Rebound (2023) Movie Script
1
[Based on a true story]
[Busan, October 2010]
The basketball coach quit again?
We hire, they run away. Hire, run away.
How many has it been already?
It ain't just the coaches.
All the talent has dried up too.
The Seoul teams poach anyone
who knows how to dribble.
We lose every time we enter a tournament,
it's embarrassing.
What should we do? Should we look
for a coach from out of state?
No need for that.
Why don't we just shut
down the team altogether?
Sir. That might be a bit much-
Didn't y'all say so earlier.
We have no chance, no hope.
For the honor of our school,
we should shut down our basketball program.
Do you think our alumni will accept that?
He's right. Our basketball program
does have history and tradition.
If we chop it down like a rotten log,
we'll definitely cause an uproar.
So what? Do you have an alternative?
Umm... How's this?
Instead of shutting it down completely,
we just make it look like it's running,
for appearances.
We won't send them to any tournaments,
we'll just maintain a team.
Sounds good.
Then what about a coach?
Where do we find a cheap coach
who can keep up appearances?
Maybe no one will apply for it.
But we should still try.
You mean, this guy?
A 25-year-old social worker?
What's wrong? A social worker can't coach?
What's on his face? Is he Native American?
Mr. Principal, this guy might look young,
but he was once a national tournament MVP.
- Right?
- Yes, sir.
And he graduated from our school.
Isn't that nice?
How's that for appearances?
What do you think, Mr. Principal?
Vice Principal, stop trying
to seduce him like that.
What do you mean?
Where can we find a cheaper coach?
Cheaper isn't always better.
Are you looking down on cheap?
You kids say hello.
This is your coach from now
on, Coach Kang Yang-hwan.
Hyun.
- What?
- Hyun.
- Hyun.
- Hyun?
Ah, Kang Yang-hyun.
Coach Kang Yang-hyun.
Applause.
Hello. Nice to meet you.
Sir,
If we no longer play official matches,
and since my grades keep falling,
I quit the team. I'm sorry.
I quit too. I'm sorry.
Hey, wait for me!
That would've been bad.
What are y'all gonna do?
Well...
I ain't got much else
to do even if I leave.
I'll stay.
And you?
Likewise.
Really?
Alright then.
Let's try this. Just for appearances.
What the hell!
Why did you throw it so hard!
Throw it softly!
This isn't rugby!
- Are you okay?
- Won-suk, I told you to hold it still.
I'm sorry.
[What you lookin' at, dumbass?]
[Jun-young]
[Jun-young, have you discussed with
your parents? I'll be waiting.]
[Gyeongnam middle school basketball teams]
[Gyeongnam middle school MVP]
[Busan teenage streetball tournament]
[Kim Jae-seok]
Hello there, do you happen
to be Lee Sang-rok's mother?
Yes, hello Mrs. Lee!
I'm Busan Jungang High's basketball coach
Kang Yang-hyun.
Yes.
He's going to Seoul... Whimoon High School.
Wow.
Congratulations, yes.
Do you happen to be Lee Chul-won's father?
Hello, I'm Busan Jungang
High's basketball coach-
Where can I get some reception here?
Hello, I'm Busan Jungang High's
basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun.
Hello, I'm Busan Jungang High's
basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun.
Hi there, I'm Busan Jungang
High's basketball coach-
Hello?
Speak to me, fellas.
Go. Do your thing.
Busan Jungang High?
Sorry, I'm not interested.
I'm going to a Seoul team.
Staying in Busan will end my career.
That's what you...
Wish you the best of luck, little jerk.
Here, here!
Block him, block him.
Let go of me. Here, here!
Kick it.
Have you ever played hoops?
I don't think so.
Do you want to?
Me? I'm gonna be a soccer
star like Zlatan Ibrahimovi.
No. Your height. Your hops. Your tenacity.
Basketball is where you belong.
If you put your heart into it,
you can be an extraordinary center.
A center?
Yes, think about it.
Even for idol groups,
who shines brightest?
- The center?
- Correct.
Our school is "Jungang" High,
"center high school" in English.
Center is your position.
What neighborhood do you live in?
Jungang District.
Holy shit. This is fate.
Take a good look.
That's basketball. Got it?
Keep an eye out for those
kids playing under the rim.
- Under the rim?
- Yeah.
You see them battling to grab the ball
once it bounces off the rim?
Not there, here.
The battling like hell
to grab the loose ball.
That's what's important. The battle.
The battle...
See, just like that.
Push back. Don't let them in.
Defend. Win.
Just like him. He's good.
Who is that kid?
See ya.
Hooping's fun, ain't it?
Me?
Who are you?
I'm the basketball coach
at Busan Jungang High.
Wanna come hoop for me, for real?
For real?
For real.
Are you serious?!
Oh. Okay.
What high school again?
Jungang High.
You excite easily, huh?
Say hi. You guys are teammates now.
- Teammates?
- Yes.
This is Sun-kyu.
This is Gang-ho.
One, one, one.
That fella is Ki-bum.
Handsome kid.
Great ball player.
He even won tournament MVP two years ago.
Offensive foul.
So Seoul had their eyes on him.
But since last year, he stopped growing.
Then a slump hit him,
and now he's an average player.
Jungang High School?
That's right.
If you come to Jungang High,
I'll start you right away.
I heard nobody's really
scouting you anyway.
That's not true. Lots of places want me.
Seoul does too.
Are you sure?
If you go somewhere else,
will being a starter be easy?
A player's gotta keep playing to improve.
Either way, I'm not interested.
Is it Jungang High, or is it me?
You can't trust a young
inexperienced coach like me?
No call yet from any Seoul teams, right?
I'm still deciding.
Really?
You have two weeks left
and you're still deciding?
Let's grow together.
You improve me,
I improve you.
I heard you were a minor leaguer,
with no coaching experience.
Do you even make $1,000 a month?
Not even close, right?
I ain't no small-time player.
Look somewhere else.
How'd he know I make below $1,000?
He's got good sense.
Very shrewd.
- What the fuck's wrong with you.
- Fuck you.
Son of a bitch, how old are you?
Young little bastard, respect your elders.
Yeah whatever. You lost, cough up the $20.
Piss off, asshole.
Motherfucker.
Are you really not gonna talk?
Can't you tell me what
your name is at least?
What a total punk, this kid is.
Hey y'all, thanks for all your hard work.
Have some drinks, sirs.
All day and night...
Thank... Oh, not you.
Up so late, thank you.
What are you here for?
I'm sorry. I'm this kid's uncle.
Oh, you are?
Yes. Are you gonna keep causing trouble?
What did uncle teach you?
To behave yourself, right? Troublemaker.
We were having trouble because he
wouldn't talk, but I'm glad you're here.
So what's his name?
- His name?
- Yes.
It was just kids fighting, and the other
kid didn't want further trouble anyway.
So now that his guardian is here,
we just need to confirm his identity,
and release him with a warning.
- Oh, is that right?
- Yes.
So, his name?
- Sorry, I gotta get this.
- Yeah, sure.
This is the police.
- Name?
- Oh, hello there.
- Bae Gyu-hy...
- Yes, about that. It's gotten a bit complicated.
You know Joo-hyun.
Joo-hyun's boat was leaking gas.
Yes, so that day...
Bae...
- Hae?
- No, Bae!
- Bae...
- Sure, it's... Bae...
Gyu...
Gyu...
Then we'll check on our
end and let you know too.
Yes, have a good evening.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
So, his name plase.
Sure.
- Bae.
- Bae.
- Gyu.
- Gyu.
Hyuk?
Hyuk? Bae Gyu-hyuk.
Yes!
And his birth date?
You make good money gambling on basketball?
Who are you?
What kind of person do I look like?
Social worker at best?
Dang.
Dang?
I'm the basketball coach
at Busan Jungang High.
Wanna come hoop for me?
- Basketball?
- Yeah.
Fuckin' aye.
Fuck?
You're gonna ask a kid who
hates basketball to hoop?
You hate it?
Didn't seem that way.
Looked like you really enjoyed it?
I'm gambling.
I'm just tryna make some cash.
I don't know what happened with you, but...
What you like. What I like.
What we like.
Let's do that together.
Ain't that all there is to life?
You think I'd fall for
a cheesy line like that?
Your left isn't so good, right?
Seems like your knee or ankle,
you couldn't put any weight on it.
Is that why you quit?
The hell are you talking about.
If not, great.
Play for me. Huh?
Not with some punks on the street.
On a court. In an official uniform.
Doesn't it sound fun?
No, thanks.
Whew, stubborn. Stubborn kid.
[Jun-young]
Oh!
Anyways, you think about it.
Here's my business card. I'm leaving.
Don't lose it. Don't give it to anyone.
Hello, Jun-young!
How have you been?
[Kang Yang-hyun, basketball coach]
It's just scribbles.
You guys should eat too.
No.
You need to eat well.
You're the one destined for greatness.
Don't you worry.
Someone from Seoul
somewhere called earlier,
but it sounded like a lame program,
so I told them no chance.
Don't bring that up while he's eating.
Get ready for work.
No need to be worried.
Eat up.
Let's eat.
Yes, hello.
Yes, this is Ki-bum's father.
Busan Jungang High School?
Ah, well...
Ki-bum isn't home right now.
How can I pass on your
message if he isn't here?
Who? Who's coming?
Jun-young is coming?
I heard Jun-young is coming to our school.
Who's that?
The most important in high school hoops
isn't the guards or the forwards.
It's the center.
That's why when the grow too tall,
the Seoul schools poach them away.
But one of the Seoul-level centers
has come to our school.
A 6-feet 9-inch monster center!
When he enters the game, his opponents
are meerkats, he's the giraffe.
Needless to say, we'll
qualify for the preliminaries.
With Jun-young, making the national
semi-finals is no longer a dream!
Mr. Principal. Jun-young will be
a lighthouse to our school.
He's gonna shine bright
from afar, so shiny-
That's enough.
Yes, sir.
Just letting you know, the most
important thing in high school hoops is-
I get it. Get out of here.
Nice to meet you all.
I'll be your coach from now on.
Coach Kang Yang-hyun.
This means stop.
Our first goal: Summer National Tournament.
We live and breathe as one team
from now on. Any questions?
Yes.
Where's the rest of the team?
Good question.
Obviously we'll recruit more players.
We were still in the process of scouting...
But now, our recruiting is complete.
Doors closed.
What a crappy gym you got here.
Yeah well, the players are fresh.
Coach, I ain't playing with this guy.
What, do you guys know each other?
I ain't playing with this asshole either.
What?
Why the hell isn't anything going right?
Both of you, come here.
So you won't play if either is on the team?
You think this is a joke? Huh?
I don't care if you are enemies or rivals.
I don't care!
If you don't wanna play
basketball here, then leave.
I don't need anyone with
rotten mindsets here.
Get your asses out on the count of three.
One!
Two!
Three!
All of you, 200 wind sprints.
Are you deaf?!
Right now!
Right now!
Run faster!
Yes, sir!
What would you have done
if they actually quit?
I almost shat my pants one of them might-
How long were you there for?
Why are you so scared?
What? Should I not be here?
No... It's fine.
You're actually giving
it a shot, aren't you?
Why?
Am I not allowed to?
Faster, faster!
You can't play basketball
without strong legs.
50 more!
One, two, three.
Fight through!
Stop being a crybaby.
There's only four months
till the Summer Tournament.
To get your conditioning, fundamentals,
and your legs ready,
that's barely enough time.
Push, push!
Dribble with rhythm!
Rhythm, rhythm.
Switch hands.
Ki-bum, use your knees.
Shoot!
Could be worse.
Our first priority is to win.
Second priority is also to win.
Third is to win.
Fourth is to win. We
only think about winning.
What is that, Sun-kyu?
Good, Gang-ho.
Dribble hard, dribble hard!
Big step! Big step!
Good.
Very good.
Three.
Shoot.
Good try. Let's go eat.
Sure.
One, two. One, two.
One, two. One, two.
Whew, that kid is mighty tall.
Seoul must've wanted someone like him.
How did he end up here?
When Jun-young was young, the one that
gave him hoop dreams was Coach Kang.
See. I told you he can handle it.
Aren't you all supposed to be in a meeting?
Umm, well. We were about to.
What if the students see you?
You're supposed to be teachers.
You know we're turning into
a specialized school next year, right?
Keep the students in line,
make sure there's no trouble till then.
Sir.
The basketball team...
Jun-young is here,
and our new guard isn't too bad either.
Personally, I think we have a chance.
I agree with Mr. Lee.
Maybe you could consider
some funding from the school.
Look.
Youth, spirit, passion.
I don't trust any of it.
Just make sure they
don't screw anything up.
All offense starts with Ki-bum
and ends with Jun-young.
That's our highest chance of scoring.
So find Jun-young open in
the post, always to him.
Jun-young!
Nice!
Good work.
Gang-ho!
Into the post!
Gang-ho.
Didn't you see Jun-young behind you?
Stop blocking passes meant for him.
I'm sorry, but I was wide open-
I repeat.
The ball finds Jun-young and
he scores no matter what.
Again.
Hey, Gyu-hyuk. What are you doing?
