"If you're going to do that, get out." 'Rookie coach Kim Yeon-gyeong' opened the curtain on a deeply immersive sports narrative by capturing the tears of players who had been released from their former team.
On the night of the 5th, the MBC entertainment show 'Rookie coach Kim Yeon-gyeong' episode 2 featured the Wonder Dogs facing the professional team IBK Industrial Bank Altos. As the underdog Wonder Dogs faced a pro team for the first time, they struggled.
In the first set, after giving up the opening point to the Altos, the Wonder Dogs faltered with eight consecutive points against them. The players' lack of fundamentals was especially apparent. Unforced errors were pointed to as a major cause of the points conceded, prompting regret and at the same time provoking coach Kim Yeon-gyeong's anger.
Among them, the points were especially painful for setter Lee Jin because she was once a promising player of the Altos volleyball team. In other words, she met the team that had released her. Ultimately Lee Jin was replaced in midfirst set by senior Lee Na-yeon. In contrast to Lee Jin, who continued to make unforced errors, Lee Na-yeon took accurate receives and handled the first toss cleanly, turning the momentum.
Later, Lee Jin broke down in tears in an interview with the production team. She wiped her tears and said, "I'm a starter, I shouldn't be like this, I can't even toss, my heart isn't like this but I couldn't do it. This shouldn't happen," as she cried.
Meanwhile Wonder Dogs libero Koo Hye-in was also a player released by the Altos. Koo Hye-in debuted as a professional volleyball player after joining the Altos in 2021 and only left the Altos in June of this year. She faced the Altos as an opponent within a quarter after leaving the team.
Maybe because of that, she made frequent mistakes such as aimlessly lifting the ball. As fatal mistakes continued from the team's libero, Kim Yeon-gyeong eventually substituted even Koo Hye-in. Especially, after a mistake Kim scolded Koo Hye-in, who apologized to her teammates, with "Don't say you're sorry, if you keep saying sorry you'll lose the match!" Koo Hye-in blamed herself for the mistakes and choked up in an interview on the bench, saying "I think I only made mistakes," and showed tears.
Lee Jin comforted Koo Hye-in. "You did well, unni. Still, you can come in, can't you?" In fact, Lee Jin and Koo Hye-in had shared a room, analyzed strategies together, and trained together, which strengthened their bond. The situation of the two players released from the Altos moved viewers and increased immersion in the underdog Wonder Dogs.
But stepping off the court did not mean it was over. Support was treated like a play in itself to achieve orchestra-like volleyball. Lee Jin said, "Seeing Na-yeon unni outside the court made me think I should do well," and Koo Hye-in also said, "I'm on the bench now, but I hope we win. I hope Subin unni holds up well," cheering for the substituted player.
With the Wonder Dogs dramatically tying the second set, episode 2 of 'Wonder Dogs' ended. The preview hinted at a match against a Japanese high school championship team, stoking competitive spirit. Attention is focused on how the Wonder Dogs' first match against a pro team ended and on the narrative of 'Rookie coach Kim Yeon-gyeong'.<
[Photo] Source: MBC.
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