SBS’s Friday-Saturday series "The Winning Try" (written by Lim Jin-a, directed by Jang Young-seok) is a punchy sports dramedy about an unpredictable, offbeat coach, Joo Garam, and Hanyang High’s perennial underdog rugby team charging toward a National Sports Festival title.
Episodes 9 and 10 surged to a peak 7.4% nationwide rating, with Episode 9 climbing to 2.96% in the key 20-49 demo. The show also ranked No. 2 in the social media category of Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex for the week of Aug. 18-24, underscoring both ratings heat and online buzz.
On the 28th, the production shared favorite moments chosen by Yoon Kye-sang (as coach Joo Garam), Im Se-mi (as Bae Yi-ji), and Kim Yohan (as captain Yoon Sung-jun).
Yoon Kye-sang, who’s made viewers laugh and cry as the epitome of a “good grown-up” coach, picked “the team’s first successful try together in Episode 2.” He explained, “It wasn’t just about winning or losing a game. It captured what a ‘try’ means in life―falling down, getting back up, and doing it together. To me, that moment shows "The Winning Try" isn’t just a sports drama; it’s a story about getting through life side by side.”
Im Se-mi, who brings singular presence as Hanyang High’s shooting team playing coach and Garam’s ex, also chose “the rugby and shooting sequences.” “Honestly, so many felt like signature moments,” she recalled. “We trained hard for the game scenes, and when they finally came together on screen, the rush was real―you could feel the sweat and teamwork from set in every frame.”
Kim Yohan, embodying the grit of youth as team captain Yoon Sung-jun, matched Yoon Kye-sang’s pick, proving their mentor-mentee bond on and off screen. “At the end of Episode 2, a team that couldn’t gel finally united with a single goal: to put a try on the board―and Coach Joo Garam made that happen. That first team try meant everything,” he said. “The coach’s closing narration felt like it was comparing the rugby ball to life itself. It moved me, and it felt like Sung-jun learned how to lose with grace.”
Looking ahead to Episode 11, turbulence hits Garam and the Hanyang High squad just before the National Sports Festival. Episode 10 ended with Garam publicly revealing his myasthenia gravis to protect the team, a moment that shocked and saddened those around him. Will he stay with Hanyang High to the end and pull off the miracle of a Nationals championship? Anticipation is rising for what comes next on "The Winning Try".
Episode 11 of "The Winning Try" airs Aug. 29 at 9:50 p.m.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)