The SBS Friday-Saturday series “The Winning Try” (written by Lim Jin-a, directed by Jang Young-seok) is a comedic, feel-good sports drama about an unpredictable, maverick coach, Joo Ga-ram, and the perennial last-place rugby team at Hanyang High School as they charge toward a National Sports Festival title.
“The Winning Try” keeps breaking its own records week after week. The show premiered with a peak rating of 4.8% and has steadily climbed. Episode 6 surged to a peak of 8.3%, nearly doubling in just three weeks―proof that the series truly scored off word of mouth.
As of the 11th, it also ranked No. 3 among TV series on Netflix Korea and entered the TV Top 10 in 12 countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia―cementing its status as both a buzzy and broadly appealing hit.
Here are three big reasons powering “The Winning Try”’s rise.
# “Hexagon Character” Joo Ga-ram Wins Over Viewers
Leading the way is Hanyang High School coach Joo Ga-ram, played by Yoon Kye-sang, the textbook example of a so-called “hexagon character”—someone equally strong in every facet of the game. In the drama, Ga-ram is a mentor and life coach who draws on the pain of his own early retirement to protect the pure love of rugby in his young players. He moves audiences with his guidance, while also bringing laughs with his humor and stirring hearts with his romantic tension with ex-girlfriend Bae Yi-ji (Lim Se-mi).
Episode 6 offered one of his most memorable moments yet: after yelling in frustration over a player’s injury, Ga-ram quickly owned up to his overreaction and apologized. The scene showed not only his desire for his players to avoid his own mistakes but also the maturity to admit when he’s wrong—leaving a strong impression on viewers.
Yoon’s fully-immersed performance brings the “hexagon character” concept to life. Switching seamlessly between heartfelt mentorship, comedic timing and swoon-worthy romance, he’s captivating audiences with his all-around acting prowess.
# An Underdog Arc that Makes You Root for Them
The Hanyang High rugby squad’s glow-up is equally irresistible. On the team are Yoon Sung-joon (Kim Yohan), Oh Young-gwang (Kim Yi-jun), So Myung-woo (Lee Soo-chan), Do Hyung-sik (Yoon Jae-chan), Kim Joo-yang (Hwang Sung-bin), Pyo Sun-ho (Woo Min-gyu), and Moon Woong (Kim Dan)―kids carving out their own paths while juggling real-life pressures and their love for the sport. Under Ga-ram, they learn what true teamwork means and how to be not just good players, but good teammates―earning viewers’ unwavering support along the way.
In Episode 2, the long-time cellar-dwellers stunned the defending national champions by punching in their first The Winning Try―a fist-pump upset that delivered chills and cemented the team’s binge-worthy journey.
# A Relationship Goldmine with Crackling Chemistry
From the coach-team mentorship to exes with a decade of history, “The Winning Try” thrives on its layered relationships. The standout is Ga-ram and his players: what starts as open hostility after his disgraced retirement transforms into a tight-knit, ride-or-die bond―turning up the heat on viewers’ emotions.
There’s more: Ga-ram’s tender, second-chance storyline with Yi-ji after a three-year disappearance; the steadfast support of Principal Kang Jung-hyo (Gil Hae-yeon); the sweet teen spark between captain Sung-joon and sharpshooter Seo Woo-jin (Park Jung-yeon); and the intriguing rivalry between captain Sung-joon and rising star Woong (Moon Woong). Together, these dynamics give “The Winning Try” its layered heartbeat and keep the drama humming.
Fueled by a well-rounded lead, a cheer-worthy growth arc, and relationship-driven storytelling, “The Winning Try” has become one of the summer’s hottest titles and shows no signs of slowing. In Episode 6, Yi-ji discovers that Ga-ram has myasthenia gravis, casting doubt on his future on the sidelines. With the President’s Cup approaching, all eyes are on whether Hanyang High can take the field with Coach Ga-ram guiding them.
Episode 7 of “The Winning Try” airs Friday the 15th at 9:50 p.m. KST.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)