Original subtitles

[♪ theme music playing]

[narrator] The winner of I Am Boxer will receive a grand prize of 300 million

-and a top-of-the-line flagship SUV. -[♪ upbeat music playing]

[♪ tense music playing]

Hello, I'm Kuk Seungjun from the Hwasun County boxing team.

My name is Lee Chaehyun, and I'm with the KAFAC.

Salute!

There are a few fighters here I'm wary of.

Lee Chaehyun, for one.

[spectators clamoring]

[contestant 1] Nice slip and rip!

Great, he's fast.

THE OUTBOXER WHO CAUGHT DON LEE'S EYE

WIN AGAINST AN AMERICAN BOXER

-He ate that counter head-on! -[clamoring continues]

Down, down, down!

WIN AGAINST AN MMA FIGHTER

[Seungjun] He was just so good.

I'll show you what textbook boxing looks like.

[contestant] He's super fast.

FIGHT 3 WIN AGAINST A SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT

-[clamoring continues] -He was on another level.

He's experienced and composed.

A WELL-ROUNDED BOXER RECOGNIZED BY WORLD CHAMPION BIVOL

I want that I Am Boxer champion belt.

QUARTERFINALS TO SEMIFINALS

This is my turn to shine.

-This is my stage. -[chanting]

[Chaehyun] I was getting fired up.

QUARTERFINALS WIN AGAINST A GHANAIAN BOXER

[Seungheon] Lee Chaehyun has a really solid, well-rounded skill set.

[Gyuwon] He's a naturally gifted boxer.

Honestly, I don't think I paid much attention to Kuk Seungjun.

[contestant 1] I bet he got cast for his looks.

[contestant 2] This is insane!

His eyes changed.

Once he steps into the ring, he's a different person.

This is straight out of a movie.

He can fight, sure.

But I wasn't that worried.

[Dex] He's not pressing like he did last round.

[Seungjun] I kept thinking, "What if I lose?"

I wasn't very confident to begin with.

[♪ melancholy music playing]

[Seungjun] I'm not happy with my performance.

I fought so badly.

Round 3 didn't sit right with me either.

I'd lost confidence in myself.

I think that shook me mentally.

[Lee] The survivor of this match is

Lee Gijun from the blue corner.

Then I thought, "I need to step it up."

"If I want to get stronger,"

"I have to believe in myself and fight with confidence."

[Seungheon] It's Kuk Seungjun!

He drew attention early on because of his looks,

but he's now considered the most improved fighter.

[exclaims] I'm going to go all out.

And nice body shot!

-Kuk is going for it! -[spectators clamoring]

[Gyuwon] This is a chance for Kuk Seungjun!

The winner is…

Kuk Seungjun.

-…Kuk Seungjun. -[spectators cheering]

-[applause] -[exclaims]

THE EVER-EVOLVING INFIGHTER, BODY KILLER KUK SEUNGJUN

Certainly!

[Seungheon] It's the finals of I Am Boxer!

[Lee] A new champion will be crowned here today!

[Chaehyun] I'd say I'm a step ahead technically.

There's not much between us anyway.

I believe I can edge out a win.

-[♪ upbeat music playing] -Box!

[bell dings]

-[Seungheon] Nice body shot! -[Dex] That landed!

[Gyuwon] That's a dangerous punch from Kuk Seungjun!

[spectator 1] Let's go, Chaehyun!

-That's veteran savvy from Lee Chaehyun! -[spectators clamoring]

-[spectator 2] That's it! -This really feels like the finals.

-[Dex] Come on, let's go! -[Lee] Keep throwing!

OUTBOXING ALL-ROUNDER VS EVOLVING INFIGHTER

The blockbuster boxing survival show.

I Am Boxer.

-[Jongkook] The champion is… -[bell dings]

[♪ playful music playing]

Ever been to Apgujeong?

No, actually, this is my first time.

-Really? -Yes.

-You country bumpkin. [chuckles] -[chuckles]

Hey, hold on… [chuckling]

We're just hanging out. What's with the military uniform?

[chuckles]

[sighs]

-Here they come. -[chuckles]

-[contestant 1 clamors] -[contestant 2 clamors, chuckles]

PARK YOUNGHO, KIM HYUNJUN, CHO HYUNJAE

Why fight? Just do rock-paper-scissors.

HONG SUNGMIN, YUK JUNSEO

Let me explain why we're here today.

With the finals coming up, I know you've been grinding nonstop.

So today, in Apgujeong,

-let's have some fun, relax, -[Sungmin] Yep.

-[Youngho] and recharge. -[contestant] Let's go.

Seungjun totally looks like he belongs here.

-Right? -And you've never been here before?

[Sungmin] He looks like a local.

First stop, the arcade.

-All right! -Sounds good.

So, can we expect a punching machine showdown today?

-[exclaims] -[Hyunjae grunts]

-[♪ upbeat music playing] -Let's do it. Just us this time.

-This is it. -Wow.

[exclaims]

[Junseo] Take it easy, guys. No pressure.

-Hey, Seungjun! -Nice one!

Look at the puck, Seungjun!

-I can't! -[Sungmin] Work on your tracking, man!

[Hyunjae] Eyes on the puck!

-[exclaims] -[chuckles]

[Youngho] That thing's practically calling us.

Yeah, the punching machine.

At last, the main event of the day.

-How about a little taste of the finals? -[contestants exclaim]

Seungjun versus Chaehyun.

A little pre-fight event.

-[laughs] -[contestants exclaim]

[contestant] Okay, sure.

Sounds fun.

[contestants clamor]

[clamoring, chattering]

-To the camera. Turn around. -[chuckles]

No, keep going, man!

-All right, there you go! -[♪ upbeat music playing]

ALL-AROUND OUTBOXER, PRINCE LEE CHAEHYUN

Nice. That's it.

Seungjun, your turn.

Show him what you've got, man.

EVER-EVOLVING INFIGHTER BODY KILLER KUK SEUNGJUN

[contestant] All right, fair enough. Let's give him an A for effort.

You up for this?

Let's make it a real bet.

-Loser buys dinner. -Dinner?

-[clamors] -How does that sound? Deal?

-Deal. -[contestants laughing]

-You sure military pay can cover that? -Prices around here are no joke, though.

[Youngho] Loser buys dinner. Deal?

-Deal? -Okay, deal.

My punching power's gone up these days.

I mean for real.

-Okay, go, go, go. -I'll hit on 10.

-[♪ tense music playing] -My palms are all sweaty.

[Youngho] Load up and go!

[contestants clamor]

-[contestant 1 exclaims] -[contestants clamor]

[exclaiming]

MYUNG HYUNMAN: 9,291 POINTS

-All right, whenever you're ready… -[Dex exclaims]

[contestants cheering]

KIM MINUK: 9,367 POINTS

-Load up and go! -[exclaim]

-You hit the side. -That was a bit off.

[contestant] All right!

LEE CHAEHYUN: 9,537 POINTS

For real?

But 9,500? That's huge.

[Chaehyun] Of course.

-Hold on. Come here. -Let's take this off first.

-Hey, hey, stop. Not the pants. [laughs] -[contestants laughing]

Seriously, don't.

[Youngho] Let's do this.

[♪ tense music playing]

-Will he top that? -Go.

-All right! -That should beat it.

[Youngho] That should beat it.

-And he beat it! -[cheering]

LEE CHAEHYUN: 9,537 POINTS KUK SEUNGJUN: 9,663 POINTS

-Wait, but… -[Seungjun] Hey!

[contestants cheering]

-[laugh] -[♪ upbeat music playing]

[Junseo] Wait, 9,600? That's gotta be the top score.

-That's insane. -It's 9,600.

He's buying, right?

Well, you lost, so dinner's on you.

Fine, I'll buy.

[Junseo] Hey, this is kind of cruel. Soldiers don't have money.

[Chaehyun] It's okay. I lost.

[♪ playful music playing]

I'm hungry.

Where's good for pizza these days?

-No More P****. -What… What should we get?

[Hyunjae] I love No More P****.

-Let's get shrimp pizza. -[Chaehyun] Shrimp?

You two are in the same weight class

-in amateur boxing, right? -That's right.

So how many times have you faced each other?

Three times total.

Twice in 2022.

-Once this year. Yes. -Once this year?

I won twice back then,

and lost the recent one.

So it's two to one. There's gotta be some rivalry there.

I saw their most recent match.

It was intense.

They were super evenly matched.

[♪ tense music playing]

[contestants grunting]

FIRST MATCH - 2022 NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEE CHAEHYUN WON

SECOND MATCH, 2022 52ND PRESIDENT'S CUP

[Seungjun] Back in college,

I couldn't deal with Chaehyun's timing and speed.

LEE CHAEHYUN WON

But I really wanted to win.

[spectators clamoring]

[Seungjun] So in our most recent match, I went on the offensive first

and threw him off his rhythm instead.

THIRD MATCH, 2025 55TH PRESIDENT'S CUP

KUK SEUNGJUN WON

[Seungjun] You could say he's my rival.

[Chaehyun] Facing him on this stage should be fun.

