This review may contain spoilers
Could've been so much better
I’m honestly surprised this drama has such a high rating, because in my view, it doesn’t quite deserve it. The concepts were there, but they’re never fully explored.I expected the rugby team to be the heart of the story, yet they mostly end up as side characters used for comic relief. Ironically, the scenes with them were the ones I enjoyed the most. I really wish the drama had devoted at least an episode to each member of the team—they’re fun, unique characters, and I would have loved to get to know them better. Instead, one gets two episodes, another barely half an episode, and the rest only appear in scattered bits.
Meanwhile, an excessive amount of time is spent on the Shooting Coach, whose storyline I found completely unengaging. I just couldn’t care about her plot, and it felt like a distraction from what could have been the most entertaining part of the show.
I have mixed feelings about this kdrama.
Was this review helpful to you?
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 ✅.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
A heart warming story with a happy ending
Its a nice feel good drama, this is the best way to describe it, it will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.The drama tells a story of a school rugby team that has been written off by nearly everyone a disgraced former rugby player who comes in and helps the team turn things around.
It's not a complicated or unique drama but its enjoyable. Watch if you are looking for an easy to watch semi fast paced story, where the underdog comes out on top and everyone gets what they deserve and it has a happy ending.
Definitely worth a watch even if you don't enjoy sports.
Was this review helpful to you?
An underdog story but loses its way
I love an underdog story. A good caste, an exciting sport and a good setting for drama (high school - the birthplace of drama :P) what could go wrong??Except it does go wrong. So wrong that I decided to drop it going into the 10th episode. The cast is stellar but doesn't really get much to work with. My biggest gripe is the Coach Bae and the principal. The principal is so ineffective. I needed her to be the principal and not the Umma/ counsellor she is. Take charge for once for pete's sake instead of coming in later and just consoling. The character is written in such a passive tone that I lost interest in the office politics entirely.
Coach Bae on the other hand is written plain badly. She acts so tough when it comes to Ga Ram but she is really cowed and gives in to bullies at the first sign. There is a time to be a pacifist, a time to act. I cannot with this character.
The rugby team and their coach is the only highlight of the show for me. The dynamics are cute, funny and endearing. The characters are done really well and believable. The coach is so silly yet deep, wounded and hurt but still standing tall everything a sport teaches you.
The reality is the drama started well and kept me hooked but lost me mid way. I liked that there is a "synergy" between the story of the rugby team and the shooting team but I don't know if perhaps it took screen time from the rugby team. I would have preferred to see more of the game and not just the dynamics between the various games they play. I haven't seen any other K-dramas based on sports so I am not comparing this drama with any others, but if its a sports drama, I would like/ expect to see more sports.
Was this review helpful to you?
Its Okay to lose with Dignity rather than winning with Dishonesty...
A good sports drama which teaches this generation about winning and loosing and it says, it's good to lose with Dignity rather winning with dishonesty.The Lead actors did a nice job with their roles. All the characters are all likable, except the antagonists as they were true to their role and spoils the play, the story is predictable and imparts life lessons, while cliché never get old and stay true throughout life.
Overall, this was a very good series. This had the right combination of comedy, drama, and heartfelt moments. It's not a complicated or unique drama but its enjoyable. Watch if you are looking for an easy to watch semi fast paced story, where the underdog comes out on top and everyone gets what they deserve and it has a happy ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
Being a better adult and learning to loose
This drama makes very little sense and gathers a whole lot of terrible, terrible adults, mostly terrible masculine adults. Selfish, hot headed men who do more or less anything to trample on anyone they see fit. Brining out my anger and making me wish doom upon them. I also kept wondering how these men could survive in an environment where there are guns and physically strong teens that out number them by quite a lot.But seriously very little of the reasoning in this made sense... Like dude has a non contagious illness, we can't have that guy around the kids but a violent dude who assaults them is just peachy. WHAT? Or Throw the match to let your student win or else you are a bad coach?
As a vice principal I shall do all to oppress the kids so I can move funding to impress the guy up in the chain.... again WHAT? Or and a lead who rather be remembered as someone who doped and took away the nations gold than come out as sick....
The friendships among both adults and teens are top, top. The character growth is sweet, there is a little bit to much yelling and several highly annoying characters however annoying as they are they are kind of needed for the plot. So I let it slide.
That said it has some moments of fluff, other moments of suspense and decent acting. And the message is actually pretty nice. We should all focus on being decent adults and loosing is a natural part of life.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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/slice of life 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 felt like it was missing a bit of "oompf" i.e. that cherry on top. 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!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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?
