The Winning Try

From Fumbles to Glory

I absolutely loved Try. I really appreciate when a sports drama is done well but this show is so much more than just a sports story. It’s about relationships, connections, second chances, ambition, dreams, and the fight to achieve them.

Yoon Kye-Sang truly shines. His character, burdened by the regret of his past doping decision that destroyed his career and reputation, tries to redeem himself by saving a failing rugby team, and in doing so, saving a part of himself. The role is played with such sincerity. He’s funny, charming, arrogant, and sometimes even foolish, yet he feels incredibly real, like someone you could meet in everyday life.
His relationship with Lim Se-Mi was another highlight. Their dynamic as exes reconnecting was handled in a simple, natural way instead of turning overly dramatic, which felt refreshing.

Lim Se-Mi’s own journey - torn between chasing a championship and being a good coach was equally rewarding. Her realisation that not every dream comes true, and that letting go can also mean growth, was beautifully portrayed.

But the real winner of the show is the relationship between the coach and the boys. The way the initial hostility slowly transformed into respect, admiration, and genuine affection was both candid and heartwarming. That evolving bond made their eventual tournament victory so satisfying and well-earned.

The show has its fair share of flaws, but nothing you can’t look past. It’s heartfelt, inspiring, and grounded in emotion.

The Winning Try isn’t groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s the kind of show that makes you smile, warms your heart, and leaves you feeling content long after the final episode.

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When 2 Worlds Collide to Overcome All Odds : A messy coach and messy team in a messy system

STORY: It is about an underdog rugby coach and team who were in a mess until they decided to work together to overcome all odds (e.g., social and system issues). What makes this story endearing is how the script has a good balance of seriousness and humour. If you are unfamiliar with rugby, by the end of episode 2, you would have understood it a little better. It is also at the end of episode 2, the viewer will get a sense of the double or triple meaning of the drama title.

The relationship between the coach and captain starts rocky, and it is interesting to see how two very different personalities and levels of maturity can finally see eye-to-eye and become a force to be reckoned with. At the end of episode 2, we begin to see such exciting possibilities of how the underdogs, though so different, and because of their differences, can get themselves out of the hole.

By the end of episode 2, it is clear that this is not just a drama, not just about rugby, but of coming of age and the meaning of life. Although I must say, the rugby scenes were shot very well -- it was very physical and exciting.

Looking at the trailer for episode 3, it seems like a surprise element will be revealed. Hopefully, the drama maintains the pace and character growth in the rest of the episodes.

ACTING: The coach (actor Yoon Kye Sang who was part of a K-pop boy band g.o.d,) is very humorous. He makes, at times, over-the-top humour funny and antics likable and endearing -- and that isn't an easy task to do. When the coach is serious, the viewers can feel the soft side of the coach.

The captain (actor Kim Yohan who is from a K-pop boy band WEi and was from X1, and the main actor for the A Love So Beautiful kdrama) is good-looking. Many of his scenes in episodes 1 and 2 require mainly facial expressions, and he was able to deliver the emotions when there were very few lines with complicated emotions. His character is supposed to be rigid, overbearing, and stubborn, and such qualities can be unlikable -- yet Yohan can make the character likable.

PRODUCTION: The team spent a lot of time making the rugby scenes authentic. The actors underwent months of training. The filming of the rugby scene (ep 2) was clear, felt authentic, and well-paced.

OST: MONSTA X: KIHYUN -- beautifully sang. It went so well at the climax of the rugby match at the end of episode 2.

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It is a Surprising and Heartwarming Gem

Wow! I did not expect to love this drama so much. It completely took me by surprise, and I ended up binging it in just two days.

Honestly, the first few episodes didn't grab me, mainly because of Ga Ram's goofy character. But as the story unfolded, I fell completely in love with him as I started to understand the depth behind his behavior. Kye Sang's acting was amazing, and I hope to see him in many more dramas. I have became his fan since The Kidnapping day.

Even though I don't typically watch rugby, I couldn't wait to see the team's next match. The drama beautifully conveys the message that if you set your mind to a goal, nothing is impossible.

The true highlight of this show is the rugby team itself. Watching them form a bond as strong as a family and build unshakable trust was a joy. They will make you laugh and cry with them. It was a great journey watching Coach Ga Ram help them achieve their dreams.

It's rare for me to wish a drama was longer, but I'm already missing the team and their story. The final episodes were incredibly emotional, and you will definitely find yourself crying along with them. While the plot itself might seem predictable, the heart and humor of Hanyang High make it a fantastic watch. This drama reminds me of Hot Stove League, which is one of my all-time favorites.