He knows my game, and I know his.

-That's why it's tough. [inhales sharply] -[contestant grunts]

We know each other too well.

[Junseo] Honestly, it's hard to call. Both of you are so good.

-This looks good. -That's a lot of toppings.

[Youngho] Here's to Chaehyun and Seungjun making the finals!

-Cheers! -[contestants] Cheers!

We did a lot today. The arcade, walking around…

That should've burned a ton of calories.

So now it's time to refuel with protein.

-[♪ upbeat music playing] -[contestants exclaim]

You almost ate the whole thing.

[Seungjun grunts]

-This tastes epic. -[Youngho] Epic, huh? [laughs]

I love how you can really bite into the shrimp.

[Hyunjae] This one's my favorite.

Love the corn and shrimp combination.

-Shrimp's packed with protein, so… -[contestant 2] Yum, so good.

Feels like I blinked and it's the finals. [inhales sharply]

So many people are cheering for me too.

Give us a fight to remember.

I hope you two make it a great ending for I Am Boxer.

[♪ tense music playing]

-Let's go! -Let's go!

-[person] Nine! -Nine!

-Come on, two more! Just two more! -[Seungjun breathing heavily]

[person 3] Extend!

[exclaims]

[♪ tense music playing]

[contestant 1] There's a place that represents every boxer's dream.

It's a dream stage for boxers.

The most famous arena.

[Hyeongbin] It's sacred ground in boxing.

[contestant 2] If you're a boxer, there's no way you don't know this place.

[Hyunman] It's the stage you dream about as a kid.

[contestant 3] Every boxer dreams of fighting there.

It feels surreal that I'll be fighting here.

So many champions have been crowned here,

and I want to be one of them.

FINALS VENUE, JANGCHUNG ARENA IN SEOUL

I'll give it everything I have.

I'll fight like my life depends on it.

[narrator] It is the long-awaited finals of I Am Boxer!

Please enjoy the fight with your loudest cheers!

Please welcome Master Don Lee

-and the hosts Kim Jongkook and Dex! -[spectators cheering]

[applause]

[♪ tense music playing]

[spectators cheering intensifies]

-[Dex cheers] -[spectators cheering intensifies]

[Lee] The blockbuster boxing survival show.

Welcome to I Am Boxer.

[spectators cheering]

Hi, I'm Don Lee, a small local gym owner,

and the Master of I Am Boxer.

Nice to meet you.

[spectators cheering]

It all comes down to the final match.

The match that will crown the champion.

The finals will be a 10-round boxing match,

three minutes per round.

[spectator] That's intense.

[Lee] Ladies and gentlemen,

only top-level boxers can handle

ten three-minute rounds.

This will be a massive bout.

Are you all ready to enjoy this?

-[Seungheon] Yeah! -[Lee] Yeah!

The show that will ignite a boxing boom in Korea, I Am Boxer,

starts now.

[spectators cheering]

Shall we introduce the stars who joined us for today's finals?

[Lee] Absolutely.

-They're the legends of Korean boxing. -[spectators cheering]

[Lee] Champion Park Chongpal and Champion Yuh Myungwoo.

PARK CHONGPAL, YUH MYUNGWOO

I think the audience is really going to love our next guests.

We have an amazing lineup of celebrity chefs today.

Please welcome Chef Lee Yeonbok, Chef Edward Lee, and Chef Jung Jisun!

-Hey, our beloved chefs! -[cheering]

[Jongkook] We also have in our audience, Singer YOUNGTAK!

-And right beside him is Actress Oh Nara. -[♪ tense music playing]

[Lee] Please say hello.

[Jongkook] I also see Actress Park Haseon, and Yubin of Wonder Girls.

She showed us her signature choreo.

And joining us as well, members of my gym.

Please welcome Actress Lee Joobeen.

LEE JOOBEEN ACTRESS

[Lee] Right next to her, we have rapper Simon Dominic.

-[Jongkook] Simon Dominic's here? -[Dex exclaims]

♪ Simon, Simon Dominic ♪

[Jongkook] He's been training really hard in boxing lately.

So many celebrities are into boxing these days.

We also have Jung Chansung

and Max Holloway watching this match.

Next up, our number one celebrity fighter.

Give it up for Burger Brother, Hyojun.

[Dex] The champ himself! [exclaims, laughs]

PARK HYOJUN ACTOR & NO. 1 CELEB FIGHTER?

[Jongkook] He certainly has that Tyson-look.

[Seungheon] And right beside him,

joining us to support me, her husband,

Ms. Ye Junghwa.

[Jongkook] There you are!

[Lee] Let's hear it for her, everyone.

[Jongkook] Look at that, she's sending hearts our way.

[Dex] Again, thank you to everyone for joining us tonight.

Before we get started on the semifinals, Dex and I have prepared

a very special match for you.

Wait till you see who's coming out.

You're in for a real surprise.

Even I got excited when I heard who'd be part of this special match.

[Dex] Right, it is truly a clash of Korean boxing legends.

Let's bring out the fighters

for the first special match.

Entering from the blue corner,

Thunder, Kwon Ohgon!

-[spectators cheering] -[applause]

[♪ tense music playing]

THUNDER KWON OHGON

[Seungheon] This is the I Am Boxer finals, kicking things off with a special match.

Here's our first fighter, Kwon Ohgon.

[Gyuwon] He's widely regarded as the fastest boxer in Korea today.

KWON OHGON'S WIFE

[spectator 2] Let's go!

[spectator 3] Man, he's cool!

[spectators cheering continues]

[spectator] You're the man!

[team member 1] Let's do this.

[team member 2] Let's not get hurt today. Just have fun and stay safe.

-One, two, three, let's go! -[team members] Yeah!

[Seungheon] Though he narrowly missed the finals,

he's a fighter who's inspired many others.

I'm curious to see what kind of fight he puts on tonight.

That was Kwon Ohgon.

All right.

You stood up earlier, and it put pressure on him.

[chuckles]

We never said we'd stand up when introducing the fighter,

-but since Dex went ahead and did it… -[chuckles]

…I guess I will too. [inhales deeply]

Entering from the red corner, Snyper, Kim Minuk!

-[spectators cheering] -[applause]

HAIRY HUNK KIM MINUK

[♪ tense music playing]

SNYPER KIM MINUK

[Seungheon] Now entering the arena is Kim Minuk.

[Gyuwon] A former East Asian champion,

known for his crisp, Mexican-style boxing.

KIM MINUK'S WIFE

[spectators cheering continues]

There's real weight to his presence, huh?

-I got chills. -Same.

[Minuk supporter] Son!

[spectator 2] Let's go!

KIM MINUK'S PARENTS

[spectators cheering continues]

[Seungheon] We'll be watching for that big shot!

Snyper, Kim Minuk!

[spectators cheering intensifies]

-[spectator 1] Let's go, Kim Minuk! -[spectators cheering]

THUNDER KWON OHGON X SNYPER KIM MINUK

[Dex] Let's hear from both fighters before the match.

I've looked up to Kim Minuk since high school.

He's always been someone I admired. A role model of mine.

I'm grateful to be part of a match like this,

one you don't get just anywhere.

A lot of time has passed, sir.

Tonight, I'll aim to rise higher than you.

-Thank you. -[cheering]

I LURV YOU

Tonight, I'll demonstrate exactly why

an East Asian Champion is a step above a Korean Champion.

Please watch and observe.

[spectators clamoring]

No! Don't do that!

True to the name Snyper, I'll show you what I'm made of.

Thank you!

-[spectators cheering] -[spectator] All right, Mr. Handsome!

-All right. Great. -[Jongkook chuckles]

It's a great matchup, sure.

But the cornermen are just as impressive.

Joining us ringside, Actors Im Sungjae and Kim Minseok.

They're also big fans of boxing.

All right, fighters, prepare for the match.

[Seungheon] Kwon Ohgon versus Kim Minuk.

It's a matchup boxing fans have long waited for.

-[♪ tense music playing] -[Gyuwon] Both fighters excel at timing,

so expect a razor-thin, explosive battle.

[Minuk] First off, we're pretty close.

It's not easy fighting someone who's like a little brother to me.

But I hope he gives it everything.

Otherwise, he won't be able to keep up with me.

Tonight, I'm going to crush him.

I hope we put on a great fight for the audience, sir.

[Jongkook] The I Am Boxer special match!

Let's begin the first matchup

right now!

-All right, box! -[bell dings]

KIM MINUK X KWON OHGON

[Seungheon] The first round is underway. Kwon Ohgon versus Kim Minuk!

[spectator] Let's go, Minuk!

[Seungheon] Kwon Ohgon starts with the left.

[Gyuwon] A battle for lead-hand control is unfolding right now.

This opening exchange is all about who controls the rhythm.

-It's about who takes control. -[Seungheon] That's right.

[spectators clamor]

[Seungheon] Both fighters exchange punches.

[♪ tense music playing]

[Minuk] Ohgon was using his lead hand well.

So I thought, "Don't force it. Just slowly close the distance."

Kim strikes and quickly slips.

