A Come From Behind Story
An all-around good sports story about a losing team who gets a boost from their coach with a scandalous past. The actors did a nice job with their roles. The characters are all likable, except the antagonists who were devilish in their deceit. The only downside was in the story's predictability. It's a typical come from behind sports story. There are a million of these out there. But it was still enjoyable. There are funny moments that carry the story. The seven-man rugby team were cute together and I wonder how many of their funny antics were scripted versus improvised.Was this review helpful to you?
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"Tackles, Tears & Try-Hards: The Winning Try Scores Big!" ?✨
🎬 What makes “The Winning Try” a winning ride so farThe ultimate underdog sports story, built around rugby—a bold first for a K‑drama. Coach Joo Ga‑ram (Yoon Kye‑sang) steps in to save Hanyang High's perpetually losing (25‑loss season, anyone?) rugby team from getting disbanded
Perfectly cast lead chemistry: Yoon Kye‑sang’s quick‑witted, eccentric coach full of one‑liners and awkward charm meets Kim Yo‑han’s stern, perfectionist team captain who despises being coached by his disgraced hero—sparks fly in the best way
Second‑chance vibes for days: Joo Ga‑ram’s disgraced past—once MVP of Korean rugby now ruined by a doping scandal—fuels his redemption arc as he rebuilds not just the team, but his own purpose?
🎭 Highlights of premier emotions and standout moments
Episode 1 immediately hooks with high‑stakes drama, sports action, and emotional layers that make you care—about everyone. You’ll feel like you know them in an hour. Writer Im Jin‑ah’s story hits hard while keeping the levity
Coach vs. Faculty showdown: Joo Ga‑ram clashes with cunning school admin (enter Vice Principal Seong Jong‑man played by Kim Min‑sang), who’d rather alphabet‑ize budget cuts than value rugby sweat and dreams
Throwing a rugby pass into a pig-head cake during a serious school ritual? Iconic. It’s exactly the kind of off‑beat humor that says “don’t expect predictability”
💬 Why I’m totally hooked (so should you)
Coach Ga‑ram is a riot: Every scene he’s in is a lesson in deadpan delivery, expressive faces, and bizarre motivational tactics. Yoon Kye‑sang returns to SBS after 18 years—and he’s back with a bang
Team vibes! The ragtag rugby crew includes a wide ensemble of young actors who bring energy and authenticity. Their early training scenes hype the athletic intensity already
Heart over hype: No flashy celebrity match‑ups—just flawed humans, family drama, rivalry, and that steaming hot quest to win the National Sports Festival and save the team (and reputations)
Final thoughts: what to expect next
If Episode 1 is any indication, this show is serving up laughs, heart, and the thrill of second chances—all in a sweaty jersey. Expect training montages, intense school politics, clashing personalities, and heartfelt growth. Coach Ga‑ram is running head‑first into the beliefs, souls, and stubbornness of his students—and it’s a treat watching them finally learn to tackle life as a team.
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A Winning Formula
Every now and again you get these feel-good underdog stories that are executed so well. After watching, you sit there for a moment satisfied like you just finished eating your favourite meal. Inspired to take on tomorrow's challenge.Your stomach is full and your heart is warm and content.
You don't need to know about the sport Rugby to enjoy this drama. The characters are relatable and the story imparts life lessons, while cliche never get old and stay true throughout life.
It's Okay to Fail, Don't Give Up, Learn, Grow, Pick Yourself Up and Keep Moving Forward.
Better to have Tried and Failed than Never Tried at all.
So go ahead and give it a Try!
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A try is better than a loss and certainly close to a win.
"The Winning Try" is an inspirational sports drama that scores big on heart and grit. The story follows a former rugby player, once shamed by a doping scandal, who finds redemption as a high school coach for a struggling team. The film masterfully balances the highs and lows of the game, weaving together themes of growth, friendship, and family.
The narrative is both direct and surprisingly complex, keeping viewers engaged with its relatable characters and compelling plot. While the team faces off-field challenges from antagonists with selfish motives, the film never loses its inspirational core. The lighthearted moments of comedy provide a perfect counterpoint to the heavier themes, making the journey all the more fulfilling.
From the veteran actors to the rising stars, the cast delivers outstanding performances.
Before you ask, yes there is a bit of romance, it's not direct but happens on the sidelines between the coach and his ex girlfriend and between the captain of the rugby team and the captain of the shooting team...it's subtle.
"The Winning Try" is a must-watch for rugby fans and anyone who loves a good underdog story. It's a winning combination of sports drama, character development, and heartwarming moments that will leave you cheering.
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sport drama of 2025 year. DONT MISS IT
The Winning Try just made my favorite list of the year. I was genuinely obsessed with the trailer, and the drama itself was so good. The characters, the plotline, and the story were all incredibly well done. I laughed, giggled, and cried. Maybe one day I’ll end up rewatching it.The relationship between Ju Ga-ram and Bae I-ji reminded me so much of Yun Seong-jun and Seo U-jin — that same emotional push and pull, the quiet understanding, and the way they carry their pain without always saying it out loud. Both pairs had me rooting for healing just as much as romance.
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First of all, a huge applause 👏👏👏 goes to the amazing leads Yoon Kye-sang and Im Se-mi. They portrayed the roles of coaches so beautifully—charismatic, warm, sometimes tough, yet always filled with heart. Their chemistry as mentor figures was so natural that it felt like they were truly guiding not just the students on screen, but also us as viewers 💕. Every scene they had together brought so much weight and meaning to the story.
