Original subtitles

THE WINNING TRY

TWENTY YEARS AGO

2005 SPECIAL ADMISSION TRYOUTS

Ready.

Jeong-hyo.

I heard you brought him here. Are you recruiting him as a new shooter?

Not exactly.

When I saw him run, I knew he'd do well anywhere.

I heard he beat a second-year in judo.

TRACK AND FIELD COACH

-Did he learn to play sports somewhere? -Nothing professionally, I heard.

The judo coach is already threatening everyone he called dibs.

Ready.

I'm going to have to buy the judo coach a drink.

He's a runner, not a judo player.

He'll make a clean sweep of the medals with three months of training.

Ju Ga-ram, he's all mine.

Geez.

THE WINNING TRY

EPISODE 4

Now, we will begin the 2025

second semester's--

Hold on!

Our player is here.

-He's here. -He's here.

-He came. -What?

RUGBY TEAM

Darn it.

We have a player.

There has been a change in the special admission process

starting this semester.

Each team will hold a tryout.

Any coach who wants an athlete can participate.

From there, he has to pass at least half of the tryouts.

Then he'll be admitted to the school and have a chance to choose a team

among the events he has passed.

We changed the process five years ago because no one could get in this way.

Someone did get in.

It's an order from the Office of Education.

He can't get admitted to the school if he doesn't want to try out.

SPECIAL ADMISSION TRYOUTS

-Look. -Hey, Rugby.

MUN UNG: 1ST-YEAR RUGBY, FENCING, ARCHERY

The Rugby Team is done for.

Shouldn't they just give up?

-True. -Right?

-Are you out of your minds? -Do you want another beating?

Man.

CATEGORY: RUGBY, FENCING, ARCHERY

Geez.

Has he ever played sports before, Coach?

Not professionally, I assume.

His body is so perfect, though.

Exactly.

He's 183 cm, weighs 78 kg, and runs 100m in the high 11s.

We have yet to check his big three lifts.

But he has strong shoulders and arms from making deliveries for years.

See how it bounces my fingers off? He has great core strength too.

-We're not that different. -Let's say we let him win in rugby,

but fencing and archery are technical sports.

We will find a way.

Ga-ram might try to outsmart us,

so we picked the hardest events among the technical sports.

Good.

A natural can sometimes pull a miracle in basic sports,

like when a newbie beats a professional.

Still, don't let your guard down and be prepared.

-Okay. -Yes.

May I ask why you excluded shooting?

Of the technical sports, shooting is the most difficult one.

Is it going to be all right? Ms. Kang seemed very angry.

I'll take care of her myself.

Take care of what?

You can get going.

-Okay. -Yes.

What are you trying to pull?

You even brought the Office of Education in.

Please consider it the first step in the school's development.

Is this development for the students?

Or is it for you?

I understand how you feel.

You want to take care of every single student.

But of the school's graduates,

less than 10% have become professional athletes.

Those who don't make it as pros

try to become PE teachers by going to college,

but that's not easy, either.

Maybe 5% succeed at best.

Then do you know what the remaining 85% are doing

to make a living?

I heard someone say

that half of the club bouncers in Gangnam are from PE high schools.

Vice Principal!

Am I being too blunt?

Isn't it the cruel reality we want to ignore?

What does it mean to be a good teacher?

Someone who inspires hopes and dreams saying, "Do whatever you want to do"?

Or someone who helps students identify

which paths are actually feasible for them?

A school,

especially a PE high school,

isn't some fantasy land for finding dreams.

School is where athletes learn to face reality.

This is a vocational school.

Your romantic idea…

is an unrealistic fantasy.

Dream all you want,

but don't drag the students into it.

-Did you hear everything? -The school isn't soundproofed well.

Geez.

Why are you so down?

Because what the vice principal said…

isn't totally wrong.

The teams he wants to disband don't have enough professional teams to advance to,

and the colleges have limited quotas.

True. Even in rugby,

there are only a handful of professional teams.

How many of these students

will be able to become professional athletes?

Was I never a good teacher?

Should I…

have been more cold-hearted?

