1. A New Contender in Sports Dramas
If one were to pick the most successful sports drama in the history of Korean television, it would undoubtedly be "Hot Stove League." Focusing on the business side of a baseball team—its front office operations and player trades—rather than the games themselves, it broke the conventional mold of the sports genre to deliver a fresh and compelling story. "Hot Stove League" transcended being a simple sports drama to capture the intense realities of professional life, organizational politics, and human growth, succeeding in securing both high viewership ratings and critical acclaim. While there have been other well-made dramas since, such as "Racket Boys," none have quite managed to surpass the benchmark set by "Hot Stove League." In this landscape, the new Friday-Saturday SBS drama, "Try: We Shall Be a Miracle," is gathering significant anticipation as to whether it can replicate that same glory.
2. Actor Yoon Kye-sang, the Center of Expectation
The power of a lead actor in a drama's success is absolute. Just as actor Namgoong Min was at the heart of "Hot Stove League's" success, it is Yoon Kye-sang who immediately captures the audience's attention in "Try: We Shall Be a Miracle." Having showcased a wide acting spectrum from serious, weighty roles to chilling villains across film and television, he is now heralding a new transformation with a cheerful and energetic character unlike any he has played before. The anticipation built by his star power and his new challenge strongly establishes the drama's first impression, serving as a crucial engine to draw viewers into the story.
3. The Fall of a National Hero, Joo Ga-ram
Joo Ga-ram, the character played by Yoon Kye-sang, is not merely a bright personality. He was once a national hero, a celebrated rugby ace who brought victory to South Korea against Japan. However, his moment of glory was fleeting. A doping scandal that erupted after the match stripped him of everything. His gold medal was revoked, and the national hero instantly fell from grace, becoming a target of public condemnation under the moniker "druggie." Having brought irreparable shame upon his entire team, he ultimately vanished from the public eye, spending three long years in silence.
4. Grasping the Rugby Ball Again from the Edge of a Cliff
The place where Joo Ga-ram re-emerges is none other than the on-the-verge-of-disbandment rugby team at Hanyang Physical Education High School. After the previous coach leaves for another school under the pretext of sick leave, the team is left in disarray. It is then that the principal, Kang Jeong-hyo (played by Gil Hae-yeon), who has a past connection with Joo Ga-ram, appoints him as the new coach despite fierce opposition from those around them. However, his path is fraught with thorns. Not only does he face overt disapproval and distrust from other teachers, but the team captain, Yoon Seong-joon (played by Kim Yo-han), displays an intense, unexplained animosity towards him, creating conflict at every turn. Thus begins the meeting between a coach burdened with both glory and disgrace, and a group of kids who have lost all hope.
5. A Cheerful Demeanor Unlost Amidst Trials
Despite the greatness of his past glory and the depth of his fall, Joo Ga-ram maintains a surprisingly positive and cheerful attitude. He shrugs off insulting remarks like "druggie" with a good-natured laugh and seems completely unfazed by the cold stares around him, always wearing a smile. This attitude could be a defense mechanism to hide his deep wounds, or perhaps it's a form of transcendence only attainable by someone who has hit rock bottom. What's important is that his unpredictable positive energy sparks curiosity about what kind of change he will bring to the lethargic, defeatist students of the rugby team.
6. The School's Burden, The Abandoned Rugby Team
The Hanyang High rugby team that Joo Ga-ram takes over is treated as the school's "nuisance." With a record of zero wins since its foundation, the team is completely written off, not just by the student body but also by the school's administration. Furthermore, the school is a hotbed of complex political dynamics. The principal, nearing retirement, has little power, while the influential vice-principal is funneling all support to the shooting team—where the vice-superintendent of education's daughter is a member—and is eager to get rid of the rugby team. This harsh environment acts as a massive barrier to the rugby team's growth, intensifying the drama's central conflict.
7. A Classic, Yet Powerful, Growth Story
"Try: We Shall Be a Miracle" faithfully follows the formula of a classic growth story. It's a narrative where a flawed coach, who possesses great ability but harbors past wounds and secrets, meets students steeped in a loser's mentality from never having experienced a single victory. They come together to heal each other's scars and grow together. Having experienced both the pinnacle of success and the depths of despair, the coach is the only one who can truly understand and comfort the students, who are tormented by a thirst for victory and the frustration of defeat.
8. The Journey Towards a Winning Mentality
The core of this drama lies in how Joo Ga-ram instills a "winning mentality"—the mindset and habits of victory—in his students, going beyond simply teaching them technical skills. He will listen to each student's personal story and pain, slowly opening their hearts, and through the sport of rugby, he will teach them teamwork, trust, and the courage to challenge the impossible. In this process, he must overcome the dual obstacles of the school's interference and the distrust from within his own team. The journey of these students overcoming countless adversities to achieve their first win is expected to deliver great emotion and catharsis to the audience.
9. Fast Pacing and Anticipated Immersion
Through its first two episodes, the drama has moved at a very brisk pace, covering Joo Ga-ram's past and present, his first encounter with the rugby team, and their first match. By developing key events without dragging, it has successfully heightened viewer immersion. While it follows the framework of a typical growth drama, this means it has securely locked in the elements of popular entertainment and emotional appeal. The fact that rugby as a sport is gradually gaining public recognition in Korea also acts as a factor that enhances interest in the drama.
10. Will the Try for a Miracle Succeed?
Planned for a total of 12 episodes, "Try: We Shall Be a Miracle" has just taken its first step towards its miracle. What kind of marvel can a wounded hero and a group of kids accustomed to defeat create together? Armed with sincerity hidden beneath a cheerful exterior and a heart-pounding spirit of challenge, attention is focused on whether this drama will deliver increasing fun and emotion with each episode, and ultimately be remembered as a masterpiece sports drama on par with "Hot Stove League."
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