Ha Young Controversy Shakes Up SBS's Hit Drama Lineup

SBS has delayed its upcoming drama "The Long Shot Trial" amid a controversy over the family history of lead actress Ha Young. The broadcaster is turning to "Full Count," a baseball drama starring Kim Rae-won, to fill the gap.

The setback comes at an awkward time. as SBS's Friday-Saturday drama drama lineup has been performing strongly.

According to SBS on Oct. 19, "The Long Shot Trial" was originally scheduled to air in February 2027. That plan has now been postponed. The delay appears to be linked to allegations that Ha Young's great-grandfather was involved in pro-Japanese activities during Korea's colonial period. It is a deeply sensitive issue in South Korea because of Japan's past colonial rule.

"It's true that the drama's schedule has been adjusted," SBS said. "Many staff and cast members made this project together, so we are looking at options from many angles. But nothing has been decided yet about a specific air date."

The slot's recent numbers show the momentum SBS has built. "Agent Kim Reactivated", starring So Ji-sub, ended in July with a viewership rating of 23.1%. Its follow-up, "Flex x Cop Season 2," peaked at 11.8%.

SBS is currently airing "Doctor X: Mafia in White", starring Kim Ji-won. Its fourth episode, which aired on Oct. 17, scored a viewership rating of 18.5%.

Two more series are lined up after it: "Good Partner 2," starring Jang Na-ra, and "Excitatio", starring Lee Jun-hyuk. "The Long Shot Trial" was originally scheduled to follow next February. With its schedule now up in the air, SBS plans to fill the slot with “Full Count.”

"Full Count" stars Kim Rae-won and Park Hoon. The story revolves around a fight over the manager's position at a pro baseball team called the Stars. Kim Rae-won plays Hwang Jin-ho, the team's acting manager. Park plays Jo Dong-hee, a pitching coach who is a candidate to become the next manager.

The series marks Kim Rae-won's return to SBS dramas about four years after "The First Responders 2" which aired in 2023.

SBS has found success with baseball-themed dramas before. "Stove League," starring Namkoong Min, aired in 2019 and recorded a peak viewership rating of 19.1% for its final episode. That show centered on the people running a baseball team's front office. "Full Count" shifts the focus to the rivalry over who will take the manager's job.

Having already shown that a baseball drama can draw a big audience, SBS is betting on the same genre again. The question is whether the new series can build on that success and turn an unexpected scheduling change into an opportunity to maintain the Friday-Saturday slot's strong performance.