Ms. Kang.

Do you remember that…

that thing?

What?

I didn't start playing rugby to become an athlete.

Ju Ga-ram.

Take a seat.

Have you made up your mind? The track and field coach wants you.

He did.

But…

How about rugby?

Rugby?

In rugby, you can't pass forward. You can only pass to the side or backward.

In other words,

someone has to protect your side at all times.

It looks tough on the outside,

but in fact, it's the kindest sport.

You won't be lonely.

It was 17-year-old Ju Ga-ram who chose to play rugby.

You and Mr. Seong seem to think

you're responsible for the students' futures.

They run and roll on the ground

because they choose to do so.

Ms. Kang.

Give them a chance

to decide their lives for themselves.

HANYANG RUGBY

Higher.

Ju-yang, go higher.

More?

Stop.

Now.

-Look at the protractor. -You're here, Coach.

-Coach. -Already hazing the new guy?

It's not just a hazing.

They say flexibility is key in fencing.

Right.

Save me, Coach.

Help me.

Coach.

DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3

Break time.

Geez. This is hard.

Okay. Moving on.

The next step. Let's go.

Now, we use this…

Breathe.

VINEGAR

Why the vinegar?

It's good for flexibility.

Open up.

It looks tasty.

-Did you guys plan this out? -Yes.

He'll only have a chance if he sticks to a tight schedule.

It looks good.

-Are you serious? -Yes. It's great.

But one thing. Let's see.

Just a second.

Give him some time to eat.

For three hours?

Make sure he gets more sleep so he doesn't get injured.

Then it's perfect.

Isn't it too loose?

What if he loses?

Our strengths are clear.

We just need to find out their weaknesses now.

That's good.

What are you doing? Isn't it hot?

Darn it.

You'll hurt yourself.

Geez. I'm so sick of this.

Are you really going to do it, Captain?

Yes. I guess I am.

Is that even necessary? Even a first-year could beat him.

Coach said I have to crush him without losing a point.

-For real? -Of course. You're Park Il-hwan.

The result is obvious. Isn't it a waste of time?

Geez. You splashed everywhere.

Kids these days can't even aim. For goodness' sake.

Park Il-hwan.

Prets. Allez.

Coach.

-Could you please take a look? -Sure.

Who are you?

En garde!

What?

Where did you get these?

They all belong to Park Il-hwan.

Il-hwan is our opponent.

Geez.

-He's the fencing captain. -Aren't they taking it too far?

How could they play their ace?

When did they ever play fair?

You two.

Can you summarize his weaknesses with the training log?

Yes, we can.

How's Ung's basic training going?

EN GARDE, MARCHE, ROMPRE, FENTE

Wait. How can he do that in one day?

It's thanks to my superb plan.

Even though he's a fast learner, there's a limit.

Especially against Il-hwan,

he has zero chance.

And there's archery too.

If you keep going without giving up, you'll find a way.

Don't you know the rugby spirit?

Fente.

Good.

I heard Ga-ram is poking around the school.

Yes, especially around the Fencing Team and the Archery Team.

One bad apple can spoil the barrel.

Pay attention

so that other teams won't be carried away by Ga-ram and his team.

Okay.

Vice Principal, may I say something?

-Yes. -Okay.

The Rugby Team's budget isn't that small.

When the team disbands,

we can put the remaining budget to good use.

The coaches who cooperate well will have their contracts renewed--

-Coach Jeon. -Yes.

We'll talk about that later.

Sure.

-Let's do this. -Yes.

You are dismissed.

Thank you.

Shooting Team, please stay.

Please sit, Coach Bae.

It's a coaching contract.

I see that you had signed a short-term contract every year.

When I become the principal next year,

I'd like to offer you a three-year contract.

What do you say?

I'd appreciate that.

You do understand that a coach's job includes

administrative tasks as well as teaching?

Yes, I do.

I plan to give you some tasks

such as…

keeping an eye on Coach Ju and seeing what he's up to.

I heard you two have been close for a long time.

Can you do it?

HANYANG HIGH FIXED-TERM EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

-That's… -Geez.

Where did it go?