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Ju Garam the Goat

Maybe it's my first time actually watching a kdrama with a sports theme but i really loved the story of this one. Because the love story is balanced as well as the reputation and the typical evil side of the story is really nice to watch. Is it the best show ever? No. Is it a good comfort show? Yes. Let me talk about some things that I don't like. There was only 1 opponent through out the whole drama that was shown. Just one school which is Daeseung. They only focused on the matches with them. Even at the nationals they skipped every single match then move all the way to the finals with yet again, Daeseung. What i was expecting was different teams, different opponents and a ton of drama between the new opponents. Im sort of disappointed in that, i wanted more teams to be shown. But i gave a 9 for out main character, Ju Garam. He might be one of my favorite main character. Im probably biased because he looks like one of my cousin. But yea, overall a great comfort show to watch when you want to watch something not too serious. A good show to watch with ur loved ones too.

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WORTH IT

I genuinely loved and enjoyed this drama. I was happy that it featured romance less but to me romance was not required here. Thoroughly enjoyed the ups and downs of a complete different genre of a drama. For the first time I saw a kdrama featuring rugby. The actor who played Ju Ga Ram was phenomenal in his acting. The whole plot that how empathetic a coach can be really made me awe. The fact that he understood everything from a student's point of view but still pointed out the right and wrong things is what really a coach is. Would have appreciate it more if the other boys than Yohan got more screentiming becuase their acting was what made me watch all the episodes. A phenomenal drama regarding sports and how a good coach can mentor potential athletes to plsy better.

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This show was worth the wait!

I love rugby so when I heard about this show coming out back in January I was so excited, I saved the mydramalist for it and kept checking back for when it would air. It ended up airing on my birthday, and this truly was an amazing gift. I loved the characters, even though a lot of them pissed me off, I ended up appreciating everyone in the show, even the villains. I am so proud of my boys and Ju Ga Ram he truly is an amazing coach and person, same with Bae I Ji, I initially didn't like her but she really is a good coach as well. I wish I could enjoy this drama forever but I think 12 episodes kept it short and sweet without extending the hardships for too long. All in all, 화이팅 한양!

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The Winning Why (Did I Get So Attached)

The Winning Try is easily the best sports drama I’ve seen this year. It’s about a high school rugby team, but it’s also about a lot more than that. It deals with regret, second chances, teamwork, and how hard it is to grow and move on from your mistakes.

The main character, Ju Ga-ram, used to be a star rugby player until his life fell apart. He comes back to his old school as a coach, but it’s clear he’s still dealing with a lot of guilt. Watching him try to connect with the team, face the people he hurt, and try to change felt real and emotional. Nothing comes easy for him or for the players.

One of the strongest parts of this drama is how it shows what it actually means to be a team. At first, the players don’t trust Ju Ga-ram and most of them don’t know how to play as a team. But little by little, they start learning how to support one another. It felt really rewarding to watch them grow together, both on and off the field. It reminded me that teamwork is not just about winning. It’s about helping each other through the hard stuff.

The romance was also really well done. Ju Ga-ram and Bae I-ji have a complicated past, and the show doesn’t rush anything between them. Their conversations feel natural and there’s a lot of emotion without being dramatic or cheesy. It felt like watching two people slowly figure out if they can forgive each other and move forward.

All the actors were chosen perfectly for their roles. Nothing felt forced. Every scene felt believable, like I was watching real people instead of characters. I especially want to mention the actor who played Yun Seong-jun. I didn’t like his acting in a different drama I watched, but this role totally changed my mind. He really showed what he’s capable of here and became one of my favorite characters in the show.

The drama also touches on school politics in a way that felt very real. The team faces a lot of pressure from the school, and the adults are not always supportive. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, and it adds another layer of challenge that makes you root for the team even more.

Based on how the show ended, I do think there could be a season two. I actually hope there is, because I’m not ready to let go of these characters yet. But I’m also a little worried, because Netflix isn’t always great with second seasons. A lot of their follow-ups feel rushed or just not as strong. Season one had a really fresh and natural vibe, and I don’t know if they can fully recreate that. If they do make a sequel, I really hope it’s good enough to match the first.

Overall, The Winning Try balances everything really well. It mixes sports, drama, romance, mistakes, coaching, and learning to grow as a team. It’s not just a story about rugby. It’s about people trying their best to be better and finding strength in each other. I think it’s the best sports drama of 2025 and one that will stick with me for a long time.

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Lo sport, veicolo di crescita e di educazione

Serie appassionante che affronta il tema dell’educazione attraverso due prospettive profondamente diverse.

Da un lato ci sono adulti disposti a mettersi in gioco fino in fondo, rinunciando alle proprie ambizioni personali, all’orgoglio e persino alla salute fisica, pur di accompagnare giovani adolescenti di un liceo sportivo in un percorso di scoperta: di sé stessi, del proprio potenziale e della propria vocazione, sportiva e umana.

Dall’altro lato emergono invece genitori, dirigenti scolastici e sportivi, spesso più attenti a calcoli e pregiudizi che al bene dei ragazzi. Con il timore di cadute o fallimenti, finiscono per negare ai giovani la possibilità di rischiare, sperimentare e dimostrare il proprio valore.

