Soccer, or also known as football, is loved all over the world. It has deep roots in Korean culture, as many K-Pop idols were introduced to the sport at a very young age. Countless singers spend their downtime either watching professional matches or playing in leagues of their own. Fans even hear their bias talk about their favorite teams and players.

Then there are some idols who love the sport of soccer and absolutely excel in it. They surprise many with their fancy footwork and nimble maneuvering. You can tell that they have put a considerable amount of effort into the game, practically as much time as they spent training to become an idol. There are even a handful that could have gone pro.

Check out which K-Pop idols could have been soccer superstars in another timeline.

 

1. VIXX' Leo

During his childhood, Leo was a part of South Korea's National Youth Soccer Team in 2003. While he switched paths and went down the road of becoming an idol, he is still lauded as one of the best soccer players in the entertainment industry. He has publicly shown his skills over the years on MBC's "Idol Star Athletic Championship", as well as JTBC's "Let's Play Soccer". In another life, we're sure that Leo is a soccer superstar.

 

2. NCT's Yuta

Yuta is extremely charismatic on stage and has the aura to stand out during any performance. However, before setting down the path of becoming a singer, the NCT member was a passionate soccer athlete. He first started playing the sport in preschool and continued until he was a senior in middle school. He has shown amazing handling of the ball across various variety programs, earning countless praise and acknowledgement for his skills. Thankfully for fans, he walked off the soccer field and stepped onto the music stage instead.

 

3. WOODZ

WOODZ is a complete artist and has gained recognition for his musicality. But before becoming a singer, he had an immense love for soccer. When he was younger, the singer moved to Brazil and joined a youth soccer club under the well known Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. While he moved on to pursue music, WOODZ was invited a couple times to JTBC's "Let's Play Soccer" to show off his impressive skills. WOODZ truly is the definition of all-rounder, in music and sports.

 

4. HIGHLIGHT's DuJoon

DuJoon is famous among 2nd generation idols for his impressive soccer skills. He has an immense love and passion for the game that's evident every time he plays or talks about it. Back in 2014, the idol was named as an honorary ambassador for the Korea Professional Football Association's K-League. You cannot talk about soccer-dols and not mention DuJoon.

 

5. Kim JaeHwan

When you think about idol soccer players, Kim JaeHwan might not be the first on your list. However, the idol once revealed his deep history with the sport and that he was even trained by a coach from Brazil. He also shared that when he competed in a district soccer competition, his team won the whole thing and at the end, JaeHwan received the best player award. Although he had the promise to become a soccer superstar, we're more than happy that he is now a beloved singer.

 

6. SF9's RoWoon

RoWoon is an incredible actor and idol, impressing everyone with his endless talents and skills. Although in another life, the idol singer could have added soccer athlete to the list. When he was younger, RoWoon absolutely loved the sport. He has played since third grade and even participated at the National Soccer Competition in Chuncheon. Although RoWoon as an athlete would have been nice, we're happy he traded his cleats for a microphone and script instead.

 

7. SHINee's MinHo

MinHo has made a name for himself as one of the most competitive idols in the entertainment industry. That passion could have very well led him to become a professional athlete. He has even said himself that he once dreamed of becoming a professional soccer athlete. But that dream was quickly snuffed out by his father, a renowned soccer coach. Despite not going pro, MinHo consistently shows his athleticism across various programs.

Could you imagine these idols as professional soccer athletes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

 

Korean romance web dramas are of good quality and offer different types of content. While there are a few school and college dramas airing on TV every year, it is not the case with web dramas. Middle school, high school, college, and early 20s are often a subject for Korean web dramas.

If you are new to web dramas, you might want to check the Best 5 Channels To Watch Korean Web Dramas With Subtitles where we introduce the best YouTube channels to watch web dramas.

Note: the list does not include Netflix Original series.

Here are romance web dramas that you should not miss!

Let us know in the comment which web drama would you advise your friend to watch.

 

1. "A-Teen 2"

When: 2019

Cast: APRIL's Lee NaEun, Kim DongHee, Golden Child's BoMin, Kim SooHyun, Ryu EuiHyun, Kang MinAh, Shin YeEun, Shin SeungHo

Summary: The web drama is about the worries and love stories of teens. The changes that the main characters are going through by changing from 18 to 19 years old. They are going through a lot with the preparation of the SAT (college entrance exam) and this comes with a lot of choices to be made.

