A familiar face from Korean drama has emerged as a national sports hero. Joel Jin Nwamadi, a former child actor known for his role in the hit KBS2 series Descendants of the Sun, is now making headlines for a completely different reason— winning Korea’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s 400m relay at a major global athletics event .
In Descendants of the Sun, Nwamadi captivated viewers in 2016 as a young boy from the fictional war-torn land of Uruk. In a now-iconic scene, he looked up at SHINee’s Onew and said, “I want a goat, not shoes. I want to raise one,” capturing the harsh reality of his environment with innocent honesty.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and Nwamadi is now celebrated for his explosive athleticism. The son of a former Nigerian long jumper, Nwamadi inherited not only the genetics but the passion for track and field. Having started his athletics career in elementary school, he quickly rose through youth competitions, winning multiple medals.
In April this year, he made a stunning debut on the adult stage by clinching first place in the men’s 100m race during the Korean national team trials for the Asian Athletics Championships. His breakout moment came on May 31, when the Korean men’s 400m relay team won their first-ever gold medal in the history of the Asian Championships, clocking a national record of 38.49 seconds .
The success didn’t stop there. On July 27, at the 2025 Summer Universiade in Germany, Nwamadi joined teammates Seo Min-jun (Seocheon County), Lee Jae-sung (Gwangju City), and Kim Jung-yoon (Korea National Sports University) to clinch gold once again in the 400m relay with a time of 38.50 seconds, narrowly defeating South Africa.
The achievement marks a historic first for Korea—never before has the nation claimed gold in a global relay event. Broadcasters covering the event lauded the team’s “blazing race by Korea’s young talents.”
Returning to Korea on July 29, Nwamadi told reporters at Incheon International Airport,
“Being the second runner really brings out my strengths. When we realized we won first place, it was unbelievable. My heart was overflowing.”
Netizens reacted with enthusiasm:
- “Did I really just witness Korea winning gold in track?”
- “This feels like a dream!”
- “K-pop is leading globally, and now sports too? Amazing!”
The Korean Association of Athletics said their strategic decision to invest in the 400m relay—through overseas training and intense competition for national team spots—played a key role in this breakthrough. However, experts note that a time of around 38.2 seconds is needed to secure a berth at the Olympics or World Championships.
Joel Jin Nwamadi’s journey—from a child star with a memorable line to a gold-winning sprinter—is more than just impressive. It’s a testament to growth, talent, and the power of dreams, capturing the hearts of a nation once again.
Naver
