. The most charming and hard-working of the group is Lee Se Young (played by the ineffable Eun Bin Park!) and her tenacious assistant, Han Jae Hee.
Baek Seung Soo is a man who cares very little about what people think about him, and yet, he shows off his brilliance like a grandmaster chess player. He also always seems to know exactly what is going on within the staff, the organization, and the players. He's calm but incredibly efficient, despite his lack of personal tact. He doesn't engage in pleasantries or anything at all that may seem superficial. In short, he's confident enough in himself to simply be himself. From other people's point of view, he comes across as rude and insufferable, which quite frankly, adds to his charm and appeal. We rarely ever see him lose control of his emotions. He reminded me a lot of Mr. Spock from Star Trek; a man displaying wisdom well beyond his years. He may be new to the sport of baseball, but when it comes to playing the political and business game, he's more than a match of his adversaries.
As with so many K-dramas, the show presents a heartfelt message on the back of an engaging and provocative show. It's about people who need to learn how to speak up and stand up for themselves, and not worry so much about the consequences of their actions. There is real strength in numbers, and in a culture that is highly competitive, and where "underlings" are expected to bow and obey every order without comment or complaint, the series demonstrates that this is not the way to behave or conduct business. It demonstrates that money isn't everything and that those who have it are quite often the most miserable people around.
This series has a top-notch cast which cannot be showered with enough accolades! Oh Jung Se (whom I first saw in "It's Okay to Not Be Okay"), plays the complex, villainous role of Kwon Kyung Min like a master of his craft. We get subtle hints, that despite his pettiness, there is something else going on, and of course, Eun Bin Park is a young woman who can easily do any role that is handed to her, even capturing the funniest line of the series! Namkoong Min, whom I've only seen once so far in "Awaken" is nothing short of sublime.
The series reminded me a little of "Misaeng" in which we are given a glimpse into the Korean corporate baseball world and perhaps see that, despite the culture, there isn't that much difference between East and West when it comes to depraved depths that people will go for money. Indeed, in today's world, money is threatening to bury all that we love and hold dear about professional sports and why fans love them.
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