New Baseball Show 'Fiery Baseball' Launches Amid Controversy

On April 18, 2025, the new entertainment program 'Fiery Baseball' officially launched with the release of its first teaser video through its social media channels. The video showcases the newly formed team, the 'Fiery Fighters', along with the legendary director Kim Seong-geun and a roster of 25 players, stirring excitement among baseball fans.

The 'Fiery Fighters' lineup features notable players including Park Yong-taek, Song Seung-jun, Lee Taek-geun, Jung Sung-hoon, Ni-pert, Jung Keun-woo, Lee Dae-ho, Kim Jae-ho, Jung Eui-yoon, Yoo Hee-kwan, Kim Moon-ho, Lee Dae-eun, Shin Jae-young, Park Jae-wook, Choi Soo-hyun, Sun Seong-kwon, Kim Kyung-mo, Kang Dong-woo, Park Joon-young, Park Chan-hyung, Lim Sang-woo, Kim Min-bum, Moon Gyo-won, Oh Se-hoon, and Lee Kwang-gil. The production team also shared a glimpse of the new uniforms donned by the players, with Kim Seong-geun enthusiastically signaling approval as he found his own uniform.

The anticipation for the 'Fiery Fighters' first face-to-face game against Dongguk University is palpable, as it is scheduled to take place at Gocheok Sky Dome on April 27, 2025, at 2 PM. In a brief message, the production team expressed their excitement, stating, "It’s been a while. This is our first face-to-face game."

However, the launch of 'Fiery Baseball' comes amidst a backdrop of controversy involving its predecessor, 'Strongest Baseball.' The production company C1 and broadcaster JTBC have been embroiled in a conflict over production costs related to 'Strongest Baseball.' JTBC accused C1 of overcharging by billions of won, which C1 has denied, claiming that JTBC is attempting to seize the intellectual property (IP) of 'Strongest Baseball.'

As tensions escalated, C1 decided to proceed with filming 'Fiery Baseball', despite JTBC’s warnings of potential legal action. On the same day as the teaser release, JTBC announced plans to launch a new season of 'Strongest Baseball' in September 2025, while also preparing to take legal action against any content that they believe infringes on their IP.

JTBC has made it clear that they are the original copyright holders of 'Strongest Baseball' and have threatened strong legal measures against any similar content. They emphasized that they would not tolerate any illegal production or broadcasting of derivative content that merely changes the title or structure of 'Strongest Baseball.'

Following the announcement of 'Fiery Baseball', there are concerns about how the ongoing legal disputes will affect the program's future and its ability to connect with viewers. The conflict has raised questions about copyright, production costs, and revenue distribution between the two entities.

In a statement, JTBC asserted, "As the copyright holder of 'Strongest Baseball', we will take firm legal action against any similar content that infringes upon our rights." They also indicated that they are considering filing an injunction to halt production if the same cast members from 'Strongest Baseball' appear in 'Fiery Baseball.'

On the other side, C1 has been vocal about their stance, claiming that the contract with JTBC allows them to produce 'Fiery Baseball' under the terms of a fixed agreement. They argue that the copyright issues raised by JTBC are unfounded and that their program does not infringe on any existing rights.

Amidst these disputes, the anticipation for the 'Fiery Fighters' first game remains high. Tickets for the game will go on sale through Yes24 starting April 22, 2025, at 2 PM, and the excitement surrounding the new team and its players is palpable.

As the situation unfolds, both 'Fiery Baseball' and 'Strongest Baseball' are poised to capture the attention of baseball fans, but the legal battles may overshadow their efforts to engage viewers. The outcome of this conflict could significantly impact the future of baseball entertainment in South Korea.

With director Jang Si-won at the helm and a lineup of seasoned players, 'Fiery Baseball' aims to carve out its own identity while navigating the complexities of the ongoing disputes with JTBC. Fans are left wondering how this saga will resolve and what it means for the future of their beloved baseball programs.