‘Racket Boys’ Suspends Airing of Finale Episode Due to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Broadcast
SBS is delaying the much-awaited "Racket Boys" finale to give way to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games broadcast.
The mega-hit Monday and Tuesday drama made the announcement over their official Twitter and Instagram account stating that they will not be airing their 16th episode due to the ongoing sports event.
With this, fans would be waiting another week to get a glimpse of the highly anticipated season finale slated on August 9.
"It was scheduled to air on August 2. SBS Monday-Tuesday drama [Racket Boys]. We would like to inform you that the [2020 Tokyo Olympics] will be canceled due to broadcasting. The final episode will be aired on Monday, August 9 at 10 pm."
In addition, the broadcast network also thanked the public for understanding, following the changes in terms of the program schedule.
8월 2일 방송 예정이던
— SBSNOW (@SBSNOW) August 2, 2021
SBS 월화드라마 [라켓소년단]은
[2020 도쿄올림픽] 중계관계로 결방됨을 알려드립니다.
최종회는 8월 9일 월요일 밤 10시에 방송 예정입니다.
너른 양해 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다.#SBS월화드라마 #라켓소년단 #RacketBoys pic.twitter.com/nF0N4gdkqr
This is not the first time that "Racket Boys" made significant adjustments because of the annual sports event.
Previously, SBS announced that the series would only air once a week starting July 26 due to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Aside from "Racket Boys," "Penthouse 3," medical K-drama "Hospital Playlist 2," and more have also adjusted their program schedule to accommodate the Olympic game.
READ MORE: 'Racket Boys' Cast Flaunts Vibrant Charm for W Korea + Tang Jun Sang Reveals Looking Up To 'Move to Heaven' Co-Star Lee Je Hoon
'Racket Boys' Halts Filming Due to COVID-19
The youth-oriented drama has been facing several delays following its premiere on May 31.
To recall, in the second week of July, the Monday and Tuesday series announced that they postponed its production after one supporting actor tested positive from COVID-19.
Due to the resurging cases of the global pandemic, the management has decided to take a break from filming as a preemptive measure for the health and safety of the whole cast and crew.
"We immediately canceled the filming after recognizing the fact, and all the actors, agency officials, and other staff members are undergoing COVID-19 inspection," a representative from the drama mentioned, adding that they would "resume filming in accordance with the quarantine authorities' instructions."
'Racket Boys' Viewership Rating Sets New Personal Best
As the sports drama is set to reach its much-awaited season finale, "Racket Boys" recently achieved its highest viewership rating.
According to Nielsen Korea, the SBS series garnered a recorded average of 5.6 percent for its nationwide rating.
With this, "Racket Boys" episode 15 managed to sustain the top spot as most-watched Monday-Tuesday evening drama.
During this episode, the sports drama featured a special appearance of South Korea's professional badminton player Lee Yong Dae.
The sports drama, starring Son Sang Yeon, Choi Hyun Wook, Kim Kang Hoon, "Move to heaven" Tang Jun Sang, alongside Kim Sang Kyung and Oh Na Ra, depicts the story of a group of high school students who aim to be professional badminton player someday.
"Racket Boys" has been making waves due to its captivating and exciting storyline that illustrates the journey of yung badminton athletes as they navigate their way into competitive sports.
In addition, it's the first-ever South Korean series that showcases badminton as the highlight of their drama.
