While surfing around Disney+ / HULU's streaming offerings one night I happened upon something I wouldn't ordinarily watch -- a Korean variety series on a sports theme that was treated very much like a drama set up -- titled I Am BOXER (Nov. / Dec. 2025). I was immediately hooked on it, especially when I saw that one of my top three Korean actors Jang Hyuk (Chuno, Thank You, Midas, Beautiful Mind, Fated To Love You, Into The Sunlight, Voice, Bandit, Money Flower, The Crowned Clown, Old Goodbye, My Country: The New Age, Successful Story Of A Bright Girl, Wok Of Love, Family: The Unbreakable Bond) was going to be involved, and even engage in a fight match. Apparently he has enjoyed boxing to stay in shape for his many action acting roles for over two decades and even though he is 49 years old now he was still in fantastic shape, fighting against a man over twenty years younger than himself, new actor Lee Do Woon, who had admired Jang Hyuk's physical prowess for years! How many almost 50 year old men do you know who look this fantastic? :)

The Main Judge / Emcee was played by prolific character actor Ma Dong Seok (Master Don Lee Boxing Name) who has also been involved with boxing for decades, even owning his own practice ring gym business. His fellow supporting emcee / judges were singer Kim Jong Kook and actor Dex, who also have been involved with boxing for many years. Kim Jong Kook in particular is good friends with Jang Hyuk in real life and you could see him visibly nervous when it was Jang Hyuk's turn to engage in a match. (Jang Hyuk's match occurs in episode two near the beginning).

A total of 90 boxers, both professional and amateur, took part in this series and were competing for various impressive prizes such as $300K in prize money and a rare luxury custom SUV. Boxers were of all ages and builds and experience, from feather-weights to heavy-weights, which made the series doubly interesting because you could see they were all learning techniques from one another. Each match of two fighters paired off was only one round each, with Ma Dong Seok the main judge hitting a buzzer when it was time for each pair to stop fighting. He was also the main decider as to who the winner of each match would be.

There were also large groups of separated boxers who had other contests to compete in, like one to decide which team could hit all the boxing pins down the fastest. There was a lot of jovial camaraderie among all the contestants, a lot of laughter and funny impromptu dialogue that had me laughing out loud.

Judge / Emcee Ma Dong Seok

Frankly, I've never been much of a sports person, but I am so glad I checked this out. Although the poster says it's on Disney+ streaming if you have the combination Disney+ / HULU streaming set up (I pay only 12 dollars a month for it) when you click on the title you are actually taken to HULU to watch the series. Do check it out, you will probably find it as enjoyable as I did. :)

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