tvN’s upcoming show 'I AM BOXER' is set to take the second half of the year by storm with gripping, authentic boxing matches. The highly anticipated series will premiere on November 21.
The program is a blockbuster boxing survival show personally designed by Ma Dong Seok, the internationally acclaimed action star and veteran boxing gym owner with over 30 years of experience, aiming to revive K-Boxing. Viewers can expect an immersive experience, where every punch and every match reflects the fighters’ genuine passion and determination.
Domestic audiences can watch the show on tvN and TVING, while international viewers will be able to stream it via Disney+ after the broadcast. With this strategy, the show aims not only to showcase the true spirit of boxing but also to highlight the excitement of Korean content to a global audience.
From the very beginning, 'I AM BOXER' garnered attention as Ma Dong Seok’s first-ever variety program. Ma began boxing in middle school and has since trained fellow actors and professional fighters. In addition to being a boxing coach, he serves as the Honorary Vice President of the Korean Boxing Association and a boxing promoter, proving his lifelong dedication to the sport.
Reflecting on his involvement, Ma Dong Seok shared, “Boxing is life itself. I want to support all the fighters and show how incredible this sport is.” As someone who admires the golden era of Korean boxing and dreams of revitalizing it, Ma is the perfect mentor for the show. In the first teaser released on November 22, he expressed, “I’ve long dreamed of this stage,” generating excitement for the unprecedented scale of the upcoming survival battles.
Familiar faces such as Jang Hyuk, Julien Kang, and Yuk Jun Seo also join the ring, creating a thrilling atmosphere filled with passion and determination. With contestants who combine exceptional skill and physical endurance with genuine love for boxing, audiences can anticipate epic matchups and are left eager to see the full lineup.
Meanwhile, the show captures MCs Kim Jong Kook and Dex fully engrossed in the action. Kim Jong Kook is seen watching matches with intense focus, muttering encouragements like “Go for it,” while Dex cheers participants on with phrases like “Show your confidence!” Their involvement highlights the magnetic pull of the contestants’ fierce duels.
The promotional poster reflects this energy, featuring Master Ma Dong Seok, MCs Kim Jong Kook and Dex, and the fighters, all radiating determination. In particular, Kim and Dex are depicted holding red and blue gloves on their shoulders, symbolizing the corners of the ring, while Ma Dong Seok stands as the solid pillar overseeing the competition, intensifying the survival show’s tension.
Adding to the anticipation, 'I AM BOXER' is created by PD Lee Won Woong, known for the military survival hit 'Steel Troops,' and writer Kang Sook Kyung, who co-created the global sensation 'Physical: 100.' Their collaboration follows previous successes like 'Wedding Fighters,' promising yet another exciting addition to Korea’s reality survival genre.
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