The drama 'Try', featuring actor Yoon Kye-sang and heartthrob Kim Yo-han, takes on the challenge of becoming a hit sports drama for SBS following 'Stove League'.
SBS held a production presentation for the new Friday-Saturday drama 'Try: We Become a Miracle' (written by Lim Jin-a, directed by Jang Young-seok, abbreviated as 'Try') on the afternoon of the 25th at their headquarters located in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The main cast, including Yoon Kye-sang, Lim Se-mi, Kim Yo-han, and director Jang Young-seok, attended to discuss the drama under the moderation of broadcaster Park Kyung-rim.
'Try' is a comedic coming-of-age sports drama about the quirky director Joo Ga-ram, who leads the underdog rugby team of Hanyang High School on a quest for victory at the National Sports Festival. Following the success of two well-received sports dramas, 'Stove League' in 2020 and 'Racket Boys' in 2021, SBS creates anticipation for this long-awaited youth sports drama.
The drama won the top prize at the 2021 SBS scenario competition with unanimous support from the judges. Writer Lim Jin-a's fresh script has collaborated with director Jang Young-seok, known for his directing ability in 'Taxi Driver Season 2'.
Yoon Kye-sang plays the lead role of director Joo Ga-ram, who was a rugby idol but faced disgraceful retirement due to a doping controversy and is making a fresh start as the rugby team director at Hanyang High School. Additionally, Lim Se-mi stars as Baek Ji, the flying coach for the shooting team, and Kim Yo-han, a member of WE-I and an actor, takes on the role of Yoon Seong-jun, the captain of the Hanyang High School rugby team.
Director Jang Young-seok confidently stated about the work, "'Try' is a fun and entertaining drama that showcases the journey of the rugby team friends from Hanyang High School, who are facing an abolition crisis, as the troubled Joo Ga-ram becomes their director and challenges for victory."
'Try', the SBS sports drama coming four years after 'Stove League' and 'Racket Boys', has director Jang Young-seok admitting, "It would be a lie to say that there wasn't any pressure to continue the lineage of such dramas. Nonetheless, our rugby sport has a slightly more physical collision than other dramas, so we aimed to bring a more intense experience and provide raw enjoyment to the viewers."
Yoon Kye-sang, who returned as a director from a former rugby idol, said, "As a director, I didn't have much physical preparation. I did a lot of research on rugby and its appeal through YouTube. There's so much information out there. As I researched, I became fascinated by rugby. I believe that after watching this drama, rugby will transform from an unpopular sport to a popular one."
Lim Se-mi also noted, "I wasn't involved in a contact sport, but shooting is an individual sport. Along with actor Park Jung-hyun and actor Sung Chi-young, we went to the shooting range for personal training. It was a battle against oneself, so I practiced while reflecting on myself as if in meditation."
Kim Yo-han also attended an actual high school and had previously competed as a taekwondo athlete before his debut. He said, "I trained with my friends from the rugby team three months before filming. Initially, it was a challenging sport for us as it was unfamiliar. But as we practiced, we learned the rules and found its appeal. Even during practice, the touch game was fun, and as a result, I had a deeper understanding and a more enjoyable filming experience." He continued, "We practiced together all the time. The director also came out to train with us several times," to which Yoon Kye-sang humorously corrected him, saying, "I went exactly two times. I went out for two weeks."
What is the appeal of rugby, an unpopular sport in Korea? Kim Yo-han emphasized, "It's truly a team effort. You cannot succeed in a try alone. The different positions in the team is a compelling aspect." He added, "None can be absent in this play."
Yoon Kye-sang added, "I've said it all. The rules are fair play and gentlemanly. Passes are never made forward but always backward. We progressively move forward with integrity, and at times when team members combine their strength to push through to the final point, it warms my heart and provides me strength to see it."
What did director Jang Young-seok think? He explained, "Unlike other sports, the physical collisions necessitate a better visual appeal, which provides advantageous points for the drama material. We made an effort to capitalize on those points to convey them on screen."
