I AM BOXER foreshadowed a boxing syndrome.
On the 19th, the production presentation for tvN's new variety show I AM BOXER was held online. Present were PD Lee Won-woong, writer Kang Sook-kyung, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Jong-kook and Dex.
I AM BOXER is a blockbuster boxing survival show of massive scale, personally designed by Ma Dong-seok, a global action star and head of a boxing gym with 30 years of experience, to revive K-boxing. PD Lee Won-woong, who directed The Iron Squad, and writer Kang Sook-kyung, who worked on Physical: 100, reunited to deliver a heated survival on the ring.
Ma Dong-seok, who designed the program, said, "As a child I prepared as an athlete and took part in small matches, so I had a deep love for boxing. On the ring you feel like there's no one to help you and you're alone, but boxing is a sport that gives you the reward of overcoming yourself. There were many good champions in Korea, but at some point popularity waned. Feeling indebted to boxing, I wanted it to receive much love again. While running a gym and interacting with many athletes, I felt there were many good fighters but no stage. I wondered if there was a way I could lend a small hand to give them opportunities, and as a fan I met PD Lee Won-woong and writer Kang Sook-kyung and we decided to present I AM BOXER."
Director Lee Won-woong said, "I met writer Kang Sook-kyung on The Iron Squad and we did many survival programs, but I AM BOXER is, to put it plainly, brutal. The two people just fight in the ring. We filmed soldiers and did many tough shoots before, but the energy on the ring was strong. That energy seems like it will come out of the screen." Writer Kang Sook-kyung added, "When I first met Ma Dong-seok and he was explaining, he kept standing up and demonstrating, saying he wanted to create a dream stage for boxers. Hearing that, I thought this could really become a stage. The ring, three minutes, two men, a staredown — the confrontation itself has such rhythm that I felt confident we could create a stage that feels like watching a show."
The scale befitting a blockbuster boxing survival is a viewing point: collaboration with art director Lee Young-joo, who produced sets for Physical: 100 and Culinary Class Wars, cooperation with the country's top experts on boxing rings, and use of a 1,000-pyeong set where the main match takes place and a 500-pyeong boxing gym set multiply the viewing fun. In particular, the final winner will receive a prize of 300 million won, a champion belt and a premium SUV.
PD Lee Won-woong explained, "When preparing a boxing survival for the first time, although it's people fighting in the ring, I thought we had to increase the scale quantitatively to show it to viewers worldwide, so there was a lot to consider. It took about two months just to build the building, and it took one-fifth of the production costs. But we could only produce 1.5 episodes worth of footage." Ma Dong-seok joked, "We were very surprised. It felt like they even took the money we were going to get and put it all into the sets."
Lee Won-woong added with a laugh, "A prize of 300 million won, a high-end flagship SUV and a champion belt unique to I AM BOXER will be awarded. The belt is made of metal. It's made of steel." Dex joked, "The car given to the winner is better than the one I drive," and Kim Jong-kook said, "There's a car on site and you can see it well from the blue corner. It's motivating."
Former Tongyang champion Kim Min-wook, Kim Dong-hoe who won 14 consecutive national sports festival titles, national sports festival gold medalist Guk Seung-jun and Lee Chae-hyun from the military sports unit, action actor Jang Hyuk who dreams of becoming a boxer, Korea's first UFC light heavyweight fighter Jung Da-woon, and UDT-turned artist Yuk Joon-seo all joined the I AM BOXER lineup.
Writer Kang Sook-kyung said of recruiting contestants, "The recruitment notice said anyone who loves boxing regardless of age, weight class or experience, so I wondered how many would apply. I thought nonpopular sports must have reasons for that, but nearly 2,000 people applied. Applications ranged from elementary school students to people born in 1964. Many people who love boxing applied, their occupations were diverse and their nationalities were varied. After Ma Dong-seok, the coaches and I selected candidates and during meetings we said anyone could participate regardless of weight class, yet no one gave up."
On the appearance of close friend Jang Hyuk, Kim Jong-kook said, "When he was recruited, I feel a bit regretful thinking if they had asked me just once. Personally I know Jang Hyuk's passion for boxing very well. He really showed up at the gym every day, loves boxing more than anyone, and even took a pro test. What I respect most is that he takes on this kind of challenge. No matter how much I like boxing, such a challenge wouldn't be easy for me. Jang Hyuk might risk losing something on a big stage, but I respect that he participated out of passion. While Jang Hyuk was taking on the challenge, I couldn't watch."
Kim Jong-kook continued, "There were many surprising athletes. Beyond boxing, athletes from other genres came out and satisfy the curiosity we often have of 'if this sport fought that sport, who would win?' Many promising athletes appeared. There are tremendous talents, and because many masters are hidden even among ordinary people, it will be fun to watch."
Dex said, "MMA uses hands, feet and more, so I thought boxing might be simple. But I learned that tens of thousands of hand feints and tactical moves take place. I came to think it's much more complex and close to an art. Also, regardless of background, each person came to this stage with their own story and dream, so there are many elements worth concentrating on."
From the planning stage, I AM BOXER drew attention as the first variety show Ma Dong-seok has attempted since his debut. Ma Dong-seok actually began boxing in middle school, currently teaches boxing to fellow actors and athletes, and is so committed to boxing that he serves as honorary vice chairman of the Korea Boxing Association and also as a boxing promoter. Ma Dong-seok said, "Many people helped, but this is a stage I dreamed of so much. I wanted to create a stage where boxers and fans could compete in good faith, and seeing it realized is deeply moving. I am grateful. I feel good."
Making his first regular appearance on variety shows, Ma Dong-seok said, "I've never appeared on variety shows and don't know how, so I'll leave that to Kim Jong-kook and Dex. The program itself makes the participants the protagonists. I thought a lot from a position of sincerity about what could make them shine. Even though I have a desire to be funny, I couldn't show that here. I was drawn in because I felt the desperation of people who were earnest. I approached it more like filming a movie or sparring in the ring than a variety show."
Kim Jong-kook said, "I have been boxing since my early 20s up to recently. In my childhood Korea boxing was much loved. I hoped the atmosphere of loving boxing would revive, so I'm grateful to have the opportunity. This is a show I have a lot of personal interest in." Dex said, "You've seen me get hit a lot, but this time I was recruited as an MC who watches and cheers. I have no experience in boxing, but I fell in love with it. I discovered a new charm."
As MC, Kim Jong-kook said, "I play the role of explaining boxing simply to those unfamiliar with it and raising their anticipation. With Ma Dong-seok designing it, there was no burden, and I want to deliver great matches as they are. I thought about jumping in myself, but I stopped at the thought." Dex said, "As a boxing novice, I ask curious questions and scratch viewers' itches. I filmed with immersion, so I could ask those questions, and I joined with the mindset that anyone who loves boxing can enjoy filming."
tvN's I AM BOXER premieres at 11 p.m. on the 21st.
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