SBS's Friday and Saturday drama 'Try' completed a thrilling comeback drama with Yoon Kye-sang and the Hanyang Physical Education High School rugby team. It achieved record ratings and buzz, creating a miraculous double pull.
On the 2nd (Sat), the fourth episode of SBS's Friday and Saturday drama 'Try' (written by Lim Jin-a / directed by Jang Young-seok hereafter 'Try') saw the Hanyang Physical Education High School head coach Joo Ka-ram (played by Yoon Kye-sang) and the Hanyang Physical Education High School rugby team successfully recruit new members after a fierce battle, providing a thrilling experience across the summer heat. Additionally, the ending hinted at the recurrence of Joo's 'severe myasthenia gravis,' which had been the reason for his retirement, heightening the immersion. Accordingly, 'Try' recorded a peak rating of 7.7%, 6.0% in the metropolitan area, and 5.4% nationwide, marking yet another record high and securing the top spot in the most competitive Saturday mini-series institutional sector. Notably, the 2049 rating averaged 1.8% and peaked at 2.23%, proving its hot topic in the Saturday mini-series.
During the broadcast, the plan of Vice Principal Seong Jong-man (played by Kim Min-sang) caused a sudden halt to the recruitment, raising tension. Jong-man shocked everyone with the nonsensical condition that Moon Ung (played by Kim Dan) must pass tests in other sports to be admitted. When Principal Kang Jeong-hyo (played by Gil Hae-yeon) strongly protested, Jong-man retorted, "This is a vocational training center. The principal's romantic ideas are outdated dreams." Reflecting on how he had previously encouraged Jeong-hyo to choose rugby, Joo expressed to the despondent Jeong-hyo, "They're all playing and rolling as a result of their own choices. Please give them the opportunity to decide for themselves," showcasing his depth as a coach and mentor.
Meanwhile, the rugby team began operations to secure Ung. Captain Yoon Seong-jun (played by Kim Yo-han) initiated intense training, while Ka-ram secretly infiltrated other athletic teams to steal the opponent's training log, producing humorous espionage-like activities. Vice Principal Jong-man convened a teacher meeting excluding the rugby team and conducted underground maneuvers for the rugby team's disbandment, even instructing Ka-ram's ex-girlfriend Bae Ji (played by Lim Se-mi) to monitor Ka-ram under the pretext of renegotiating her contract, which fueled anger.
This made training without separate coaching quite difficult. Eventually, Seong-jun directly sought help from Shooting Club captain Seo Woo-jin (played by Park Jeong-yeon), as Woo-jin had previously been on the archery team. Although Woo-jin remained unresponsive to Seong-jun's heartfelt plea, seeing Ung with his arm covered in injuries from practice made him waver, and ultimately, he agreed to help. Additionally, to ensure that Ka-ram could compete purely on physicality in the archery match, a variable of turning on a water hose was devised, hinting at a more thrilling development.
After a blood-pumping training session, the day of the decisive battle arrived. The first test was rugby. Ung not only showcased his natural physical abilities and stamina but instinctively executed fakes, surprising everyone. Following this successful debut, the next test was fencing. Ung had to compete against the Fencing Club's captain. Despite conceding a staggering 9 points and the match resulting in failure against the club's ace, Ung analyzed the captain's gameplay pattern and managed to score, creating an electric atmosphere.
However, Vice Principal Jong-man executed a sabotage scheme no one expected. He canceled the match by claiming the archery team suffered from food poisoning. Furthermore, in collusion with Shooting Club head Jeon Nak-kyun (played by Lee Seong-wook), he schemed to switch events to shooting, inciting outrage among viewers. Seong-jun misinterpreted all these actions as Woo-jin's covert betrayal. Upon learning Woo-jin would be participating, he confessed, "Just let me win once. I want to play rugby. Instead of being constantly compared to that soccer player Yoon Seok-jun, I want to live as a rugby player Yoon Seong-jun," moving hearts. At the same time, Ka-ram, firmly convinced by Jong-man that the rugby match was already over, responded, "Just wait and see. I will show you that potential," intensifying the tension.
Finally, the last shooting match began. Ka-ram inspired morale with his characteristic cheerfulness, stating, "Our rugby team will be alright because I, Joo Ka-ram, am here." Even until just before the match, he gently reassured Ung that it was okay to lose. Given the technical nature of the event, Ung recorded low scores during the match, disappointing many. Ka-ram and Principal Jeong-hyo, sensing failure, discussed alternate plans. However, a reversal occurred soon after. At the moment when Vice Principal Jong-man was celebrating the disbandment of the rugby team, Woo-jin intentionally shot a score of zero, ending the match. Jeong-hyo Na Gyu-won (played by Jang Hyuk-jin), part of the push for disbanding the rugby team, vented his rage at Jong-man, who retaliated by nullifying Ji's contract out of spite.
However, just when Ka-ram was sharing the joy of victory with the rugby team, he abruptly dashed out of the locker room, captivating attention amidst excruciating pain. The 'severe myasthenia gravis' that had forced Ka-ram into retirement struck again. At that moment, as Ka-ram writhed in pain, Ji discovered him, leading to a dramatic ending and raising the question of whether Ka-ram's long-hidden secret would be revealed.
Thus, the fourth episode of 'Try' provided a poignant aftertaste with the miraculous achievements of Ka-ram and the rugby team, even amid various sabotage efforts. In particular, the introduction of Ung, promising to become the rugby team's ace, along with Ka-ram's passionate teamwork and relentless efforts to recruit new members, added laughter and vitality. Specifically, Yoon Kye-sang anchored the drama with his dense performance, embodying the strong charisma of the head coach and the warmth of a mentor, raising expectations for the rugby team's remarkable rise.
Meanwhile, shortly after the broadcast of the fourth episode of 'Try', various online communities and SNS erupted with responses such as, "'Try' is the very essence of youth," "Today was incredibly fun. The kids are all so adorable," "Everything about 'Try' is great. It brings emotion and laughter; what a riot," "I love how our drama transitions like a comic strip. The immersion is phenomenal," "Seong-jun is increasingly like Joo Ka-ram. The bromance chemistry with the rugby team is entertaining," "Seo Woo-jin's performance was a dopamine explosion. Can I call you 'sister Woo-jin'?" "The rural style of the rugby team is delightful. I'm captivated," "Ung is truly a natural athlete. The thrill of success is exhilarating," "The Ka-ram and Ji relationship is amusing, but this is a high school romance database," "How can I wait until next week? Time flies too fast," "Joo Ka-ram's story is slowly unraveling. So curious," among other enthusiastic reactions.
SBS's Friday and Saturday drama 'Try' is a comedic growth sports drama about the unpredictable eccentric coach Joo Ka-ram and the chronically last-placed Hanyang Physical Education High School rugby team racing towards victory in the National Sports Festival, airing every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] SBS
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