"Even if bone hits and blood spills 'progress'strongest rugby', will it be a hit in sports entertainment after baseball?"

Dec 05, 2024

Lee Yong-woon, Na Kwan-young, Oh Ji-myung, Kim Won-joo, and Seo Woo-hyun from the left. Photo courtesy = Netflix

photo courtesy of Netflix

It's rugby after baseball.

Producer Jang Si-won, who wrote the myth of the `strongest baseball' that drove South Korea into the baseball craze, is ready to continue the box office myth by returning to the sports survival entertainment `strongest rugby: die or win' (hereinafter 'strongest rugby'). Covering rugby called a non-cognitive sport, 'strongest rugby' will capture the hearts of viewers by vividly capturing the athletes' fierce battles and the sports' natural impressions.

On the morning of the 5th, a production presentation of the Netflix entertainment show `The Greatest Rugby: Die or Win' was held at CGV I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Producer Jang Si-won, director of the production, announcer Jung Yong-gum, Korea Electric Power Corporation Na Kwan-young, Hyundai Glovis Jeong Yeon-sik, POSCO E&C Oh Ji-myung, OK E-Men Rugby Team Lee Yong-woon, Korea University Kim Won-joo and Yonsei University Seo Woo-hyun attended the meeting. Choi Ho-young, an athlete from the South Korean military athletic unit, was unfortunately unable to attend the scene.

'Strongest Rugby: Die or Win' is a sports survival entertainment show that shows the real game of rugby players who continue their desperate advances by throwing their whole bodies for the glory of victory.

Lee Yong-woon, Na Kwan-young, Oh Ji-myung, Kim Won-joo, and Seo Woo-hyun from the left. Photo courtesy = Netflix

First of all, producer Jang Si-won said the program planning began with the shock of his first encounter with the sport of rugby. "During my trip to Sapporo, I thought of rugby as a sport that could embody the image of an intense battle and a scene of bloodstains in the snowfield," he said, explaining the background of the plan. "When I watched the game for the first time, it was impressive to see the players throwing everything into the game. I wondered why he was doing this, but I found out that authenticity is the essence of the sport."

In order to realize the vividness of the rugby game 'strongest rugby' mobilized a great deal of volume and skill. A total of 140 cameras captured every moment of the stadium and captured vivid sound with custom microphone devices attached to each player. "I wanted to convey the sound of flesh and bones in a realistic way."As producer Jang said, ' will contain rugby's unique intensity. The set was also made with scale and detail reminiscent of the Coliseum, increasing the players' immersion.

Each team participating in the program added vitality to the program based on their individuality.

KEPCO added stability with seasoned veteran players, while Hyundai Glovis put forward unity as an advantage. POSCO E&C emphasized systematic teamwork centered on the director, and OK E&M was noted for its unpredictable charm as a new team. Korea University and Yonsei University competed against each other with their youth and spirit.

Korean University Kim Won-joo and Yonsei University Seo Woo-hyun who participated in the strongest rugby. Photo courtesy = Netflix

In particular, the traditional rivalry between Korea University and Yonsei University also drew attention in this program. Kim Won-joo of Korea University said, `Even rock-paper-scissors can't lose to Yonsei UniversitySeo Woo-hyun of Yonsei University expressed confidence, saying, `I will definitely catch Korea University this time", showing a strong will.

Announcer Jung Yong-gum, who participated as a caster, expressed 'strongest rugby' as 'a documentary wearing an entertainment mask' and 'I felt the pure amateurism of rugby from the way the team was bleeding and fighting to the end.'

photo courtesy of Netflix

Meanwhile, 'GangRugby', which suffered from controversy over a cast member's private life just before its release, said it made a bold decision to completely edit the controversial figure. Producer Jang Siwon "It was edited so that viewers would not feel uncomfortable," he said, emphasizing the program's completeness.

Producer Jang then expressed expectations for the revival of rugby. "I hope that rugby, called an unpopular sport, will be known to more people through this program and the enthusiasm and charm of the players will be conveyed."

A total of 15 episodes of 'Strongest Rugby: Die or Win' will be released on Netflix on the 10th, and the second episode will be released sequentially every week.

mj.cho@sportschosun.com

"Even if bone hits and blood spills 'progress'strongest rugby', will it be a hit in sports entertainment after baseball?"

K-drama