La regia, vivace e coinvolgente, riesce a trasmettere l’energia del racconto, mentre le interpretazioni attoriali si distinguono per intensità e autenticità. Al centro c’è il rugby, sport che nell’immaginario collettivo appare duro e violento, ma che qui viene restituito nella sua essenza più profonda: disciplina di squadra, rispetto, coraggio e crescita.

Una serie intensa e stimolante, capace di emozionare e far riflettere: assolutamente da vedere e rivedere.

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How can I describe this...

Well, I watched it while I was feeling depressed for a while... At first, I felt more and more depressed, and I even thought about stopping watching it. But then I realized it rekindled my passion for kdrama... I felt it was giving me that message of staying strong, of how the heroes fight for their future...

It was so beautiful to see something like that. It made me realize that I should hold on to my dreams and try to achieve them no matter what...

I highly recommend it because it was pleasant, lighthearted, and made me happy
And the series is absolutely wonderful

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Recomendo!

Tudo é muito excelente, os meninos tem uma sintonia incrível, amei muito!!! Vale a pena, merece segunda temporada, porque é possível, os garotos recrutando novos membros pro time e os que já se formaram disputando pela universidade, ver a U-jin e o Seongjae juntos...Ia ser lindo, mas já foi muito lindo o episódio final. A série inteira a gente passava raiva com todos os perrengues, mas valeu a pena pelo final muito postivo❤️🥹
Não conhecia o Kye-sang, amei conhecê-lo, ele realmente é um galã.
Belo retorno do Yohan também. Queria elogiar o novo ator Kim Dan, o personagem Munung foi meu favorito, me emocionei

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Onde dor e esperança se entrelaçam até criar milagres

Às vezes o maior milagre não é ganhar o campeonato, é acreditar que ainda dá para recomeçar.

Um time que nunca ganhou nada busca renascimento sob a liderança de um homem marcado pela queda

Relações tensas entre treinador e ex, redenção misturada com nostalgia não resolvida

Cheio de humor leve pra equilibrar os dramas adolescentes e as quedas — e uma química de dar água na boca entre Yoon e Kim Yo-han

Enredo sobre segundas chances, não apenas no esporte, mas na alma e no tempo

O milagre aqui não é mágico, mas fruto da persistência diante do insuportável

Cada personagem traz cicatrizes que se somam em um mosaico humano comovente

Fotografia que equilibra realismo cru e delicadeza poética

Milagre é seguir mesmo quando tudo pede desistência.

Ga-ram (Yoon Kye-sang) — ex-rugby star abatido por um escândalo que retorna como treinador, com carisma à prova de queda

Bae Yi-Ji (Im Se-mi) — técnica de tiro e ex-namorada de longa data, confronta o passado e desafia o coração dele

Yoon Seong-Joon (Kim Yo-han) — capitão esforçado, carrega culpa, inveja e o desejo de ser reconhecido

"No fim, o verdadeiro troféu é seguir jogando, mesmo quando o mundo já te apontou a saída."

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Winning Try: amicizia, sogni e un 10 pieno!

✨ Una meraviglia! ✨
Penso sia il drama che più ho amato in questo 2025… per me vale un 10 pieno!

Dal primo episodio ci ha conquistato passo dopo passo. Ju Ga Ram l’ho amato sin dal primo istante: un uomo che ha lottato per se stesso, che pur sbagliando non si è mai arreso. Forse avrebbe potuto fidarsi un po’ di più di chi lo amava e lo sosteneva, ma siamo umani: si sbaglia e dagli errori si cresce.

È entrato in quella scuola sapendo bene come lo avrebbero trattato, e possiamo dirlo… tra il vicepreside e il coach di tiro a segno i momenti da “malox” non sono mancati 😅. Ma non si è arreso e, anzi, si è fatto amare incondizionatamente da quei ragazzi.

Abbiamo riso, pianto, tifato per loro sempre, anche nelle sconfitte. Il cast giovane e fresco, con una chimica incredibile, ci ha regalato emozioni autentiche. L’amicizia l’abbiamo percepita in ogni episodio. Il cast senior, ognuno nel proprio ruolo, è stato indimenticabile. Ju Ga Ram con le sue risate, i suoi consigli preziosi e la forza del suo personaggio rimarrà nel cuore: l’attore è stato semplicemente perfetto!

Il finale? Perfetto. Chi doveva essere punito ha perso tutto, chi meritava di raggiungere la propria meta ce l’ha fatta. Yi Jin ha chiuso con il suo passato, diventando più forte e migliore: non sarà più atleta, ma sarà un coach straordinario.

Questi ragazzi ci hanno davvero donato tanto: i loro sogni, la loro forza, le loro emozioni… e noi le abbiamo vissute tutte insieme a loro.
Un drama perfetto e indimenticabile. 💙🏉

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