Maru Kang lived an ordinary life with no particular passion—until his father forces him to watch a soccer match on television. What begins as reluctant viewing ignites a deep obsession with the sport, pushing Maru to set an ambitious goal: become a great soccer player. Unfortunately, reality isn’t kind. Labeled the “King of the Losers” at his high school, Maru lacks talent, experience, and confidence. Through relentless training, painful failures, and gradual improvement, Maru begins building himself from the ground up, one step at a time. The Build Up is a story about persistence, discipline, and proving that effort can change destiny.
The Build Up thrives on honesty. Maru doesn’t start as a prodigy—he starts behind everyone else. That’s what makes his journey compelling. Every improvement feels earned, every setback believable.
The series focuses heavily on fundamentals: stamina, technique, mindset, and teamwork. Rather than rushing toward glory, it celebrates the grind of learning something from scratch. This grounded approach makes the story especially resonant for readers who’ve struggled to improve at anything in real life.
This webtoon is ideal for fans of slow-burn sports stories, realistic training arcs, and protagonists who succeed through sheer persistence rather than natural talent.
