The full lineup of Hanyang Physical Education High School’s rugby team has finally been unveiled—and they’re ready to tackle not just the field, but viewers’ hearts in SBS’s upcoming Friday-Saturday drama The Winning Try.
Premiering on July 25, The Winning Try follows the wild and uplifting story of eccentric coach Joo Ga-ram (Yoon Kye Sang) and the hopeless, dead-last high school rugby team he’s determined to transform into champions at the National Sports Festival. The series is helmed by Taxi Driver 2’s Jang Young-seok and penned by award-winning writer Im Jin-ah, making it one of summer’s most buzzworthy dramas. With a star-powered lead cast—Yoon Kye Sang, Im Se Mi and Kim Yo-han—and a wave of promising rookies, anticipation is sky-high.
On July 10, SBS dropped the first set of stills featuring the seven key players of Hanyang High’s rugby squad, each brimming with unique charm and chaotic appeal.
Leading the team is Kim Yo Han as Yoon Seong-jun, the textbook example of an FM (field manual) captain. With square shoulders, a steely gaze, and muscles earned through relentless training, he radiates authority and warmth all at once.
Then there’s Kim Yi Jun as Oh Young-kwang, the brainy vice-captain secretly dreaming of life outside rugby, perhaps as a civil servant. Caught studying on the sidelines yet constantly messing up, his character adds a touch of comedy to the squad. Lee Soo Chan plays So Myung-woo, a rugby-turned-content-creator who seems more focused on his camera angles than line drills, giving off serious “sideline influencer” vibes.
Their trio—Seong-jun, Young-kwang, and Myung-woo—are all third-years with a frenemy-like chemistry that promises banter, bickering, and brotherhood.
The second-year lineup is just as interesting. Yoon Jaechan is Do Hyung-sik, a hot-headed livewire who’s basically a human rugby ball—ready to fly off in any direction at any time.
Hwang Sung Bin brings to life Kim Joo-yang, a mountain of muscle with the heart and sensitivity of a poet. Woo Min Gyu plays Pyo Seon-ho, the gym rat who’s always one bite away from passing out mid-sprint, often caught shoveling down bread mid-game.
And last but not least, the youngest of the bunch, Jo Han Gyeol as Kang Tae-poong, bursts onto the scene with unfiltered rookie passion and a cheeky charm that’s impossible to ignore.
These vibrant characters, portrayed by a cast full of fresh faces and magnetic energy, are set to collide in a chaotic, comedic, and heartfelt tale of growth, grit, and unexpected friendships. The stills tease the early days of the team, full of clumsy charm and raw potential, hinting at the emotional journey and hilarious mishaps to come.
With its blend of character-driven comedy, emotional underdog energy, and offbeat charm, The Winning Try is shaping up to be this summer’s sleeper hit. Don’t miss the premiere on July 25 as Hanyang High’s lovable losers charge toward their miracle.
