"Hot-Blooded Basketball Team 2" has signaled a successful start, entering the Netflix Top 10 immediately after its first broadcast.

The SBS entertainment program "Hot-Blooded Basketball Team 2," which premiered on July 5, proudly entered the "Top 10 Series in South Korea Today" chart on the global OTT platform Netflix. With just one episode, the show successfully carried the momentum from its terrestrial broadcast over to the OTT platform, foreshadowing a new wave of popularity for sports entertainment this summer.

From the very first episode, "Hot-Blooded Basketball Team 2" heightened the tension on the court by arranging a surprise 1-on-1 showdown between KBL legend Jeon Tae-pung and the newly joined coach for this season, Kim Tae-sul. Jeon Tae-pung proved his class and secured the victory by showcasing flashy crossover dribbles and unpredictable footwork that rivaled his active playing days. Although he lost, Kim Tae-sul, true to his nickname "Computer Guard," displayed his enduring intelligence and seasoned play, providing a level of immersion that went beyond mere entertainment.

The performance of the three new members was just as impressive as the legends' return match. In the subsequent 3-on-3 match, Julien Kang drew admiration by perfectly guarding the paint with his overwhelming physique, living up to his reputation as a "human wall." The star of the twist was Chanyeol of the group EXO. Chanyeol scored three goals on his own by successfully executing surprise shots with a sharp shooting sense, earning high praise from head coach Seo Jang-hoon, who remarked, "He is a player with a shooting sense." With the addition of Jo Jin-se, who acted as a source of energy by covering every corner of the court, the team has clearly bolstered its strength.

With this, the "Rising Eagles" have moved one step closer to their ultimate goal for this season, "conquering the nation," alongside their existing core members—SHINee's Minho, Son Tae-jin, Moon Soo-in, and Kim Taek—and their formidable new players.

Immediately after the broadcast, reactions on online communities and social media were heated. Viewers showered the show with praise, saying, "I didn't expect to see a 1-on-1 between Jeon Tae-pung and Kim Tae-sul from the first episode," "With Julien Kang's height and Chanyeol's shooting, the lineup is much more solid than before," and "It doesn't feel like a simple entertainment show, but a documentary where you can feel the sincere sweat on the court."

The production team stated, "We thank the viewers for their enthusiastic support, including entering the Netflix Top 10 from the first broadcast," and added, "Please look forward to the passionate challenges and heart-pounding matches of the 'Rising Eagles' as they face the strongest amateur teams in the country."

"Hot-Blooded Basketball Team 2," which announced the return of a trending sports entertainment show by capturing both viewership ratings and buzz with just one episode, airs every Sunday at 11:05 PM.

Reported by Kang Sun-ae

(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Sun-ae)