GOAT

〈GOAT〉 is a fact-based human drama that traces the rise of an unlikely hero who discovers his purpose through a single arcade game—Tekken—in the aftermath of Korea’s 1997 IMF financial crisis. What begins as a desperate escape in a fading arcade becomes the foundation for his journey to becoming one of Asia’s top fighting game players.

With no particular talent and labeled the weakest at school, the protagonist stumbles upon Tekken by chance and, for the first time, uncovers his own persistence and competitive drive. As he takes on top players across the country, the series unfolds as a classic underdog story—one defined by repeated and hard-earned growth.

At the height of his dominance, with a winning streak at EVO—the world’s premier fighting game championship—he suffers a shocking defeat to a 15-year-old prodigy from Pakistan. Forced to confront his limits, he sets aside his pride and travels to Pakistan to learn from a completely new competitive culture, embarking on a transformative journey of humility and reinvention.

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing era, GOAT quietly reflects on what it means to endure and hold one’s ground. Positioned as the first franchise-driven series to fully explore the world of esports, it combines emotional depth with high-stakes competitive storytelling.

The project brings together a powerhouse creative team: creators and writers Ryu Yong-jae (Parasyte: The Grey, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area) and Lee Do-kyung; director Park So-yeon (Pyramid Game, which ranked No.1 in weekly paid subscriber growth on TVING and received critical acclaim from outlets including the BBC); and executive producer Francis Chung (former Head of U.S. Production at CJ Entertainment, named one of Variety’s “Hollywood Leaders” in 2018).