My hopes were too high.

-A few days ago… -It's his first time.

It's all right.

Let's find someone to teach him.

We just need someone with archery experience.

It can be the guy next door for all I care.

It could be your middle or elementary school friends,

pull all the strings you have--

I…

know someone.

Sorry.

It was 9.7 at 11 o'clock.

You seem distracted, so I'll check it myself.

It's 10.4. That was good.

COACH JEON NAK-GYUN

-Yes, Coach. -Hey, I-ji.

Come pick me up. I'm drunk.

Right, it's…

the skewer place I'm always at.

Hurry.

Coach, U-jin is training right now, so I can't leave the shooting range.

You are of no help to her.

You'd only distract her. Hurry and come here.

The number you've dialed…

You can go.

I focus better alone.

Don't overdo it.

Wrap it up soon.

Okay.

What was that?

-Why'd you do that? -Sorry.

But can you do it?

I have to try.

I'll persuade U-jin by any means.

Coach,

you stop Coach Bae.

Slowly!

Outsiders aren't allowed in.

What is it?

Just say it. It's probably nonsense anyway.

Well…

Hello. I'm Mun Ung.

Nice to meet you.

What does the Rugby Team's rookie want with the shooting captain?

Actually…

I quit archery four years ago, and I don't remember a thing.

Even if I do, why do I have to help you?

Do you remember

that we sat together on the first day of elementary school?

When you didn't bring your supplies,

I lent them to you, got scolded by the teacher, and my mom--

That won't do it.

Would you please help me?

I really want to play rugby.

Well, you're definitely born to be an athlete.

Right?

He's so talented and full of passion.

How can you not help?

As an athlete in a different sport, you shouldn't do that.

I don't have enough time for my own training.

I don't care about passion or talents in other sports.

Seok-jun.

I'm going to tell people you had a crush on him.

Will you stop the nonsense and go away?

Can't you help me just this once? Please.

I'll do anything. Okay?

I'll really do anything.

Just once after the training.

-Take it or leave it. -Yes, that sounds good.

Right?

-Your answer? -Yes.

Have you carefully read the contract Mr. Seong gave you?

As a coaching contract,

three years is an amazing offer. You should sign it.

You have to think carefully.

You can't be a player-coach for a long time.

Are you listening? I thought you were wearing earplugs.

Are you participating in the tournaments in the second half again?

Yes, I am.

I-ji. You…

You really have to make a decision now.

This is your life, isn't it?

Let's be honest.

As a player,

you're beyond decline. You're done.

What? Why?

This son of a bitch keeps blocking my path.

What? Who did you honk at?

Since it's late, it's hard to drive.

I'll focus now.

TTOBONGEE CHICKEN

I ended up like this

all because of Ga-ram.

I know.

If he hadn't caused a problem, I wouldn't have given up on my tryout.

Of course.

Then I'd be in Team Korea playing in the World Championship.

With my condition back then, a medal?

I could have won one easily.

-Definitely. -Then he dares to show up again?

And put me in this shitty situation?

What?

That one's new. What happened?

I was offered a renewal contract,

already signed by the vice principal.

If I sign it, it's a done deal.

That's good news.

You were worried about next year.

Let's party. It's on me.

Bong-bong, let's have the soy chicken feet with chilis.

Throw lots of chilis in.

Okay?

The problem is Ga-ram has to leave for me to stay in the school.

What does Ga-ram leaving have to do

with your contract?

I don't know.

Ga-ram is making me

into someone who looks for others' weaknesses just to attack them.

When an athlete finds others' weaknesses and attacks them,

they're being smart, not nasty.

Geez. Ga-ram is no stranger, is he?

-Shut up, traitor. -Traitor…

Are you happy to play rugby by Ga-ram's side? Are you?

While we're at it, listen, I-ji.

Ga-ram might have an issue he can't talk about.

Sometimes in life,

-an uncontrollable issue-- -Uncontrollable, my ass.

Everyone has their own issue,

but not everyone crosses the line.

But Ga-ram crossed it.

Where are the chilis?

Are you being thrifty? Go and slice some more.

The sweat we shed

Fills up the Hangang River

The chant we shout together

Wakes up our passion

Raise your torch

Until the new day breaks

We run toward the golden sky

Was it always this bright? It's always this bright.

Quiet. Do you want to get busted?

You stand over here.

Hold the grip with your left hand. Spread your legs shoulder-width apart.

Place your feet parallel.

Place the bow on your foot.

Mission clear. We're at the archery range. How is it going over there?

Use your three right fingers. Straighten your hand.

You surprised me.

What do you think? It was awful.

Well done, though. Thanks to you…

Raise your arm. Lower your shoulder.

Now pull.

Why did U-jin change from archery to shooting?

Well, it was because--

Because it left marks on my face.

-What? -When you draw the bow,

it leaves marks on your lips and chin.

It might turn into wrinkles.

I don't like outdoor UV rays either.

How cool.

Yeah, right.

Straighten your right hand.

Lower your chin. Push your left arm as if there's a wall.

Relax your fingers.

Lower your chin.

Level your elbow.

Straighten your body.

Geez. What's wrong with you?

Hold still.

Seriously. Come on!

-Come here. -No, thank you.

-Give me a hug. -No.

-Come. -Geez.

Coach.

You're here.

What are you, kids?

-What is this? -Our strategy.

Coach,

what do sprinklers at night have to do with archery?

They'll make the arrows shake.

Creating variables.

Nice plan.

What variables?

The Archery Team trains to handle environmental factors

such as wind or rain.

Shoot.

Relax your shoulders.

Hold them straight.

Does rain ever soar upward from the ground?

Rain never soars upward from the ground.

If he can shoot calmly when the water soars,

he'll be a step ahead of them.

The variable called water will reduce the technical differences.

In that case, it becomes a competition of physicality.

He got it.

He shot the target.

MOM

Hey, U-jin.

U-jin, please keep…

our secret.

SPECIAL ADMISSION TRYOUTS DAY

Okay. Good luck.

You can do it.

Hello.

I guess you're well prepared.

Well, yes.

Let's do this.

I wonder what your strategy is.

Rugby!

Let's go!

Break our defense.

Do you see the line over there?

Just touch the ball on the ground past the line.

-Can you do it? -Yes.

Don't be nervous.

-Okay? -Okay.

-Good luck. -Let's get started.

Let's do this.

-Okay. Let's do this. -Let's go, Ung.

Go for it!

Didn't Seong-jun really fall for the first feint?

Is he really a newbie?

ROUND 1 RUGBY: WIN

Il-hwan will make a quick dash when he spots a chance.

Look at his feet. Increase the gap to make him feel rushed.

That's when you strike, okay?

Okay.

He's ready.

You know the rules?

Three bouts, three minutes each.

The match is over when one scores 15 points.

-You can attack the whole body. -Okay.

-You have to win. -Breathe.

-Let's play rugby! -You can do it.

Good. You're doing good.

Salute. En garde.

Prets. Allez.

-He scored. -Nice.

Halte!

-It's okay. -It's just a point.

-It's all right. -Go!

Take it slow. Relax.

It's all right. Remember what you've practiced.

En garde.

Prets. Allez.

Push him. Close the distance.

-Go forward. -Let's go forward.

It's all right.

Allez.

Thrust.

Press him.

Allez.

-What? -What's he doing?

I understand. He's cute.

He's dragging by keeping a distance. We only have a few seconds.

Boo! Hey, Il-hwan! Don't you have pride as a fencer?

Hey, sit.

-What are you going to do about it? -Boo!

Why do we have to sit?

He's cutting him some slack because he's bad.

-So what? -Hey.

Ung, it's okay.

-It's okay. -You're doing good.

Good job.

It's okay. You're doing fine.

Here.

-I saw it. -What?

His sword.

I can see it now.

I promise that I'll score at least one point.

En garde.

Prets. Allez.

-He scored! -Nice.

-Is he going to score? -Can he?

How is this possible?

What?

What's going on?

The light didn't turn on.

What in the world?

ROUND 2 FENCING: LOSE

Please.

It's not like he won a gold medal.

-Good job. -Ung, well done.

-You're so cool. -You did awesome.

Hey. The game isn't over yet.

I'm sorry.

Don't be. You did a great job.

Strength and focus until the end, without giving up.

That was great. Good job.

The real match begins now.

Just remember what we trained yesterday, Ung.

Then you can surely win it.

Is he gifted or what?

He should do fencing, not rugby.

-He still lost, though. -It's wild he scored against Il-hwan.

He's a National Sports Festival silver medalist.

At this pace, he might win the archery match.

-He actually might. -Seriously.

FINAL ROUND

What now?

-I've created variables. -What?

Archery is all about the variables, isn't it?

I don't see the archery coach.

-What? -I think?

The archers aren't here, either.

What? Why aren't they here?

Hold on.

Wait.

We'll cancel today's archery match.

Wait, why?

The whole team got food poisoning.

Oh, no.

We can't help but have another match.

Then we'll discuss which sport he'll try out for first--

We can play by the rules.

Is there any team that wants a player?

We do.

We, the Shooting Team, will participate.

What?

We have the Shooting Team.

Is there any other team who wants him?

I guess not.

Then the shooting tryout will decide his admission.

This is foul play.

How can he play such a technical sport without training?

Will one hour be enough?

-Vice Principal. -We can't help it.

That's the rule.

We can't wait until the whole Archery Team recovers.

Or…

will you…

just withdraw?

Hey, U-jin.

-Was it you? -What?

Did you tell them?

U-jin.

THREE HOURS AGO

Yes?

There will be a tryout later.

You do it.

-A tryout? -Yes.

You know, the special admission for the new kid Ga-ram brought in.

Wasn't it decided as fencing and archery?

No need to worry about the details. Show us your best.

What are you going to do about it?

-I'm competing against him too. -What?

Please lose, just this once.

Why should I?

Could you just help us?

Winning won't do you any good.

Why not?

They'll upgrade our whole facility once your team is gone.

You're so mean.

-Why do you have to be so selfish? -What are you, a child?

Stop whining.

I want to play rugby.

Let me live my life as rugby player, Yoon Seong-jun,

not just as soccer player Yoon Seok-jun's twin brother.

I wouldn't have time for this if I were you.

-Aren't you ashamed of yourself? -What?

Aren't you ashamed to pull such a cheap trick

on the students?

Ga-ram.

Watch your mouth.

Why do I need to be ashamed?

I'm doing what needs to be done for the school.

And is that discouraging high school students' dreams?

Those dreams aren't free.

We have a limited budget.

We aren't well-off enough to support dreams that have no potential.

The result is obvious.

Why do you eat when you'll poop it out anyway?

Why do you want to be a principal when you'll retire anyway?

Are you kidding me?

Everyone lives knowing that they'll die.

Every player plays, knowing the game will end.

But only the ones

who play until the end know the result of the game.

Our job as adults is to give these kids a chance to play until the end.

It's not to push them out of the stadium

while talking about their potential before the starting whistle has even blown.

Your team's match is already over.

The results are out.

You lost already.

No.

It hasn't even begun yet.

You'll see.

I'll show you that potential.

Sure. Good luck.

To do so,

you'll have to pass the shooting tryout first.

Okay, breathe in and raise the gun.

Good. Put it down.

Try it again.

Breathing is crucial.

Hold it up while breathing in.

Aim.

Coach.

I'm sorry.

I think U-jin told them about our archery strategy.

That must be why the vice principal changed the tryout event.

It's my fault.

I don't think that's the case, Seong-jun.

Come here.

Gather around.

Okay.

Let's huddle.

Rugby Team, smile.

Come on. Smile.

The Rugby Team will be fine.

Because…

you've got me, Ju Ga-ram.

Don't give up.

We will definitely win.

Let's chant.

Hanyang!

Louder!

Hanyang!

Hanyang!

Hanyang!

Hanyang!

Hey, Dad!

You're here.

-You're here, sir. -Dad!

Hello.

Scooch over and make some room.

How did you make the time to come?

I heard the tryout has changed from archery to shooting.

Was this your plan all along?

-Yes. -Geez.

You're so meticulous.

But it's not Seol-hyeon who's playing.

It was too minuscule for her to participate in a match like this,

so I had U-jin do it.

It must be time.

Let's go.

Good luck.

Ung.

Ung.

It's okay to lose. Okay?

It's okay to lose.

Regardless of the outcome, I will find a way.

Just do your best. Got it?

-Go, Ung! -Let's go!

-You can do it. -You've got this.

You can do it.

Gosh. They are loud.

Ga-ram.

Have you got a plan?

I'm looking for a way

to get him into another school and transfer him back here.

I'll find a way no matter what.

I'll never give up, Ms. Kang.

Okay, silence.

-Go. -We will begin the shooting tryout,

Round Three of the special admission tryout.

Mun Ung, begin shooting.

-I knew it. -He can't do it.

No. It's only the first shot.

It's basically zero points.

He did hit the target.

No, you never know.

TOTAL: 3 POINTS

-I told you. -It's over.

It's over.

You're doing great.

Go, Ung!

It's not over yet.

TOTAL: 5 POINTS

TOTAL: 7 POINTS

-It's over. -It's over.

She can outscore him by one shot.

The Rugby Team is certain to be disbanded.

I'll push ahead with the reorganization plan right away,

as I mentioned before.

Good.

I trust you to win 30 golds in the National Sports Festival.

Yes.

-Good job. -Well done.

-You did well. -Good job.

You did great.

Okay? Well done.

Seo U-jin.

Begin shooting.

Focus and shoot precisely, U-jin.

Do you know what I mean?

Will you answer…

Geez. You surprised me. What?

-What? -What?

What's going on?

What's going on?

TOTAL: 0 POINTS

Is she doing it on purpose?

TOTAL: 0 POINTS

Hey, Ung.

Congratulations on your admission.

-He won. -He won.

-He won. -He won.

ROUND 3 SHOOTING: WIN

U-jin.

Why did you do that?

What about you?

-Why did you say it was okay to lose? -What?

Well.

Because it's okay to lose.

It's never okay for any athlete to lose.

Then why did you lose?

You tell me.

Because I don't know why at the moment.

Hey, it's U-jin.

-There's U-jin. -I see her.

Is she running away?

Where are you going?

Where are you going?

I did everything

trusting your words, Mr. Seong.

What is this?

My apologies.

I'll find a way--

Forget it.

There's a lot of talk at the office about the change in the admission process.

Suppose the Rugby Team doesn't achieve good results again this year.

In that case, it won't have enough players next year,

which will automatically disband it.

Let's think about a soft landing.

If the Rugby Team somehow wins at this National Sports Festival--

That's why you have to try harder, so something like this won't happen again.

Bye.

Until next time.

What happened?

I'm not sure.

This is driving me crazy. Darn it.

By the looks of it,

you two don't know what exactly happened.

I'll look into why U-jin did it right away.

U-jin caused this mess.

But Ga-ram must be the reason.

Right, Coach Bae.

Yes.

I'll call off the contract deal.

I can't leave my athletes to a coach

who can't even fulfill a task like this, can I?

I got it.

Are you going to leave without eating?

Fills up the Hangang River

The chant we shout together Wakes up our passion

Raise your torch Until the new day breaks

We run toward the golden sky

Hanyang Physical Education High School

The sweat we shed Fills up the Hangang River

The chant we shout together Wakes up our passion

Until the new day breaks

NURSE'S OFFICE

PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

Ga-ram.

THE WINNING TRY

THE WINNING TRY

Rugby Team, let's practice.

The Track and Field Team has the field all day.

We need a proper field.

I thought we were training.

This is training too.

Run as fast as you can!

When you play by relying on each other,

it creates synergy.

Synergy.

We have a practice match.

-It's against… -A pro team?

-Say that again. -I can't let you guys ruin my life.

I have to give it my all in this tryout.

This is my last chance.

A disease doesn't discriminate.

Even a slight delay can be fatal.

Subtitle translation by: Hye Won Yoon