Those Still Moved by "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung"... "Found Comfort in 'Nepkushi'"

A Moving Story of Growth Between Players and Coach
The "Kim Yeonkyung" Brand Power Drives Popularity
Excitement Spills Over Into Professional Volleyball... "Interest Will Continue"

Jung Haein (32, female) has been completely captivated by Director Kim Yeonkyung since early last month. While watching the variety show "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung," which aired from September 28 to the 23rd of last month, she became a fan of both Director Kim and the members of the team "Wonder Dogs." Initially, she was drawn to Director Kim and volleyball, but she also grew fond of Inkushi (21, real name Jamiyanpurev Enkhsoyel), a volleyball player from Mongolia. Jung said, "At first, she lacked skills, but it was impressive to see her develop as a passionate player under a good coach," adding, "I even attended the biased cheering event for 'Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung' held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on the 23rd of last month."

Variety Show 'New Director Kim Yeonkyung' Poster. MBC Website

Although it has been a month since the end of "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung," fans are still remembering and supporting Director Kim and the team members. They expressed gratitude, saying that the show provided them with comfort and motivation to move forward in life.

According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode of "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung" on the 23rd of last month recorded a nationwide household rating of 5.8%, 5.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and a peak minute rating of 7.7%. The first episode on September 28 had only a 2.2% nationwide rating, but the show's popularity continued to grow. On the online video service Wavve, "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung" was selected as the content that drove the most paid subscriptions for eight consecutive weeks since the end of September. During the week of the final episode, from the 17th to the 23rd of last month, the show ranked first in total viewing time across all genres on Wavve.

Fans are still unable to shake off the lingering impact of "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung." Jung Heeyoon (19) recalled Director Kim's words often while preparing for this year's college entrance exam. The most memorable quote was, "Remember why you cried. We promised. Let's show everyone what we can do, just once, in a cool way." Jung said, "Director Kim's words before the exam were a huge motivation," adding, "'Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung' is not just a variety show. The journey of Wonder Dogs resembles the daily struggles of everyone fighting their own battles, so it is worth remembering."

The Ongoing 'Kim Yeonkyung Fever'..."The Journey of Wonder Dogs Resembles Our Own"

Jung Haein (32, female) participated in the biased cheering event for the entertainment show "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung" held at CGV Yongsan, Seoul, on the 23rd of last month. Jung is taking a photo with a life-size cutout of Director Kim Yeonkyung. Photo by Jung.

Why are so many people still unable to move on from "Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung"? They all agreed that they received great comfort from Director Kim and the Wonder Dogs players. They found strength in watching players who had been released from professional teams or failed to turn pro grow together with a rookie coach.

Jung was reminded of her own experience as a researcher since 2018 while watching Inkushi. When Inkushi, who is not fluent in Korean, would simply answer "Yes" without understanding, it reminded Jung of herself responding to her seniors without fully grasping their instructions and then being scolded. Jung said, "Watching Inkushi keep a volleyball journal and grow with her teammates in a foreign country reminded me of myself conducting experiments and writing lab notes," adding, "Now, whenever I don't want to do experiments, I recall quotes from the show and feel comforted." The quote she remembered most was Director Kim's, "Let's do it, let's do it. No regrets."

Jung Heeyoon found much comfort from player Han Songhee. Although Han Songhee is only 172cm tall, which is considered short for a volleyball player, she overcame her weaknesses through hard work. Jung said, "Han Songhee is a 'small giant.' Despite her height, she grew into a receiving attacker and showed impressive performance," adding, "Everyone faces their own obstacles, but Han Songhee taught me that nothing is impossible for those who try earnestly. I gained a lot of courage."

Passion for Female-Centered Narratives...The Excitement Extends to Professional Volleyball

Player Inkushi joined Jeong Kwan Jang as an Asia quota player on the 8th. Jeong Kwan Jang Red Sparks official website

Director Kim's brand power was also a major factor in attracting many fans. Kim Jihoo (32, female), who has been a devoted fan since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, emphasized that Director Kim has always maintained the same attitude, from the national team to professional matches and now this variety show. "Director Kim is the best volleyball player, but she is also the one who dives the most and runs the hardest on the court. The qualities she showed on the show weren't built overnight. Even in the decisive fifth match of the 2022-2023 season championship series, right before her retirement, she displayed her leadership by encouraging her teammates."

The female-centered narrative is another reason the show left a lasting impression. The program, centered around women's volleyball, fostered empathy and mutual support among viewers. Jung shared that she has been exchanging Director Kim's quotes with her friends every day this month. When a friend needs encouragement, she sends a photo of Director Kim. Jung said, "There are many variety specials featuring male athletes, but very few where female athletes are the main characters," adding, "I find it amazing that I've become so drawn to a sports variety show with women as the protagonists."

The show's buzz has even extended to professional volleyball since the season began in October. This is because Wonder Dogs members Inkushi and Lee Nayeon turned professional. The numbers prove it. According to the Korea Volleyball Federation, the average first-round viewership for women's matches increased by 0.15 percentage points over last season, and total attendance rose by 0.7 percentage points. The nationwide household rating for Inkushi's debut match on the 19th was 1.41%, ranking second among all men's and women's volleyball matches this season. Jung Heeyoon has attended four women's volleyball games just this month. She said, "After watching 'Rookie Director Kim Yeonkyung,' I became much more interested in women's volleyball," adding, "I couldn't attend Inkushi's debut match because it was an away game, but I watched it on television. I will continue to follow women's volleyball in the future."