Didn't you hear what I said?
Feed it to Jun-young!
But coach. Will Jun-young be
the only one playing offense?
If our offense is this simple, opposing
defense can just focus on Jun-young.
I think Gyu-hyuk could've
just scored that last one...
Don't think, all of you.
We only have one rule.
Find an opportunity for Jun-young to score!
There's no one in this country
bigger and stronger than Jun-young.
So weak teams like us need
to use someone like him.
Our first opponent has been decided.
Seoul Yongsan High School.
Yongsan High is back-to-back quadruple crown
champions, the nation's strongest team.
But no need to fear.
Yongsan or Whimoon, we can beat them.
Therefore I develop strategy,
and y'all do as I say!
Got it?
Yes, sir!
Your ankle, is it swollen?
We have four days until the tournament,
so rest at home, eat some good food.
- I'll come pick you up in the morning.
- That's okay.
I'lll get a ride from
my dad to the stadium.
Okay.
Fine, get some rest. I'll see you then.
- Get home safe.
- Yup.
Hey dumbass!
When are you gonna play properly?
If you're the small forward,
go find your spots to receive your passes!
Hey, asshole.
Feed Jun-young only, is
that fucking basketball?
You heard the coach. That's how we win!
We?
Bullshit.
Not we. You, I bet.
Shut the fuck up.
Isn't that all you're thinking?
The superstar center and
the resurgence of point guard Ki-bum!
I said shut up, you bastard!
- That's what I have to say.
- Son of a bitch.
- Irresponsible dipshit!
- Come at me, asshole!
Remember in middle school,
you ran away before a match?
You ruin my game like
that again, I'll kill you!
Try me motherfucker,
you'll never play basketball again!
What the hell is going on here?!
You punks are crazy.
Why are y'all so thirsty for blood?!
Huh?!
You two, I'm warning you.
If something goes wrong because of you two,
I ain't just gonna sit and watch.
Got it?
Yes.
Yes.
[National High School
Basketball Tournament]
Let's go inside.
Let's go.
Let's do it.
Coach is here.
Jun-young isn't here yet?
Yeah, not yet.
I'll bring him in once he arrives.
Y'all go in, change into your uniforms,
and start warming up.
Yes, sir.
Uh? It's Yongsan High.
[Yongsan High School]
Hello, sir.
- Kang Yang-hyun.
- Yes.
- Long time no see.
- Hope you've been well.
Wow, you look like a real coach.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Looking forward to our match.
Sure, why not...
But it seems you haven't heard.
It wasn't us that approached him first.
Isn't that Jun-young?
What's he doing there?
Jun-young! Jun-young!
Just so you don't get the wrong idea,
his parents reached out to us.
Don't hate him too much.
He wanted to stick with you,
but it seems his parents were raising hell.
We have a position change.
At center, Sun-kyu.
Power forward, Gang-ho.
Small forward, Gyu-hyuk.
Shooting guard, Yoon-ho.
And point guard is still Ki-bum.
I know it's a sudden change,
but you can do it, okay?
[Preliminary Match #1 Busan Jungang vs.
Seoul Yongsan]
Attention. Bow.
The game is on. Yongsan on the attack.
Find your spot!
Yongsan from the perimeter, passes
inside to find Heo Hoon for the score!
It only took three passes
for Heo Hoon to score.
Yongsan looks light on their feet
with their first basket.
Ki-bum! Let's focus!
Ki-bum dribbles slowly up the court.
He drives. Pump fake, and the shot. Clean.
His basketball IQ clearly on display.
Heo Hoon shows off his handles.
For the driving lay-up. Score!
Who else but Heo Hoon?
Press! Press!
Now Yongsan, straight
into the full court press.
Ki-bum has nowhere to pass.
They only have 8 seconds to cross the half.
They're running out of time.
8 second violation.
Yongsan's sudden pressure
has Jungang on their heels.
A wasted possession for Busan Jungang.
They may have a rough day ahead of them.
Yongsan back on offense.
To Heo Hoon, for the three pointer.
Swish!
- He makes it look effortless, Heo Hoon!
- Good shot.
Yes. Excellent.
Yongsan takes the early
lead on a fierce run.
Kim Han for the lay-up.
Good.
Busan Jungang is struggling.
- Hey, focus. Focus!
- Their chemistry seems off.
Busan Jungang back on offense.
Gyu-hyuk.
- Gyu-hyuk's looking for a place to pass.
- To Ki-bum!
He looks for Ki-bum, but drives it himself.
Gyu-hyuk...
Shot blocked.
Yongsan's fast break, easy two.
In the earlier possession,
it was correct to pass it to Ki-bum.
- Can Jungang fight back?
- Hurry back on defense!
- Ki-bum dribbles up the court.
- Move, move, move!
He's orchestrating his team from the top.
Gyu-hyuk cuts inside, but he falls!
- Ref! Foul!
- Nothing. Go.
Oh, but a no call from the ref.
Yongsan's speedy offense continues.
Heo Hoon drives,
and the whistle.
Busan Jungang is struggling hard
against the mighty Seoul Yongsan.
Shit!
Yes, they're looking tired too.
They can't keep up with Yongsan's speed.
Sun-kyu!
Ki-bum.
He sees Gyu-hyuk signaling for the ball.
But he takes it by himself again.
Blocked shot!
This is gonna get difficult for Jungang.
Look for each other!
There seems to be a problem
with their teamwork.
Sun-kyu doesn't know where to be.
As a sneaky pass hits Heo
Hoon for the easy score.
Again, Yongsan on the attack.
Heo Hoon with the finish.
It seems Busan Jungang is no match
for nation's #1 Seoul Yongsan.
I guess that was expected.
Such a big difference in
their program's size and history, right?
And Yongsan scores again.
Their hot streak continues.
The lead is growing with
every passing second.
It's still early,
but Busan Jungang looks fatigued already.
What can Busan Jungang do in this case?
Not sure. Win or lose, the players
and coach need to gain experience.
- Gang-ho with the steal.
- Behind you!
To Ki-bum, for the drive.
And the whistle.
Offensive foul!
The offensive foul from the ref.
Yes, they called an offensive foul.
- Offensive... I mean it could've gone either way.
- Number 7. Charging. Offensive.
You must be crazy. That makes no sense.
Coach Kang is approaching the ref.
How is that offensive?!
Jungang coach. Technical Foul.
- One shot.
- Let's go.
[Technical Foul: Opposing
team gets a free throw]
Hey, hey. Coach Kang.
Open your goddamn eyes!
He keeps taking their side!
Right?!
Jungang coach. Technical Foul.
- Ejected!
- Huh?
Coach Kang Yang-hyun has just been ejected.
Hey. Hey!
What?
At least score if you're not gonna pass.
Useless ballhog, tryna
play all by yourself?
Get yourself open if you want the ball.
What? You can't cause of your bum ankle?
Hey, asshole!
You want some?
What happened?
Disqualified!
Jungang High is disqualified!
Aw, c'mon.
He wasn't throwing it at you!
He got hit, we weren't throwing it at him.
Calm down. Calm down.
Hey, I wanna apologize.
Let me apologize!
[Busan Jungang High Disqualified] [Jungang
Coach: "I want to apologize to the referee"]
[Busan Jungang High - Six Month Suspension]
[Unprecedented Punishment]
Where is he? There he is.
C'mon, hurry.
What kind of coach are you?
A six month suspension.
Who are you to be messing
my son's future like this?!
Speak up. What are you gonna do about it?
I'm sorry.
Whatever, it's done.
If you ever contact our kids again,
you'll be sorry.
Let's go. My goodness.
What kind of coach can't even
control their players properly?
What are you just standing there for?
Why'd you trust our kid with that guy?!
What did you do?!
Get your butt over here. Let's go.
Let's go!
Nice to meet you.
I am the future of Jungang High,
the next Michael Jordan,
Jin-wook of Donga Middle School.
Jungang High is in a crisis,
and I will lift us out of it next year.
If you could give me a
chance to prove myself.
Look, coach. Look at me.
Coach.
Coach, I'm the next Michael Jordan.
Leave, Jordan. To America.
There's no future here at Jungang High.
Go to Chicago.
Chin up, coach!
Busan Jungang High! Let's go!
What the f...
Let's go!
Rock paper scissor, shoot!
Last place buys ramen.
So electron shells, determines the group.
[Look at the chalkboard, not here.]
That's what's important.
That's...
Hey!
What's your name? Huh?
Is that your bed?
[Kang Yang-hyun Interview]
[Busan Jungang High]
[Kang Yang-hyun]
So Kang Yang-hyun, you've been selected
as the tournament MVP.
Please tell us how you feel.
First, I wanna thank my coach.
I wasn't alone, my teammates
Won-suk, Ji-sung...
Jong-myung... We all worked so hard.
I didn't expect to be champions though.
Wow, thank you all so much.
Yes, I can see the
emotions flowing right now.
So what kind of player do
you want to be in the future?
I wanna play, just like this. Fun, happy
basketball for the rest of my life.
Why do you like basketball?
I'm not sure actually.
I just love basketball.
[Rebound: a chance to redeem a mistake, to
turn a failure into a win. Never give up!]
- You're home.
- Whoa, what the hell?!
Ki-bum, it's all my fault.
I was wrong.
Are you... crying right now?
When I first took the job at Jungang,
I thought to myself...
Sure, my playing days might be over,
but my basketball career isn't.
"All those losers that looked down on me,
I'll prove them wrong on the court."
"You assholes! Kang
Yang-hyun ain't dead yet!"
Please shut up! A human is talking!
That's right.
I tried to use you guys
to fix my broken dream.
But after screwing it all up, I realized...
that wasn't basketball.
What's your point?
Let's run it back.
I'll change first.
Let's do what we do best,
what we enjoy, what we're crazy for...
Wanna try that again?
Hoops?
I don't wanna do all the
work by myself anymore.
I wanna do it together. With the boys.
Really?
Really.
Ki-bum...
Please hold me.
Mmm?
I was having such a hard time.
What's a grown man sobbing like this for?
I'm happy. It's 'cause I'm happy.
Thank you.
Prepare for scrum.
Crouch. Bind. Set.
Ten minute break.
Gang-ho! Sun-kyu!
Coach!
Ki-bum!
Ki-bum!
How's rugby? Is it fun?
This helmet's too tight.
The ball's also small and long.
A ball's gotta be round, right?
I missed you, coach!
- Wait for me, coach.
- C'mon, hurry.
Right. Right, right.
Here it is.
Oh, hello!
Wow, Ki-bum isn't it?
It's been so long. Why haven't you visited?
- Have you been well?
- Yeah.
Mrs. Bae, this is our basketball team.
Hello.
Who's this?
He's chubby and kinda cute.
I have nothing to treat you all with,
you came all at once.
Geez, I'm sorry.
I've been so busy making ends meet
I haven't been able to visit you, Coach.
Oh, you didn't have to.
I didn't even recognize you, I'm sorry.
Oh, no worries at all.
We're the ones that surprised you.
No worries.
It's been hard on Gyu-hyuk quitting
basketball because of his ankle.
But now that he's playing again with you,
he's been so happy.
Thank you so very much, coach.
Oh, not a problem. He's
the one that's good.
Gyu-hyuk might seem rough around the edges,
but he's got a big heart.
Affording his ankle surgery late
will always be my heaviest burden.
Don't worry. Gyu-hyuk is doing great.
- Isn't he?
- He is.
Is he?
Hey, jackass.
Before you regret it, cough up the $50
you stole from my boys.
They lost because they sucked,
what can't you understand?
You better stop running your mouth!
Be honest. You're a student-athlete, right?
What's a student-athlete
tryna scam us for?!
He's not a student-athlete.
How did you think he's a student-athlete?
Just look at him, he looks like a scrub.
Hey, old chap.
Just keep walking.
I'm not old.
I'm a young soul who's
addicted to basketball.
What do you say?
A game of one-on-one?
Coach, I don't think you should.
You sons of bitches.
It's a piece of cake.
He's a right git.
You only scored two points.
How utterly humiliating.
You should shoot around more often.
Gyu-hyuk, it's all my fault.
How do you feel about starting over?
No?
I'm never throwing a ball ever again.
At a ref.
That's right!
You should be throwing the
ball to your teammates!
Gyu-hyuk!
Gyu-hyuk!
- But coach.
- Yeah.
Do you think the school will let us play?
Don't even worry.
The principal and I are homies!
- Is that true?
- Yeah.
Tomorrow I'll say something to him and then
something will happen and then he'll allow us!
Stop worrying!
Principal, sir!
I beg of you, please!
I'm the one that screwed up!
I'm the sinner!
For the sake of their futures,
please give them one more chance.
If this is because
my social service term ended last month,
and the coach salary is too much,
you don't have to pay me!
As an alum, I volunteer for free!
- Mr. Principal!
- Hey!
I don't know which
school's principal you are,
or what opportunity this is all about,
but let's give them a chance!
- Okay? Let's get some sleep!
- Honey, can't you just let them?
How am I going to show my
face around the neighborhood?
Mr. Principal, I know you can hear me.
Won't you go tell him for me?
Tell him I get it, so he can go home now.
