SBS Drama 'The Winning Try' Continues to Break Viewership Records Amidst Rivalry with MBC's 'Mary Kills People'

SBS's weekend drama 'The Winning Try', starring Yoon Kye-sang, is dominating the ratings battle against MBC's 'Mary Kills People', led by Lee Bo-young. 'The Winning Try' continues to break its own viewership records with each episode.

In the sixth episode aired on Saturday, the storyline focused on Joo Ga-ram (played by Yoon Kye-sang) and the Han Yang High School rugby team as they prepared for their first match in the Presidential Cup against Daesang High. However, Ga-ram's worsening myasthenia gravis symptoms caused him to collapse, and his ex-girlfriend Bae I-ji (played by Im Se-mi) discovered his past and illness, putting his coaching career in jeopardy. I-ji also faced her own struggles after failing to qualify for the national team, adding to the drama.

'The Winning Try' achieved a peak viewership rating of 8.3%, with 6.4% in the metropolitan area and 5.7% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea. The drama's continuous rise in ratings and popularity is evident as it consistently sets new records.

Tension escalated when Ga-ram encountered aerobics coach Bang Heung-nam (played by Jung Soon-won) at the hospital. The Han Yang High School rugby team faced Daesang High in the first round of the national high school rugby tournament. Seniors Yoon Sung-joon (played by Kim Yo-han), Oh Young-gwang (played by Kim Yi-jun), and So Myung-woo (played by Lee Soo-chan) were desperate for scouts to attend the match. Despite concerns from vice-principal Sung Jong-man (played by Kim Min-sang) about Ga-ram's past, Ga-ram was determined to attract scouts with his hidden strategies.

Ga-ram actively sought out scouts, but faced rejection. In a heartfelt plea, he approached Song Hyun-jong (played by Kang Shin-il), the coach of Yeonhui University's rugby team and his former national team coach, asking him to give his players a chance.

Meanwhile, Bae I-ji faced shock after failing to qualify for the national team, while Na Seol-hyun (played by Sung Ji-young) advanced amid match-fixing allegations, causing turmoil in the Han Yang High School shooting team. Na Kyu-won (played by Jang Hyuk-jin), Seol-hyun's father and deputy superintendent, pressured I-ji to explain herself, while Kim So-hyun (played by Jo Yeon-hee), a former national shooting representative, showed disdain towards I-ji.

The rugby team faced challenges as Moon Woong (played by Kim Dan), a naturally gifted player, struggled with tackling. Ga-ram encouraged Woong to overcome his fears, but their conversation was interrupted, leaving viewers curious.

Vice-principal Jong-man and Heung-nam began pressuring Ga-ram, suspecting his hospital visits were not routine. Ga-ram's condition worsened, and he expressed his frustration to the team, who sincerely apologized, giving him strength. Ga-ram also gifted I-ji earplugs, advising her to ignore others' opinions.

The episode ended with Ga-ram collapsing in front of I-ji, revealing the truth about his condition. The epilogue showed a flashback to three years ago, where Ga-ram struggled to tell I-ji about his illness before her national team selection, adding an emotional layer to the story.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr