Today on the show we're talking about the rise of pickleball in Korea and where to get paddles and balls as well as where to find courts. Then we're talking about our top 10 sports stories of the year because Mr. S didn't like the list in the papers. We have our own ideas.
Also some breaking pickleball news came our way just before recording and we squeezed it through the kitchen!
As usual you can find our transcripts on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home. And we're on Facebook and BlueSky! Look for our logo!
Music by DumiAFava. You can check him out on instagram @daf_daffy247You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes:
Private clubs and courts around Seoul, including Spomotive in Banpo, Songdo Incheon. Banyan Tree Club has pickleball and hosts the Seoul Open. Wonju has a dedicated court. Not as common elsewhere.
Busan Dongrae has a pickleball club, but they seem to be using an indoor badminton court and free nets. There is a national organization now.
The Appeal of Pickleball-Chosun Ilbo.
Pickleball sound from freesound_community on Pixabay.com
Here's our post game show from Gunwi where we covered the Gunwi Phoenix hosting the Samsung Blue Storm in American football 미식축구. It's the last game of season and wow it's a chilly one. How is the league these days? Tube in and find out!
Today on the show Mr. S got yeeted by kids at the traditional see-saw game in the folk village. We will also talk about other traditional games like Squid Game (not the show) and whether or not they can become international sports in the future. Also we've got Worst Persons to complain about because foolishness never takes a break.
GOTW: Wheelchair basketball playoffs in Goyang. K2 Seongnam at Incheon. The KBL promotion with Marvel. And ice hockey returns to Anyang!
Notes:A-need-for-servers-not-self-servers
Complete Guide To 5 Traditional Korean Games | KoreanBuddies
Korean Leisure Activities and Hobbies | Expat Guide Korea
Your Guide to Disc Golf in South Korea | UDisc
KBL-디즈니코리아, 28일부터 마블 테마 팝업스토어 연다 - 스포츠경향
Marathoner says coach offered no apology for ‘forceful’ finish-line grab; coach denies wrongdoing
North Korea U-17 players draw criticism for thuggish conduct against Japan - CHOSUNBIZ
Today on the show it has come to our attention that around this time of year some foreigners plan to return home, so why not get them a bucket list of sports and activities to try before leaving? Some are season dependent so plan accordingly. Some are death-defying like paragliding! But hey, it's cheap here, so do it while you can!
GOTW: Many K2 games and the K1 relegation is still competitive.
Notes:
Optifold (by my friend Ray) eyelid treatment product
https://texaninkorea.wixsite.com/home/korea-circumference-trail
Cycling in Korea: A simple logistical guide for the uninitiated
http://www.dreampara.co.kr/main.php
https://www.goingthewholehogg.com/hiking-hallasan/
https://www.visitjeju.net/en/detail/view?contentsid=CNTS_200000000015146
Today on the show we visit Gyeonggido Shooting Theme Park in Hwaseong to see who's the best shot! It's a fun experience but a bit rough on the hands and shoulders. Also we'll explain how to get there and when to take breaks, and a few things about the history of guns in Korea. No you can' t take them home with you, this is not the States!
There are SOOOOO many Worst Persons in the Korean Sports world today. Bring popcorn!
GOTW: 3 intl Football games to follow plus Korea vs Japan baseball. And the return of Handball!
Music by DumiAFava. Here's his Youtube channel! You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
#shooting #KoreaVsJapan #koreanbaseball #JPOPstars #Guns #gunrange #shootingrange #koreantourism #busan #경기도 #KFA #Jeonbuk
Today on the show we're talking about the basketball leagues and their season starts. We're talking a little about Carl Tamayo and whether or not he stays with the team next season. The WKBL has made some interesting arrangements with the MOJ and we'll talk about that too! If you like basketball we got you covered. If you like footie/soccer, we got you covered too with breaking K-League news. It even broke Mr. S' screen!
GOTW: LG vs Hanwha, Seoul Amazones vs Incheon Red Angels, and Sono vs LG Sakers.
Lots of Worst Persons updates! As usual you can find our transcripts on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home. And we're on Facebook and BlueSky! Look for our logo!
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.GOTW: Jeonbuk vs GImcheon. Baseball Playoffs this weekend!
#KBO #KBL #K-League #LGSakers #KoreanFootball #KCCEgis #WKBL #Chungnam #Asan #KoreanBasketball #basketballseason #EASL #KoreanSports #SportsTalk #Comedy
Today on the show we're talking about the K League season split and the playoffs. Who will get relegated? Who will get to go to the AFC Elite, besides Jeonbuk of course? And we're talking about FC Anyang's first top league season with Mr. Choi a longtime fan! We gave him a proper British accent lolz!
Welcome to the new season of Hwa-Ting sports! As usual you can find our transcripts on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home. And we're on Facebook and BlueSky! Look for our logo!
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.GOTW: Jeonbuk vs GImcheon. Baseball Playoffs this weekend!
