Actor Ji Jin-hee Narrates EBS Documentary 'Survival Sports': A Call to Action for Youth Physical Activity

Actor Ji Jin-hee has taken on the role of narrator for the EBS documentary 'Survival Sports'. Previously, Ji Jin-hee was involved in the KBS2 show 'Kick Kick Kick', which ended in March last year with low ratings.

The documentary highlights a concerning trend: teenagers and young children in South Korea spend an average of 10.4 hours a day sitting, with a lack of physical education in early school years. The focus on academic success and increased use of digital devices have led children to rely heavily on school physical education for their physical activity. This reliance results in more than just decreased physical fitness; it affects resilience, concentration, and teamwork skills, shaking the very foundation of their lives.

'Survival Sports' poses a critical question: How long can we survive as beings with bodies? It features stories of a female doctor who is also a professional boxer, a teacher who creates a gym at school to train with students, a community-run children's rugby team, a family connecting generations through CrossFit, and an 80-something world-renowned computer scientist.

For these individuals, exercise is not just about health management. It is training in enduring failure and finding the strength to rise when they fall. They attest that their physical training has been a driving force in overcoming life's challenges.

The lack of physical activity among Korean youth is evident in statistics. Korean teenagers spend over 10 hours a day sitting, ranking high among OECD countries, and some indicators show they are less active than those in their 70s. Meanwhile, the self-perceived fitness levels of teenagers are declining annually.

The issue is not a lack of willpower. It is the absence of learning fundamental movement skills (FMS), the 'alphabet of exercise'. Without developing basic abilities like running, throwing, and balancing, sports become an exclusive domain for those who excel. 'Survival Sports' explores the long-term issues caused by the lack of physical education in early schooling through expert interviews and real-life examples.

In an era where AI and technology are replacing aspects of life, this documentary seeks answers not in systems or equipment, but in the human body that still breathes and moves. What needs to change for exercise to become a 'survival skill' accessible to all, rather than a privilege for a select few?

'Survival Sports' does not confine exercise to a personal hobby or self-management. It examines how the experience of physical training connects to an individual's self-esteem, community resilience, and societal sustainability.

The documentary gains gravitas with Ji Jin-hee's narration. Known for his expert-level climbing skills, he remarked during the dubbing session that "climbing is the best exercise." His calm yet firm voice convincingly delivers the message that 'the body is an asset for survival'.

EBS's 'Survival Sports' will air on the 23rd at 9:55 PM on EBS 1TV and will be available for replay on the EBS website.

By Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr