TRY: Chasing Miracles with Rugby and Hope
SBS’s new Friday-Saturday drama “Try: We Become Miracles” attempts something bold – blending the emotional weight of personal redemption with the rare-for-TV sport of rugby. The story centers on the Han-Yang High School rugby team, a misfit group striving to win the National Sports Festival under a fallen star’s guidance. That fallen star is none other than Joo Garam (played by Yoon Kye-sang), a one-time national rugby hero vilified after a doping scandal, now seeking both personal and team redemption as the team’s new coach.
Why Rugby? Why Now?
In South Korea, rugby is hardly a household sport. Try naming a famous Korean rugby player off the top of your head – most people can’t. Yet, TRY chooses this obscure sport intentionally. Rugby emphasizes teamwork, perseverance through pain, and working for the group over the individual. It’s rough, messy, and not always glamorous – and that mirrors most people’s lives better than football (soccer) or baseball ever could. The drama taps into this backdrop with a universal message: finding light in the darkest of places.
Pros: A Story of Growth, Redemption, and Courage
From the outset, TRY positions itself as more than a sports drama. Joo Garam’s journey back into the world he was once kicked out of parallels the high school team’s struggles with rejection and failure. The team is a group of underdogs mocked by their peers and neglected by authority. Garam’s past continues to haunt him, not just from the public, but also from colleagues like his ex-girlfriend, Baek I-ji (played by Lim Semi), a cold and skeptical teacher at the school.
Still, the drama makes clear that recovery and redemption are possible. Each character, be it the arrogant team captain or the reluctant coach, learns they have more in common than they think – especially when faced with society’s judgment. These themes resonate especially with today’s young adults navigating a world of harsh online backlash and relentless expectations to succeed.
Also worth noting is Yoon Kye-sang’s performance. A respected actor making a comeback of sorts, Yoon’s portrayal of a tarnished hero feels grounded and raw. Viewers are not just watching him act; at times, it feels as if he is sharing his own reflections on past missteps. That sincerity is powerful.
Cons: Familiar Tropes in a New Jersey
Despite the fresh exterior, some critics argue that the show repeats too many of the same old patterns. A down-and-out coach? Check. An underdog team facing campus ridicule? Check. Redemption arcs, inspirational training montages, reluctant teamwork? All present and accounted for. To seasoned viewers of sports dramas, TRY can feel predictable.
Moreover, the emotional depth occasionally feels forced. The heavy emphasis on Joo Garam’s past – particularly the doping scandal – often overshadows more nuanced subplots and might alienate viewers who were hoping for a light-hearted teen drama or more rugby action.
Another limitation comes from the sport itself. Rugby’s play rules, pace, and physicality aren’t well-known in Korea or the U.S. Outside of sports fans, some may struggle to follow the matches or care about the victories. Much of the game-like excitement comes down to team bonding and emotional payoff rather than on-field drama – a smart move, but a niche one.
Audience Voices: Split Between Hope and Hesitation
Online forums and social media discussions reveal a split reaction. Fans praise the drama for unique storytelling and commend SBS for spotlighting an underrepresented sport. Many younger viewers especially relate to the themes of being misunderstood and underestimated. “This show makes me want to try again,” wrote one Twitter user about her own job-hunting struggles.
On the flip side, critics are wary of whether TRY can maintain momentum. Yoon Kye-sang’s intense portrayal could become emotionally taxing, and too much angst without levity may turn away casual viewers. The burden of expectations on the actor himself also feels heavy – for an actor returning to screens after a personal hiatus, the line between fiction and real-life redemption can blur uncomfortably.
Where It Could Go Right – or Wrong
To stand out, TRY must go deeper, not just harder. Audiences today are too media-savvy for clichés. Instead of pushing the typical “we came, we trained, we won” narrative, the show has a chance to unpack real issues: What does forgiveness look like? Do people really change? How does someone lead when they no longer believe in their own worth?
Success won’t come from flashy rugby scenes alone. It’ll come from character layers. Baek I-ji’s jaded teacher, the team’s skeptical captain, and even the aloof school administrators – all hold pieces of a broader comment on performance culture. If the writing is brave, TRY could become a heart-wrenching story about second chances in a society that rarely offers them.
Conclusion: TRY Needs to Try Just a Bit More
“Try: We Become Miracles” is an ambitious attempt to bring together youth drama, sports, social commentary, and a redemption arc under one title. It succeeds in its casting and message but stumbles slightly with overfamiliar storytelling. If it can fully embrace the underdog spirit of rugby – messy, bold, honest – it has a shot at becoming more than just another sports drama. With strong performances, deeper character development, and creativity in storytelling, TRY could very well deliver on its promise of miracles.
