MBC’s Latest Dramedy ‘Mang’s Hater’ Explores Basketball and Online Trolls

South Korea’s broadcasting giant MBC is set to premiere its new two-part weekend drama titled ‘Mang’s Hater’ on Friday, May 23 at 10 PM KST. Anticipation is building as the network recently revealed the drama’s main poster, offering viewers their first look at this sharp-witted sports comedy.

‘Mang’s Hater’ follows a once-renowned pro basketball coach who finds himself on the brink of dismissal due to poor team performance. In a desperate effort to reclaim glory, he forms an unlikely alliance with one of his most brutal online trolls. The result? A hilarious and strategic two-man game that blends court-side drama with digital-age revenge.

The screenplay, which won the grand prize in MBC’s drama script contest, is expected to deliver both quality and storytelling finesse. The project is helmed by Hyun Sol-ip, celebrated for her sensitive direction in the hit drama ‘I’m Crazy for You’. This dynamic pairing of award-winning writing and distinct directorial style promises a compelling single-act drama that’s both heartfelt and highly entertaining.

Adding to the excitement is the stellar cast led by Park Sung-woong and rising talent Park Soo-oh. The ensemble delivers chemistry and intensity that’s already drawing buzz among early viewers. The main poster has especially caught attention by humorously depicting the tense and absurd relationship between the coach and his online nemesis.

The poster showcases the character Mang-gong (played by Park Sung-woong), visibly outraged as he peers through a screen riddled with vicious online comments like “Does he even know tactics?”, “Isn’t coaching the easiest gig these days?”, and “I turned off the TV because of him.” These snapshots vividly capture the mental toll and public scrutiny faced by the character in the face of his team’s decline.

Beside him sits Hwa-jin (played by Park Soo-oh), calmly typing away venomous comments under the alias ‘Mang Extinction Squad.’ As a savant of basketball analytics, his dual role as a tactical mastermind and relentless troll raises curiosity about his motivations and the evolving dynamics between the two men.

‘Mang’s Hater’ combines dark comedy with a sports narrative in a unique way that resonates with a digitally-connected generation. A sharp take on reputational pressure, fandom culture, and comeback redemption, this is one drama viewers won’t want to miss.