#KBO #KBL #K-League #FCAnyang #KoreanFootball #FootballPlayoffs #EASL #KoreanSports #SportsTalk #Comedy
It's the end of Season 3 and we're wrapping up with the KBO Baseball Playoffs! What teams made it in and who actually stands a chance of winning besides LG of course? Mr. S makes his pick. Do you agree? Vote in the poll and we'll see what happens.
GOTW: Auto Racing in Inje, Korea Men's Football vs Brazil, and SSG vs Samsung.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
#KBO #koreanbaseball #HanwhaEagles #SamsungLions #SSGLanders #NCDinos #LGTwins
Mr. S checks out the new and zany world of Sky-drone Soccer! This year's tournament is being hosted at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, and it's a blast...well not literally. Though the computers blasted themselves and the quarterfinals got delayed. Eh, nothing's perfect.
What does this mean for Jeonju's Olympics bid? Let's talk about it.
As usual, music by DumiAFava, and artwork from our cycling expert James! Transcripts and photos at our website hwatingsportspodcast.com!
#drones #droneSports #olympicbids #funsprots #e-sports #koreaSports #sportstalk
Today on the show we're talking about Busan's pride the Lotte Giants, though to be honest it's more of a local shame. A beloved black sheep compared to other teams. The stadium used to be nice, and it will be replaced soon. Mr. S visits it for the last time and finds a good burger.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
#sports #Koreansports #sportstalk #KBO #baseball #Busan #LotteGiants
Notes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHqBQIEd6aQ
https://www.mk.co.kr/en/society/11358973
https://mykbostats.com/teams/2-Lotte-Giants
Woman arrested for allegedly attacking former speed skating coach over sexual assault case
Today on the show, Mr. S decides to pick a Sports town! What are sports towns and does Korea have them? We may have to play with the definition a bit. Vote in our Spotify or Facebook pool for the winner!
GOTW: There are a lot of games and tournaments this week! Pick your poison!
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes
Sports towns article-SportsBank
https://x.com/KORFootballNews/status/1961796098537959619
https://www.starnewskorea.com/sports/2025/09/06/2025090610461367806
Gwangju: 4 pro teams, lots of championships, hosted sports events, sold out baseball but 4,000 average attendance this season, volleyball and handball don’t have proper attendance records.
Busan: Many teams, no baseball championships since 1992, even E-Sports teams and American college football, football top 5 in attendance, Busan got a men’s volleyball team this year thanks to efforts from city hall. Sports bars; Yes, called DugOut!
Seoul: Many sports bars, lots of fans, so many teams, championship teams, but some stadium problems due to overbooking and concerts. They also lost the Olympics bid.
Suwon: hosts many international events to get things out of Seoul, some championship teams, a couple of sports bars.
Daejeon: Many teams like American football as well, some decent football teams, and a TV-Run baseball team, along with a military rugby team. Fans love the baseball team even when they’re trash. The other teams… not so much but Daejeon Hana gets 10k fans a game. The Bluefangs men's volleyball team used to be the best but now they aren’t good.
Anyang: Hockey town feel, lots of fans at the hockey games, winning culture, decent soccer attendance, but the basketball team has had some struggles. The city and transportation ministry plan to open a subway station near the sports complex to improve the transportation links.
Daegu: Has a bit of everything, more of a baseball town, strong fan support for other teams, even some surprise teams like a baduk league, and they have hosted international events. I went to the athletic games in Daegu and saw blade runner. But fans are fickle here. They have 1 sports pub in the baseball stadium, with uncertain hours.
#sports #Koreansports #sportstalk #KBO #baseball #football #volleyball #sportstowns #sportsculture #KPOPStars #newsports
Today on the show we're talking about Changwon's first pro baseball team the NC Dinos. If negotiations fail, it might be their last pro team. Lots of controversy to cover in today's episode. Mr. S also went to the stadium and found the spot where the tragedy occurred. Has Changwon made the necessary changes? We'll talk about Eric Thames, the Hacker brawl, and the gambling controversy of 2016. Get your popcorn because there are MANY winners of the Worst Persons in Sports awards this episode.
GOTW: K3 footie Yangpyeong vs BTC on Sunday, Gwangju Archery Championships Sept 5th to 12th.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
#sports #Koreansports #sportstalk #KBO #baseball #football #archery
Notes:
Controversy over site selection for NC Dinos home stadium - NamuWiki
https://www.sbnation.com/2020/11/24/21612616/korean-world-series-sword-trophy
Changwon NC Park Structure Faller Accident/Process - NamuWiki
Eric Thames celebrates NC Dinos with first pitch and fan support in Changwon - CHOSUNBIZ
https://blog.naver.com/sjhw118/223979996096
대학축구 경기서 나온 ’29 대 0′… 만화 같은 스코어, 이유 있었다
Gwangju 2025 World Archery (Para) Championships
Today on the show we're interviewing sports fan Jackie about his experiences with sports in Korea and some of the differences between cultures there and in the USA. Also we talked about water sports in Korea and the strange disappearance of kayaks from 곡성 Gokseong county's rivers. And how does he feel about sports betting? Is it as in-your-face in Korea as it is in the West? Tune in and get your answers here!
