In the era of behind-the-athlete documentaries, the timing of a series like My Lovely Boxer is perfect. The series follows a young boxing prodigy, Lee Kwon-Sook (Kim So-Hye), who suddenly disappears at the height of her career to escape the toxicity of her home life and avoid becoming commodified as a boxer. In its first two episodes, it's clear that this isn't about the sport itself. Rather, as Kwon-Sook and sports agent Kim Tae-Young (Lee Sang-yub) cross paths, the exploitative practices in the sports industry are quickly exposed, showing the disconnect between sports as a profession - both a passion and a way to make ends meet - and sports as entertainment at any cost. The show wastes no time glamourizing an athlete's life but instead illuminates every dark corner waiting to make a quick buck. And like the tell-all documentaries, the horrors behind the scenes are upsetting, but keep you watching. 

Kim So-Hye gives a stellar performance as a young woman frightened by the idea of returning to boxing. It is hinted that her father (and trainer) was abusive and was possibly behind her mother's death. And although she tries to start over, she hesitates to fully embrace her new life. So-Hye does a great job showing the internal conflict as Kwon-Sook overrides how her father conditioned her for years. She makes Kwon-Sook feel like a real girl trying her best in small ways, battling the grief for her mother, love for the children she teaches, and the resentment towards the man who made her hate her life.