Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Kim So-hye returns with 'My Lovely Boxer' after bullying scandal
Actors Kim So-hye, left, and Lee Sang-yeob pose during the press conference for KBS's new romance series “My Lovely Boxer,” held in Guro District, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KBS
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Singer and actor Kim So-hye, who shot to stardom as the project girl group I.O.I, is making a small screen return with KBS's new romance series “My Lovely Boxer,” about two years after she was embroiled in accusations of bullying, which she claimed was a misunderstanding between friends.
“During the past 1-2 years, I've been looking for ways to fix my shortcomings as a person who enjoys and wants to excel in acting. Then I came across 'My Lovely Boxer.' And I felt the work contained a message about the determination of a person facing misfortune,” Kim said during the press conference for the series, held in Guro District, Seoul, Monday.
“The choices (my character), Kwon-sook, makes in such adversity and how she grows from them felt quite similar to my own. I was deeply impressed (with the story) and really wanted to do it.”
Based on the novel of the same name, the 12-part episode revolves around a boxer, Lee Kwon-sook (Kim), who gains attention as a boxing prodigy. Right before her championship fight ― three years prior ― she suddenly disappears and begins a new life as a kindergarten teacher after changing her name.
But when she meets a cold-hearted sports agent, Kim Tae-young (Lee Sang-yeob), who is willing to do anything for his talents' victory, her life meets an unexpected turn.
Scene from the series “My Lovely Boxer" / Courtesy of KBS
The series, which kicked off on Monday with a 2 percent viewership rating, is led by director Choi Sang-yeol and is scripted by writer Kim Min-joo, who have both previously worked together on the 2019 mystery rom-com series “I Wanna Hear Your Song.”
The director shared that he was drawn to how the series uses boxing to tell its story.
“I think I've chosen the best piece out of all the scripts I could choose from … After reading the script for this series, I felt I could make something out of it as a director. The charming aspects at the beginning of the story seemed to align well with what I have been doing so far. So this work felt appealing to me,” he said.
“Throughout all the episodes, the story is about boxing and life. In life, there will be hardships. But boxing is about the determination to raise your guard and continue to move forward. And that resonated with me.”
He added that the series will have a light-hearted side to it.
“You can think of it as a sports, romance drama. If you expected a hot-blooded sports genre or a melodrama, or a noir story about the cutthroat game rigging world, you will realize this series isn't about that,” he said.
Lee plays the role of Kim Tae-young, who has an eye for talented athletes. He uses his skills to bring in new talent and uses them to make a profit until they burn out.
“He is a cold-blooded person that everyone points fingers at. He unexpectedly gets put in the corner and makes a dangerous choice,” he said, adding that the series will have riveting stories to follow.
“I can say for sure that if you watch the first episode, you will get curious to follow the story until the end. This is the type of series that will not let you down until the end.”
"My Lovely Boxer" airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9:45 p.m.