From soccer and baseball to volleyball, basketball and even running, sports reality shows are making their way into our living rooms. But instead of the usual formula of cushioned laughter, quirky characters and clever editing, this new genre puts something else front and center: the raw, unscripted reality of failure, of physical limits and of the burning desire to win. There are moments that editing simply cannot control, and it is in those unvarnished, authentic instances that the viewer truly begins to believe.

Watching this show is like a vivid summons of the most iconic scenes of the 2002 World Cup brought into the present day. You see Lee Youngpyo, with his signature feint, slip past a defender and cross the ball to the front of the goal, where Lee Donggook and Seol Kihyeon are waiting to take the shot. You see the razor-sharp attacks of Koo Jacheol and Lee Keunho, versatile player Park Jooho in action, and the iron-clad defense of goalkeeper Kim Youngkwang. The Japanese legends are equally formidable: Keisuke Honda, the former AC Milan standout and the high¬est-scoring Asian player in World Cup history, threatens with his impeccable ball retention and signature left-footed shot, while J-League top-scorer Hisato Sato stops strikers in their tracks with surgical tackles.

Shooting Stars: Legendary Korea-Japan Match (also known as GoalDEN Boys in Legend Match: Korea vs. Japan) is a spin-off that expands the universe of the original hit series Shooting Stars (Kick a Goal). After two dramatic Korea- Japan matches on the original show, the concept has been expanded, this time featuring the retired legends who coach the women’s teams. The 5-on-5 mini soccer matches, which take place in a smaller space, reveal the very essence of sport that cannot be scripted, proving that the old cliché of “drama without a script” is still very much alive.

Ever since Shooting Stars opened a new chapter for women in sports entertainment, women, who had so often been relegated to the roles of cheerleaders or assistants, have begun to step into the arena as the stars of the show. Base¬ball Queen, in particular, is a show that has thrown down the gauntlet in the world of baseball, a sport that has historically been the most challenging for women to break into. Black Queens, the women’s team led by the general manager Park Seri and the head coach Choo Shinsoo, is made up of a powerhouse roster of legendary female athletes, including the handball star Kim Onah as captain, along with the ice hockey player Shin Sojung, the track-and-field star Kim Minji, the boxer Choi Hyunmi, and the rhythmic gymnast Shin Sooji. Each is a legend in her own field, but when it comes to baseball, they are all complete rookies. Can they live up to their legendary status in this brand new challenge?

The real magic of the show lies in watching the Black Queens navigate their dual identities as legends and under¬dogs. The hand that once threw a handball now throws a baseball; the hand that swung a tennis racket now grips a baseball bat; the feet that sprinted down a track now dash around the bases. There are moments of awe when you see their natural athleticism shine through — a legend is a legend, after all. But they are still new to this sport, so they also suffer humiliating defeats. The true grit of these legends, however, and their ability to endure the grueling training, are what allow them to turn their struggles into triumphs. It’s a show that reminds us that the real fun of sports is not always in the winning or losing but in the journey of growth itself.

To some, the marathon might seem like a monotonous endeavor — an endless journey of 42.195km. It’s hard to imagine how this sport could become the subject of an entertaining reality show, but this program shows that it is not only possible but can also be incredibly dramatic. As the title suggests, Extreme 84 is the story of the webtoon artist Kian84’s attempt to run “ultra-extreme” marathons. It’s no secret that he is serious about running, as he’s shown on shows like I Live Alone and on his personal YouTube channel. Extreme 84 takes this passion and turns it into a show, forming a crew and taking on a number of challenging international running events.

The marathons featured on the show are wonderfully unique. In South Africa, the Big Five Marathon sees runners navigating wild trails and brutal uphills alongside wildlife. In France, the Médoc Marathon is a festival-like event that sees runners weave through world-famous vineyards, pausing to sample unlimited quantities of wine along the route. And the Polar Circle Marathon, which takes place in the Arctic, is the ultimate endurance test — a run through extreme cold conditions on slippery terrain that can be treacherous for runners. In addition to the fun and touching moments between Kian84 and his crew, the show offers some truly spectacular scenery. It’s a sports reality show that will not only make you want to travel but will also inspire you to run through those new and unfamiliar places.

Entertainment shows have entered the golden era of reality shows, and the most important factor for success is authenticity. The real, genuine emotion of sports shows isn’t found in a well-made, touching story created by a writer. It happens in the moments that cannot be faked, when an unavoidable reality is laid bare in front of the camera.

Could there be anything that competes with such straight¬forward, unfiltered sincerity? If you’re feeling a bit lethargic, I highly recommend diving into this vibrant world. The energy is contagious.

• Jung Dukhyunis a pop culture critic who sheds light on the value of popular culture through his writing, broadcasting appearances and lectures.

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Taxi Driver 3

The third season of the hit action series is back with new cases for the Rainbow Taxi company, a clandestine organization that delivers satisfying revenge on behalf of the wronged and forgotten victims of the justice system. By day, it’s just an ordinary taxi company, but a single phone call is all it takes to set in motion an elaborate revenge plot, with the taxi driver Kim Dogi (Lee Jehoon) behind the wheel.

The War for Talent

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the key to global technological supremacy is talent. Part 1 takes an in-depth look at China’s strategy of prioritizing advanced technologies like AI, robotics and semicon¬ductors, and its system for identifying and nurturing engineering talent from an early age. In contrast, Part 2 examines the intense competition for medical school admissions in Korea and how an imbal¬ance of talent could affect the nation’s competitiveness.

Cho Yoongpi, This Moment Forever

The show is a look back at the incred¬ible career of Cho Yongpil, the beloved “King of Music” and a true musical icon. The singer’s moments on stage are more than just a single career; they embody the emotions and memories of an entire era. When the music stops, what remains is the history of Korean popular music itself, a history that Cho Yongpil helped to write.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva (Season 1)

A spin-off of the crime drama NCIS, the show features the return of Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). No longer romantically involved but co-parenting their daughter, Tali (Isla Gie), they are living a relatively peaceful life until an unknown figure uses a program to steal Interpol funds and frames Tony for the crime.

Superman & Lois (Season 4)

The fourth and final season of the DC superhero drama centers on the family life of Superman and Lois Lane. The stakes are higher than ever as the mutated Bizarro evolves into the formidable Doomsday, leading to a climactic battle with Superman, and Lex Luthor unveils a new, sinister plot surrounding the Kent family’s home, Manning Farm.

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