'Rugged Rugby' show aims to boost sport's popularity in Korea

By Baek Byung-yeul

Netflix's upcoming sports survival show "Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" aims to capture the raw intensity and team spirit of rugby, producer Chang Si-won said.

"Watching rugby matches, I realized it's a sport where players have to keep moving forward to win, and this idea seemed to resonate with our lives. When a big player charges at another player, it's scary, but they have to face (the opponent) head-on in order not to lose," Chang said during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday.

"The constant need to move forward in this sport was inspiring, emotional and admirable. That's why, even though I'm not a rugby player myself, I fell in love with this sport at first sight."

"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" is a survival reality show that captures the month-long journey to determine Korea's best rugby team.

The producer added that he hopes this show will help rugby, which has been overlooked in Korea, become more recognized and reach a wider audience.

Set to premiere on Tuesday, the show is already generating anticipation, as the producer is widely known for creating the popular baseball show "A Clean Sweep," which pitted retired professional baseball players against amateur players from high school and university teams, independent baseball league teams and even teams from the minor league of the Korean baseball league.

In Korea's first-ever rugby-themed survival reality show, a total of seven teams — including OK Financial Group, Hyundai Glovis, Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, KEPCO, POSCO E&C, Korea University and Yonsei University — will vie to clinch the title.

"Unlike 'A Clean Sweep,' where teams created for the show compete against other teams, 'Rugged Rugby' features active players competing in a tournament for a single championship," Chang said. "We put a lot of effort into determining the matchups for the seven teams, including preliminary games, to enhance the show's appeal."

Sportscaster Jung Yong-keom, returning from his broadcaster role in "A Clean Sweep," likened the series to a documentary.

"If 'A Clean Sweep' was a sports movie disguised as an entertainment show, 'Rugged Rugby' felt more like a sports documentary in the guise of a show," Jung said. "While commentating on the players' actual matches, I found myself wondering why they push themselves so hard."

The broadcaster mentioned that he even shed tears while commentating on their games. “Even when I was commentating on a game and a player from the losing team goes down with an injury, I can see in his teammates that they don't want to lose,” he said.

Participating players in the show are hopeful about its potential to introduce more viewers to the sport.

"I'm glad we can promote Korean rugby through the Netflix platform. We aimed for the championship, wanting to become the protagonists," Oh Ji-myung of the POSCO E&C team said.

"I'm happy we can introduce rugby through Netflix. This was the most desperate match I've ever played, as we might become the representative image of Korean rugby. I feel a sense of responsibility," Na Kwan-young of the KEPCO team said.