Themes of being a minority sport and the sorrow from being consistently at the bottom add a sense of déjà vu. Director Jang Young-seok remarked, "To avoid becoming melodramatic, I aimed to create a drama that is bright and healthy. We prepared with our utmost dedication, and since we did, I expect good results."
However, with the previous work 'Our Movie' ending with relatively low viewership ratings, there must be some pressure regarding the initial audience ratings. Director Jang Young-seok asserted, "The biggest strength of our drama is its energy. From Kim Yo-han and the other actors in the shooting and rugby teams, they all poured out energy without damaging it. I, along with actors Lim Se-mi and Yoon Kye-sang, who shared many scenes, dedicated significant effort to maintain that energy. We all believe that it is the strength and weapon of our drama. If that message comes across, I believe we will have a competitive work."
Yoon Kye-sang, who will showcase comedic acting again after a long time, stated, "Comedic acting was enjoyable," while laughing, but added, "there was also pressure. Joo Ga-ram is a very important role and the person leading the rugby team's growth. I pondered a lot about how to keep it from being boring. What I often feel about acting is that I always want to pursue acting that has true meaning. When facing this role, I thought to maximize the humorous parts inside me, which might have made it more natural."
He particularly stated, "For those who liked Yoon Kye-sang when he was young and active in TV shows, I've incorporated a lot of my former playful and comedic side into this character. I tried very hard to ensure it looks natural. Please judge after watching the drama. I definitely did my best." He continued, "That's a bit of a cheat, but I've used it this time. We aimed to bring out my cheerful side, the playful Yoon Kye-sang. The director was also very open to ad-libs, leading to a lot of playful scenes."
Regarding the casting of the three actors, director Jang Young-seok expressed, "Joo Ga-ram is a character that is really complex and difficult, who sometimes appears playful and at times serious. Thus, Yoon Kye-sang's performance is present throughout. When I read the script, it came to mind easily." He further stated, "Lim Se-mi is an actress who brings a strong cartoonish quality to our drama while ensuring it does not drift too far from reality. She's the one who can convincingly portray this drama as a realistic narrative," showing deep trust. "Kim Yo-han appears to be like a character that jumped out from a comic, looking like a sports team captain," which brought smiles.
Kim Yo-han remarked about his chemistry with Yoon Kye-sang, "The characters that senior and I portray are of really opposing vibes. In terms of the script and dialogue, I absorbed the emotions from that time authentically. Senior conveyed all the lines and emotions, so my reactions were a reflection of what he portrayed. Seong-jun is deep, but later on becomes rather straightforward. I think that's why our dialogues flowed well together."
Yoon Kye-sang responded, "For about two and a half months before this project, SBS secured a practice room for us, allowing us to rehearse together. The chemistry was excellent right from the first shoot. The set was incredibly enjoyable."
Lim Se-mi also mentioned being a long-time fan of g.o.d. She said, "Honestly, I was so happy and enjoyed working with senior Kye-sang. It was a thrilling experience for me whenever we met. However, there were moments when I had to glare and get angry, leading to laughter at the cut moments. I hope we've expressed good chemistry fully."
Especially, she noted, "I was a fan of g.o.d. My user ID was Kye-sang's wife. It was in a chat. I had quite a role in the Gangnam branch. I've been a fan from the moment I first laid eyes on him, and there's no reason not to be a fan still. Acting alongside such a partner has become a miracle," which elicited laughter from everyone. Yoon Kye-sang responded, "She has been the most comfortable actress I've worked with up to now. She really did exceptionally well."
In conclusion, Yoon Kye-sang stated, "It may sound cliché, but the script is very interesting. I can't help saying that I'm very confident. By watching the drama, you might think it has predictable themes and plots, but it is entirely different. Our director embodies current trends with a solid storyline and detail, which are the real strengths of this drama. After reading the script, I felt genuinely good, and during filming with the director, it has only gotten better. I'm confident it will do well." Director Jang Young-seok added, "It's a story about children who dream dreams that aren't easily supported by others, and adults who selflessly support those dreams. Please watch our drama warmly."
'Try' will premiere tonight (25th) at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN Reporter Park Jun-hyung.
[OSEN]