Do you mean...
Play or not, whatever...
Play, play. Tell him
he can play basketball.
Mr. Principal!
As expected, our principal has given
his full support to our team.
Applause.
From now on, each of you will focus on
practicing what you do best.
In six months, when our
freshmen come in next spring,
we'll enter the Spring KBA Tournament.
Our goal: to make it past the prelims.
In other words, to qualify
for the tournament stage.
First, Sun-kyu and Gang-ho.
You'll train your boxing
out and rebounding.
If you get a chance under the rim,
don't hesitate to shoot.
Really?
From now on, you two are
Jungang's center and power forward.
Gyu-hyuk, we'll be rehabilitating your
weak ankle and improving your outside shot.
Yes.
And Ki-bum.
You shoot when you wanna shoot,
pass where you wanna pass.
But, make sure your eyes
are on your teammates.
Yes.
Alright. Shall we do it?
Yes!
Let's go.
- Gyu-hyuk!
- Hey, Sun-kyu!
- Gang-ho!
- Sun-kyu, screen!
- Aye!
- Good shot!
- Let's go!
- Let's go, let's go!
[Welcome Freshmen Class of 2012]
So y'all are the ones trying out
for our basketball team?
Yes, sir.
Are you...
Jordan?
Hello! I am the future of Jungang High,
the next Michael Jordan,
basketball genius Jin-wook!
And you?
I'm Jae-yoon.
I've been on the basketball
team since the 3rd grade.
Well I've never played on a team,
but my passion, my burning desire will-
Jae-yoon, you said?
- Yes.
- Okay.
Let's see what you can do.
What's wrong with me?
That's enough. Enough.
Were you really on a team?
Yes...
How many games have you played in?
Not... a single one.
But I really love basketball.
Please let me on the team.
Next.
Jordan.
Coach! Do you see?
I'm the future of Jungang, Jin-wook!
Coach!
Basketball genius Jin-wook!
5-man fast break
Ki-bum and Jin-wook run out first.
At the same time, Sun-kyu
and Gang-ho spread the floor.
Gyu-hyuk, you give the ball to Sun-kyu
and cut in immediately.
Our biggest hurdle will be our stamina.
We create each other's,
lanes, spaces, chances.
To do so, we must be one
step ahead of our opponents.
In other words, our
teamwork is most important.
This is done. Have this.
Eat a lot.
Alright, shall we fry the rice now?
No, we're not done yet.
324 dollars.
Do you accept installment payments,
for like 24 months?
Huh?
Starting at the rim, flare
out at a 45 degree angle.
Then I'll shoot.
Then it's better for me to go low.
Then where am I supposed to be?
It says right here!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Aye!
Loosen your legs.
Shoot it.
Is it okay if I borrow her please-
Gang-ho, you swing behind Yoona.
Sun-kyu, you screen Yoo Jae-suk.
Once you've screened him,
slide over to Han Ye-seul.
That's right.
Hey, Jin-wook. You have to break free
from Gianna Jun and dip toward Yoona.
Sun-kyu, box out.
Nice.
Beep.
Oi, Gyu-hyuk.
Can't you hear me?
Pass the ball to Jun-young.
But coach, Jun-young isn't here.
How can I pass to him?
Even if he isn't here,
pass it to Jun-young.
- But he's not here, how can I pass it to him?
- Just pass it to him.
But he's not here.
- Just pass it to him.
- But he's not...
Just pass it...
Hey, Gyu-hyuk.
Didn't I tell you to pass it to Jun-young?
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Jungang to the tournament stage!
[37th Korean Basketball Association's
National High School Tournament]
- We made it!
- Thanks for driving!
[Korean Basketball Association's
National High School Tournament Begins]
[Pray for invincible
Hanseong High's victory]
[Hope for Jemulpo High victory]
[Yongsan High School Basketball Team]
Oath.
Oath.
On behalf of all participants
in the KBA National High School Tournament,
I pledge to compete to the highest standard
of sportsmanship and fair play.
Player representative,
Heo Hoon of Yongsan High.
Hello, everyone.
Welcome to the 37th Annual
KBA National High School Tournament.
We'll have our 1st preliminary match
between Busan Jungang High and Sinan High.
Busan Jungang, don't they have the fewest
registered players in this tournament?
Yes, they have six.
And four of them are basically playing
basketball for the first time in high school.
They lack experience and force,
compared to the other teams.
[Match #1 - Jungang High vs. Sinan High]
And the game is on as we speak.
Three, three.
Sinan's #6. He tends to drive left
in the half court offense.
If Ki-bum opens up the left,
Gang-ho can already be there.
Gang-ho!
Nice!
Stay up! Stay up!
Slowly, slowly!
Gang-ho!
Ball.
Jin-wook.
There we go.
Let's hurry. Fast break!
Watch out, watch out.
Wow, that was picture perfect.
That's okay, that's okay. Let's go!
This is my record of your practices
for the last four months.
If you can't picture the whole game in your
head, all of their effort goes to waste.
With your look, your gesture, your signal,
those kids will trust you to lead them.
That's what teammates do.
Sinan's opening defense is a 2-3 zone.
They'll expect us to attack
through Jin-wook and Gang-ho.
Once Sun-kyu screens #1,
Gyu-hyuk gets a backdoor lane.
Now.
Oh hello, this is Busan Jungang High.
I just had a question.
May I ask for the results to our game?
Yes, it just ended?
Yes, yes.
What?
85 to 42?
That's how much we lost by?
Yes.
What?!
We won!
It burns!
We won!
You scared me. What is it?
This can't be for real.
We won! We won!
85 to 42.
Breaking everyone's expectations, Busan Jungang
secures a blowout win over Sinan High.
Wow, this looks like a totally
different team than last year.
Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk's
teamwork really stands out.
This is just the beginning.
Don't get too excited.
Wash up.
- And let's prepare for tomorrow.
- Yeah!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Jemulpo High has a rugged playstyle,
and they're a brawny team.
In game one, Ki-bum and
Gyu-hyuk each scored 26 points.
So the defense will
focus on the two of you.
Ki-bum gets the pass.
[Match #2 - Jungang High vs. Jemulpo High]
He gets the screen and drives straight to the
rim. [Match #2 - Jungang High vs. Jemulpo High]
- You alright?
- Basket count.
Incheon's powerhouse Jemulpo High,
their high pressure defense is keeping
Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk locked up.
Yes, Jemulpo is focusing on
those two to wear them out.
It seems to be an appropriate strategy.
Just guard their #7 and #10.
Be rough with them, it's okay.
Jemulpo's strategy is working very well
to start the game.
Choi Ji-ho to Choi Woo-sik.
For three.
Good!
- It's okay. Let's go.
- Busan Jungang needs a change of mood.
Sun-kyu is losing his match up,
and Gang-ho is struggling down low too.
Then Jin-wook needs to step up.
Brother!
The real game starts now.
Gang-ho to Sun-kyu. To Gyu-hyuk.
Dribbles up, to Jin-wook on the perimeter.
Jin-wook fires the shot.
Straight through the rim!
Great shot. Confident play
by the freshman Jin-wook.
Jin-wook roams the floor,
receives a pass for a close range jumper.
Two points. They're coming back.
Right now, with Gyu-hyuk and Ki-bum
tied up, Jin-wook is their hero today.
Jin-wook looks good today.
Pump fake into a shot...
No, it's a pass inside to
Sun-kyu for the lay-up!
With Jin-wook drawing attention,
- Sun-kyu is getting open.
- Looking good, handsome.
Gyu-hyuk!
Busan Jungang is on a run.
Jin-wook has the ball,
finds Gang-ho for two.
With the lay-up. Calmly puts it in.
Yes, Jin-wook is giving life to the team.
Busan Jungang's teamwork
on full display here.
Ki-bum signals a play. To Gyu-hyuk.
To Jin-wook.
Back to Ki-bum.
Ki-bum with the driving lay-up!
It's good! They pull away by two points!
Busan Jungang has turned into
a whole new team in a year. Amazing.
Give Gyu-hyuk a swing.
Brother!
Jin-wook!
Jin-wook! What's wrong?
Jin-wook! What's wrong? Where?
Hold on. Is it Jin-wook
that's on the floor right now?
Yes, he's on the floor and he can't get up.
- I hope it's not a big injury.
- Stay still, Jin-wook.
- Is it here?
- Yes.
He needs to go to a hospital.
No. I can still play.
Coach! I can play!
Jin-wook.
Hospital first, okay?
As soon as the game's done, I'll go to you.
Jin-wook keeps clutching his left shoulder.
It looks pretty serious, doesn't
that mean they'll need a substitute?
It looks like Jin-wook
won't be able to play.
He'll have to substitute
with someone who can.
Wait, then the only
remaining player is Jae-yoon.
Jae-yoon, get ready.
Me?
Who else is here other than you?
There's only five minutes left.
There are no official
statistics for Jae-yoon.
That's right. Jae-yoon started
organized basketball in elementary school,
but his first minutes
might be coming right now.
A huge wild card.
I can do it. I can do it.
With no official game time experience,
Jae-yoon looks rather nervous.
This game might come down to his play.
- Ki-bum orchestrates the floor.
- Go down, Jae-yoon.
Passes to Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk with the pass.
Ah, slips through Jae-yoon's fingers.
He's not overlapping well,
you can tell that he hasn't played much.
He looks lost out there.
Can't really find his spots, Jae-yoon.
And Busan Jungang gives up a basket again.
He's struggling to find his match up.
He can't find the one
he's supposed to defend.
You should be guarding #14, Jae-yoon!
Wide open Hong Suk-won for three...
Good!
Back to back buckets by Jemulpo.
Jungang needs to hold on,
but Jemulpo's pursuit is scary.
Another lay-up. Two points closer.
And that's how the game ends.
Busan Jungang did defeat Jemulpo High,
but they do have a problem
to solve in Jae-yoon.
Oh, oh.
Sit.
And uh... how is he?
There behind you.
You're here.
What did the doctor say?
He snapped his collarbone.
He's out for three months.
Ah, bummer.
I wanna play.
I wanna keep playing with my brothers.
Can I play?
Who says you can't?
Let's play for a long, long time.
But to do so, you need to
heal what's broken first.
And let's check out your
ankle too while we're here.
I'm fine.
No, you might feel fine.
But you played two games without
any substitutions. Let's check it out.
I'm really fine.
If I wasn't, I'd ask first to be here.
I'm just gonna go back and rest.
Without any subs, isn't it a losing battle?
And that Jae-yoon kid,
he doesn't even know how to play.
Even if they all suit up,
it means we're playing 4-on-5.
What's the point?
Jae-yoon. If you don't feel confident,
don't shoot or pass.
What did I tell you to do?
Play tight defense...
on whoever Ki-bum tells me to guard.
That's right.
If you do just that, I think we'll win.
Will there be a problem?
No, sir.
What is this limp noodle, huh?
Drink some Gatorade.
[No. 4 Jin-wook]
Keep your voice loud.
Got it.
Let's run till we can't anymore!
Let's go!
Jungang High, let's go!
The early underdog Busan Jungang,
now in danger with no bench members,
versus the tallest team in this tournament,
Hansung High.
One of the best of the best.
Busan Jungang vs. Hansung High,
[Match #3 - Jungang High vs. Hansung High]
the 3rd Preliminary Match begins now.
[Match #3 - Jungang High vs. Hansung High]
Ki-bum grabs the ball,
dribbles it up the floor.
He's looking for somewhere to pass it to.
To Gyu-hyuk.
Back to Ki-bum, into a drive.
Blocked by Kang Sang-jae!
Kim Hong-goo takes it up
the floor, to Kang Sang-jae.
Makes the lay-up!
Hansung with the first score!
Kang Sang-jae!
He has been fantastic
throughout the prelims.
Yes, he has. If Yongsan High has Jun-young,
then Hansung has Kang
Sang-jae, a phenomenal center.
That's right.
Gyu-hyuk with the mid-range.
Ah, unfriendly bounce.
Hansung with the fast break.
Kang Sang-jae passes it up the court.
- Ah, Jae-yoon.
- Play up on him!
He's moving better than last game.
Tight pressure on Kim Hong-goo.
Yes, his defense is very good.
Hansung with the errant pass.
- Forcing the turnover is Jae-yoon.
- Good job, Jae-yoon!
He's showing a new
defensive side this game.
Gang-ho, Sun-kyu. Two man fast break.
Lead pass to Sun-kyu.
Straight into the rim.
- Defense, defense!
- Back court!
Sun-kyu can get pretty high.
Yes, he's just as big as the other team
and is attacking their inside well.
To Byun Joon-sik, who finds Kang Sang-jae.
He goes up.
Slam dunk! Kang Sang-jae!
Wow, a rare sight in high school hoops.
A remarkable dunk by Kang Sang-jae.
There's a showdown going
between the two team's centers.
Defense!
Battle for the rebound.
Gyu-hyuk gathers the ball.
He looks far for Ki-bum.
Ki-bum. Spin move past the
defense for the lay-up.
Good, Ki-bum.
Unlike their previous two games where scoring
mostly came from Gyu-hyuk and Ki-bum,
all of Jungang's players
are scoring fairly evenly today.