[spectators exclaim]

[Seungheon] Kwon Ohgon goes to the body!

Kwon eases back.

Use the lead hand!

[Minseok] You've gotta work the jab!

[Jongkook] He's not holding back.

Since there aren't many rounds, Kwon Ohgon's just going for it.

Yes, it's only three rounds.

[spectator] All right! Nice!

-None of Kwon Ohgon's punches landed. -No.

Everything was blocked.

[spectator] Keep it up!

[Ohgon] I kept tapping him to probe for openings,

-but Minuk's defense was just too solid. -[♪ tense music playing]

[spectator 1] Find your range.

Yes, keep that guard up!

[spectators exclaim]

-[exclaim] -An amazing uppercut landed there!

Oh, no…

[spectator 2] All right! That's it!

[Minuk] Once I start trading, I know.

You get a feel for how he punches.

[Lee] Kim's got a good read on his moves.

[Minuk] Yeah. This is doable.

[♪ tense music playing]

[spectator 1] Get out! Circle out of there!

Throw hard, but one at a time!

Left to the body!

-[exclaims] -All right!

[Gyuwon] Kim Minuk has started to get a read on Kwon Ohgon's rhythm.

He's slowly backing Kwon into the corner now.

[spectators clamor]

-Keep the pressure up! -Pressure him!

Ohgon, circle out of there!

Get out of there! That's it!

[Lee, spectators exclaim]

[Lee, spectators exclaim]

[spectator] All right!

[bell dings]

[Seungheon] And that brings us to the end of the round.

-[applause] -Kwon pressed forward at times.

But as for Kim Minuk, he spent the round calmly,

easing his way into the fight.

Round 1 was about getting a read on each other's rhythm.

Plus, there was some tactical probing.

-[team member] You good so far, right? -Yep.

[team member] Relax a bit. There's too much tension on every shot.

One of the body shots landed, so now he'll start guarding the body.

When you throw your right combos,

you lift your chin sometimes.

Watch out for the uppercut there.

[Minuk] I plan to close the distance and press harder moving forward.

[Seungheon] Let's see if either fighter makes adjustments

-as they get ready for the second round. -[♪ tense music playing]

-Let's go! -Come on, stay strong!

-[spectator 2] Let's go, Ohgon! -Let's go!

KIM MINUK X KWON OHGON

[Seungheon] Here we go, the second round.

-[spectators cheering] -[applause]

-[spectators clamoring] -[exclaims]

Kim's pressing hard.

And he lands!

Yes! All right!

[spectator] Cover up, Ohgon! Cover up!

-Don't just stand there! -[♪ tense music playing]

-[exclaims] -Nice left shot!

Neither of them likes to back up.

They stand their ground.

Just watch out for those!

[spectator 2] Go! Throw the left!

[Gyuwon] We're seeing a test of durability here.

Neither fighter is retreating at all!

-That's it! -There you go!

Once again, excellent left jab.

[spectator] Okay, just go for it!

[Minseok] All right!

[Jongkook] Man, he got caught there.

[Seungheon] That was a clean land from Kim Minuk!

Kim is piling up the clean shots.

[in English] All right, I rate that.

-Oh! -Nice speed.

[in Korean] Push harder! Keep going!

[Seungheon] Fire with him on the exit!

Kim goes in for another uppercut.

He went for a big one there.

Kwon lets it glance off and slips away cleanly.

See that slip while turning his head?

[Ohgon] My gas tank was still full,

so I decided to start applying pressure.

-[spectator] He's open! -[Seungheon exclaims]

Nice uppercut!

Another uppercut!

[exclaims]

There. That uppercut landed clean.

[Seungheon] Another uppercut!

-[♪ tense music playing] -That sends him stumbling!

-Body and then hook! Nice! -[spectators gasp]

[Seungheon] He's firing multiple uppercuts!

Here comes sharp combo!

Left, then right uppercut!

-Kwon's looking to dictate the pace again. -[Seungheon] That's right.

-[exclaims] -[clamor]

-[exclaims] -[clamor]

That landed, didn't it?

Hey, the momentum's shifting.

[Seungheon] Kwon throws a counter to the side. He's pressing forward again.

[spectator] Go for it!

[spectators clamor]

-[exclaims] -[clamors]

[Lee] That caught him.

[Minuk] Ohgon was stronger than I expected.

Much tougher than I thought.

-[Seungheon] Go for it now! -[Dex exclaims]

-[exclaims] -[spectators cheering]

[♪ tense music playing]

-[exclaims] -[clamors]

[Gyuwon] Neither fighter has backed up until now.

That was tonight's first slip and rip!

[Seungheon] They're trading! And there's that left jab from Kim!

[spectators clamoring]

-They traded. -Yeah.

[Gyuwon] This could swing either way right now!

[Seungheon] Wait, are we seeing a clinch here?

Is that the first one we've seen tonight?

-[spectators cheering] -[applause]

They're back at it.

[spectator] That's it! Extend the lead hand!

Extend that arm!

[Sungjae exclaims]

-[exclaims] -[Seungheon] A sharp straight!

[spectator] Stick it in, man!

[Seungheon] Once again!

That's it! Stick that right in!

All right!

Oh, that was nice.

[spectator] Keep it long!

[referee] Break!

-[bell dings] -[referee] Break!

-[cheering] -And that's the end of the second round.

[Gyuwon] This is absolutely gripping!

[Seungheon] Both fighters are delivering, living up to the "special match" label.

Man, this is another level. [exhales deeply]

They're both tough opponents.

[Sungjae] It's the third round, Ohgon.

What's your game?

Wanna go to war?

-I can do that. -[Sungjae] Okay.

You can do this, man. You got this.

-Man, I just stood there and took it. -[Minseok] Right, you can't do that.

-[Minuk] It wasn't easy at all. -[tense music playing]

[Minuk] While staying cautious of his lead hand,

I got pulled into his rhythm a bit.

-Hey, this is the last one. -Got it.

In the final round, I'm giving it everything I've got.

[Ohgon] It's the final round, so I'm going to press even harder.

I'll show that I can surpass Kim Minuk, no matter what.

-It all comes down to this last round. -[cheers]

-[cheering] -[applause]

Let's go!

Last round, Ohgon!

-Minuk, let's go! -You got this!

-Final round. Make it count. -Yes, let's go.

Show me a professional fight.

-[bell dings] -All right.

[Seungheon] And here we go, the third and final round.

KIM MINUK X KWON OHGON

[Gyuwon] It's not about technique anymore. It's about will and focus!

-Wonderful start! -[clamoring]

That connected super clean.

-[spectator] Lead hand! -[♪ tense music playing]

-[spectator 1] All right! -[spectator 2] Great!

-[exclaims] -[exclaims]

Kim lets his hands go! Kwon fires back!

He's pressing forward!

[Gyuwon] Kwon Ohgon's on a vicious flurry!

[spectators clamoring continues]

[Lee exclaims]

Ohgon got caught just now!

[Seungheon exclaims]

[Gyuwon] Kim Minuk isn't letting that opening slip!

[Seungheon] He was waiting to counter!

[spectator] Ohgon, keep the lead hand long!

[Jongkook] Kim Minuk is watching him.

[Seungheon] This is Kim Minuk's wheelhouse, working off the ropes.

Let's see if it works this time.

[Lee] He's looking to fire back with a counter.

[spectator] Leave him!

[Seungheon] A heavy exchange in close!

[spectator] Body, then upstairs!

-There you go! -[exclaims]

[Seungheon] Kwon going to the body!

And Kim to the head!

-[spectator] Yes! That's it! -[♪ tense music playing]

[spectator 1] All right!

[Gyuwon] Kim Minuk's focus is incredible.

Break! Break!

[spectator] All right!

Minuk, you got this!

-Kim Minuk! -Kim Minuk!

Let's go!

[spectators cheering]

[Gyuwon] Will it be Kwon Ohgon's aggression, or Kim Minuk's cold precision?

[Seungheon] Both fighters have been waiting for this stage!

[spectators clamoring continues]

[Lee] He's not backing off.

He's countering right back.

Okay, now come out and fight!

Rip the uppercut!

[Seungheon] He's working the uppercut.

[Gyuwon] Now that's a beautiful uppercut!

Let's go, Minuk! You got this!

[Minseok] Fight like this is your last! Dig deep right now!

Stick the lead hand in!

-[spectator 2] You've gotta dig deeper! -[♪ tense music playing]

[spectator 3] Ohgon, you're almost there!

-[Minseok] All right! He's caught! -[exclaims]

[spectators exclaim]

[Gyuwon] He sets the angle and counters with a shovel hook!

[Seungheon] Both fighters are throwing with full power.

Come on, please…

Go, go!

[Gyuwon] It's time to decide this fight.

[spectator] Doing great!

[spectator 1] Ohgon! Last push!

[Gyuwon] From here on out, this isn't about stamina!

It's about concentration!

-You got this! -Let's go!

[spectators cheering]

[Seungheon] Kim's loading up on the right again!

[Sungjae] All right! Keep going till the end!

-Fight like it's your last, man! -This is it!

