'The Winning Try' Yoon Kye-sang has taken the home audience by storm.
In the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Winning Try', Yoon Kye-sang's stellar performance is nothing short of remarkable. Portraying the quirky coach 'Joo Ga-ram' of the perennially last-place Hanyang High School rugby team, Yoon has vividly brought to life a character that is both comically charming and three-dimensional, firmly establishing the unique tone of 'The Winning Try' right from the start. His seasoned skills shone even brighter in episodes 3 and 4.
When the rugby team faces the threat of disbandment due to a lack of players, Joo Ga-ram (played by Yoon Kye-sang) boldly promises to bring in new players by the start of the school term. Sneaking into the records room in search of the 'next Joo Ga-ram,' he gets caught by Baek Yi-ji (played by Lim Se-mi) and even ends up at the police station, but he eventually finds and personally recruits Moon Woong (played by Kim Dan), the son of the 90s rugby legend Moon Chul-young (played by Jung Ki-sub).
However, facing strong opposition from Moon Chul-young, who suffered a career-ending injury and doesn't want his son to play rugby, Joo Ga-ram hits a wall. Yet, with his unique madness, he manages to show Moon Woong the allure of rugby and persistently convinces Moon Chul-young to change his mind.
Just when things start looking up, a change in the special admissions process means Moon Woong must pass not only rugby but also fencing and archery exams, requiring him to succeed in a majority of the sports. Joo Ga-ram devises a plan to infiltrate the archery and fencing teams to gather information on the competition and even seeks out experts with the help of his connections.
On the day of the exam, an unexpected switch from archery to shooting presents a new challenge, but Joo Ga-ram reassures Moon Woong, "It's okay to lose. Whatever the outcome, I'll find a way." With the help of Seo Woo-jin (played by Park Jung-yeon), Moon Woong passes both the rugby and shooting exams, saving the rugby team once again.
As Joo Ga-ram's madness bears fruit, Yoon Kye-sang's seasoned acting reaches its peak. He effortlessly delivers comedic performances without overdoing it, while also grounding the potentially light-hearted atmosphere with his stable acting and strong presence.
Yoon Kye-sang's portrayal of Joo Ga-ram's emotional journey, from confessing his love for rugby and his reasons for returning to Hanyang High School to Baek Yi-ji, to persuasively and firmly convincing Moon Chul-young, adds depth and charm to his character, enhancing the drama's quality.
His sincere performance conveys Joo Ga-ram's earnestness and genuine care for the rugby team, resonating deeply with viewers. Thanks to his compelling acting, the latest episode of 'The Winning Try' has achieved a national viewership rating of 5.4%, setting a new record for the show.
With his flawless transformation and vibrant portrayal in 'The Winning Try,' Yoon Kye-sang is indeed delivering a performance of a lifetime. The anticipation for his continued excellence is sky-high.
'The Winning Try,' starring Yoon Kye-sang, airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)