The 2020 Summer Olympics, which had been controversial even before they started, have ended. Although the Tokyo Olympics began with many concerns, the public quickly got into the games. Everyone began paying attention as Olympic-related articles were published every day. The power of sports is great. After the Olympics, various TV entertainment shows covered their stories. We would like to introduce a different side of sports stars taking off their uniforms and showing themselves in front of the camera.

 Viewers were enthusiastic about the drama-like match, led by the women’s volleyball team captain Kim Yeon-kyung. The women’s volleyball team gave a great performance and advanced to the semifinals. In addition, four players from the men’s fencing team were called the Avengers. The athletes also showed overwhelming skills in archery, South Korea’s strongest event. Among them, young rookie players gave particularly amazing performances. The results of Kim Jedeok’s loud cheers and An San’s amazing concentration strengthened the position of South Korean archery. Hwang Sunwoo, a 19-year-old swimming national team member, proved Little Park Tae-hwan’s predictions by breaking new Korean and Asian records in the 200m and 100m freestyle, respectively. He seemed to be looking forward to the future even more. Teenage athletes such as Shin Yu-bin and Yeo Seo-jung seemed to do their best to enjoy the Olympics on the world stage even though it was their first appearance. Because of all of this, after the Olympics, athletes began showing up on entertainment shows.

 Sportainer is a combination of sports stars and entertainers, and Kang Ho-dong is a representative person. Kang Hodong chose to turn to skits in his heyday as a ssireum wrestler. Kang Ho-dong, who had a natural sense of comedy acting, settled in the entertainment industry through skit comedy and grew into a nationally renowned host. His physical strength, charisma, and eating habits, which appeared through a two-day real variety show, also played an important role, which was related to his characteristics as an athlete. Seo Jang-hoon has also rapidly emerged as a major host for broadcasters over the years. He is loved by the public for showing a different charm from his appearance as an athlete. Kim Dong-hyun, who used to be the best UFC athlete in Korea, has the nickname Stern Gun. However, his fussy and timid twist character in entertainment makes it fun. “The Gentlemen’s League” is a program in which the world's strongest man Lee Man-ki, basketball president Huh Jae, and baseball god Yang Joon-hyuk try playing soccer. The players’ sloppy appearance like ordinary uncles makes them seem humane and gives the show a fun twist. Heo Jae was once the epitome of a relentless burst of anger. Other players also reached the top. Such people become gentle sheep and kick the ball, such as Ahn Junghwan’s “funny and sad” appearance. It gained considerable popularity by ranking first in viewership ratings.

 Why are sports stars so beloved on entertainment shows? The top players in a field are usually people who have made superhuman efforts and have dramatic stories of failure and success. There is sincerity and sometimes even human emotion. In addition to these strengths, the heyday of Sportainers will not end anytime soon because athletes have recently been equipped with activities and “talents” in front of the camera. 

Planning Editor·KIM DA HUN·ekq8458@kyonggi.ac.kr