[Minseok] Fight like it's your last, man!

[cheering, clamoring stops]

[♪ calming music playing]

-[bell dings] -[spectators cheering]

[Seungheon] And that's the end of the fight!

-[bell dings] -[spectators cheering]

[applause]

[♪ triumphant music playing]

[cheers]

[spectators cheering continues]

[Gyuwon] This wasn't just about technique.

This was fought with heart and passion.

What a fight.

-That was incredible. Truly incredible. -[spectator exclaims]

-They left it all out there. -Totally.

[Lee] We will now announce the result.

The decision was rendered by three of Korea's top judges.

By judges' decision…

[♪ tense music playing]

The winner of this match is…

[Minuk] I had no doubt I'd win.

[Ohgon] "In this fight at least, I came out on top."

That's what I thought.

By a split decision, two to one.

I LURV YOU

Kim Minuk from the red corner.

RED CORNER KIM MINUK WINS

-[spectators cheering] -[applause]

[♪ triumphant music playing]

All right! He won!

You did great!

-[spectator 1] Kim Minuk! Kim Minuk! -[spectators] Kim Minuk! Kim Minuk!

[Minuk] It's been a long time since I retired,

so I'm deeply grateful to everyone who came out to support me.

Fighting here at Jangchung Arena

was a deeply moving experience,

and I'm so happy I won.

I first want to thank Kim Minuk

for taking on this fight. It couldn't have been easy.

I hope this intense survival show becomes a turning point

that pushes me forward in my life. Thank you.

-[spectators cheering] -[applause]

[spectator] You did awesome!

[♪ tense music playing]

The passion has been off the charts from the first special match.

Did you have fun, everyone?

[audience] Yes!

Well, we still have one more match to go.

Coming up next, a matchup between two powerhouses,

monster-level heavyweights representing Korea.

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

TYSON HONG SUNGMIN X SAJA MYUNG HYUNMAN

[person 1] This should be fun.

-Is this for real? -[person 1] Wow.

[person 2] It's like David and Goliath.

[person 3] There's a 20-cm difference.

His punch could be lethal.

[Dex] The I Am Boxer special match!

Let's bring in the fighters for the second match.

The man who's lovely from head to toe.

Entering from the blue corner, Tyson, Hong Sungmin!

[audience cheers, applauds]

-[person 1] Look at that. -[person 2] He's adorable.

[person 3] It's that cheerful guy.

[person 4] Makes you wanna copy that pose, right?

TYSON HONG SUNGMIN

[♪ majestic music playing]

[Seungheon] First up, Hong Sungmin is now entering the arena.

[audience cheering]

[Seungheon] When I Am Boxer kicked off, Kim Donghoe and Kim Minuk,

these two fighters were considered title contenders.

And Hong Sungmin is the man who eliminated them both.

[audience cheering]

[laughs]

[person 1] He's dancing!

♪ Lovely from head to toe ♪

[person 2] The champion belt.

No!

[person 3] He's so funny.

[Dex] Lookin' relaxed! Lookin' super relaxed, man!

I love it!

[Jongkook] The fighter facing Hong Sungmin is…

Entering from the red corner!

-Saja, Myung Hyunman! -Let's go!

SAJA MYUNG HYUNMAN'S SOY-MARINATED CRAB PUNCH

MYUNG HYUNMAN

[bell tolls]

[audience gasps]

[person 1] Hey, it's the Undertaker's theme song.

[bell tolls]

[audience gasps, cheers]

[person 2] This is scary as hell.

[person 3] They picked his theme well.

[♪ somber music playing]

SAJA MYUNG HYUNMAN

[Seungheon] And now, let's welcome Myung Hyunman to the arena!

[audience cheering, applauding]

[Dex] Feels like the final boss is here.

[Gyuwon] Myung Hyunman is a fighter long regarded

as a symbol of Korean combat sports.

[Dex] Look, a crab! He's got a crab on his robe!

See that crab on his back?

[Hyeongbin] Myung Hyunman, let's go!

[person 1] Man, that's cool. He's coming in totally relaxed.

[person 2] He's super scary.

[audience cheering, applauding]

[Hyeongbin] Let's do this!

[cheers]

[Jongkook] As you can see,

there's a noticeable size difference here.

There's almost a 30-kilo difference between the two.

[audience gasps]

[person 1] Is this even right?

[person 2] This makes no sense.

[person 3] There's a 22-centimeter difference in reach.

-[person 4] King crab versus snow crab. -[person 5 chuckles]

[audience laughing]

[applauding]

[Jongkook] Nice. Good one! Yeah.

There's about a 30-kilo difference between Myung Hyunman and me.

But I'll show you that boxing isn't about weight.

Given his restaurant, I'm sure he marinates his crabs well,

but tonight, he's the one getting cooked.

[audience cheering, applauding]

[person 1] He doesn't look too pleased.

Uh… I guess Hong Sungmin is still too young to know.

Here's the thing.

[audience laughing]

-[person 2] Wait, what? -[person 3 laughing] Crab dance?

-What was that? -What's that?

I…

I'll show him how scary this crab punch really is.

[audience laughing, applauding]

All right, sounds good.

Looks like we'll see his crab punch tonight! Yeah.

[Lee] Wow.

[Seungheon] Physically speaking, Myung Hyunman has a huge advantage.

The question is how Hong Sungmin plans to overcome that.

[Sungmin] Since I'm still an active fighter,

I'll fight to defend my pride.

PARK CHONGPAL FORMER BOXING WORLD CHAMPION

-First, stay calm. Yeah? -Yes. Got it.

Second, stay calm.

-Don't rush it. -Yes, sir.

[person] Let's go!

Go, Hyunman!

[Hyunman] The crowd was cheering for me pretty loudly.

I want people to know I've still got it.

That I'm still very much here.

[Jongkook] The I Am Boxer special match!

Let's begin the second matchup right now!

[audience cheering, applauding]

[person 1] Gosh, I'm excited for this one.

[person 2] Let's go, Hong Sungmin!

Box!

-[referee] Box! -[person 3] Let's go!

[Seungheon] All right, the match has now begun.

MYUNG HYUNMAN X HONG SUNGMIN

[audience gasps]

[audience gasps]

[Seungheon] There's a clear reach advantage.

-[Jongkook] Wow. -[audience gasping]

-[Jongkook] Wow. -[audience gasps]

[Lee] He caught him on the guard.

-[Jongkook] Hey. -[Lee] And it still had him wobbling.

Hong Sungmin probably hasn't felt a punch like that before.

Fighters that size don't come around very often.

[♪ intense music playing]

[audience gasping]

[Seungheon] Myung Hyunman pushes in.

[Gyuwon] Myung Hyunman's punches are extremely dangerous.

-[person 1] He's freakin' scary. -[person 2 chuckles]

[Seungheon] Myung keeps the pressure on with the lead hand.

And he strikes as he turns!

Oh!

-Hey! -[audience gasps]

-[Seungheon] And he strikes as he turns! -[audience gasps]

[person 1] That's gotta hurt so bad.

[person 2] You got this, Sungmin!

[Gyuwon] Hong Sungmin hasn't found a clear angle of attack yet.

He needs to get inside.

[person 1] Let's go, Hyunman!

[person 2] Let's go!

[Seungheon] Hong Sungmin steps inside.

[person 3] Stay calm!

[referee] That's not good.

-[person 4] Wow. -[audience gasps]

Stop! Stop!

-[referee] No holding. -[person 1] You got this!

[person 2] Stay calm, Sungmin!

-[referee] Box! -[person 3] You got this!

[♪ intense music playing]

[Seungheon] Hong Sungmin continues to press forward on the inside.

Stop! Stop! Stop!

It looks like he's clinching on purpose.

Yeah, that's what it seems like.

[referee] Two or three together!

[Seungheon] Hong keeps his guard high and stays on Myung.

And he closes in.

[audience gasps] All right!

Ah…

-[referee] Stop! -[audience gasps]

[Gyuwon] Myung Hyunman is clinching whenever his opponent comes in.

[Sungmin] It was pretty frustrating.

[person 1] Come on, Hyunman!

[Dex] Well, another clinch.

-[bell rings] -[person 2] All right.

[audience applauding]

[Dex] He's a lot more cautious than I expected.

-You can tell. -[Lee] Yeah.

He's not just flat-out brawling.

-He respects the skill level. -[Jongkook] Right, right.

When you step out and he comes back in,

-I told you to read his moves. -Right.

[Chongpal] Does he throw a jab or straight first?

You strike when he does.

[Hyunman] I need to put my stamp on this fight.

If you wrestle him, you'll gas yourself out.

Just pivot out and punch.

He keeps grabbing me, putting his arm around.

But I'll try.

[Sungmin] The plan was to slip as much as I can and just let my hands go.

[Seungheon] Myung Hyunman has made his game plan clear early on.

[whistle blows]

[Seungheon] We'll see how Hong Sungmin responds to that

going into the second round.

[bell rings]

[referee] Box!

MYUNG HYUNMAN X HONG SUNGMIN

[person] Myung Hyunman, let's go!