Minus 4 plus 4. Plus 3 equals three.
So what is the coordinate-
What is it?
What is it? What's wrong?
The game is over.
With no bench members, Busan Jungang sweeps the
preliminaries to enter the knockout stage.
Clean sweep of the prelims...
We're entering the knockout stage!
They look like they won the
championship or something.
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Sun-kyu, take a nap.
Hey, don't touch it if
you don't know what it is.
And Gyu-hyuk?
He went to the restroom.
Is he constipated or something?
Stop him, stop him!
Ayo.
Take it.
What are you doing in such a smelly place?
How's your ankle?
Asshole. Didn't you see me out there?
It's better than you.
Easy now.
You might really screw it up like this.
You can't be worried about me.
What is it? Are you tryna
be the scoring leader?
We still have a long way to go.
Remember, we don't have any subs.
Back then...
Back then, I hated everything.
I hated my screwed up ankle...
and I hated that we
were too poor to fix it.
That's why I ran.
I'm sorry.
Midway through the 2nd quarter.
[Quarter-finals - Jungang vs. Kwangsan]
Kwangsan High is building their lead
against Busan Jungang.
Kim Hyun-joong to Park
Jin-su, spread wide open.
Kwangsan for the drive-in.
Two points for Kwangsan.
Press! Now!
It seems Kwangsan's defense is changing
right now. It's the full court press.
- It is a tactic to trap the ball handler.
- Slow down, slow down.
It's a strategy to torment
the exhausted Jungang players.
As we speak, turnover from Gyu-hyuk.
Gwangsan adds an easy two to their lead.
It's okay. Slowly!
- Gwansan continues to pressure the ball.
- Again! Press!
Busan Jungang unable to find a solution.
They need to find a way out
of this full court press.
That's right, Gyu-hyuk's pass...
is intercepted!
Park Jin-su receives the ball.
A quick stop, a lay-up. Score.
Calmly knocks down the shot
to give them a 13-point lead.
They came all the way here
with no bench members. They're exhausted.
Just guard Ki-bum and they're finished.
Y'all tired, huh? We need
to conserve our energy.
Let's stick to the passing game.
- They're tired, hound them! Let's go!
- Kwangsan with another substitution.
Cut in.
Jungang's players must feel like
the floor is grabbing onto them right now.
Jungang!
Ki-bum signals the defense.
#23 Jung Gang-ho is stepping
up to the perimeter.
Position-wise, it's a larger power forward
defending a smaller guard.
Gang-ho is on Kim Hyun-joong.
Jung Gang-ho. His defense is pretty good.
With the steal!
Takes it all the way for a calm two points.
Coach Kang's defensive
adjustment was successful.
Nice, Jungang High!
Kim Hyun-joong continues to be chased
around by Jung Gang-ho,
who gets the blocked shot!
Sun-kyu passes it up to Gang-ho,
who shoots.
And he gets the and one!
(And One: Free throw after a scoring foul)
- And one, and one!
- Jung Gang-ho's not very inexperienced, isn't he?
Yes, he started basketball in high school
so he's a late bloomer.
But he's absolutely turning
the mood of the today's game.
Song Jong-kyu with the post up.
Another successful defensive possession
by Busan Jungang!
Fast break, Gyu-hyuk to Sun-kyu.
Spin move by Sun-kyu!
Sun-kyu now joins the scorer's table.
With Gang-ho heating up,
Sun-kyu is getting chances as well.
What's wrong down low? Will you keep
losing rebounds to those newbie?
No matter how hard I
push, they don't budge.
Defend at all costs!
Play up on him!
Kwangsan keeps up their pressure.
Ki-bum dribbles across half court.
To Gyu-hyuk. Back to Ki-bum.
Ki-bum finds the open man.
Sun-kyu with the alley-oop!
Score! Consecutive baskets by Sun-kyu.
Gyu-hyuk!
Busan Jungang, the problem is stamina.
Basketball is a high energy game.
High school teams usually
have 15 to 18 players,
but Busan Jungang is playing with five.
Playing the full schedule
with five players must be impossible.
All of you have to hold your spots.
Especially Ki-bum, the defense is focused
on you so Gyu-hyuk support him well.
Yes, sir.
Gyu-hyuk dribbles up, to Ki-bum.
Back to Gyu-hyuk.
Off the screen, Gyu-hyuk
takes it all the way!
Two points and the foul!
Wow, Gyu-hyuk is amazing.
Nobody knows who will win.
[Study Hall]
Semi-finals!
Jungang! Jungang! Jungang!
The projected weakest
team of the tournament,
Busan Jungang High, has
made it to the semi-finals.
Incredible, Busan Jungang.
Their sheer will is making
the impossible possible.
Is this... possible?
Amazing, Busan Jungang.
Semi-finals. We made it!
A stunning underdog story is unfolding
in high school basketball.
With only five active
players and no substitutes,
Busan Jungang High School is showing unwavering
spirit by defeating Kwangsan High 77 to 64
at the KBA Nationals to
advance to the semi-finals.
Why won't you let me go to the game...
Bald-ass Principal...
You octopus-looking son of a...
Who is it?
- Huh?
- What did you say?
Huh? Oh, nothing.
- Oh good, let's sleep then.
- Okay.
It's hard to believe, but we made it here.
Even if we lose, let's have fun doing it.
Yes, sir!
Let's go.
- One, two, three!
- Box!
Busan Jungang is struggling
early in the game.
Yes, I'm afraid they may have reached their
limit. [Semi-finals - Jungang vs. Anyang]
Their roster size is different.
[Semi-finals - Jungang vs. Anyang]
Anyang High has 17 players,
while Jungang only has 6.
Also the injury to Jin-wook
leaves Jungang one less player.
With only five players available, we're not
sure if they can play a full 40 minutes.
Anyang with the rebound.
Their passing game on display.
Looking for a seam.
- Kwon Jung-bin receives the pass.
- Good, Gang-ho!
Drives to the lane and finds Lee Jong-soo.
Lee Jong-soo muscles inside
for the basket under the rim!
- Nice, get back faster.
- Slowly, slowly.
Anyang continues attacking.
Choi Seung-won's lay-up!
Two more points for Anyang!
Anyang, the Spring Tournament runner-ups,
possess a speedy guard line-up.
Park Ju-hyun to Park Sung-joo.
Mid-range jumper!
Clean.
Heavy pressure on Ki-bum.
He has nowhere to pass it.
He ends up finding Jae-yoon.
Don't guard him, don't guard him.
I can do it.
- Jae-yoon! Shoot!
- Wide open, Jae-yoon. Shoot!
Miss.
Anyang's bench is aware
that Jae-yoon has no shot.
That's why they're leaving
him open on purpose.
Jungang is basically
playing 5 on 4 right now,
with heavy defensive pressure
on Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk.
This means Busan Jungang will have to run
until the sky turns yellow.
Five games in one week
with no substitutes for Busan Jungang.
Shoot...
Miss.
And they lose the rebound,
showing signs of fatigue.
Anyang on the attack, Choi
Seung-won to Lee Jong-soo.
Returns it back to Choi Seung-won.
For the easy lay-up.
Anyang is burying Jungang
to start the game.
Jungang has a long uphill
road ahead of them.
Ah, another turnover.
Busan Jungang is helpless
against Anyang's organized play.
They have yet to find
a spark for a comeback.
Jungang continues their offense.
Ki-bum inside. He's stuck.
He has nowhere to pass.
Jae-yoon is wide open again.
Leave him open!
He shoots!
For 8 years until this tournament,
played 0 minutes, scored 0 points.
But everyone here knows
how much he loves this game,
how much he wants to improve.
And how much he practices shooting
every night by himself.
The opposing team will leave Jae-yoon open.
So in this tournament, Jae-yoon,
you'll have two chances.
Two three-point chances.
Jae-yoon.
Everyone has a first time. I did too.
This tournament is when
your scoring starts.
A timely dagger swishes through!
Wow, Jae-yoon. He has
returned as a positive.
His first official
points is a dagger three!
Woo! That's my son!
[Go for it, Jae-yoon]
Who is that guy?
Drill it, Jae-yoon!
Jae-yoon, another wide open chance.
Jae-yoon!
For three!
Hey! You told me
he's there just to fill the head count!
Jae-yoon drills back
to back three pointers.
If they continue,
Jungang just might be pull off this win.
[Busan Jungang High School]
There's no record of him anywhere...
Is he a secret weapon?
Jae-yoon! Jae-yoon!
A three pointer!
Jungang High! Jungang High!
Hey, defend #14 too!
Ki-bum on the attack,
but he's stumped by Anyang's defense.
He looks to the perimeter.
Jae-yoon is defended, but Gyu-hyuk isn't.
Gyu-hyuk with the three!
Clean swish!
With the defense on Jae-yoon,
Gyu-hyuk found the open chance.
Gyu-hyuk, nice!
Ki-bum is orchestrating.
To Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk looks to Gang-ho,
who finds Sun-kyu.
Sun-kyu muscles in for the low post shot!
It's good.
Busan Jungang's Jae-yoon's
back-to-back threes have sparked a run.
We're good. Defense, defense!
Defense!
Gang-ho!
Gyu-hyuk drives the lane.
Tosses an alley-oop to Gang-ho!
Marvelous finish!
Gang-ho's off-the-ball
movement is fantastic as well.
Let's go, Jungang!
Choi Seung-won to Jung Chan-woo.
Dribble drive, kick out to Kwon Jung-bin.
He takes it in...
Interception!
Jung-bin! Focus!
With the unexpected Jae-yoon getting hot,
Anyang is in shock right now.
Busan Jungang continues
their onslaught on Anyang.
So handsome, Sun-kyu!
Lee Jong-soo moves up to receive the pass.
He drives it in,
but Sun-kyu with the block!
And Gang-ho's hustle play!
Gyu-hyuk finds Ki-bum up court.
Ki-bum for the three!
Good!
With that basket, Busan
Jungang takes the lead.
Fantastic play by Jungang.
Their teamwork is starting to come alive.
- Let's go!
- Defense!
And the game ends!
Busan Jungang upsets
tournament favorite Anyang 74 to 54.
I can't believe Busan
Jungang, isn't this a miracle?
That's right. Busan Jungang defeats
Anyang High to continue their miracle run.
- Jungang High!
- Yes...
Good work.
And thank you all.
We still get to play
tomorrow, you like that?
- Yeah!
- You like that?
Yeah!
We won!
Think you can play tomorrow?
Tell the coach while we still can.
Want me to tell him?
Nothing changes even if we do.
Everywhere hurts.
Whew.
- Gang-ho.
- Hmm?
Do you think we'll keep being
able to play basketball?
I think high school is the end for us.
Maybe not for Gyu-hyuk or Ki-bum.
What college or pro team
would want guys like us?
Yeah.
Well at least we can play tomorrow.
And then...
we'll be adults one day.
[Yongsan High School Basketball Team]
[The best basketball team in the country]
It's late, why aren't you sleeping?
My body wants to sleep...
but my mind won't let me.
[Let's repeat as champs, Yongsan High!]
[Jungang High Gets to the Final!]
Gosh, how long has it been?
I'm glad all of you could make it.
Thanks to you, Chairman,
our team made it this far.
I haven't done a thing.
It's all thanks to Coach Kang and the kids.
- You're being modest!
- Sit, sit.
Wow, so many people here.
Will we be okay ditching school?
Bro. There's only three
people to watch out for.
Who?
Home room teacher. Principal.
Vice principal.
- Oh, vice principal.
- Yeah.
Now there's only two
people to watch out for.
You punks, why are you here right now?
Come out. Come out.
Over there, our players are coming out!
Oh, oh, oh!
- Jungang High!
- Let's go, Jungang!
The championship game for the 37th KBA
National Tournament will begin soon.
How have you been, sir?
You guys look great.
Thank you.
Jun-young.
Good luck today.
Thanks, you too.
- This is the finals. Focus.
- Yes, sir.
Don't forget. We're the best in the nation.
- Victory!
- Yongsan!
Let's go, let's go!
We busted our asses to get here.
Let's enjoy today.
With no regrets.
With no remorse.
Jungang High!
Box!
The last battle for the
championship begins now.
Yongsan takes the jump ball.
As expected, Yongsan
attacks with rapid pace.
Yongsan rolls out a practiced play.
Heo Hoon catches the pass
for their first basket.
Yongsan takes the first
points of the finals.
Gyu-hyuk receives the pass.
He goes up,
but his shot is blocked!
Yongsan's Jun-young is in charge down low!
He finds him for the running lay-up!
Basket count, and one!
As expected, Yongsan's Jun-young
is taking care of business down low.
- Yes.
- Yongsan is out to a strong start.
- Sun-kyu, good job.
- Not even a minute into the game,
and Yongsan has taken full control.
It's still early on,
but if they don't find a turning point,
this game might run
away from Busan Jungang.
That's right.
And as we speak, Gyu-hyuk's long
pass hits Ki-bum for a lay-up!
First points for Ki-bum!
Yongsan back on the attack.
Heo Hoon with the dribble drive.
Heo Hoon!
Scores! He looks light on his feet.
- That's right!