Why watch?: The whole "A-Teen" series is worth watching, you can start with season 1 or 2 directly. This is definitely one of the best web dramas and a must-watch if you are looking for a high school story with love and friendship. The lead couple is amazing with a lot of heart-fluttering scenes and the surrounding characters are also entertaining.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

2. "Love Playlist 4"

When: 2019

Cast: Lee YooJin, Park JungWoo, Kim SaeRon, Bae HyunSung, Park ShiAhn, Kim HyungSuk, Jung ShinHye

Summary: The love stories of university students in a relatable melodrama.

Why watch?: "Love Playlist" has four seasons, they are all good but the fourth is especially entertaining (you can start from the fourth without understanding issues). This college web drama is focusing on various characters with their own particular issues and it has different love stories. "Love Playlist" story looks authentic and relatable. If you are curious about real Korean university students' life, this is for you.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

3. "XX"

When: 2020

Cast: EXID's Hani, Hwang SeungEon, Bae InHyuk, Lee JongWon

Summary: It tells the story of the best bartender of the industry who is working in a speakeasy bar. She solves the problems of the couples and is overcoming her past love wounds.

Why watch?: Have you ever been betrayed by your friend or ex? Then, you would completely relate to this interesting web drama. The addictive plot focuses on revenge but also healing and moving onto a new relationship. The male lead is eye-candy and the drama is set in a bar which is quite unique.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

4. "Twenty Twenty"

When: 2020

Cast: UP10TION's Kim WooSeok, Han SungMin, Park SangNam, Jin HoEun, Chae WonBin, A.C.E's Chan

Summary: It tells the dream and love of twenty-year-olds who share the realistic problems that they face as they just became adults. Lee HyunJin and Chae DaHee meet and start to mature together by creating their own boundaries.

Why watch?: This web drama is perfect for those of you who are looking for a college romance web drama. The drama is not only about romance but also about growth and familial issues. Each character is finding their true self in this drama. The directing is also particularly good and the secondary characters are funny.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

5. "One Fine Week"

When: 2019

Cast: Lovelyz's JiSoo, Former MYTEEN's Shin JunSeop, Supernova's Park GeonIl 

Summary: DaEun works part-time and Kim Byul is an idol in her 5th year since debut. These two girls who look alike decide to change each other's lives just for 7 days. It tells the romantic encounters of these 2 girls.

Why watch?: This drama might be a simple and cute love story but it is addictive and romantic. Moreover, it is about K-Pop idols' lives, a subject that interests many. It is worth watching if you are looking for a captivating love story. The male lead is also charming.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

6. "Ending Again"

When: 2020

Cast: Jo SooMin, Kang Hui, Kim GunWon

Summary: It tells the fraud marriage romance of two persons who do not want to marry but decided to get married to get be able to receive the "Newlyweds jeonse loan" [e.g. governmental financial support for newly married couples to help them rent houses].

Why watch?: The story is intriguing and there is good chemistry between the leads. It is not a comedy as it is more on the emotional side. If you are looking for something quite new with a college love story, you might want to watch this one.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

7. "Best Mistake 2"

When: 2020

Cast: Lee EunJae, Kang Yul, Lee JungJun, Park EHyun, THE MAN BLK's Yoon JunWon, THE MAN BLK's Choe ChanYi, Ju HyunYoung, Yang YuJin, Keum DongHyun

Summary: It tells the love and friendship stories of teens. It is a new semester with new faces. YeonDoo is now in the last year of high school. Her life is complicated with misunderstandings and conflicts. What should she choose love or friendship?

Why watch?: "Best Mistake" (season 1 and 2) is a drama for those who are looking for a simple and cute teen love story. Don't watch if you are looking for something serious and if you don't like cheesy content. The drama touches on teens' friendship, trust, fight, love, and more in an engaging story and lovable characters. "Best Mistake 3" is as good.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

8. “The World Of My 17"

When: 2020

Cast: OH MY GIRL's Arin, Hwang BoReumByeol, FANATICS's DoAh, Han ChaeKyung, RyeoUn, Kwon HyunBin (VIINI)

Summary: Through the stories of friendship and growth of high school friends, it tells the lovely story of school days when friends are one's whole world.

Why watch?: As someone who did not read the webtoon, the story about these four cute girls with their friendship and love stories is cute. The characters were fun and the overall story is interesting. If you are looking for a high school web drama, this is a good one.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

9. "Queen of the Ring"

When: 2017

Cast: Kim SeulGi, Ahn HyoSeop, Yoon SoHee

Summary: It tells the romance of a girl who thinks she is unattractive. She receives a secret ring from her family that changed her appearance and starts to get the attention of a handsome and cold guy.