[referee] No clinching.

[Lee] He's got that head locked in tight.

If you keep getting clinched up like that,

your stamina drains fast.

[Jongkook] Hey.

[Hyunman] The idea is to sap his energy in the clinch,

then start dealing damage.

-Stop! -[person 1] Man, he's strong.

[person 2] When someone much bigger presses you down, your hands are tied.

[person 3] He's being forced to squat.

[sighs]

[Dex] Sungmin needs to step it up now.

-[person 1] Let's go, Sungmin! -[audience gasps]

[person 2] Don't go in straight! Wait for it, then strike!

[Seungheon] Another clinch.

[Jihyun] Sungmin, get out of it!

[Seungheon] Even in a clinch, Hong is trying to work his own shots.

[Sungmin] I figured I'd just take the fight inside.

-[Seungheon] And he's pushed off. -[Lee] That's it.

[Seungheon] Hong Sungmin gets right to work.

Once again, Myung Hyunman goes for the clinch.

-[Dex] Oh. -[audience gasps]

-[person 1] All right! -[applause]

[Jihyun] Hey, get out of there! Yes!

-[person 2] Wow. -[audience gasps]

[Sungmin] When he tried to clinch, I lowered my level and slipped.

[Seungheon] Hong Sungmin is coming at him with those combos!

[Jongkook] Look at him using his knees.

-[person 3] Let's go, Hyunman! -[person 4] You got this!

[person 5] Sungmin, work the combos! Throw two at a time!

That's it! Two!

[gasping]

[Seungheon] Ah! Look at Hong Sungmin go!

[Gyuwon] Hong Sungmin is showing Tyson-like combinations here.

[Lee] Sungmin's too fast for him.

[person] Hey!

[Seungheon] And an overhand.

-[bell rings] -[referee] Stop!

[Seungheon] And that brings the round to a close.

[audience cheering, applauding]

[Lee] So he really is Tyson.

[Jihyun] Breathe.

[Sungmin] From here on out, I'll just keep pressing.

[♪ tense music playing]

[Hyunman] My strategy didn't seem to be working.

If Hyunman doesn't do more, it's not going to cut it.

[Hyunman] If I miss my chance here, I lose.

So I'll do everything I can in my power

to dominate the last round.

What now? No game plan.

Just do your thing.

Do it your way this round.

[people] Let's go!

[Seungheon] The final third round is coming up.

Hong Sungmin landed more effective punches in that last round.

Now the question is whether Myung Hyunman's strategy

will land in the last round.

-[bell rings] -[referee] Round 3. All right, box!

MYUNG HYUNMAN X HONG SUNGMIN

[person 1] Let's go, Hyunman!

[Lee] Extend your arm!

[Hyunman] Now it's really do or die.

I'm gonna go on instinct.

[♪ tense music playing]

-[Seungheon] Ooh! -[audience gasping]

[Lee] That's it. Hyunman's coming in.

He's throwing the big shots now.

[Seungheon] What a great right jab!

[audience gasps]

[Gyuwon] There's serious weight behind that shot.

Sungmin can't get careless here.

One clean shot of that could end it.

[audience exclaiming]

[Gyuwon] What a display from Myung Hyunman!

This is turning into a fantastic fight!

[audience gasps]

[Sungmin] I thought, "If this lands, I'm done."

[audience gasping, applauding]

[person] Man, he slips so well.

[Dex] Wow, he's fast.

[audience gasps]

[Seungheon] Hong Sungmin, nice!

Hey, nice counter!

[audience gasps]

-[person 1] That went in! -[person 2] Let's go, Sungmin!

-That landed just now! -[person 3] Come on!

[Jihyun] Go again! That's it!

[person 4] Nice move!

[Seungheon] Hong Sungmin manages to break free from the clinch.

[Dex] He's pouring it on.

-[person 5] Keep at it till the end! -[audience gasps]

-[person 5] Keep at it till the end! -[audience gasps]

[person 5] Keep at it till the end!

He dared him to throw, but that last one must've hurt.

-He put his guard back up. -[chuckling]

-That hurt more than expected. -It hurt.

[Hyunman] I dropped my guard to intimidate him a little,

but it was a bad idea. I put it right back up.

-[people] Hey! -[audience gasps]

[person 3] Nice, keep going!

[audience gasps]

-Oh! -[exclaiming]

Yes, that caught him!

[person 1] Ten seconds!

[person 2] He really fights like Tyson.

[person 3] Show us what you got! 10 seconds left!

[Seungheon] Look at Hong Sungmin go!

Hong Sungmin! Here he comes!

[audience gasps]

[audience gasps]

[bell rings]

[bell rings]

[audience cheering, applauding]

[Seungheon] And that brings the fight to an end!

Well done, Hyunman.

All right, let me ask the audience. Who do you think won?

-Hong Sungmin! -Hong Sungmin!

-Myung Hyunman! -Myung Hyunman!

[Lee] We will now announce the result.

[♪ tense music playing]

[Hyunman] I was really nervous.

Oh, I wasn't sure how it would go.

[Sungmin] I thought I'd clearly won,

but I couldn't be entirely sure.

[Lee] The winner of this match is…

A new champion will be crowned here today!

Box!

[Seungheon] Kuk Seungjun and Lee Chaehyun collide in the center!

It's a slugfest!

-[♪ tense music playing] -[audience cheering]

[Gyuwon] Both fighters are squeezing out every last ounce of strength!

[Chaehyun] I'm one win away from the belt.

[Seungjun] I have to win, no matter what.

[Lee] The winner of this match is…

[♪ tense music playing]

[Lee] By judges' decision…

Unanimous, three to zero.

Hong Sungmin from the blue corner.

BLUE CORNER HONG SUNGMIN WINS

-[Jongkook] Hong Sungmin is too good. -[audience cheering, applauding]

He fought well.

[Dex] Hong Sungmin, you have won.

You faced a living legend and came out on top.

Facing a living legend like Saja Myung Hyunman

in a special match like this

was an honor in itself.

But winning on top of that, I honestly couldn't ask for more.

I'm just an ordinary boxer,

so I can't thank everyone enough

for creating an opportunity like this.

[audience cheering, applauding]

Boxing is so much fun, so I really want to be good at it,

but I still have a long way to go.

I learned a lot today.

I'll keep working to show I've still got it.

Thank you.

[audience cheering, applauding]

[Lee] Thank you, both fighters, for a fantastic match.

[Jongkook] We hear Master Don Lee

has a very special stage lined up for us.

They're a K-pop idol with global fame and a real passion for boxing!

[audience cheering]

We've got a K-pop idol.

[Jongkook] A special performance by ATEEZ!

Let's give them a big round of applause!

[cheering]

♪ Yes, I'm Rocky Feel like I'm Rocky ♪

♪ Dance on the floor Feel like I'm Rocky ♪

♪ Yes, I'm Rocky Feel like I'm Rocky ♪

♪ Dance on the floor, dance ♪

♪ It ain't over, never die ♪

♪ Move your body We can't go down like this ♪

♪ Dance, stomp your feet harder ♪

♪ This is our time ♪

♪ Left hook, right hook Don't stop, keep throwing ♪

♪ Fire in the eyes Tension doubles up ♪

♪ Fighting spirit overflowing Adrenaline at its peak ♪

♪ Rivals? I don't care about that, nah ♪

♪ Hang on Just stretch and hit the stage ♪

♪ Hello, ladies and gentlemen ♪

♪ No introductions needed Look at me ♪

♪ Way up Championship belt on my waist ♪

♪ From the moment I step in, say oh ♪

♪ Yeah, let's start the second round Fix on! ♪

♪ My punches are faster than bullets Uh, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Playing on a whole new pistol level Machine gun, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ The sweat I've shed melts these frozen legs ♪

♪ Catch my breath, lock in my focus Eyes wide, hook ♪

♪ Sometimes I want to give up ♪

-♪ But you're here ♪ -♪ So I rise again ♪

♪ I never give up I never run away ♪

♪ It ain't over till it's over ♪

♪ It ain't over, never die ♪

♪ Move your body We can't go down like this ♪

♪ Dance, stomp your feet harder ♪

♪ This is our time ♪

♪ I'll show you everything ♪

♪ It ain't over, never die ♪

♪ Move your body We can't go down like this ♪

♪ Dance, stomp your feet harder ♪

♪ We're never gonna give up ♪

♪ We're boxers ♪

[audience cheering, applauding]

Thank you!

[Lee] Ladies and gentlemen, a new champion will be

crowned here today!

The blockbuster boxing survival show, I Am Boxer.

Let's begin the finals.

[audience cheering, applauding]

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

Box!

[contestants] Bring it on.

-[contestants cheer] -[referee] Down!

[shouts]

[Jongkook] Out of the original 90 fighters…

[in English] He's a crazy guy.

[Jongkook, in Korean] The one entering the finals is…

[Seungjun] If I'm going to lose, I'll go down fighting.

I'll give it everything I have until the end.

[Chaehyun] Tonight, it's going to be a real bloodbath.

I'm going all out. I'll fight like my life depends on it.