And let’s not forget the students! 🌟 They were absolutely incredible in bringing their characters to life. A special shout-out to Kim Yohan 🙌—I honestly didn’t expect him to pull off such a strong performance, but he completely surprised me! His acting was fresh, heartfelt, and he gave so much personality to his role. The supporting cast as a whole did such a great job making the team dynamics feel real, funny, and emotional at the same time 💫.
Now… the OST 🎶🔥. Don’t even get me started! Every single track is pure gold. The music fits perfectly with the emotional highs and lows of the drama. I find myself constantly replaying the songs on Spotify—they’ve already become my number one playlist 🎧💯. The soundtrack doesn’t just accompany the story, it elevates it, making the emotional scenes even more powerful and the joyful ones even more unforgettable.
I have never been this active in waiting for new episodes 😍📺. Every week, I was counting down the days just to see what happens next, because the story is that addictive. It gives you laughter 😂, motivation 💪, and heartwarming emotions 💖 all in one package. It’s the kind of drama that makes you cheer for every character, cry at their struggles, and smile at their victories.
Honestly, I can already see this drama becoming a huge success 🌟🌍. It deserves all the love and recognition, not just for the main leads but also for the students and everyone behind the scenes who worked so hard to bring this project to life. Hats off and hails up 🙌💐 to the entire cast and crew—you all made something truly special that will stay with viewers for a long time.
If you’re still wondering whether to watch it or not, my answer is simple: YES, don’t miss it! ❤️ Whether you’re into sports dramas, school vibes, inspirational stories, or just looking for something that will make your heart feel lighter, The Winning Try is a drama that checks all the boxes ✅.
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Maul: a rugby tactic where players bind into each other to score a try
A former rugby star player, retired due to a doping scandal, returns to coach a promising and ambitious high school team.✅ The narrative of the story was satisfactory and interesting to watch.
✅ The reality, victory, and failure of the sports field were skillfully executed.
✅ The camaraderie of the players and the team was cute and charming.
✅ The character development was amiable and actors did a phenomenal job.
✅ The balance between the motivational aspect and the comedy was carried out well.
❌ The internal politics of the coaches and the management was frustrating. It would have been better if it had been kept to a minimum or as an obstacle for the team.
❌ For a sports drama, the matches we see are fewer. I wish they had shown more matches played and practiced rather than just showing the result.
❌ The team except for two had zero background details; the motivation and determination of players could have been added.
Overall, a satisfying watch. Recommended if you like sports and the internal aspects of them.
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One Good Win
I placed spoilers at the end of this review.Overall, this was a very good series. This had the right combination of comedy, drama, and heartfelt moments. The first few episodes are rough around the edges, just stick with it because it does get better. I have to admit that the script was not perfect. It had parts in the beginning that made me want to drop it, but then gave me sections that made me care about the end game. What the script did a great job in was having very well-developed characters in which the cast did an incredible job making you either love or hate them. I also like how some of the characters fell in the gray area and had more than meets the eye. The music and cinematography were awesome.
Random Note:
Two minor critiques: There was one character that received a weak redemption arc and there was one missed opportunity in the last episode.
******Potential Spoiler Alert******
The weak redemption arch involved Na Gyu Won (Seol Hyeon’s father), but at least he admitted he was correct his mistake.
It would have been nice to see a scene with Yun Seong Jun’s mother meeting him after watching his match in the last episode.
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Best sports drama ever!
I loved this drama. Was not familiar with the ML but loved him and he was perfect for the role. Such an inspiring and feel good drama. I had no expectations when I started it but fell in love with the characters and the story. This might be my favorite Kdrama that has been released in 2025. If you like sports theme shows and uplifting themes this is for you.Was this review helpful to you?
HANYANG HO! RACKET BOYS 2.0!! MY LOVE!
Absolute GEM! Racket boys has competition in my heart now! I am such a sucker for teamwork and it prevailing, I love these boys! The amount of trust they have for each other is what made me fall in love! The chemistry these actors have with each other is just overflowing and they make everything work so well!! I know I did say I was about to drop this thanks to the antagonists, you can bite on me here lol, but I have to say that, from the protagonists to the antagonists, this is a 10/10 as they delivered the scripts so well, they gave it their all! Also the directing was so precious, this drama was made with love for sure! Along with racket boys, this is a sports k-drama I will forever recommend!!Was this review helpful to you?
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One of the best sports dramas I've watched!
The drama had a very satisfying ending and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish! It's a fun, inspirational drama with an impeccable cast.Wasn't sure if I was gonna like it in the beginning since I'm more of a romance enjoyer and this was more sports and teamwork heavy. But I was surprised to say the least! The characters were well developed (fav character Mun Ung- he's so cute!), the romance was there but not too prevalent, and the relationships and teamwork between all the characters... *chef's kiss*.
Giving this drama a 9.5/10 just because I would've loved if they included Ju Ga-ram's revenge arc. i.e. tell the reporters the real reason behind his doping scandal etc. I understand that, of course, the main people who needed to know were the ones from the highschool. But it would've been so much more satisfying if they revealed his condition to everyone who hated on him.
I also would've preferred if they didn't focus too much on the shooting team lol. Like it was great, with Bae I-ji and Seo U-jin and all, and since one of the main villains was the shooting coach, its understandable that the shooting characters would have mroe focus. But I feel like since they showed that much, there should've been more plot afterwards- like the big coach and Seo U-jin scenario... then what? Like there could've been more ygm. Or, if they just didn't put too much focus on the shooting team, and just added more rugby team scenes, then it would've be perfect.
Other than that, the drama is great! I for sure recommend! So fun and so inspirational. Definitely watch even if you're not that into sports dramas. You'll surely fall in love with the rugby team and Ju Ga-ram!!
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