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
#sports #Koreansports #sportstalk
Today, we're talking about billiards, one of Korea's big hobbies and championship caliber products! We'll talk a little about the history, some famous players, and how you can find them in your neighborhood. Yes, neighborhood because unless you're in the countryside, there's probably 2 on your closest busy street.
Game of the Week!: FC Barcelona is in town and the other leagues are on summer break, but there's still K2 action worth watching, especially Bucheon vs Seongnam. Also, look for LG vs Samsung. And if you want to be indoors, there's a volleyball tournament in Danyang.
Worst Persons in Korean Sports is a shorter segment today.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
#sports #Koreansports #sportstalk
Notes:
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-3-cushion-billiards-so-popular-in-South-Korea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sang_Lee
https://en.namu.wiki/w/%EB%8B%B9%EA%B5%AC%EC%9E%A5
https://en.namu.wiki/w/%EB%8B%B9%EA%B5%AC
Japanese Billiards: The Evolution of Pocketless Pool Tables in Japan and Korea.
After years of decline, billiards on the rebound
https://en.namu.wiki/w/%EB%8B%B9%EA%B5%AC
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-3-cushion-billiards-so-popular-in-South-Korea
https://m.sports.naver.com/kfootball/article/657/0000041096 - Daegu FC’s fans
Today on the show we're talking about the often-overlooked college sports in Korea and where you can find details about them. We'll talk about the differences here with the more obsessed USA NCAA system as well as Korea's recent changes. Then we'll talk about the 2015 Gwangju Universiade and our experiences there.
Game of the week: Wheelchair basketball in Suwon, Roller skating in Jecheon, Kia Vs Lotte in Busan, Gwangju FC vs Jeonbuk, Seoul City Hall vs Incheon Red Angels.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes
https://www.chungcheong2027.com/en/main.do
https://jcasiaroller.com/#lang=enhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMn2J2kJy0s
https://www.kusf.or.kr/
Today on the show we've got a short episode dedicated to the East Asian Football Federation Championships played this month in the Suwon area. How did Korea do? If you didn't watch it, you probably never knew it was happening.
Game of the week: Dragons vs Bluewings K2. Baseball might have trouble because of rain. Korea vs Qatar Basketball tonight and Sunday afternoon.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes
https://eaff.com/
#EAFF #football #KoreanSports
Today on the show we're talking about the Hanwha Eagles, Daejeon's premier baseball team! Mr. S went to their new stadium last night to check it out and give you the details.
Game of the week: KBO All-Star Game. K-League 1 is on a short break because of EAFF.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes:
https://mykbostats.com/teams/4-Hanwha-Eagles
Liam Gallagher apologizes for offensive 'Ching Chong' remark before Korea visit - CHOSUNBIZ
As fans rage over Ki Sung-yueng's unceremonious transfer, FC Seoul organizes meeting
NC Dinos extend deadline for home city to meet demands amid relocation threat
Today on the show we're talking about our favorite Korean athletes that we haven't talked about (much) on the show. We'll cover baseball, basketball, football, golf, and kabaddi. Yes, kabaddi. You didn't know Koreans played Kabaddi? And this is why you have to tune in! You learn something new every day!
GAME OF THE WEEK! Samsung vs LG and 3x3 Women's basketball in a mall!
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes:
https://m.sports.naver.com/basketball/article/144/0001047480
#KoreanAthletes #Koreansports #sportstalk #koreatravel #culture #sportsculture #KBO #KBL #KLPGA #kabaddi
Today on the show, Mr. S goes on assignment in Jinju to cover the bull fights of traditional Korean Culture found in a modern stadium that didn't have bulgogi. We'll talk a little about the history and where you find the bullfights, along with the modern controversy of animal rights. It's one of those sports you probably would only want to see once, unless you like betting.
GAME OF THE WEEK! Hanwha vs Kia at 5PM on Sunday, along with Dangjin vs Geoje K4 footie.
If you want to read along, our transcripts are on our website hwatingsportspodcast.com/home
Music by DumiAFava. We'll get contact info from him soon but if you wanna reach him, send an email. You can get our transition clip and other effects here at Pixabay.
Special thanks to our artist James, who made the logo. Check out his blog "A Texan in Korea," and his cycling notes as well.
Notes:
Jinju Launches 2025 Saturday Permanent Folk Bullfighting Competition
Origins of Bull-fighting in Korea [Korean Herald]
Bullfighting back in the ring, but activists cry foul over animal cruelty - The Korea Times
#bullfighting #animalrights #Traditionalsports #Koreansports #sportsinkorea
A post-game show from Kia Champions field in Gwangju after the Softbank Hawks 3rd minor league team beat the pants off the Kia Tigers future's league team 6-0. Despite the score, it was certainly worth our time as our postgame report will demonstrate.
Also a worst-persons update at the end of the episode.
As usual, you can learn more about the show by going to hwatingsportspodcast.com for our website and transcripts, except for live shows lolz.
#softbankhawks #KiaTigers #minorleaguebaseball #sportspodcast #sports #Koreansports