the winning try

The Winning Try ~ A Redemption-Fueled Sports Drama

“The Winning Try” is a 2025 Korean drama, 12 episodes, categorized as Youth, High School, Sports, Coming-of-Age, and Comedy, and streaming on Netflix.

  • Memorable Quote: “I am a man with many titles.”

SUMMARY: The career of a rugby star collapses after a scandal, forcing him to start all over. He returns as a coach years later, confronts old wounds, rekindles lost relationships, and leads a struggling team to triumph.

♦ Who Wants to Be a Loser? I Did It Once. I Can Do It Again!

“The Winning Try” is set against the backdrop of high-school rugby competition. Ju Ga-Ram was a celebrated rugby talent whose promising athletic career collapsed after a highly publicized scandal. After years away from the spotlight and with his reputation in tatters, Ju Ga-Ram returns to his old high school as the rugby team’s new coach.

The high school’s rugby club is infamous for its perpetual last-place finishes and lack of cohesion. When Ju Ga-Ram arrives, he is met with disregard, wounded pride, and a team that has all but given up on winning. Yet his appointment signals the start of a transformation. The rebirth will involve a change in strategy, physical training, belief in yourself, and collective purpose. Ju Ga-Ram’s coaching style is unorthodox. He mixes tough love with humor. The students get pushed beyond their limits while also nurturing individual confidence.

Bae I-Ji, the shooting team coach, was once his lover. Their romance ended after the scandal. Bae I-Ji is strong, principled, and deeply committed. Just being there forces Ju Ga-Ram to confront professional and personal challenges. As they reconcile their past, admiration and attraction, mutual respect and trust are rediscovered.

♦ Everybody Loves a Winner!

Meanwhile, the rugby team also grows. Yoon Seong-Jun, the team captain, is determined but hot-headed. He embodies the youthful struggle for identity and leadership. Initially, he doesn’t trust Ju Ga-Ram’s methods, but gradually, he becomes the emotional core for the team. Other team members bring their own personal battles: injuries, academic pressure, and family expectations.

Ju Ga-Ram’s ongoing effort to clear his name and reconnect with the spirit of play fuels the storyline. It’s all about redeeming oneself, and of course, it’s about winning! The series culminates with the team qualifying for a National Sports Festival. Will they win? They’re going to try.

Main Characters:

Where to Watch

Viewership and Rating:

  • IMDb: 7.9 out of 10 stars
  • My Drama List: 8.5 out of 10 stars
  • Dramabeans: 7.5 out of 10 stars

My personal rating is the same as MDL.

“The Winning Try” is for those who love underdog sports stories. I’m one of “those”. Ho doesn’t love universal themes of second chances and the trans-formative power of sport. universal themes of second chances and the trans-formative power of sport. We can’t all be the G.O.A.T., but don’t we all wanna be?

LINKS OF INTEREST:

‘The Winning Try,’ with Yoon Kye-sang as All-Rounder Coach, Is the Sports Drama You Did Not Know You Needed | SBSStar

Review: The Winning Try. | The Fangirl Verdict

REVIEW: ‘The Winning Try’ Boasts K-Drama Intensity With The Spirit of Rugby | But Why Tho?

‘The Winning Try’ Earns Its Highest Friday Ratings Yet As ‘The Nice Guy’ Heads Into Final Week | Soompi

The Winning Try: Yoon Kye-Sang and Im Se-Mi Lead Feel-Good Rugby Drama | South China Morning Post

TRAILER/TEASER:

Netflix K-Content. “The Winning Try.” YouTube, 10 Jul. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=B9zPCvSacD0.

♦

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Avatar of Mama Cathy
Mama Cathy

Member

149 messages 1 like

The way Ju Ga-Ram rebuilds not just the team but himself is really satisfying. I liked that the drama didn’t just focus on winning games but also on the personal struggles of each player. Seeing Yoon Seong-Jun grow into a leader felt realistic, and the tension between him and Ju Ga-Ram kept me engaged. Bae I-Ji’s role was also important because it wasn’t just a love story; it added depth to the challenges Ju Ga-Ram faced. Some parts were predictable, sure, but overall it made me care about the characters. I also appreciated how humor was sprinkled in so it didn’t get too heavy. For anyone who thinks sports dramas are just about matches, this one really shows teamwork and second chances in a meaningful way. I’ll probably rewatch a few episodes just to catch small details I missed the first time.

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Avatar of Sarsuela
Sarsuela

Member

141 messages 8 likes

I didn’t know much about rugby before starting this, but it actually made me interested in the sport. The way the series shows training, strategies, and team dynamics is surprisingly easy to follow. I liked how Ju Ga-Ram is strict but also funny at times, it makes his coaching style feel believable. The personal backstories of the students gave the show a lot more heart than I expected. I felt for Yoon Seong-Jun a lot because his hot-headedness made sense in the context of his age and responsibilities. The romance subplot with Bae I-Ji was handled in a way that didn’t feel forced, which is rare in these kinds of dramas. Overall, it’s more than just a story about winning games—it’s about learning to trust yourself and others. I found myself cheering for the team even when they made obvious mistakes, and that is a sign of good character development.

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Avatar of Hotmess
Hotmess

A Cajun queen with finesse

138 messages 21 likes

Ju Ga-Ram losing everything and then returning as a coach was a strong start. I liked that the show didn’t make him perfect right away. Watching him struggle to earn respect from the students felt realistic. I also enjoyed the small victories along the way, not just the big games. Bae I-Ji’s presence added an interesting dynamic, and their reconciliation didn’t feel rushed. Some moments dragged a bit, but the humor helped balance the tone. I appreciated that the series explored family pressure, injuries, and academic stress, which made the players feel like real teenagers. By the end, I genuinely cared about whether the team would succeed. It was motivating in a quiet way, and I can see myself recommending it to friends who normally avoid sports dramas.

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Avatar of Kay
Kay

New Member

266 messages 11 likes

I wasn’t sure if I’d like a sports drama about rugby, but “The Winning Try” surprised me. The storytelling is simple but effective, and the pacing keeps you invested. I liked the way Ju Ga-Ram’s past scandal shaped his approach to coaching. He isn’t just teaching skills; he’s teaching life lessons. Seeing the team grow together is really satisfying. I also liked how they showed different personalities and struggles among the students instead of focusing only on the main character. The chemistry between Ju Ga-Ram and Bae I-Ji felt natural, not over-the-top, which I appreciated. I think the show works well for people who enjoy stories about teamwork, second chances, and personal growth. The matches themselves are exciting without being too complicated, which makes it easy to follow even if you’re new to rugby.

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bacon44

New Member

6 messages 0 likes

Honestly, the first few episodes were a little slow for me, but I kept watching because I liked the characters. Ju Ga-Ram’s journey from disgrace to coaching redemption is compelling. The students’ individual stories add a lot of weight to the show, and I appreciated that it didn’t just focus on the coach. The interactions between the team members felt authentic, especially the conflicts with Yoon Seong-Jun. I also liked how humor was mixed with serious moments, so it wasn’t too heavy. The romance with Bae I-Ji is subtle but effective, showing growth for both characters. I think the show does a great job of balancing sports action with emotional storytelling. The ending was satisfying, even if some outcomes were predictable, because it felt earned through character growth. It left me with a sense of hope, which is what I wanted.

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