- Heo Hoon, that's who he is.
Jungang now on offense.
Ki-bum to Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk finds Gang-ho.
To the cutting Sun-kyu, lay-up.
How'd he find the rim?
They're fighting hard,
as a finals team should.
Quite a tight match between the two.
Heo Hoon with the ball,
drives into the middle.
His quickness leads to another basket!
The leading favorite for MVP.
Twenty, twenty.
Twenty!
Another basket by Yongsan.
The cheer sections on
both sides are fierce too.
As we speak, Yongsan uses
another substitution.
Jungang must be jealous
of Yongsan's deep roster.
Heo Hoon, dribble drive into spin move.
Lay-up! Score!
Wow, Yongsan. Relentless
like the #1 ranking they are.
24 to 12.
Overall, the Jungang
players look very fatigued.
They've basically played only five players
all the way to the finals.
Right.
It's obvious that they should be tired.
Ki-bum, defend to the end.
We can make it!
Ki-bum!
Ah, Jungang with the turnover!
Now with no energy, their
focus is dwindling too.
I think that's why they're
making these mistakes.
Basketball is especially a
high energy sport, isn't it?
Yes.
- That's why substitutions are necessary to save energy.
- Sun-kyu, you okay?
And that's where Busan Jungang
is struggling right now.
Han, Jun-ho, sit out.
Ho-jun, Jae-min, go in.
Pressure them a bit more.
Those guys can't even stand right now.
If you're hurting, you can sit out.
This game isn't more
important than your body.
We don't have any subs.
I'm playing till the end.
You bastards.
Heo Hoon with the ball.
Drives in to find Kim Ho-jun.
Kim Ho-jun, jump shot.
Good!
- And Sun-kyu with the foul. Extra free throw!
- Basket count, #11.
Jungang is in trouble now.
Gang-ho smothered by the defense.
He's looking for somewhere to pass.
Yongsan steals the pass.
To Baik Jae-min for the lay-up!
Good!
Yongsan adds two points to pull away.
The lead is growing, 32 to 18.
Let's go, Jungang!
Ki-bum. Slowly, slowly.
Jae-yoon. To Gyu-hyuk. To Sun-kyu.
Back to Ki-bum.
Jungang passes it around to find Gang-ho.
Finally finds the rim!
With the last of their energy,
Jungang keeps the spark alive.
Every basket looks tiresome.
Jun-young with the ball, battling down low.
He pushes him off
and scores again, Jun-young!
Jungang is pushing their limits
with each passing second.
And a foul. They are fighting so hard.
Just reaching the finals
with 5 players is a miracle.
The Jungang players are amazing.
Another foul by Jae-yoon.
- Exhaustion usually leads to those fouls.
- How is that a foul?
With no substitutes,
Jungang must be frustrated.
- That's right.
- How on earth can we play like that?
- Busan Jungang's Jae-yoon has three fouls.
- How on earth can we play like that?
Sun-kyu also has three.
So now they have to watch
out for their fouls as well.
Busan Jungang is now fighting against
their exhaustion, and against foul trouble.
You're doing well, Jungang High!
Ki-bum!
Foul!
Jun-young, don't follow
the ball, mark the person.
You alright?
Yeah.
You and me.
We've only have one defender on us each.
Sun-kyu, Gang-ho.
They're tired too.
I'll shake them up from the side,
then dive down the middle.
Use me.
If you overdo it, you'll
screw up your ankle for life.
Stay in your spot.
My ankle...
It's too late already.
Let's make use of it one last time.
Jungang. Free throws, quickly.
Sun-kyu!
Are you ready?
Let's go.
Bae Gyu-hyuk finishes the alley-oop!
What a tough shot!
Wow. If perimeter player Gyu-hyuk can
attack the basket with that kind of speed,
Busan Jungang just might have a chance.
They're fighting back with fantastic
teamwork from Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk on the attack. Double clutch!
He made sure the ball went in!
Yongsan dismantling
Jungang with their passing.
They try for a three.
Straight through the net.
The illustrious Yongsan
High, they're not easy.
That's right. The match
is reaching a fever pitch.
No team is backing down. Very impressive.
[Yongsan 44 - Jungang 27]
[Yongsan 47 - Jungang 27]
Balance out the court.
Jungang High!
[Yongsan 47 - Jungang 29]
Focus, Yongsan!
Nice!
Han! Get your match up right!
Sun-kyu, switch! Next, next!
Hurry inside!
Ki-bum!
Are you done screwing around?!
Are you going easy on a
tired countryside team?!
No, sir!
Pressure from the start!
We should've cornered
them, steamrolled them!
Don't get careless, not for a moment!
That's basketball!
And that's courtesy for the other team.
- Got it?!
- Yes, sir!
All of you...
can't even stand, right?
No, we can.
When we hoop,
sometimes our shots don't go in.
More often than not, our shots don't go in.
But in that moment,
depending on our effort,
we can seize another chance.
What do we call that?
Rebound.
That's right. Rebound, Sun-kyu.
I...
I failed as a player.
Then became a coach at my alma mater not knowing
how to win, and drove you guys to the ground.
Why?
I was afraid.
What if things go wrong?
What if I get fired?
That's why I failed. You know.
But...
turns out that wasn't a real failure.
Because I'm here now,
at the tournament finals,
in the locker room with you guys,
because of that fake failure.
We grabbed that rebound at all cost.
And I didn't grab it alone.
You grabbed that rebound for me.
And passed it to me.
You guys seized that rebound.
And passed it to each other.
Let's run again.
Let's pass the ball again.
Don't ever give up on the thing you love.
For the rest of this game.
For the rest of your lives.
Whether you make a living playing ball
or doing other work,
don't be afraid.
Jump into the fray and seize it.
Remember,
a basketball game may end,
but life goes on.
- Jungang High.
- Yes.
- Wanna try it?
- Yes!
- Are you ready?
- Yes!
Jungang High!
Rebound!
That day, Busan Jungang lost 63 to 89.
Jae-yoon, who continued to add
to his point total in the 2nd half,
fouled out of the game
with 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter.
Sun-kyu, who lasted two
more minutes under the rim,
fouled out as well.
Busan Jungang continued the 4th quarter
with only three players on the court.
At halftime of the championship game,
Busan Jungang trailed Yongsan by 16 points.
But with three players
left in the 2nd half,
they came as close as 10 points.
Ki-bum was the 1st round 4th pick in the 2016
draft, joining the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Gang-ho was the 2nd round 1st pick
in the 2017 draft, joining Anyang KGC.
Sun-kyu was the 2nd round 6th pick in the 2017
draft, joining the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Jin-wook was the 3rd round 1st pick in the
2018 draft, joining the Busan KT Sonic Boom.
Coach Kang went on to coach Korea's U-19 team, and
is currently the head coach for Chosun University,
as well as for the Olympic
3x3 basketball team.
After graduating, Jae-yoon enrolled in
Kyungsung University's athletics department.
With his worsened ankle, Gyu-hyuk set aside
his hoop dreams after two ankle surgeries.
And after ten years, Coach
Kang and his six players
are continuing strong for
their next leap in life.
[Based on a true story]
[Busan, October 2010]
The basketball coach quit again?
We hire, they run away. Hire, run away.
How many has it been already?
It ain't just the coaches.
All the talent has dried up too.
The Seoul teams poach anyone
who knows how to dribble.
We lose every time we enter a tournament,
it's embarrassing.
What should we do? Should we look
for a coach from out of state?
No need for that.
Why don't we just shut
down the team altogether?
Sir. That might be a bit much-
Didn't y'all say so earlier.
We have no chance, no hope.
For the honor of our school,
we should shut down our basketball program.
Do you think our alumni will accept that?
He's right. Our basketball program
does have history and tradition.
If we chop it down like a rotten log,
we'll definitely cause an uproar.
So what? Do you have an alternative?
Umm... How's this?
Instead of shutting it down completely,
we just make it look like it's running,
for appearances.
We won't send them to any tournaments,
we'll just maintain a team.
Sounds good.
Then what about a coach?
Where do we find a cheap coach
who can keep up appearances?
Maybe no one will apply for it.
But we should still try.
You mean, this guy?
A 25-year-old social worker?
What's wrong? A social worker can't coach?
What's on his face? Is he Native American?
Mr. Principal, this guy might look young,
but he was once a national tournament MVP.
- Right?
- Yes, sir.
And he graduated from our school.
Isn't that nice?
How's that for appearances?
What do you think, Mr. Principal?
Vice Principal, stop trying
to seduce him like that.
What do you mean?
Where can we find a cheaper coach?
Cheaper isn't always better.
Are you looking down on cheap?
You kids say hello.
This is your coach from now
on, Coach Kang Yang-hwan.
Hyun.
- What?
- Hyun.
- Hyun.
- Hyun?
Ah, Kang Yang-hyun.
Coach Kang Yang-hyun.
Applause.
Hello. Nice to meet you.
Sir,
If we no longer play official matches,
and since my grades keep falling,
I quit the team. I'm sorry.
I quit too. I'm sorry.
Hey, wait for me!
That would've been bad.
What are y'all gonna do?
Well...
I ain't got much else
to do even if I leave.
I'll stay.
And you?
Likewise.
Really?
Alright then.
Let's try this. Just for appearances.
What the hell!
Why did you throw it so hard!
Throw it softly!
This isn't rugby!
- Are you okay?
- Won-suk, I told you to hold it still.
I'm sorry.
[What you lookin' at, dumbass?]
[Jun-young]
[Jun-young, have you discussed with
your parents? I'll be waiting.]
[Gyeongnam middle school basketball teams]
[Gyeongnam middle school MVP]
[Busan teenage streetball tournament]
[Kim Jae-seok]
Hello there, do you happen
to be Lee Sang-rok's mother?
Yes, hello Mrs. Lee!
I'm Busan Jungang High's basketball coach
Kang Yang-hyun.
Yes.
He's going to Seoul... Whimoon High School.
Wow.
Congratulations, yes.
Do you happen to be Lee Chul-won's father?
Hello, I'm Busan Jungang
High's basketball coach-
Where can I get some reception here?
Hello, I'm Busan Jungang High's
basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun.
Hello, I'm Busan Jungang High's
basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun.
Hi there, I'm Busan Jungang
High's basketball coach-
Hello?
Speak to me, fellas.
Go. Do your thing.
Busan Jungang High?
Sorry, I'm not interested.
I'm going to a Seoul team.
Staying in Busan will end my career.
That's what you...
Wish you the best of luck, little jerk.
Here, here!
Block him, block him.
Let go of me. Here, here!
Kick it.
Have you ever played hoops?
I don't think so.
Do you want to?
Me? I'm gonna be a soccer
star like Zlatan Ibrahimovi.
No. Your height. Your hops. Your tenacity.
Basketball is where you belong.
If you put your heart into it,
you can be an extraordinary center.
A center?
Yes, think about it.
Even for idol groups,
who shines brightest?
- The center?
- Correct.
Our school is "Jungang" High,
"center high school" in English.
Center is your position.
What neighborhood do you live in?
Jungang District.
Holy shit. This is fate.
Take a good look.
That's basketball. Got it?
Keep an eye out for those
kids playing under the rim.
- Under the rim?
- Yeah.
You see them battling to grab the ball
once it bounces off the rim?
Not there, here.
The battling like hell
to grab the loose ball.
That's what's important. The battle.
The battle...
See, just like that.
Push back. Don't let them in.
Defend. Win.
Just like him. He's good.
Who is that kid?
See ya.
Hooping's fun, ain't it?
Me?
Who are you?
I'm the basketball coach
at Busan Jungang High.
Wanna come hoop for me, for real?
For real?
For real.
Are you serious?!
Oh. Okay.
What high school again?
Jungang High.
You excite easily, huh?
Say hi. You guys are teammates now.
- Teammates?
- Yes.
This is Sun-kyu.
This is Gang-ho.
One, one, one.
That fella is Ki-bum.
Handsome kid.
Great ball player.
He even won tournament MVP two years ago.
Offensive foul.
So Seoul had their eyes on him.
But since last year, he stopped growing.
Then a slump hit him,
and now he's an average player.
Jungang High School?
That's right.
If you come to Jungang High,
I'll start you right away.
I heard nobody's really
scouting you anyway.
That's not true. Lots of places want me.
Seoul does too.
Are you sure?
If you go somewhere else,
will being a starter be easy?
A player's gotta keep playing to improve.
Either way, I'm not interested.
Is it Jungang High, or is it me?
You can't trust a young
inexperienced coach like me?
No call yet from any Seoul teams, right?
I'm still deciding.
Really?
You have two weeks left
and you're still deciding?
Let's grow together.
You improve me,
I improve you.
I heard you were a minor leaguer,
with no coaching experience.
Do you even make $1,000 a month?
Not even close, right?
I ain't no small-time player.
Look somewhere else.
How'd he know I make below $1,000?
He's got good sense.
Very shrewd.
- What the fuck's wrong with you.
- Fuck you.
Son of a bitch, how old are you?
Young little bastard, respect your elders.
Yeah whatever. You lost, cough up the $20.
Piss off, asshole.
Motherfucker.
Are you really not gonna talk?
