'Kick a Goal' Expands Universe to Handball for Special Four-Part Cup to Cheer on Asian Games Team

SBS variety show "Kick a Goal" is expanding its universe beyond soccer to take on handball.

According to a teaser released on August 26, the "Kick a Goal Handball Cup" will premiere on September 2. This special project was organized to cheer on the women's national handball team at the Asian Games and will air across a total of four episodes.

Caster Bae Seong-jae announced the new start by saying, "'Kick a Goal', which sparked a women's soccer boom in South Korea, is now taking on handball." After experiencing a handball match, the players expressed their astonishment at the unexpectedly rough and fast-paced nature of the sport, commenting, "It was so fierce," "The physical contact is about three times worse than soccer," and "It is the UFC of ball sports."

Amid vivid commentary by caster Bae Seong-jae and analyst Park Joong-gyu, former basketball player Lee Hye-jung, Seogi, and Mashima showcased a contrasting style of play different from soccer, foreshadowing the birth of new aces.

A star-studded lineup of legends also draws attention. Yoon Kyung-shin, known as the "god of handball," and Lee Sang-eun, the real-life model for the film "Forever the Moment", will step up as managers to compete. They are joined by handball stars such as Park Ha-yan, Bae Min-hee, Kim On-ah, and Shim Hae-bok, adding professional expertise.

Notably, Kim Jung-eun, the lead actor of the film "Forever the Moment", makes a surprise appearance to throw the ceremonial first pitch. Reflecting on her past, Kim said, "I remember sweating and practicing endlessly while filming the movie," and offered warm words of encouragement to the players.

During the first "Kick a Goal Athletic Meet", the "Kick a Goal" players previously took on a handball match alongside South Korean women's handball legends like Kim On-ah and Bae Min-hee. At the time, they drew explosive attention by displaying surprisingly quick adaptability to the game, passing plays, and powerful shooting that made it hard to believe it was their first time. Expectations are rising for what kind of new potential the "Kick a Goal" players will show in this expanded "Handball Cup" format that goes beyond a one-time challenge.

The "Kick a Goal Handball Cup", which moves the battleground from the soccer field to the handball court for even more intense matches, will air on Wednesday, September 2 at 9 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)