-I'll win no matter what. -[Seungjun] I'll take that belt home.

EPISODE 10

[Dex] The finals of I Am Boxer.

Our finalists will now make their entrance.

Entering from the blue corner!

Body Killer, Kuk Seungjun!

IT'S YOUR DAY, SEUNGJUN

I bet he's even better looking in person.

[rhythmic applause]

[Lee] Let's give him a big hand, everyone!

KUK SEUNGJUN'S FAMILY

[Dex] Let's hear it, everyone!

[audience cheering, applauding]

All right!

[person 1] He's handsome.

[person 2] Let's go, Seungjun!

Let's do this, man!

[audience cheering, applauding]

Wow!

[Jongkook] The fighter facing Kuk Seungjun will now make his entrance.

Entering from the red corner, Prince, Lee Chaehyun!

[audience cheering, applauding]

This one's my kind of beat.

[♪ majestic music playing]

[audience cheering]

LEE CHAEHYUN'S FAMILY

Salute!

[gasps]

[exclaiming]

-[person 1] Let's go, Chaehyun! -[person 2] Let's go!

[person 3] Let's do this, Chaehyun!

[exclaiming]

Where's he going?

JIN GYUSANG KAFAC COMMANDER

-That's so cool. -Wow.

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

[audience exclaiming]

[Seungheon] Only one fight remains to decide it all.

In the blue corner, wearing the white trunks.

Standing 186 cm tall,

weighing in at 70 kg.

The 2024 National Sports Festival welterweight boxing gold medalist.

From the Hwasun County boxing team,

I Am Boxer's top infighter!

A master of brutal body shots!

Please give it up for Body Killer!

-Kuk Seungjun! -[audience cheering, applauding]

[Seungheon] He drew attention early on because of his looks,

but he's now considered the most improved fighter on I Am Boxer.

[Jongkook] In the red corner, wearing the black trunks.

Standing 179 cm tall,

weighing in at 71 kg.

The 2024 Korean Boxing Association President's Cup,

welterweight gold medalist!

A member of the KAFAC,

I Am Boxer's top technician!

A boxing machine, cool under pressure!

And the crown prince of the ring!

Please give it up for Prince!

-Lee Chaehyun! -[audience cheering, applauding]

Salute!

[Gyuwon] Lee Chaehyun never loses his balance, no matter the moment.

He is a fighter with unshakable conviction!

[Dex] Let's hear from the fighters before the bout.

Out of 90 fighters, only two remain.

I'll show you exactly why I deserve to be in the finals

right here in this ring.

[person] Let's go!

Let me just say one thing to Lee Chaehyun.

Your punches looked a little light.

[audience gasps]

[person] Ouch!

That must've struck a nerve.

You're not putting me down with that.

I'll win by KO and take the belt.

[audience gasps]

You said my punching power's weak?

-Every time you blink, I land one. -[chuckles]

[audience laughing]

So keep your eyes wide open.

[exclaiming]

-Burn! -That is bold!

I'm going to light this arena up tonight.

So watch me go all in till the end!

[audience cheering, applauding]

I believe this fantastic matchup

will do the I Am Boxer finals justice.

This is it

for both fighters.

Leave everything you've got in the ring.

-[person 1] Let's go! -[person 2] Let's go, Chaehyun!

[person 3] Let's go, Seungjun!

[Lee, Jongkook] Good luck, you two.

[person 1] You got this, Seungjun!

[person 2] Let's go, Chaehyun!

They look so young.

They must be really good.

Fight like everyone here is on your side,

because they are, okay?

SHIN JONGHUN 2014 ASIAN GAMES GOLD MEDALIST

Chaehyun, keep it chill in the first round.

Remember, tap-tap, pick your shots.

Slip it and go, got it?

Since it's the finals, let's fight with no regrets, you two.

-Yes, sir. -All right, glove touch.

Back to your corners.

Sixty years ago, Korea's first world champion,

Kim Kisoo, was crowned right here.

A new champion will be crowned here today!

-Let's hear it for both of them. -[audience chanting]

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Kuk Seungjun! Kuk Seungjun!

[Seungheon] Which of these two fighters will become the last survivor standing?

-Box! -[bell rings]

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

[Seungheon] The first round of this 10-rounder's underway!

Kuk Seungjun and Lee Chaehyun collide in the center!

[gasps]

Oh. He's coming out with an early rush.

[Gyuwon] Ah, Kuk Seungjun is coming in wild!

[Seungheon] Kuk Seungjun opens with the body, his specialty.

[Seungjun] I knew Lee Chaehyun well.

So I knew he'd try to read the situation first.

That's why I decided to apply pressure and step right in.

[Seungheon] Nice body shot! And in with the combos!

-That's it! -Oh!

-[coach] Chaehyun, stay calm! -[referee] Stop!

[Jongkook] He's good. No need to match his pace.

Box!

[Seungheon] It's a blistering first round between Kuk Seungjun and Lee Chaehyun.

[audience gasps]

[audience gasps]

-It's fine! -Slip!

Chaehyun, breathe!

[referee] No pushing.

Chaehyun, stay calm!

[referee] Box!

[Chaehyun] Seungjun was coming in really wild.

[person] Nice going!

[Chaehyun] So I figured I'd hold my ground and counter him instead.

[audience gasps]

Hey!

He fired right back immediately.

[Gyuwon] Kuk Seungjun is coming in wide and low.

And Lee Chaehyun is staying on the defensive, looking to counter.

[Jonghun] It's just the first round!

Keep your lead hand forward!

[person 1] Throw with him!

[person 2] All right!

[♪ exciting music playing]

[audience exclaiming]

He's pressing hard.

-[person] Pushing for an early finish. -Yeah.

[Gyuwon] It's a fierce battle of tactics and physicality.

Both fighters are engaging in an energy-draining close-range fight.

[Seungheon] This is unlike anything we've seen from them before.

Both fighters are coming out hot from the opening bell!

[Dex] Oh, that body shot landed clean! Oh.

-They keep this up, 10 round's a stretch. -Right?

[coach] Chaehyun, he's coming in! He's coming in!

[person 1] Fire from where you are! That's it!

[audience gasps]

[Seungheon] There's that body shot! Kuk pushes him back against the ropes!

And he comes in!

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

-You have to go now! -[bell rings]

Stop!

[Seungheon] That brings the first round to a close.

Hey, deep breaths.

[Gyuwon] Wow. What a nail-biter of a first round.

You can feel their hunger for that belt!

-Let's go, Chaehyun! -Let's go, Chaehyun!

Man, they're going wild in there.

Chaehyun's probably a little rattled.

He probably didn't expect Seungjun to come out so strong.

Because they've fought before.

-They know each other's styles. -Right.

He probably didn't think he'd come out this aggressively.

[Jongkook] That's what it feels like.

You're doing so well.

But let's just stay a bit calmer.

This is just the first round, okay?

Feeling-out's done, yeah?

[Seungjun] I think I gained confidence by winning the early momentum battle.

I used a lot of unconventional punches.

Lee Chaehyun looked really shaken by that.

So I thought, "My strategy's working."

"Let's keep it going like this."

[coach] No need to rush.

Don't hesitate like this. If he comes in, just throw.

Tap-tap-tap! Just like that, okay?

Stick to this rhythm, okay?

Don't get dragged into Seungjun's rhythm, okay?

-Yes. -[whistle blows]

[Chaehyun] I told myself not to get pulled into

Seungjun's wild attacks and physical battles.

"Just do what I need to do."

I knew I had to crush him in the second round.

[Seungheon] Let's see how this round unfolds.

The second round is about to begin.

-Let's go, Chaehyun! -Let's go, Chaehyun!

You can do this, Seungjun!

-[bell rings] -[referee] All right, box!

[Seungheon] The second round's begun.

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

[Seungheon] Lee Chaehyun jabs, not missing that open guard.

Oh, boy.

[Seungheon] Kuk's really moving his upper body. And he lands one upstairs!

-Oh! -Oh!

You get caught by those shots you don't see coming.

[audience gasping]

[Gyuwon] Kuk Seungjun is definitely making use of his reach advantage

to dominate the opponent,

making him even more dangerous and harder to find the range on.

[Jongkook] Nice double combo.

Seungjun's not giving him any distance at all.

[Chaehyun] Distance-wise,

it was hard to find my range.

-[spectator 1] Go lower! -[spectator 2] Lower your aim!

[Chaehyun] He kept his arms fully extended to maintain as much distance as possible.

[spectator] Don't fall back!

So I timed the body when he came in.

[Seungheon] Lee Chaehyun strikes the body and quickly gets out.

[spectator] Just keep going!

Hey, that body shot connected!

-That's it! -There you go!

[coach] Just fight your fight, Chaehyun!

[Gyuwon] Lee Chaehyun's jab isn't just a jab.

It sets up his counter,

which is his most dangerous weapon.

[spectator] That's it!

[exclaiming]

Work the body!

[Seungheon] Kuk comes in with upper-body movement.

And right on cue,

Lee plants a counter with a sharp left.

[Lee] See that? He waits for it, then throws.