Can't you tell me what
your name is at least?
What a total punk, this kid is.
Hey y'all, thanks for all your hard work.
Have some drinks, sirs.
All day and night...
Thank... Oh, not you.
Up so late, thank you.
What are you here for?
I'm sorry. I'm this kid's uncle.
Oh, you are?
Yes. Are you gonna keep causing trouble?
What did uncle teach you?
To behave yourself, right? Troublemaker.
We were having trouble because he
wouldn't talk, but I'm glad you're here.
So what's his name?
- His name?
- Yes.
It was just kids fighting, and the other
kid didn't want further trouble anyway.
So now that his guardian is here,
we just need to confirm his identity,
and release him with a warning.
- Oh, is that right?
- Yes.
So, his name?
- Sorry, I gotta get this.
- Yeah, sure.
This is the police.
- Name?
- Oh, hello there.
- Bae Gyu-hy...
- Yes, about that. It's gotten a bit complicated.
You know Joo-hyun.
Joo-hyun's boat was leaking gas.
Yes, so that day...
Bae...
- Hae?
- No, Bae!
- Bae...
- Sure, it's... Bae...
Gyu...
Gyu...
Then we'll check on our
end and let you know too.
Yes, have a good evening.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
So, his name plase.
Sure.
- Bae.
- Bae.
- Gyu.
- Gyu.
Hyuk?
Hyuk? Bae Gyu-hyuk.
Yes!
And his birth date?
You make good money gambling on basketball?
Who are you?
What kind of person do I look like?
Social worker at best?
Dang.
Dang?
I'm the basketball coach
at Busan Jungang High.
Wanna come hoop for me?
- Basketball?
- Yeah.
Fuckin' aye.
Fuck?
You're gonna ask a kid who
hates basketball to hoop?
You hate it?
Didn't seem that way.
Looked like you really enjoyed it?
I'm gambling.
I'm just tryna make some cash.
I don't know what happened with you, but...
What you like. What I like.
What we like.
Let's do that together.
Ain't that all there is to life?
You think I'd fall for
a cheesy line like that?
Your left isn't so good, right?
Seems like your knee or ankle,
you couldn't put any weight on it.
Is that why you quit?
The hell are you talking about.
If not, great.
Play for me. Huh?
Not with some punks on the street.
On a court. In an official uniform.
Doesn't it sound fun?
No, thanks.
Whew, stubborn. Stubborn kid.
[Jun-young]
Oh!
Anyways, you think about it.
Here's my business card. I'm leaving.
Don't lose it. Don't give it to anyone.
Hello, Jun-young!
How have you been?
[Kang Yang-hyun, basketball coach]
It's just scribbles.
You guys should eat too.
No.
You need to eat well.
You're the one destined for greatness.
Don't you worry.
Someone from Seoul
somewhere called earlier,
but it sounded like a lame program,
so I told them no chance.
Don't bring that up while he's eating.
Get ready for work.
No need to be worried.
Eat up.
Let's eat.
Yes, hello.
Yes, this is Ki-bum's father.
Busan Jungang High School?
Ah, well...
Ki-bum isn't home right now.
How can I pass on your
message if he isn't here?
Who? Who's coming?
Jun-young is coming?
I heard Jun-young is coming to our school.
Who's that?
The most important in high school hoops
isn't the guards or the forwards.
It's the center.
That's why when the grow too tall,
the Seoul schools poach them away.
But one of the Seoul-level centers
has come to our school.
A 6-feet 9-inch monster center!
When he enters the game, his opponents
are meerkats, he's the giraffe.
Needless to say, we'll
qualify for the preliminaries.
With Jun-young, making the national
semi-finals is no longer a dream!
Mr. Principal. Jun-young will be
a lighthouse to our school.
He's gonna shine bright
from afar, so shiny-
That's enough.
Yes, sir.
Just letting you know, the most
important thing in high school hoops is-
I get it. Get out of here.
Nice to meet you all.
I'll be your coach from now on.
Coach Kang Yang-hyun.
This means stop.
Our first goal: Summer National Tournament.
We live and breathe as one team
from now on. Any questions?
Yes.
Where's the rest of the team?
Good question.
Obviously we'll recruit more players.
We were still in the process of scouting...
But now, our recruiting is complete.
Doors closed.
What a crappy gym you got here.
Yeah well, the players are fresh.
Coach, I ain't playing with this guy.
What, do you guys know each other?
I ain't playing with this asshole either.
What?
Why the hell isn't anything going right?
Both of you, come here.
So you won't play if either is on the team?
You think this is a joke? Huh?
I don't care if you are enemies or rivals.
I don't care!
If you don't wanna play
basketball here, then leave.
I don't need anyone with
rotten mindsets here.
Get your asses out on the count of three.
One!
Two!
Three!
All of you, 200 wind sprints.
Are you deaf?!
Right now!
Right now!
Run faster!
Yes, sir!
What would you have done
if they actually quit?
I almost shat my pants one of them might-
How long were you there for?
Why are you so scared?
What? Should I not be here?
No... It's fine.
You're actually giving
it a shot, aren't you?
Why?
Am I not allowed to?
Faster, faster!
You can't play basketball
without strong legs.
50 more!
One, two, three.
Fight through!
Stop being a crybaby.
There's only four months
till the Summer Tournament.
To get your conditioning, fundamentals,
and your legs ready,
that's barely enough time.
Push, push!
Dribble with rhythm!
Rhythm, rhythm.
Switch hands.
Ki-bum, use your knees.
Shoot!
Could be worse.
Our first priority is to win.
Second priority is also to win.
Third is to win.
Fourth is to win. We
only think about winning.
What is that, Sun-kyu?
Good, Gang-ho.
Dribble hard, dribble hard!
Big step! Big step!
Good.
Very good.
Three.
Shoot.
Good try. Let's go eat.
Sure.
One, two. One, two.
One, two. One, two.
Whew, that kid is mighty tall.
Seoul must've wanted someone like him.
How did he end up here?
When Jun-young was young, the one that
gave him hoop dreams was Coach Kang.
See. I told you he can handle it.
Aren't you all supposed to be in a meeting?
Umm, well. We were about to.
What if the students see you?
You're supposed to be teachers.
You know we're turning into
a specialized school next year, right?
Keep the students in line,
make sure there's no trouble till then.
Sir.
The basketball team...
Jun-young is here,
and our new guard isn't too bad either.
Personally, I think we have a chance.
I agree with Mr. Lee.
Maybe you could consider
some funding from the school.
Look.
Youth, spirit, passion.
I don't trust any of it.
Just make sure they
don't screw anything up.
All offense starts with Ki-bum
and ends with Jun-young.
That's our highest chance of scoring.
So find Jun-young open in
the post, always to him.
Jun-young!
Nice!
Good work.
Gang-ho!
Into the post!
Gang-ho.
Didn't you see Jun-young behind you?
Stop blocking passes meant for him.
I'm sorry, but I was wide open-
I repeat.
The ball finds Jun-young and
he scores no matter what.
Again.
Hey, Gyu-hyuk. What are you doing?
Didn't you hear what I said?
Feed it to Jun-young!
But coach. Will Jun-young be
the only one playing offense?
If our offense is this simple, opposing
defense can just focus on Jun-young.
I think Gyu-hyuk could've
just scored that last one...
Don't think, all of you.
We only have one rule.
Find an opportunity for Jun-young to score!
There's no one in this country
bigger and stronger than Jun-young.
So weak teams like us need
to use someone like him.
Our first opponent has been decided.
Seoul Yongsan High School.
Yongsan High is back-to-back quadruple crown
champions, the nation's strongest team.
But no need to fear.
Yongsan or Whimoon, we can beat them.
Therefore I develop strategy,
and y'all do as I say!
Got it?
Yes, sir!
Your ankle, is it swollen?
We have four days until the tournament,
so rest at home, eat some good food.
- I'll come pick you up in the morning.
- That's okay.
I'lll get a ride from
my dad to the stadium.
Okay.
Fine, get some rest. I'll see you then.
- Get home safe.
- Yup.
Hey dumbass!
When are you gonna play properly?
If you're the small forward,
go find your spots to receive your passes!
Hey, asshole.
Feed Jun-young only, is
that fucking basketball?
You heard the coach. That's how we win!
We?
Bullshit.
Not we. You, I bet.
Shut the fuck up.
Isn't that all you're thinking?
The superstar center and
the resurgence of point guard Ki-bum!
I said shut up, you bastard!
- That's what I have to say.
- Son of a bitch.
- Irresponsible dipshit!
- Come at me, asshole!
Remember in middle school,
you ran away before a match?
You ruin my game like
that again, I'll kill you!
Try me motherfucker,
you'll never play basketball again!
What the hell is going on here?!
You punks are crazy.
Why are y'all so thirsty for blood?!
Huh?!
You two, I'm warning you.
If something goes wrong because of you two,
I ain't just gonna sit and watch.
Got it?
Yes.
Yes.
[National High School
Basketball Tournament]
Let's go inside.
Let's go.
Let's do it.
Coach is here.
Jun-young isn't here yet?
Yeah, not yet.
I'll bring him in once he arrives.
Y'all go in, change into your uniforms,
and start warming up.
Yes, sir.
Uh? It's Yongsan High.
[Yongsan High School]
Hello, sir.
- Kang Yang-hyun.
- Yes.
- Long time no see.
- Hope you've been well.
Wow, you look like a real coach.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Looking forward to our match.
Sure, why not...
But it seems you haven't heard.
It wasn't us that approached him first.
Isn't that Jun-young?
What's he doing there?
Jun-young! Jun-young!
Just so you don't get the wrong idea,
his parents reached out to us.
Don't hate him too much.
He wanted to stick with you,
but it seems his parents were raising hell.
We have a position change.
At center, Sun-kyu.
Power forward, Gang-ho.
Small forward, Gyu-hyuk.
Shooting guard, Yoon-ho.
And point guard is still Ki-bum.
I know it's a sudden change,
but you can do it, okay?
[Preliminary Match #1 Busan Jungang vs.
Seoul Yongsan]
Attention. Bow.
The game is on. Yongsan on the attack.
Find your spot!
Yongsan from the perimeter, passes
inside to find Heo Hoon for the score!
It only took three passes
for Heo Hoon to score.
Yongsan looks light on their feet
with their first basket.
Ki-bum! Let's focus!
Ki-bum dribbles slowly up the court.
He drives. Pump fake, and the shot. Clean.
His basketball IQ clearly on display.
Heo Hoon shows off his handles.
For the driving lay-up. Score!
Who else but Heo Hoon?
Press! Press!
Now Yongsan, straight
into the full court press.
Ki-bum has nowhere to pass.
They only have 8 seconds to cross the half.
They're running out of time.
8 second violation.
Yongsan's sudden pressure
has Jungang on their heels.
A wasted possession for Busan Jungang.
They may have a rough day ahead of them.
Yongsan back on offense.
To Heo Hoon, for the three pointer.
Swish!
- He makes it look effortless, Heo Hoon!
- Good shot.
Yes. Excellent.
Yongsan takes the early
lead on a fierce run.
Kim Han for the lay-up.
Good.
Busan Jungang is struggling.
- Hey, focus. Focus!
- Their chemistry seems off.
Busan Jungang back on offense.
Gyu-hyuk.
- Gyu-hyuk's looking for a place to pass.
- To Ki-bum!
He looks for Ki-bum, but drives it himself.
Gyu-hyuk...
Shot blocked.
Yongsan's fast break, easy two.
In the earlier possession,
it was correct to pass it to Ki-bum.
- Can Jungang fight back?
- Hurry back on defense!
- Ki-bum dribbles up the court.
- Move, move, move!
He's orchestrating his team from the top.
Gyu-hyuk cuts inside, but he falls!
- Ref! Foul!
- Nothing. Go.
Oh, but a no call from the ref.
Yongsan's speedy offense continues.
Heo Hoon drives,
and the whistle.
Busan Jungang is struggling hard
against the mighty Seoul Yongsan.
Shit!
Yes, they're looking tired too.
They can't keep up with Yongsan's speed.
Sun-kyu!
Ki-bum.
He sees Gyu-hyuk signaling for the ball.
But he takes it by himself again.
Blocked shot!
This is gonna get difficult for Jungang.
Look for each other!
There seems to be a problem
with their teamwork.
Sun-kyu doesn't know where to be.
As a sneaky pass hits Heo
Hoon for the easy score.
Again, Yongsan on the attack.
Heo Hoon with the finish.
It seems Busan Jungang is no match
for nation's #1 Seoul Yongsan.
I guess that was expected.
Such a big difference in
their program's size and history, right?
And Yongsan scores again.
Their hot streak continues.
The lead is growing with
every passing second.
It's still early,
but Busan Jungang looks fatigued already.
What can Busan Jungang do in this case?
Not sure. Win or lose, the players
and coach need to gain experience.
- Gang-ho with the steal.
- Behind you!
To Ki-bum, for the drive.
And the whistle.
Offensive foul!
The offensive foul from the ref.
Yes, they called an offensive foul.
- Offensive... I mean it could've gone either way.
- Number 7. Charging. Offensive.
You must be crazy. That makes no sense.