Why watch?: This fantasy drama has a good plot that questions a society judging people's appearance but don't expect the plot to be too deep. It is an easy-to-watch and catchy love story.

It is available on NaverTV.

 

10. "beautiology101"

When: 2016

Cast: Han JiEun, Kim JaeYoung, JinHyuk, Lee ChulWoo, Choi JiHun

Summary: It is a beauty drama that tells the story of young people in the "K-Beauty School".

Why watch?: This drama was made to promote the makeup brand Innisfree but the whole story and characters are so interesting that it worth watching. If you are interested in makeup, this is pretty much a must-watch.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

11. "The Way I Hate You"

When: 2019

Cast: NCT's JaeMin, Kim JeeIn, Lee JongWon, Kim YooJin

Summary: It is a college campus romance with freshmen's love and friendships. It tells the story of MiRi who is worrying between love and friendship as she started to like her best friend's boyfriend.

Why watch?: It is a cute and short love story of college students that will make you smile with their heart fluttering scenes.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

12. "Splash Splash Love"

When: 2015

Cast: Highlight's Yoon DooJoon, Kim SeulGi

Summary: It is the fantasy growth drama of the high school student DanBi who arrived in the Joseon dynasty through the rain and met the king.

Why watch?: If you are looking for good laughter and a sweet love story, this is for you. The web drama is adorable and the leads have great chemistry.

It is available on NaverTV.

 

13. "Love Revolution"

When: 2020

Cast: Park JiHoon, THE BOYZ's YoungHoon, Lee RuBy, Jung DaEun, WJSN 's DaYoung, Ko ChanBin, Ahn DoGyu

Summary: "Love Revolution" tells the love story of the couple Gong JuYoung and Wang JaRim while depicting realistically the teen's lives with their love, friendship, study, and dream.

Why watch?: Are you looking for a cute and cheesy web drama to make you giggles and smile? Search no more, "Love Revolution" is for you! The web drama is based on a popular webtoon, and this may be why all its characters are fun. Gong JuYoung (Park JiHoon), the cuteeest boy ever, is the story's highlight. He is never short of confessing his love for Wang JaRim (Lee RuBy) and makes us all laugh.

 

 

14. "Semantic Error"

When: 2022

Cast: Park SeoHam, DKZ’s JaeChan

Summary: A campus romance about the inflexible SangWoo and his encounter with the campus’ most popular student, JaeYoung.

Why watch?: BL fan or not, this is a must-see! This web drama received a lot of love and was even released in the movie theater in Korea following its popularity. Two handsome university students that everything opposes fall in love with each other and show one of the best chemistry on screen. The story might be a deja-vu, but this drama will teach you not to stop at its summary.

 

15. "Be My Boyfriend"

When: 2021

Cast: Lee SiWoo, Shin HyunSeung, Cherry Bullet's YuJu, Im SungKyun, A.C.E's Kim ByeongKwan, Jung BoMin

Summary: Lee SeungMin is a common boy with no presence and he has a crush on the most popular girl in school Oh JiNa. One day she suddenly suggests starting a contract relationship with him. Can SeungMin and JiNa safely end their contract relationship and start a real relationship?

Why watch?: "Be My Boyfriend?" is a KOKTV high school love story of quality. This is not for you if you expect to find something completely new. But if you are looking for a really cute love story and male lead (yes, no tsundere here), you must watch. It is entertaining and relatable.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

16. "User Not Found"

When: 2021-2022

Cast: CIX’s Bae JinYoung, Shin SoHyun, Han YeJi, Jung HyunJi, Ahn SeMin

Summary: MinJae, who made all kinds of efforts dreaming of becoming an insider full of presence at school, feels that everything has changed since she first transferred. Isn't the prettiest girl in school asking to be friends with her? That is until she gets entangled in a provocative skinship rumor with the most popular guy at Woojeong High School. It turned out that all of these incidents happened because people misunderstood MinJae for another girl with the same name "Yoo Minjae.” Can MinJae finish her school life as an insider safely without being caught by anyone?

Why watch?: "User Not Found" is one more KOKTV romance high school web drama on this list. This drama has more depth than you would expect with topics such as acceptance of oneself, past trauma, social media, etc. The primary purpose of watching is the growth of the lead character and her love story. The mysterious two leads also help in making you curious about the characters.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

You can also recommend the dramas you liked to readers through the poll and the comments. (Note that "Love Revolution", "Semantic Error", "Be My Boyfriend" and "User Not Found" were added later than the other dramas in the poll.)