A new love triangle is born in the national juniors training camp!
It’s the start of the national juniors training camp, and the national youth team is up for various strenuous training sessions. More than that, Yoon Hae Kang is fired up in beating his rival Park Chan both in badminton and love.
Marcie Line watches Racket Boys on Netflix
Episode recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 & 06 | Mid-Series | 09
Racket Boys Episode 9 Key Moments
“We’re not here for fun.”
The national juniors training camp has begun, and the national youth team is set for different heavy training sessions. Coach Yoon enjoys the perks of being a coach of the national team, but Coach Ra reminds him to stay alert.
Hae Kang and Lee Na Ra see the photographer asking Se Yoon and Park Chan to take photos together. They are annoyed because their rival is with the person they’re interested in.
Head Coach Fang assigns Coach Yoon to monitor the youth team in climbing the top of the mountain. Han Sol and Hae Kang attempt to hide from the rest of the team while climbing the mountain. However, Head Coach Fang catches them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcmOHnr0S4/
“To be honest, what’s sadder than them leaving is that they have no luggage. They threw everything away, or had nothing in the first place.”
With a gift in hand, a resident of the village bids farewell to village chief Hong. The village chief understands that people would want to build their own path. They leave with no belongings because that person may have wanted to forget everything about living in the countryside.
A meeting for the revitalization of the town is held as suggested, and the elders are confused about what its purpose is. Yong Tae suggests an outrageous idea of building subways, department stores, and an airport in their village.
His teammates, the village chief, and other attendees of the meeting are shocked and displeased with his bold suggestion. Another suggestion is presented in the meeting, and the majority of the attendees are persuaded in using contemporary methods to promote traditional things.
“The girls should protect the boys.”
While going down the mountain, Coach Yoon along with some members of the national youth team lose their way. Coach Yoon assigns the girls and boys to pair up with each other so that the girls may protect the boys. Se Yoon assigns Han Sol to Yoon Dam, and herself to Hae Kang. Being the pair that is left, Park Chan and Lee Nara walk together.
A flashback of Coach Yoon in his days as part of the national youth team is shown, and it reveals that Coach Ra has a lot of admirers. Back to the present, Se Yoon and Hae Kang lose sight of Coach Yoon.
Hae Kang assures there’s nothing to worry about since he has learned a lot from the show “Law of the Jungle”. They take a break by the river, and Se Yoon soaks her feet in the water. She invites Hae Kang to do the same, but he refuses. However, when Se Yoon’s shoe accidentally falls down to the water, Hae Kang willingly jumps to the water to save it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQsp6w8t57h/
“Badminton is just Badminton.”
At night, Hae Kang, Park Chan, and other players from Hwasun sneak their way out to go to a Noraebang (singing room). They get back to the training camp, but Coach Fang discovers them. He warns them of their disqualification of being part of the national team if they lose in tomorrow’s practice match with Japan.
Lee Na Ra lies to Se Yoon that Coach Ra asked her to relay that tomorrow’s morning training starts at eight even though it was really set at seven. Se Yoon’s roommate wakes her up saying that they’re about to be late and she should already prepare since training starts at seven.
In the practice match, the shuttlecock hits Hae Kang’s eye, but he still wins the game. Their teammates are amazed and state that the fear of disqualification makes anyone forget their pain.
They win in their matches against Japan, and the coaches are amazed. Se Yoon clarifies that it was not hate for their Japanese opponents which made them motivated to win. Regardless of the opponent’s country, they are all just motivated to do well in sports.
The guard asks for the keys to the gymnasium. Everyone thinks that Na Ra was the first to wake up for training. However, it turns out that Se Yoon is actually the first one to wake up at dawn.
“But you know, you have to show her that you like her. Or she’ll never know.”
Han Sol dresses up prettily, and Se Yoon arrives at her room’s door dressed up as if she’s attending training. Han Sol lends Se Yoon some clothes, and they both walk to Hae Kang and Yoon Dam.
The four agree to split up and travel in pairs. Han Sol is paired again with Yoon Dam, and Se Yoon with Hae Kang. They all go out to buy the things Yong Tae asked them to.
Hae Kang asks a passerby (cameo appearance of Lee Si-eon) on the beach to take a picture of him and Se Yoon together. After taking the photos, he teases Hae Kang on having a crush and offers some advice. Hae Kang thanks the passerby, but mistakes that he has experience in dating.
The four of them get back to the camp, with Park Chan waiting for Se Yoon. They leave Se Yoon with Park Chan having a serious conversation.
“You don’t deserve to play sports if you can’t follow basic rules.”
In a meeting, Head Coach Fang reveals that threatening disqualification is just a tactic used in third years. He also states that he was the one who created the secret exit in the camp. Head Coach Fang praises this year’s win against Japan for the first time in 10 years. He acknowledges the impact Coach Yoon has and recalls how strict Coach Bae was in the past.
For their last night in the training camp, the boys and the girls of the national youth team hang out at Han Sol’s room. At first, they plan to try an alcoholic beverage but settle in playing the liar game. Their noises are heard in the hallway, and someone warns them that the coaches will make rounds in their room.
As Coach Lee Yu-ri and Head Coach Fang arrive in the room, Han Sol and her roommate appear to be the only ones there. They were able to hide the other members, and deceived the coaches that the two of them were just planning to drink but decided not to.
Just when the coaches leave the room, they go out of their hiding places thinking that they are already safe. The coaches come back to the room and discover them. They are then given the punishment of running laps. Left in the closet together, Se Yoon asks Hae Kang if he will be able to fulfill his promise of defeating Park Chan in their match.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQr8FWXgjfE/
Racket Boys Episode 9 Musings
This episode had a lot of comedic scenes, and it was really entertaining. Coach Fang was really keen on catching Hae Kang and Han Sol from escaping the training. We were able to realize that older people know the tricks that young ones can do since they have already been there.
Yong Tae’s suggestion seems outrageous for a rural area, but what’s nice in that town meeting was that all age groups were able to share their opinions. Old or young, all were encouraged to speak.
Se Yoon’s character is really someone worthy of praise especially when she talked about their match with Japan. She emphasized that they are motivated for the sport itself not because of hate for their opponent. Racket Boys was again able to incorporate that the motivations of the past shall not be the same as today.
Blossoming romances of the characters in the series really radiates brightness and innocence. Viewers shall look forward to Se Yoon and Hae Kang’s story, as well as Yoon Dam and Han Sol’s. Other than that, we are hinted at Hae Kang possibly taking a break from sports. We shall look forward to the next episode on how Hae Kang’s injury would affect his team.
Catch the next episode of Racket Boys on SBS. English subtitles for international fans are available on Netflix.
Photos: SBS | Netflix