Coach Kang is approaching the ref.
How is that offensive?!
Jungang coach. Technical Foul.
- One shot.
- Let's go.
[Technical Foul: Opposing
team gets a free throw]
Hey, hey. Coach Kang.
Open your goddamn eyes!
He keeps taking their side!
Right?!
Jungang coach. Technical Foul.
- Ejected!
- Huh?
Coach Kang Yang-hyun has just been ejected.
Hey. Hey!
What?
At least score if you're not gonna pass.
Useless ballhog, tryna
play all by yourself?
Get yourself open if you want the ball.
What? You can't cause of your bum ankle?
Hey, asshole!
You want some?
What happened?
Disqualified!
Jungang High is disqualified!
Aw, c'mon.
He wasn't throwing it at you!
He got hit, we weren't throwing it at him.
Calm down. Calm down.
Hey, I wanna apologize.
Let me apologize!
[Busan Jungang High Disqualified] [Jungang
Coach: "I want to apologize to the referee"]
[Busan Jungang High - Six Month Suspension]
[Unprecedented Punishment]
Where is he? There he is.
C'mon, hurry.
What kind of coach are you?
A six month suspension.
Who are you to be messing
my son's future like this?!
Speak up. What are you gonna do about it?
I'm sorry.
Whatever, it's done.
If you ever contact our kids again,
you'll be sorry.
Let's go. My goodness.
What kind of coach can't even
control their players properly?
What are you just standing there for?
Why'd you trust our kid with that guy?!
What did you do?!
Get your butt over here. Let's go.
Let's go!
Nice to meet you.
I am the future of Jungang High,
the next Michael Jordan,
Jin-wook of Donga Middle School.
Jungang High is in a crisis,
and I will lift us out of it next year.
If you could give me a
chance to prove myself.
Look, coach. Look at me.
Coach.
Coach, I'm the next Michael Jordan.
Leave, Jordan. To America.
There's no future here at Jungang High.
Go to Chicago.
Chin up, coach!
Busan Jungang High! Let's go!
What the f...
Let's go!
Rock paper scissor, shoot!
Last place buys ramen.
So electron shells, determines the group.
[Look at the chalkboard, not here.]
That's what's important.
That's...
Hey!
What's your name? Huh?
Is that your bed?
[Kang Yang-hyun Interview]
[Busan Jungang High]
[Kang Yang-hyun]
So Kang Yang-hyun, you've been selected
as the tournament MVP.
Please tell us how you feel.
First, I wanna thank my coach.
I wasn't alone, my teammates
Won-suk, Ji-sung...
Jong-myung... We all worked so hard.
I didn't expect to be champions though.
Wow, thank you all so much.
Yes, I can see the
emotions flowing right now.
So what kind of player do
you want to be in the future?
I wanna play, just like this. Fun, happy
basketball for the rest of my life.
Why do you like basketball?
I'm not sure actually.
I just love basketball.
[Rebound: a chance to redeem a mistake, to
turn a failure into a win. Never give up!]
- You're home.
- Whoa, what the hell?!
Ki-bum, it's all my fault.
I was wrong.
Are you... crying right now?
When I first took the job at Jungang,
I thought to myself...
Sure, my playing days might be over,
but my basketball career isn't.
"All those losers that looked down on me,
I'll prove them wrong on the court."
"You assholes! Kang
Yang-hyun ain't dead yet!"
Please shut up! A human is talking!
That's right.
I tried to use you guys
to fix my broken dream.
But after screwing it all up, I realized...
that wasn't basketball.
What's your point?
Let's run it back.
I'll change first.
Let's do what we do best,
what we enjoy, what we're crazy for...
Wanna try that again?
Hoops?
I don't wanna do all the
work by myself anymore.
I wanna do it together. With the boys.
Really?
Really.
Ki-bum...
Please hold me.
Mmm?
I was having such a hard time.
What's a grown man sobbing like this for?
I'm happy. It's 'cause I'm happy.
Thank you.
Prepare for scrum.
Crouch. Bind. Set.
Ten minute break.
Gang-ho! Sun-kyu!
Coach!
Ki-bum!
Ki-bum!
How's rugby? Is it fun?
This helmet's too tight.
The ball's also small and long.
A ball's gotta be round, right?
I missed you, coach!
- Wait for me, coach.
- C'mon, hurry.
Right. Right, right.
Here it is.
Oh, hello!
Wow, Ki-bum isn't it?
It's been so long. Why haven't you visited?
- Have you been well?
- Yeah.
Mrs. Bae, this is our basketball team.
Hello.
Who's this?
He's chubby and kinda cute.
I have nothing to treat you all with,
you came all at once.
Geez, I'm sorry.
I've been so busy making ends meet
I haven't been able to visit you, Coach.
Oh, you didn't have to.
I didn't even recognize you, I'm sorry.
Oh, no worries at all.
We're the ones that surprised you.
No worries.
It's been hard on Gyu-hyuk quitting
basketball because of his ankle.
But now that he's playing again with you,
he's been so happy.
Thank you so very much, coach.
Oh, not a problem. He's
the one that's good.
Gyu-hyuk might seem rough around the edges,
but he's got a big heart.
Affording his ankle surgery late
will always be my heaviest burden.
Don't worry. Gyu-hyuk is doing great.
- Isn't he?
- He is.
Is he?
Hey, jackass.
Before you regret it, cough up the $50
you stole from my boys.
They lost because they sucked,
what can't you understand?
You better stop running your mouth!
Be honest. You're a student-athlete, right?
What's a student-athlete
tryna scam us for?!
He's not a student-athlete.
How did you think he's a student-athlete?
Just look at him, he looks like a scrub.
Hey, old chap.
Just keep walking.
I'm not old.
I'm a young soul who's
addicted to basketball.
What do you say?
A game of one-on-one?
Coach, I don't think you should.
You sons of bitches.
It's a piece of cake.
He's a right git.
You only scored two points.
How utterly humiliating.
You should shoot around more often.
Gyu-hyuk, it's all my fault.
How do you feel about starting over?
No?
I'm never throwing a ball ever again.
At a ref.
That's right!
You should be throwing the
ball to your teammates!
Gyu-hyuk!
Gyu-hyuk!
- But coach.
- Yeah.
Do you think the school will let us play?
Don't even worry.
The principal and I are homies!
- Is that true?
- Yeah.
Tomorrow I'll say something to him and then
something will happen and then he'll allow us!
Stop worrying!
Principal, sir!
I beg of you, please!
I'm the one that screwed up!
I'm the sinner!
For the sake of their futures,
please give them one more chance.
If this is because
my social service term ended last month,
and the coach salary is too much,
you don't have to pay me!
As an alum, I volunteer for free!
- Mr. Principal!
- Hey!
I don't know which
school's principal you are,
or what opportunity this is all about,
but let's give them a chance!
- Okay? Let's get some sleep!
- Honey, can't you just let them?
How am I going to show my
face around the neighborhood?
Mr. Principal, I know you can hear me.
Won't you go tell him for me?
Tell him I get it, so he can go home now.
Do you mean...
Play or not, whatever...
Play, play. Tell him
he can play basketball.
Mr. Principal!
As expected, our principal has given
his full support to our team.
Applause.
From now on, each of you will focus on
practicing what you do best.
In six months, when our
freshmen come in next spring,
we'll enter the Spring KBA Tournament.
Our goal: to make it past the prelims.
In other words, to qualify
for the tournament stage.
First, Sun-kyu and Gang-ho.
You'll train your boxing
out and rebounding.
If you get a chance under the rim,
don't hesitate to shoot.
Really?
From now on, you two are
Jungang's center and power forward.
Gyu-hyuk, we'll be rehabilitating your
weak ankle and improving your outside shot.
Yes.
And Ki-bum.
You shoot when you wanna shoot,
pass where you wanna pass.
But, make sure your eyes
are on your teammates.
Yes.
Alright. Shall we do it?
Yes!
Let's go.
- Gyu-hyuk!
- Hey, Sun-kyu!
- Gang-ho!
- Sun-kyu, screen!
- Aye!
- Good shot!
- Let's go!
- Let's go, let's go!
[Welcome Freshmen Class of 2012]
So y'all are the ones trying out
for our basketball team?
Yes, sir.
Are you...
Jordan?
Hello! I am the future of Jungang High,
the next Michael Jordan,
basketball genius Jin-wook!
And you?
I'm Jae-yoon.
I've been on the basketball
team since the 3rd grade.
Well I've never played on a team,
but my passion, my burning desire will-
Jae-yoon, you said?
- Yes.
- Okay.
Let's see what you can do.
What's wrong with me?
That's enough. Enough.
Were you really on a team?
Yes...
How many games have you played in?
Not... a single one.
But I really love basketball.
Please let me on the team.
Next.
Jordan.
Coach! Do you see?
I'm the future of Jungang, Jin-wook!
Coach!
Basketball genius Jin-wook!
5-man fast break
Ki-bum and Jin-wook run out first.
At the same time, Sun-kyu
and Gang-ho spread the floor.
Gyu-hyuk, you give the ball to Sun-kyu
and cut in immediately.
Our biggest hurdle will be our stamina.
We create each other's,
lanes, spaces, chances.
To do so, we must be one
step ahead of our opponents.
In other words, our
teamwork is most important.
This is done. Have this.
Eat a lot.
Alright, shall we fry the rice now?
No, we're not done yet.
324 dollars.
Do you accept installment payments,
for like 24 months?
Huh?
Starting at the rim, flare
out at a 45 degree angle.
Then I'll shoot.
Then it's better for me to go low.
Then where am I supposed to be?
It says right here!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Aye!
Loosen your legs.
Shoot it.
Is it okay if I borrow her please-
Gang-ho, you swing behind Yoona.
Sun-kyu, you screen Yoo Jae-suk.
Once you've screened him,
slide over to Han Ye-seul.
That's right.
Hey, Jin-wook. You have to break free
from Gianna Jun and dip toward Yoona.
Sun-kyu, box out.
Nice.
Beep.
Oi, Gyu-hyuk.
Can't you hear me?
Pass the ball to Jun-young.
But coach, Jun-young isn't here.
How can I pass to him?
Even if he isn't here,
pass it to Jun-young.
- But he's not here, how can I pass it to him?
- Just pass it to him.
But he's not here.
- Just pass it to him.
- But he's not...
Just pass it...
Hey, Gyu-hyuk.
Didn't I tell you to pass it to Jun-young?
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Jungang to the tournament stage!
[37th Korean Basketball Association's
National High School Tournament]
- We made it!
- Thanks for driving!
[Korean Basketball Association's
National High School Tournament Begins]
[Pray for invincible
Hanseong High's victory]
[Hope for Jemulpo High victory]
[Yongsan High School Basketball Team]
Oath.
Oath.
On behalf of all participants
in the KBA National High School Tournament,
I pledge to compete to the highest standard
of sportsmanship and fair play.
Player representative,
Heo Hoon of Yongsan High.
Hello, everyone.
Welcome to the 37th Annual
KBA National High School Tournament.
We'll have our 1st preliminary match
between Busan Jungang High and Sinan High.
Busan Jungang, don't they have the fewest
registered players in this tournament?
Yes, they have six.
And four of them are basically playing
basketball for the first time in high school.
They lack experience and force,
compared to the other teams.
[Match #1 - Jungang High vs. Sinan High]
And the game is on as we speak.
Three, three.
Sinan's #6. He tends to drive left
in the half court offense.
If Ki-bum opens up the left,
Gang-ho can already be there.
Gang-ho!
Nice!
Stay up! Stay up!
Slowly, slowly!
Gang-ho!
Ball.
Jin-wook.
There we go.
Let's hurry. Fast break!
Watch out, watch out.
Wow, that was picture perfect.
That's okay, that's okay. Let's go!
This is my record of your practices
for the last four months.
If you can't picture the whole game in your
head, all of their effort goes to waste.
With your look, your gesture, your signal,
those kids will trust you to lead them.
That's what teammates do.
Sinan's opening defense is a 2-3 zone.
They'll expect us to attack
through Jin-wook and Gang-ho.
Once Sun-kyu screens #1,
Gyu-hyuk gets a backdoor lane.
Now.
Oh hello, this is Busan Jungang High.
I just had a question.
May I ask for the results to our game?
Yes, it just ended?
Yes, yes.
What?
85 to 42?
That's how much we lost by?
Yes.
What?!
We won!
It burns!
We won!
You scared me. What is it?
This can't be for real.
We won! We won!
85 to 42.
Breaking everyone's expectations, Busan Jungang
secures a blowout win over Sinan High.
Wow, this looks like a totally
different team than last year.
Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk's
teamwork really stands out.
This is just the beginning.
Don't get too excited.
Wash up.
- And let's prepare for tomorrow.
- Yeah!
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Jemulpo High has a rugged playstyle,
and they're a brawny team.
In game one, Ki-bum and
Gyu-hyuk each scored 26 points.
So the defense will
focus on the two of you.
Ki-bum gets the pass.
[Match #2 - Jungang High vs. Jemulpo High]
He gets the screen and drives straight to the
rim. [Match #2 - Jungang High vs. Jemulpo High]
- You alright?
