Kim Yeon-koung's 'Invincible Wonderdogs' Scores Highest Ratings, Dominates Sunday Night with Thrilling Japan Matchup

MBC's variety show 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung' captivated viewers this past Sunday, with its fourth episode delivering a nail-biting Japan-Korea volleyball showdown that boosted the program's ratings significantly.

The episode, which aired on November 19th, featured Kim Yeon-koung's team, the 'Invincible Wonderdogs,' facing off against the formidable Shujitsu High School from Japan in a highly anticipated match for national pride. According to Nielsen Korea on November 20th, the fourth episode recorded a 2.6% rating in the key demographic of 20-49 year olds, marking the highest viewership for the series to date and underscoring its rising popularity. The show also secured the top spot among all Sunday programming in the 20-49 demographic, solidifying its position as a dominant force in weekend entertainment. The metropolitan household viewership rating reached 4.1% during the broadcast.

A particularly gripping moment occurred during the third set when player Inku-si struggled to grasp a strategic play, leading to a point for the opponent. Coach Kim Yeon-koung's sharp directive, "Where should you hit it!" garnered immense attention and pushed the show's viewership to a peak of 5.6% per minute.

Prior to the historic Japan-Korea match, Coach Kim made a trip to Japan to scout Shujitsu High School. She attended the 'Inter-High' tournament, a renowned high school volleyball competition famously featured in the anime 'Haikyu!!', to personally assess the opposing team's capabilities. Upon her return, she immediately held a training session with the 'Invincible Wonderdogs,' demonstrating her resolute commitment as a coach.

The 'Invincible Wonderdogs' intensified their training to break through Shujitsu's formidable defense. Coach Kim Yeon-koung worked diligently to enhance the skills of setters Lee Na-yeon, Lee Jin, and Gu Sol, whose evident growth throughout the rigorous training resonated deeply with viewers.

As the pivotal Japan-Korea match commenced, the 'Invincible Wonderdogs' found themselves facing an intimidating atmosphere, amplified by the fervent cheers of the Japanese crowd and the powerful momentum of the Shujitsu players. With the dire consequence of team dissolution hanging in the balance, Coach Kim resolved to fight for a desperate victory.

In the first set, the 'Invincible Wonderdogs' initially fell behind 0-5, showing signs of bewilderment. Coach Kim addressed the players' struggles with executing their planned plays, while captain Pyo Seung-ju rallied her disoriented teammates, igniting their fighting spirit.

After analyzing the opponents' strengths, Coach Kim strategically positioned her players, directing blocking formations. The successful three-person block, as envisioned by Kim Yeon-koung, left viewers in awe. The sight of Pyo Seung-ju, who once played under Captain Kim Yeon-koung during the Tokyo Olympics, now leading the 'Invincible Wonderdogs' as captain, evoked deep emotion among the audience. Pyo Seung-ju's exceptional serving disrupted the opponent's defense, contributing to recovering the initial 5-point deficit. Her stable defense and sharp attacks aimed at the sidelines further destabilized Shujitsu High School, sending waves of excitement through the viewers. With Pyo Seung-ju's outstanding performance, including 8 points and a 55% attack success rate, the Wonderdogs secured the first set.

Entering the second set, Coach Kim proposed a new offensive strategy. Recognizing that Shujitsu's defense was heavily concentrated in the backcourt, she advised her team to utilize push shots. Pyo Seung-ju flawlessly executed this tactic, masterfully orchestrated by the rookie coach, leveling the score at 14-14 and thrilling the audience. Pyo Seung-ju continued to command the court like a 'maestro,' energizing the Wonderdogs throughout the game.

When setter Lee Na-yeon's zone began to falter, Coach Kim subbed in Gu Sol. Responding to the coach's trust, Gu Sol elevated her blocking and delivered perfect sets, leaving a strong impression as a 'rebellious underdog setter.' Her performance impressed not only Coach Kim and her teammates but also the commentators. Caster Lee Ho-geun even created a humorous acrostic poem using her name: "'Gu' Sol, 'Sol'직히 (honestly) good!" The team's passionate play, breaking down the barriers between starters and reserves, led the 'Invincible Wonderdogs' to win the second set consecutively, bringing them one step closer to victory.

However, in the third set, the 'Invincible Wonderdogs' began to struggle against Shujitsu's relentless defense and strong side attacks. Coach Kim then emphasized strengthening their blocks, and Inku-si and Moon Myung-hwa successfully defended against the opponents' attacks, narrowing the score to 20-21. The next episode will reveal whether the determined 'Invincible Wonderdogs' can overcome this adversity and achieve victory, and what strategies Coach Kim will deploy.

Next week's broadcast will unveil the conclusion of the national competition against Japan's top high school volleyball team, Shujitsu High School. Additionally, the team will face off against the Gwangju Women's University volleyball team, which achieved a league championship in just their second year of establishment. Expectations are high for the Wonderdogs' performance amidst a relentless onslaught of opponents.

Crucially, the Wonderdogs must achieve a majority of wins out of a total of seven matches in 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung.' Failure to do so carries the extreme condition of 'team dissolution' to establish their professional team, the 8th club. Kim Yeon-koung herself joked, "I was tricked by the production team" due to the arduous challenge. All eyes are on whether the match against Shujitsu High School will serve as a stepping stone towards their official founding.

Netizens expressed excitement, commenting, "Coach Kim Yeon-koung's leadership is amazing!" and "Pyo Seung-ju is so cool. I have to watch next week live!" There's growing anticipation for the Wonderdogs' continued success and their victory in the Japan-Korea match.