That means Seungjun shouldn't swing too big.

-Slow down. -[Seungjun's father] Take your time, son!

[coach] This is it! Work the body!

[Seungheon] Lee Chaehyun seems to have gotten a read

on Kuk Seungjun's entry timing this round.

[spectator] That's it!

Man, that's great.

That counter was really good.

[spectator] All right!

-Break! Break! -[bell dings]

-Stop! -Okay.

[Gyuwon] Since the opening round,

Kuk Seungjun has been trying to dominate

with his wild infighting style.

But Lee Chaehyun is extremely composed.

He's not letting that happen.

You're doing well, Chaehyun.

Bam, bam. They're all landing.

Don't look too high. Look toward the chest and drive it in.

Chaehyun is staying calm,

picking his shots here and there.

The thing is, Seungjun's short punches aren't landing.

They keep sailing past Chaehyun's head.

Shorten your punches just a bit. The big ones aren't landing.

He's watching you, and he's not tired yet.

So nothing's landing.

That's why you gotta keep it short, okay?

BOXING SCORE CARD LEE: 19, KUK: 19

-Okay, box! -[Seungheon] Moving into the third round.

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

-[spectator 1] Here he comes! -[spectator 2] Okay, go in!

Keep it short!

[Seungheon] Kuk lands on the body, and Lee pushes forward.

Kuk stays on him, targeting the body.

[spectator] All right!

[Gyuwon] This is an intense battle of rhythm and tactics.

[Seungheon] Look at Chaehyun running.

[spectator 1] That's it! Go for it!

[spectator 2] There you go!

[Seungheon] Kuk comes in, goes to the body, then exits.

Lee is inviting Kuk to come closer.

And Kuk Seungjun responds without backing away.

They're locked in close.

[referee] Okay, break, break, break!

We're seeing a lot of passionate exchanges here.

Save your energy! Save it!

Chaehyun probably planned to pace himself for a typical 10-rounder.

But Seungjun keeps pressing, so he has to match his pace.

He's coming, Chaehyun! He's coming in!

[Seungheon] Lee charges in, looking to make a statement.

And that's it!

[audience gasping]

[Gyuwon] What a clean counter!

That's timing at its finest!

That's it! There you go!

-[bell dings] -Stop!

And that ends the round.

[♪ majestic music playing]

[Chaehyun] I felt like I won the third round,

so I let the crowd know.

-That I'd won the round. -[Chaehyun's mother] You did so well!

He's good. He's real good.

[audience cheering, applauding]

Deep breaths!

Everything was good, except getting caught at the end.

It's okay. Deep breaths.

Just keep going.

[Seungjun] This won't do.

Remember? He always jabs and slips out.

That's when you need to drive it in.

Stick to what we practiced.

[Seungjun] Once I get worked up, I don't hear a thing.

I just block everything out.

BOXING SCORE CARD LEE: 29, KUK: 28

-[bell dings] -Okay, box!

[Seungheon] The next round begins.

[coach] Don't wait for it! Just go!

[audience exclaiming]

[groans]

-[coach] Chaehyun, he's turning it up now! -Break, break!

He's coming in hard now!

[Gyuwon] I bet they've never had to do this much hand fighting and clinch work.

[Seungheon] They're in a clinch.

Both fighters are throwing nonstop.

[Jonghoon] Keep it short, damn it!

[Lee] Seungjun needs to go short.

Break it up!

Too big! Make it shorter!

-Slow it down, son! -Slow down.

Hey, no holding.

Slip!

Hey, you have to focus.

[Seungjun] When things started to get heated,

it stopped going the way I planned.

Then I started to wonder,

"Do I keep pressing? Or do I wait for the right timing?"

"Can I win this?"

[Seungheon] Once again, Lee holds the center, and Kuk needs to move in.

But I constantly tried not to let those thoughts take over.

[♪ thrilling music playing]

"I can win. I can do this."

[audience exclaiming]

-Oh! That landed! -[Dex] His head popped up!

"That landed."

"Time to bring it back to my pace."

[Seungheon] Kuk Seungjun's punches are starting to get through here.

-He's getting clipped! -Chaehyun's vulnerable on the pullback.

Seungjun's doing well this round.

[Gyuwon] Those unconventional attacks are creating that one percent chance.

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

-Let's go, Chaehyun! -Let's go, Chaehyun!

[Seungjun's sister] That's it! Keep it up, Seungjun!

-[bell dings] -Stop! Stop, stop!

[Gyuwon] And the round comes to an end.

Man, that's intense.

This is the finals, all right.

-Chaehyun's usually hard to touch. -[Lee] Totally.

[Dex] Will it be Chaehyun's timing and control?

Or Seungjun's all-out pressure?

-Round 5 is where it really begins. -That's right.

[coach] Chaehyun, don't get greedy, okay?

You can take it easy.

Fight with confidence.

[♪ heavy music playing]

Let's go, Chaehyun!

[Chaehyun] I felt I got pushed back a bit in Round 4,

so I knew I had to win the next one.

[Seungjun] From here on out, I have to take all the rounds.

I have to keep winning.

-[bell dings] -[Seungheon] The fifth round has begun.

-Box! -[Gyuwon] This round's where it gets real.

When they're feinting their way in,

it's about who breaks the rhythm first.

-Break, break! -[Dex] Clinching really drains you.

It's pretty exhausting.

It must feel brutal right now.

[coach] Okay, plant your feet and fire!

[Seungheon] Lee Chaehyun steps in this time.

Sticking to the stick-and-move tactic.

As Lee backs out, Kuk closes back in.

[Jongkook] Throw back right away.

All right!

It's like watching a KNSF fight.

All right!

[coach] Pull your head out to the right!

[Lee] Hey…

Careful.

He keeps ramming his head in.

-Heads are getting dangerously close. -Right.

That's not Chaehyun's normal style.

[Gyuwon] Kuk was setting up this body shot!

[Dex] Nice body shot!

[Jongkook] He's starting to work the body now.

[Lee] All right, careful now.

Huh?

Wait, hold on!

Hold on!

[exclaims]

Okay, stop, stop!

[Jongkook] Is there a cut? A loose tooth?

Is there a cut?

[Seungheon] There's a bit of a cut.

[referee] Time.

[Seungheon] This could change the game.

Boy, they headbutted.

That looks so painful. Oh, dear.

[coach] Ugh, damn it.

[Seungheon] The doctor's examining the cut.

[Gyuwon] I hope it's not a serious injury.

We need to see how deep that cut is.

Their heads were just too close.

They kept ramming their heads in like this.

[spectator] Stay strong, Chaehyun!

[Gyuwon] They've been fighting so roughly.

This kind of injury was bound to happen.

-I think the bleeding's stopping. -Ah!

I took a shot, then as Seungjun rushed in,

I tried to answer back the same way.

I got heated, and that's when the headbutt happened.

And when I got cut, I felt it immediately.

I was shocked.

It didn't sit well with me.

Seungjun had a cut recently too.

It breaks every mother's heart.

-Chaehyun's mom must be heartbroken. -Right.

The bleeding seems to have stopped.

-How are you feeling, Chaehyun? -I can go on.

You think so? All right.

[Chaehyun] Cut or not, I just hoped they don't stop the fight.

[applause, cheering]

[Lee] He seems okay for now,

but we need to see if that cut opens up.

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun!

Can the fight continue even if there's a bleeding?

[Jongkook] Yes, but if it's too much, it gets stopped.

[Seungheon] Looks like we're resuming.

[Gyuwon] Lee Chaehyun has incredible grit and will.

Box!

[Seungheon] The fight resumes.

Lee Chaehyun proceeds carefully.

If the cut worsens, the fight could be stopped.

[Lee] Yes, that's it.

You've gotta rip, then get out.

Careful now. Let's keep going.

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

[Seungheon] As Kuk steps in, Lee lands a big shot to the face!

[audience exclaims]

-[bell dings] -Stop!

And just like that! The fifth round has ended.

[Gyuwon] This could be a major factor

that might shift the entire flow.

You okay?

[Seungheon] The cut is in a tricky spot,

so there's a good chance it could interfere with his vision.

[panting]

BOXING SCORE CARD LEE: 48, KUK: 47

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun!

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun!

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun!

Breathe. It's fine.

Don't let it get to you.

[Seungjun] I thought it was admirable

that he decided to go on.

I respected him for that.

From a sportsmanship standpoint,

I felt it was only right to meet him head-on.

Protect your head. You can't afford to bleed now.

[Chaehyun] Just because I'm cut

doesn't mean Seungjun's going to go easy on me.

I had to win the next rounds, no matter what.

So I kept praying it wouldn't be stopped.

-[bell dings] -All right, box!

[Seungheon] And now, it's the sixth round.

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

[cheering]

Beautiful combinations from both fighters!

[♪ intense music playing]

Let's go, Chaehyun!

[coach] Chaehyun, protect your head!

Man, this is tough.

[Seungheon] It's the left hand this time!

Lee Chaehyun steps in!

And keeps charging forward!

[Jongkook] This is tough.

