The in-person matchup is set for Sept. 22 at Yongin Indoor Gymnasium, transforming a routine shoot into a full-on game day experience. Adding to the big-game atmosphere, sportscaster Jung Yong-gum will handle play-by-play with basketball analyst Son Dae-beom providing color, bringing the on-court suspense and heat straight to the arena.
Jung, beloved for his sharp reads and easy humor across baseball, basketball and even esports, is set to put the team’s highlight moments into words as they unfold. He’ll be joined by Son, a veteran hoops insider known for elevating broadcasts with tactical breakdowns and game-flow insight―expect pro-level analysis all night.
“The addition of Jung Yong-gum and Son Dae-beom gives this game an extra edge,” producers teased. “Fans can look forward to the adrenaline of a pro contest with the laughs and heart of a variety show.” Hearing two experts call the sweat and grit up close should be a treat for the crowd.
"Rising Eagles" will face J-CREW, a powerhouse amateur club from Goyang. Founded in 2021, J-CREW has stacked trophies fast, including a five-peat at the Goyang Mayor’s Cup (2022?2025), the 2023 MG Saemaeul Credit Union ONEHOOP 3-on-3 title, the 2024 BDR amateur championship, and the 2025 Sangnoksoo 20s division crown.
J-CREW’s longtime core player Jung Heung-ju will step in as game-day coach, squaring off against the TV squad. With a battle-tested, title-rich lineup on the other side, this one has the feel of a real test―where the line between variety show and bona fide basketball blurs.
It’s also a milestone for "Rising Eagles": the team’s first game designed from the ground up for fans in the building, not just viewers at home. Expect the players to feed off the noise and bring extra juice.
Head coach Seo Jang-hoon and assistant coach Jeon Tae-poong lead a star-studded roster captained by MINHO (SHINee), joined by Jeong Jin-woon (2AM), JOHNNY (NCT), Moon Su-in, Kim Taek, Oh Seung-hoon, Park Eun-seok, Son Tae-jin, Jung Gyu-min, Lee Dae-hee and Park Chan-woong. With each player bringing their own hoops backstory and fire, all eyes are on how they’ll fare against elite amateurs.
Capping the night, K-pop star Kwon Eunbi will deliver a celebratory performance―an arena-ready finale that keeps the energy high even after the final buzzer.
While this is "Rising Eagles"’ first big-stage showdown, the momentum won’t stop there: producers say another in-person game is slated for Oct. 8, stoking even more anticipation among basketball fans and viewers.
With Jung Yong-gum and Son Dae-beom on the call, the show aims to deliver the authenticity and immediacy of live sports―accessible even to casual fans―while the star squad takes on one of the strongest amateur clubs around at Yongin Indoor Gymnasium.
Tickets/RSVP are available via the show’s official Instagram.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)