"The second 'Stove League'"
SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'The Winning Try' captivated viewers with its delightful teamwork from the first broadcast. There are already comments that it smells like a blockbuster after 'Stove League.'
The first episode of 'The Winning Try' (written by Lim Jin-a and directed by Jang Young-seok), which aired on the 25th, tells the miraculous story of rugby idol Joo Ga-ram (played by Yoon Kye-sang), who disappeared after an embarrassing retirement, returning as the new coach of his alma mater Hanyang Physical Education High School, which has been the perennial bottom team. The first episode recorded a nationwide rating of 4.1% and a peak of 4.8% in the metropolitan area (according to Nielsen Korea), marking a refreshing start.
The first episode caught attention with developments reminiscent of 'Stove League' from the very beginning. Joo Ga-ram, who went from being a star of the championship-winning team to an instant retired player, faces a crisis as the high school rugby team is on the verge of disbandment, along with players who are not welcoming his return and opposing factions. While it focuses on sports, the way it intertwines human drama and the narrative of organizational rebuilding evokes memories of 'Stove League.'
In the series, Joo Ga-ram suddenly left the rugby world after collapsing during a game due to illness, but returned after receiving a love call from principal Jung Hyo (played by Gil Hae-yeon) three years later. However, he faced off directly with vice principal Seong Jong-man (played by Kim Min-sang), who was pushing for the disbandment of the rugby team from the moment he assumed his post, and also had sharp conflicts with rugby team captain Yoon Seong-jun (played by Kim Yo-han). Joo Ga-ram expressed confidence, saying, "There isn't anyone who can play rugby better than me," but Seong-jun coldly responded, calling him a "traitor."
The poignant relationship with his ex-girlfriend and health teacher at Hanyang Physical Education High School, Bae I-ji (played by Lim Se-mi), also served as another narrative axis. Joo Ga-ram attempted to lighten the mood by joking, "Since we haven't formally broken up, I'm neither her current boyfriend nor her ex-boyfriend," but I-ji reacted with anger, hinting that their feelings for each other were still ongoing.
At the end of the broadcast, as the rugby team prepared for a customized sacrificial offering, Ga-ram made a heavy performance by placing a rugby ball on a pig's head, signaling his return with the declaration, "I am rugby." This evoked a strange catharsis reminiscent of the moment where Baek Seung-soo (played by Namkoong Min), the director general, enters Dreamz and embarks on a new start in 'Stove League.'
Yoon Kye-sang perfectly portrayed the character of Joo Ga-ram, who oscillates between joyfulness and seriousness as a 'clear-eyed madman' in this work. From pretending to be cool while hiding his past to passionately expressing his love for rugby, as well as the emotional conflicts with his students, he enhanced the immersion with a broad range of acting. He transformed seamlessly into 'Joo Ga-ram itself,' anticipating another life character.
Immediately after the broadcast, online reactions were enthusiastic, with comments like "'The Winning Try' feels like a school edition of Stove League," "Yoon Kye-sang is really in his main character," "My heart raced, and my nose tingled," "The seven members of the rugby team have rich characters," and "This is a sports drama treasure trove." In particular, the balance of relationships and narrative, along with the synergy in directing and acting, further heightened expectations for future developments.
'Stove League' started with a rating of 5.5% and recorded a peak rating of 16.1% when it ended after 16 episodes, writing a new history as a well-made drama. Fans are focused on whether 'The Winning Try' will continue the legacy of popular SBS sports dramas.
Meanwhile, the second episode of 'The Winning Try' will be broadcast tonight (26th) at 9:50 p.m., and global viewers can watch it through Netflix.
[Photo] Provided by SBS
[OSEN]