{"id":7707,"date":"2026-10-09T15:09:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T15:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=7707"},"modified":"2026-10-09T15:09:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T15:09:23","slug":"enemies-in-the-outfield-blends-baseball-into-dating-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=7707","title":{"rendered":"‘Enemies in the Outfield’ blends baseball into dating show"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A roundtable interview for Tving\u2019s \u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u201d is being held at a cafe in Seoul\u2019s Seodaemun District, Wednesday. Courtesy of Tving<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tving\u2019s \u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u201d is carving out a niche with a novel format that combines baseball and romance. <\/p>\n

The dating reality show brings together singles who support rival professional baseball teams and has them watch actual games at the ballpark. The Hankook Ilbo spoke with the show\u2019s producers and hosts about what sets the program apart and what viewers can expect as the season unfolds.<\/p>\n

A roundtable interview for the Tving original variety show was held at a cafe in Seoul\u2019s Seodaemun District on Wednesday afternoon. It was attended by producer Lee Ki-yeon and hosts Lee Yong-jin, Hwang Jae-gyun and Jung Ye-in.<\/p>\n

First released on Sept. 14, \u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u201d follows men and women who support different Korean baseball league teams as they watch games together at actual stadiums while looking for romance.<\/p>\n

The show has drawn attention for incorporating real league games into its romantic storyline. It also adds a love triangle involving a third participant, as well as choices between romance and season tickets. Meanwhile, the experienced hosts, who are well versed in both baseball and variety shows, provide play-by-play commentary on the participants\u2019 romantic developments and the games themselves, adding to the entertainment.<\/p>\n

The response has been particularly strong among male viewers. In its second week, the show recorded a 30 percent viewing share among men in their 20s and 30s, ranking second among Tving\u2019s major programs behind the drama \u201cNew Recruit 4: Sabotage.\u201d Its viewing share among men in their 40s reached 15 percent, the highest among Tving\u2019s major programs.<\/p>\n

On why the show has attracted a higher proportion of male viewers than other dating programs, Lee Ki-yeon said, \u201cI\u2019ve heard that many baseball fans watch it because it goes hand in hand with baseball. I also think viewers enjoy the dopamine rush that comes from a blind date with two men competing for one woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lee Yong-jin added, \u201cI think it satisfies the desire among male viewers who think, \u2018I wish my girlfriend would enjoy my hobby with me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Lee, who also serves as a host on Tving\u2019s hit dating show \u201cTransit Love,\u201d cited the fact that \u201ceverything happens within a single episode\u201d as one of \u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u2019s\u201d distinguishing features.<\/p>\n

Unlike other dating reality shows that take their time developing the participants\u2019 backstories, the show moves quickly. \u201cThe participants film for four or five hours at a time, alongside an actual baseball game, so they really put forth their best and are more proactive,\u201d Lee said. \u201cI think that creates another kind of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The enthusiasm surrounding baseball also made recruiting participants relatively easy. \u201cThankfully, a lot of people applied,\u201d Lee Ki-yeon said, explaining that the production team focused on finding people who could enjoy the excitement of baseball together.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people watch quietly and intently, but because we pair up rival teams, we wanted people who could show their passion and energy and make a case for their own team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The producer was also positive about the possibility of a second season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chemistry among everyone is so good that it\u2019s sad to see the season come to an end,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to discuss it with Tving and prepare for Season 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also hinted that discussions are underway to expand the format\u2019s intellectual property into various sports overseas.<\/p>\n

The show is targeting both dating-show viewers and baseball fans. \u201cFrom the beginning, we wanted to capture both audiences,\u201d Lee Ki-yeon said. \u201cWe thought, \u2018Why not put two hot things together \u2014 baseball and romance?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The hosts also pointed to similarities between baseball and romance, both of which are filled with intense emotions and unpredictable turns.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s not over until it’s over,\u201d Jung said. \u201cYou never know what\u2019s going to happen. I think it\u2019s similar in that you never know where someone\u2019s feelings will go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hwang said baseball can produce dramatic comebacks even when a team is trailing by five or six runs. \u201cThere are also sudden reversals in blind dates,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Lee Yong-jin drew a parallel with the courage it takes to make a romantic confession.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about confessing your feelings to someone you\u2019re attracted to,\u201d he said. \u201cIn baseball, if you don\u2019t swing the bat, nothing happens. I think the two are similar in that you need the courage to take a swing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u201d consists of eight episodes. Four episodes have been released so far, with new episodes released every Monday at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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A roundtable interview for Tving\u2019s \u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u201d is being held at a cafe in Seoul\u2019s Seodaemun District, Wednesday. Courtesy of Tving Tving\u2019s \u201cEnemies in the Outfield\u201d is carving out a niche with a novel format that combines baseball and romance. The dating reality show brings together singles who support rival professional baseball teams…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_templately_pack_id":"","_templately_imported_at":"","_templately_source":"","_templately_import_session_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-korea","category-trending-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t