When you come in wild like that,

-you have to answer him. -Right.

Break it up!

[Seungheon] There's still a bit of bleeding there.

[coach] Stay sharp!

[Seungheon] He can't help but be conscious of his left eye.

[Lee] With the blood, his vision looks a bit compromised.

[Chaehyun] Because of the cut, I was bleeding quite a bit.

And it kept getting in my left eye.

Oh, no.

[Seungheon] With the blood impairing his left eye,

the distance game gets tricky.

[Chaehyun] My mind was racing.

I needed to win,

but the cut was impossible to ignore with all the bleeding.

I was completely overwhelmed.

Okay, slip!

But even though the cut kept bleeding,

I really just wanted to win.

Box!

So I told myself, "If I want to win, I can't be worrying about this."

"Just focus on what I need to do."

So I charged forward with all I had.

[Gyuwon] This has got to be taking a toll on him mentally,

but Lee Chaehyun isn't showing it one bit.

Hang in there, Chaehyun!

[exclaiming]

Hey!

[Seungheon] They're trading now!

Kuk is coming forward like there's nothing to think about.

-[bell dings] -Stop!

And with that, the sixth round comes to an end.

[audience cheering, applauding]

[Gyuwon] What these two fighters are demonstrating

isn't just the art of boxing.

It's the art of sheer willpower.

-Chaehyun. Get me some ice! -It's now Round 7,

so recovery is absolutely crucial.

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun!

Let's call over the doctor.

The headbutt is the problem.

[Dex] It looks pretty serious.

[spectator 1] You got this, Chaehyun!

-We can't let this go on much longer. -[spectator 2] Let's go, Chaehyun!

[Lee] This was originally scheduled as a 10-round fight,

but due to the significant cut on Lee Chaehyun's eye,

we'll go to the scorecards after the seventh round.

This round will be the last one.

[Chaehyun] If I win this match, I become the champion.

So I'm going to give it my all.

Oh, Chaehyun…

[Chaehyun] I really want to become champion.

[Seungjun] This is the final round.

I won't let this fight leave me with any regrets.

Father, I'll bring back the win!

Sounds good!

[Seungjun] I have to win.

I have to win no matter what.

I want to win that champion belt for my parents.

[Seungheon] Who will become the winner of the 300-million-won prize money?

Who will walk away with the belt?

[bell dings]

LEE CHAEHYUN X KUK SEUNGJUN

The final round has begun!

Box!

[Jongkook] Let's hear it for them!

[audience cheering]

[Seungheon] They're swinging for it now!

[Gyuwon] We're seeing an intense exchange of combinations right now.

Lee attempts to take away Kuk's space.

And Kuk is looking to overwhelm him!

[♪ intense music playing]

-Lee Chaehyun! -Kuk Seungjun!

[Seungheon] Both fighters are throwing with pure determination now!

Kuk closes in, swaying!

And Lee fires right back!

[Chaehyun] As Seungjun's movements got bigger, I started to see my timing.

So I decided to answer back with proper counters.

That's it. That was really good.

[Lee] Slip and rip!

Strike when he extends!

[Seungheon] Ooh! Sharp shot lands right to the face!

[coach] Chaehyun, eyes on the chest!

The chest!

That's it!

[Seungheon] Kuk works the body.

Another one to the body!

That body shot landed clean.

[Dex] Solid body shot there.

[Seungjun] When my body shot got through,

I could see him starting to tighten up.

Whoa!

I figured I'd drop him with a body shot.

[coach] Pour it out! You've gotta go in!

[Seungheon] Kuk goes into the body!

Lee stops him with a clinch!

Break! Break!

[Seungheon] Never seen Chaehyun struggle so much.

Throw back! You have to throw back!

Both fighters are squeezing out every last ounce of strength!

-Break! -[coach] Almost done!

Last round!

-Let's go, Chaehyun! -Hang in there, Chaehyun!

Stay strong, Seungjun!

[Jongkook] One minute left!

-Lee Chaehyun! Lee Chaehyun! -Kuk Seungjun! Kuk Seungjun!

[Seungheon] Kuk moves in.

This is it!

[Seungheon] Body shot again!

Lee Chaehyun lands a left to Kuk's face!

Kuk Seungjun fires the left hand again!

-Oh! -[exclaiming]

[Gyuwon] The battle for space is absolutely fierce right now!

Both are measuring the opening

to try and knock each other down.

Go, go! You have to get him!

Kuk lands one this time!

A stick-and-move from Lee!

-[bell dings] -And with that!

The fight has ended!

You fought well!

[Lee] Both fighters truly left it all in the ring.

Sorry.

Back to your positions.

Awesome fight!

This was originally a 10-round bout,

but in the interest of fighter safety,

the judges will render a fair decision

based on the first seven rounds.

Both fighters, great job.

You fought hard. For real.

Goodness.

You looked incredible up there.

You were the best.

Does your head hurt?

It's all good. You worked hard enough.

I thought, "Who's it going to be?"

I really couldn't tell who'd win.

I just kept praying, "Please let me win."

[exhales sharply]

[Chaehyun] Even thinking back on it, it felt like a razor-thin fight.

Waiting in the locker room,

I was incredibly nervous.

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

[Lee] The blockbuster boxing survival show.

I Am Boxer.

All that remains now

is the final winner announcement.

[Jongkook] The decision was rendered by

three of Korea's top judges.

[Dex] The championship belt, top-of-the-line flagship SUV, and…

a grand prize of 300 million won

will go to the winner of I Am Boxer.

We will now announce the results

of the final match.

[Seungjun] Man, I'm losing my mind. What do I do?

My heart's about to explode.

[Chaehyun] "Please, please…"

That's all that was going through my head.

Judge one scores the bout…

67 to 66…

for Kuk Seungjun.

JUDGE 1 BLUE CORNER KUK SEUNGJUN WINS

[Seungjun] I was anxious the whole time,

but that gave me a bit of hope that I could actually win this.

Judge two scores the bout

68 to 65…

for Lee Chaehyun.

JUDGE 2 RED CORNER LEE CHAEHYUN WINS

[Chaehyun] I was like, "Please, please…"

"Please let the second judge score it for me."

I was insanely nervous.

Lastly, Judge three scores the bout…

[Seungjun] I kept screaming inside my head, "Please call my name."

[Chaehyun] Since the winner's decided by the third judge,

I just closed my eyes and waited for the result.

[Jongkook] Judge three scores the bout…

67 to 66…

for Kuk Seungjun.

JUDGE 3 BLUE CORNER KUK SEUNGJUN WINS

[♪ hopeful music playing]

The blockbuster boxing survival show, I Am Boxer!

By judges' decision,

the champion is…

Kuk Seungjun!

I AM BOXER CHAMPION: KUK SEUNGJUN

Well done, Son.

Now, Master Don Lee will present

the championship belt to Kuk Seungjun.

Give it up for our champion.

You did great, my boy.

-Gosh, he did good. -You were amazing.

I did it!

You did awesome.

You did so well.

Well done, Chaehyun!

-You did great, Chaehyun! -Well fought!

-You put up a good fight, Chaehyun! -You did great!

Now let's hear from Kuk Seungjun,

the champion of I Am Boxer.

Ever since I was a kid,

my father and I shared a dream.

The dream of becoming a champion.

Standing here today as champion…

I feel incredibly happy and overwhelmed.

I'd like to dedicate this belt to my parents.

[♪ gentle music playing]

Our family has gone through a lot.

Honestly, we were once at a point where we were talking about

giving up on everything.

But after I started boxing,

that kind of talk just disappeared.

Honestly, it was incredible.

So naturally,

I truly fell in love with boxing.

Now let's also hear from Lee Chaehyun,

who put up an incredible fight.

Of course, it's disappointing that I didn't win.

But I believe the biggest reason I'm standing here today is

because I stayed consistent and kept working hard.

Even if boxers across the country

don't always get the results they hope for,

I hope they keep going steadily and sincerely.

And to my family, who's supported me every step of the way,

I love you.

And lastly,

even in my next life, I'd still choose boxing.

The blockbuster boxing survival show, I Am Boxer.

We have come to the end of its long journey.

To the fighters who will lead the future of Korean boxing,

let's give them a big round of applause!

-Thank you! -Thank you!

Great work, everyone.

-You fought well. -You too.

Thanks.

All right.

[Seungjun] Boxing was my salvation.

[Chaehyun] Boxing means everything to me.

It's my life.

[Hyeongbin] It feels like two lives colliding.

That's the feeling I get with boxing.

Through boxing, I learned patience and perseverance,

and I grew a lot as a person.

Boxing is like my lifelong companion.

In times when I felt lost, boxing was what saved me.

To me, boxing is

almost like a god.

Boxing is my life.

[in English] "No boxing, no life."

[in Korean] That one phrase says it all.

I realized just how much I love boxing,

and how much I enjoy it.

I realized how serious I am about boxing,

and just how much I love it.

I'm really glad I became a boxer.

Well done. You can sit.

-That cage was way too small for you. -[chuckles]

Good.

[laughing]

Last one! Last one!

Translated by Jisu Park