'The Winning Try' is creating a ratings miracle.
The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Winning Try' (written by Lim Jin-ah, directed by Jang Young-seok/hereafter 'Try') is a comedic coming-of-age sports drama that follows the unpredictable journey of a quirky director, Joo Ga-ram, and the perennial underdog rugby team from Hanyang High School as they sprint towards national championship glory. With each episode, 'Try' continues to break its own viewership records, charging ahead in a hot streak towards a 'ratings miracle.'
Kicking off with a peak viewership of 4.8%, 'Try' has seen a steady climb with 6.3% in its second episode, 6.5% in its third, and a remarkable 7.7% in its fourth, breaking its own record with each airing. Notably, the latest episode's viewership among the 20-49 demographic soared to a high of 2.23%, securing the top spot among Saturday mini-series, achieving a dual success in both ratings and buzz. (Data provided by Nielsen Korea)
Additionally, according to the TV buzz analysis firm Good Data Corporation's FUNdex, 'Try' ranked third in TV drama buzz for the week of July 28 to August 3. Leading the charge as Joo Ga-ram, Yoon Kye-sang ranked fifth in actor buzz. Furthermore, as of August 3, 'Try' has reached the second spot in Netflix's rankings for domestic TV series in South Korea, proving the show's hot streak among viewers.
Especially noteworthy are the performances of Yoon Kye-sang (as Joo Ga-ram) and the young cast including Kim Yo-han (as Yoon Sung-jun), Kim Yi-jun (as Oh Young-kwang), Lee Soo-chan (as So Myung-woo), Yoon Jae-chan (as Do Hyung-sik), Hwang Sung-bin (as Kim Joo-yang), Woo Min-kyu (as Pyo Sun-ho), and Kim Dan (as Moon Woong). Together, they form the spirited rugby team of Hanyang High School, their energy cutting through the summer heat. Yoon Kye-sang delivers a range of emotions from laughter to touching moments, embodying the mentor who guides on life's directions, resonating deeply with viewers. The young team's portrayal of youth, their struggles, and their unique personalities, along with their one-team chemistry, shines brightly, raising anticipation for the stories they will unfold.
Following each episode, social media and online communities have been abuzz with reactions like, "Every time I watch, I find a new favorite character," "Joo Ga-ram really shows how adults should interact with kids," "Watching it feels like reading Joo Ga-ram's parenting diary! Our kids are growing up so well," "Let's go for the miracle." These comments highlight the show's impact.
Meanwhile, 'Try' has introduced the character Moon Woong, a physical genius, breathing new life into the Hanyang High School rugby team and marking a fresh start as a complete team. With a promise of showcasing the spirit of teamwork in a spectacular journey, the anticipation for the heartfelt battles and catharsis that Joo Ga-ram and the Hanyang High School rugby team will deliver is on the rise.
'Try' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)