YMCA Baseball Team

The film begins with a flashback showing a young Korean boy, Yi Ho-chang, and his friend in a field. They are supposed to be studying, but Ho-chang is more interested in his soccer ball, which leads to a series of curious events. This opening sets the scene for Ho-chang's fascination with sports and discovery.

Ho-chang accidentally kicks his soccer ball into a nearby property and climbs over the gate to retrieve it. Inside, he finds a small, hard ball which he initially mistakes for a shrunken soccer ball. A missionary corrects him, revealing it is a baseball, sparking Ho-chang’s curiosity.

Despite fleeing the school after his discovery, Ho-chang’s interest remains. He returns with other Koreans to join the YMCA baseball league, demonstrating his growing fascination with the sport. The group’s enthusiasm makes them a notable team in their town.

The team, coached by the female Min Jung-rim, quickly achieves success and becomes a source of pride for their community. Their performance highlights the rising popularity of baseball among Koreans and the team’s unity.

Throughout the story, Ho-chang falls deeply in love with his uninterested coach, Min Jung-rim. His love adds a layer of comic relief to the story, showcasing his youthful admiration and dedication.

While headed to practice, the team is approached by Japanese soldiers who claim their practice ground is now a Japanese training camp. This encounter reflects the tense political climate of Korea under Japanese rule.

A team member, Oh Dae-hyeon, proposes a competitive baseball game against the Japanese soldiers to resolve the conflict. The game becomes a symbol of Korean resilience and their attempt to assert themselves through sports.

Meanwhile, the Korean diplomats and revolutionaries are engaged in protests against the Eulsa Treaty that makes Korea a Japanese protectorate. Members of the baseball team are also involved with the Anti-Eulsa League, tying sports to national resistance.

Despite their efforts, the YMCA team loses to the Japanese in the first match, dashing their hopes and symbolizing Korea’s subjugation under Japanese dominance. The loss motivates their decision to shift away from baseball.

Following the team's defeat, Ho-chang fulfills his father's wish by taking over his family's school. Despite his love for baseball, he chooses a more practical role, representing personal sacrifice and cultural expectations.

In a dramatic culmination, the team reunites for one last rematch against the Japanese. Their victory symbolizes Korean unity, resilience, and national pride amidst social and political upheaval.