A list of my favourite sports-focused dramas with a dash (or three) of romance!

Sports & Romance

Hunan TV

Shen Zheng Yi (Song Zu Er) is passionate about ice skating, despite never having trained professionally and facing her mother's strong opposition. She joins an ice skating club and begins training under Zhuang Yue (Wang An Yu), a promising figure skater. The training proves physically and mentally challenging, but Zheng Yi's determination and natural talent gradually emerge. As she builds her skills, a deeper connection develops between her and Zhuang Yue, who is also inspired by her passion. With a crucial competition approaching and her mother still attempting to discourage her dreams, Zheng Yi must overcome multiple obstacles to pursue her goal of becoming a champion short-track speed skater. This is a 2021 Chinese drama series directed by Sha Wei Qi.

To Fly with You

⛸️ The Cutting Edge Team ⛸️

iQIYI

Aspiring figure skater student Sang Tian (Chen Yao) promised her family that she would get into the same prestigious university her mother used to attend. Although she has to pass a test to enter, she expects to ace it… until she doesn’t, and panic sets in. In desperation, she disguises herself as a male ice hockey player and tries out for the college team. Unexpectedly, she does well, and the coach asks her to join. However, her former nemesis Wen Bing (Darren Chen) plays for the same team, and things get worse when she has to share a dormitory with him! As she struggles to keep her secret, Sang Tian and Wen Bing strike up a formidable partnership on the ice, leading to the team’s success. Now with a shot at the championship, Sang Tian and Wen Bing face their biggest sporting challenge yet. But will Wen Bing discover her true identity, and what will this mean for their team? This 2020 Chinese drama was directed by Yu Zhong Zhong.

My Unicorn Girl

Love On Ice ⛸️💖

Kang Se Ra (Hwang Seun Eon), a talented female volleyball player struggling with a performance slump, becomes the coach of a struggling men's high school volleyball team. There, she meets Hwang Jae Woong (Song Jae Rim), the team's skilled star player whose teammates lag far behind his abilities. As they work together, Se Ra begins to see beyond Jae Woong's sarcastic exterior to his more compassionate nature. Their growing connection sparks both romantic and professional potential, offering hope for the team's improvement and Se Ra's return to top form.

Thumping Spike

Spirited and strong-willed weightlifter Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) dreams of becoming a top-ranked competitor. After a series of misunderstandings, she reunites with her childhood friend Jung Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk), a talented but unlucky swimmer, who she shares a playful, teasing relationship with. Bok Joo also runs into Jung Jae Yi (Lee Jae Yoon), Joon Hyung’s older cousin, and begins to develop a crush on him. But as Bok Joo navigates the challenges of her sport, body image issues, and the awkwardness of first love, she finds herself falling for Joon Hyung, who, despite his initial obliviousness, slowly realizes his feelings for her too.

Weightlifting Fairy, Kim Bok-joo

I'm Busy Getting Stronger Team

Mango TV

Chen Mo Bai (Zhai Zi Lu), a passionate young man obsessed with speed, dreams of becoming a top-level Chinese Super Formula driver despite his family's disapproval of the dangerous profession. When he meets Shen Xi (Alice Ke), a talented engineer struggling with personal and professional challenges, they form an unexpected partnership. Together, they inspire each other to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles in the high-stakes world of motor racing. Their shared passion and determination drive them to push beyond their limits and seek success against all odds. This is a 2023 Chinese drama series directed by Huang Ying Xiang.

We Go Fast On Trust

Racing Into Your Heart 

KBS02

High school friends Ko Dong Man (Park Seo Joon), Choi Ae Ra (Kim Ji Won), Kim Joo Man (Ahn Jae Hong), and Baek Seol Hee (Song Ha Yoon) struggle to balance their big dreams with the realities of adulthood. After an injury, Dong Man was forced to quit taekwondo, but he still longs to return to fighting. Ae Ra, a department store employee with dreams of becoming a news anchor, faces constant setbacks in her stagnant relationship. Their lifelong friendship, built on playful bickering and unwavering support, begins to blossom into something more. Meanwhile, Joo Man and Seol Hee both work at a home shopping network where they’ve hidden their six-year relationship, but their love is about to be put to the test by new employees with less-than-pure intentions. Will these friends manage to find their way in life?

Fight For My Way

The Fighting Team

Youku

After a controversy leads to manga artist Wei Zhi (Esther Yu) losing her pen name and copyrights, she turns to snowboarding for a fresh new start. At the snow resort, she meets coach Shan Chong (Lin Yi), a former professional snowboarder who retired after an injury. While Wei Zhi is a complete beginner, her determination to succeed inspires Shan Chong to reconnect with his own love for snowboarding – and their time spent together begins to ignite a more personal connection, too. This drama was adapted from the web novel of the same name by Qing Mei.

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