- Basket count.
Incheon's powerhouse Jemulpo High,
their high pressure defense is keeping
Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk locked up.
Yes, Jemulpo is focusing on
those two to wear them out.
It seems to be an appropriate strategy.
Just guard their #7 and #10.
Be rough with them, it's okay.
Jemulpo's strategy is working very well
to start the game.
Choi Ji-ho to Choi Woo-sik.
For three.
Good!
- It's okay. Let's go.
- Busan Jungang needs a change of mood.
Sun-kyu is losing his match up,
and Gang-ho is struggling down low too.
Then Jin-wook needs to step up.
Brother!
The real game starts now.
Gang-ho to Sun-kyu. To Gyu-hyuk.
Dribbles up, to Jin-wook on the perimeter.
Jin-wook fires the shot.
Straight through the rim!
Great shot. Confident play
by the freshman Jin-wook.
Jin-wook roams the floor,
receives a pass for a close range jumper.
Two points. They're coming back.
Right now, with Gyu-hyuk and Ki-bum
tied up, Jin-wook is their hero today.
Jin-wook looks good today.
Pump fake into a shot...
No, it's a pass inside to
Sun-kyu for the lay-up!
With Jin-wook drawing attention,
- Sun-kyu is getting open.
- Looking good, handsome.
Gyu-hyuk!
Busan Jungang is on a run.
Jin-wook has the ball,
finds Gang-ho for two.
With the lay-up. Calmly puts it in.
Yes, Jin-wook is giving life to the team.
Busan Jungang's teamwork
on full display here.
Ki-bum signals a play. To Gyu-hyuk.
To Jin-wook.
Back to Ki-bum.
Ki-bum with the driving lay-up!
It's good! They pull away by two points!
Busan Jungang has turned into
a whole new team in a year. Amazing.
Give Gyu-hyuk a swing.
Brother!
Jin-wook!
Jin-wook! What's wrong?
Jin-wook! What's wrong? Where?
Hold on. Is it Jin-wook
that's on the floor right now?
Yes, he's on the floor and he can't get up.
- I hope it's not a big injury.
- Stay still, Jin-wook.
- Is it here?
- Yes.
He needs to go to a hospital.
No. I can still play.
Coach! I can play!
Jin-wook.
Hospital first, okay?
As soon as the game's done, I'll go to you.
Jin-wook keeps clutching his left shoulder.
It looks pretty serious, doesn't
that mean they'll need a substitute?
It looks like Jin-wook
won't be able to play.
He'll have to substitute
with someone who can.
Wait, then the only
remaining player is Jae-yoon.
Jae-yoon, get ready.
Me?
Who else is here other than you?
There's only five minutes left.
There are no official
statistics for Jae-yoon.
That's right. Jae-yoon started
organized basketball in elementary school,
but his first minutes
might be coming right now.
A huge wild card.
I can do it. I can do it.
With no official game time experience,
Jae-yoon looks rather nervous.
This game might come down to his play.
- Ki-bum orchestrates the floor.
- Go down, Jae-yoon.
Passes to Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk with the pass.
Ah, slips through Jae-yoon's fingers.
He's not overlapping well,
you can tell that he hasn't played much.
He looks lost out there.
Can't really find his spots, Jae-yoon.
And Busan Jungang gives up a basket again.
He's struggling to find his match up.
He can't find the one
he's supposed to defend.
You should be guarding #14, Jae-yoon!
Wide open Hong Suk-won for three...
Good!
Back to back buckets by Jemulpo.
Jungang needs to hold on,
but Jemulpo's pursuit is scary.
Another lay-up. Two points closer.
And that's how the game ends.
Busan Jungang did defeat Jemulpo High,
but they do have a problem
to solve in Jae-yoon.
Oh, oh.
Sit.
And uh... how is he?
There behind you.
You're here.
What did the doctor say?
He snapped his collarbone.
He's out for three months.
Ah, bummer.
I wanna play.
I wanna keep playing with my brothers.
Can I play?
Who says you can't?
Let's play for a long, long time.
But to do so, you need to
heal what's broken first.
And let's check out your
ankle too while we're here.
I'm fine.
No, you might feel fine.
But you played two games without
any substitutions. Let's check it out.
I'm really fine.
If I wasn't, I'd ask first to be here.
I'm just gonna go back and rest.
Without any subs, isn't it a losing battle?
And that Jae-yoon kid,
he doesn't even know how to play.
Even if they all suit up,
it means we're playing 4-on-5.
What's the point?
Jae-yoon. If you don't feel confident,
don't shoot or pass.
What did I tell you to do?
Play tight defense...
on whoever Ki-bum tells me to guard.
That's right.
If you do just that, I think we'll win.
Will there be a problem?
No, sir.
What is this limp noodle, huh?
Drink some Gatorade.
[No. 4 Jin-wook]
Keep your voice loud.
Got it.
Let's run till we can't anymore!
Let's go!
Jungang High, let's go!
The early underdog Busan Jungang,
now in danger with no bench members,
versus the tallest team in this tournament,
Hansung High.
One of the best of the best.
Busan Jungang vs. Hansung High,
[Match #3 - Jungang High vs. Hansung High]
the 3rd Preliminary Match begins now.
[Match #3 - Jungang High vs. Hansung High]
Ki-bum grabs the ball,
dribbles it up the floor.
He's looking for somewhere to pass it to.
To Gyu-hyuk.
Back to Ki-bum, into a drive.
Blocked by Kang Sang-jae!
Kim Hong-goo takes it up
the floor, to Kang Sang-jae.
Makes the lay-up!
Hansung with the first score!
Kang Sang-jae!
He has been fantastic
throughout the prelims.
Yes, he has. If Yongsan High has Jun-young,
then Hansung has Kang
Sang-jae, a phenomenal center.
That's right.
Gyu-hyuk with the mid-range.
Ah, unfriendly bounce.
Hansung with the fast break.
Kang Sang-jae passes it up the court.
- Ah, Jae-yoon.
- Play up on him!
He's moving better than last game.
Tight pressure on Kim Hong-goo.
Yes, his defense is very good.
Hansung with the errant pass.
- Forcing the turnover is Jae-yoon.
- Good job, Jae-yoon!
He's showing a new
defensive side this game.
Gang-ho, Sun-kyu. Two man fast break.
Lead pass to Sun-kyu.
Straight into the rim.
- Defense, defense!
- Back court!
Sun-kyu can get pretty high.
Yes, he's just as big as the other team
and is attacking their inside well.
To Byun Joon-sik, who finds Kang Sang-jae.
He goes up.
Slam dunk! Kang Sang-jae!
Wow, a rare sight in high school hoops.
A remarkable dunk by Kang Sang-jae.
There's a showdown going
between the two team's centers.
Defense!
Battle for the rebound.
Gyu-hyuk gathers the ball.
He looks far for Ki-bum.
Ki-bum. Spin move past the
defense for the lay-up.
Good, Ki-bum.
Unlike their previous two games where scoring
mostly came from Gyu-hyuk and Ki-bum,
all of Jungang's players
are scoring fairly evenly today.
Minus 4 plus 4. Plus 3 equals three.
So what is the coordinate-
What is it?
What is it? What's wrong?
The game is over.
With no bench members, Busan Jungang sweeps the
preliminaries to enter the knockout stage.
Clean sweep of the prelims...
We're entering the knockout stage!
They look like they won the
championship or something.
- Jungang High!
- Box!
Sun-kyu, take a nap.
Hey, don't touch it if
you don't know what it is.
And Gyu-hyuk?
He went to the restroom.
Is he constipated or something?
Stop him, stop him!
Ayo.
Take it.
What are you doing in such a smelly place?
How's your ankle?
Asshole. Didn't you see me out there?
It's better than you.
Easy now.
You might really screw it up like this.
You can't be worried about me.
What is it? Are you tryna
be the scoring leader?
We still have a long way to go.
Remember, we don't have any subs.
Back then...
Back then, I hated everything.
I hated my screwed up ankle...
and I hated that we
were too poor to fix it.
That's why I ran.
I'm sorry.
Midway through the 2nd quarter.
[Quarter-finals - Jungang vs. Kwangsan]
Kwangsan High is building their lead
against Busan Jungang.
Kim Hyun-joong to Park
Jin-su, spread wide open.
Kwangsan for the drive-in.
Two points for Kwangsan.
Press! Now!
It seems Kwangsan's defense is changing
right now. It's the full court press.
- It is a tactic to trap the ball handler.
- Slow down, slow down.
It's a strategy to torment
the exhausted Jungang players.
As we speak, turnover from Gyu-hyuk.
Gwangsan adds an easy two to their lead.
It's okay. Slowly!
- Gwansan continues to pressure the ball.
- Again! Press!
Busan Jungang unable to find a solution.
They need to find a way out
of this full court press.
That's right, Gyu-hyuk's pass...
is intercepted!
Park Jin-su receives the ball.
A quick stop, a lay-up. Score.
Calmly knocks down the shot
to give them a 13-point lead.
They came all the way here
with no bench members. They're exhausted.
Just guard Ki-bum and they're finished.
Y'all tired, huh? We need
to conserve our energy.
Let's stick to the passing game.
- They're tired, hound them! Let's go!
- Kwangsan with another substitution.
Cut in.
Jungang's players must feel like
the floor is grabbing onto them right now.
Jungang!
Ki-bum signals the defense.
#23 Jung Gang-ho is stepping
up to the perimeter.
Position-wise, it's a larger power forward
defending a smaller guard.
Gang-ho is on Kim Hyun-joong.
Jung Gang-ho. His defense is pretty good.
With the steal!
Takes it all the way for a calm two points.
Coach Kang's defensive
adjustment was successful.
Nice, Jungang High!
Kim Hyun-joong continues to be chased
around by Jung Gang-ho,
who gets the blocked shot!
Sun-kyu passes it up to Gang-ho,
who shoots.
And he gets the and one!
(And One: Free throw after a scoring foul)
- And one, and one!
- Jung Gang-ho's not very inexperienced, isn't he?
Yes, he started basketball in high school
so he's a late bloomer.
But he's absolutely turning
the mood of the today's game.
Song Jong-kyu with the post up.
Another successful defensive possession
by Busan Jungang!
Fast break, Gyu-hyuk to Sun-kyu.
Spin move by Sun-kyu!
Sun-kyu now joins the scorer's table.
With Gang-ho heating up,
Sun-kyu is getting chances as well.
What's wrong down low? Will you keep
losing rebounds to those newbie?
No matter how hard I
push, they don't budge.
Defend at all costs!
Play up on him!
Kwangsan keeps up their pressure.
Ki-bum dribbles across half court.
To Gyu-hyuk. Back to Ki-bum.
Ki-bum finds the open man.
Sun-kyu with the alley-oop!
Score! Consecutive baskets by Sun-kyu.
Gyu-hyuk!
Busan Jungang, the problem is stamina.
Basketball is a high energy game.
High school teams usually
have 15 to 18 players,
but Busan Jungang is playing with five.
Playing the full schedule
with five players must be impossible.
All of you have to hold your spots.
Especially Ki-bum, the defense is focused
on you so Gyu-hyuk support him well.
Yes, sir.
Gyu-hyuk dribbles up, to Ki-bum.
Back to Gyu-hyuk.
Off the screen, Gyu-hyuk
takes it all the way!
Two points and the foul!
Wow, Gyu-hyuk is amazing.
Nobody knows who will win.
[Study Hall]
Semi-finals!
Jungang! Jungang! Jungang!
The projected weakest
team of the tournament,
Busan Jungang High, has
made it to the semi-finals.
Incredible, Busan Jungang.
Their sheer will is making
the impossible possible.
Is this... possible?
Amazing, Busan Jungang.
Semi-finals. We made it!
A stunning underdog story is unfolding
in high school basketball.
With only five active
players and no substitutes,
Busan Jungang High School is showing unwavering
spirit by defeating Kwangsan High 77 to 64
at the KBA Nationals to
advance to the semi-finals.
Why won't you let me go to the game...
Bald-ass Principal...
You octopus-looking son of a...
Who is it?
- Huh?
- What did you say?
Huh? Oh, nothing.
- Oh good, let's sleep then.
- Okay.
It's hard to believe, but we made it here.
Even if we lose, let's have fun doing it.
Yes, sir!
Let's go.
- One, two, three!
- Box!
Busan Jungang is struggling
early in the game.
Yes, I'm afraid they may have reached their
limit. [Semi-finals - Jungang vs. Anyang]
Their roster size is different.
[Semi-finals - Jungang vs. Anyang]
Anyang High has 17 players,
while Jungang only has 6.
Also the injury to Jin-wook
leaves Jungang one less player.
With only five players available, we're not
sure if they can play a full 40 minutes.
Anyang with the rebound.
Their passing game on display.
Looking for a seam.
- Kwon Jung-bin receives the pass.
- Good, Gang-ho!
Drives to the lane and finds Lee Jong-soo.
Lee Jong-soo muscles inside
for the basket under the rim!
- Nice, get back faster.
- Slowly, slowly.
Anyang continues attacking.
Choi Seung-won's lay-up!
Two more points for Anyang!
Anyang, the Spring Tournament runner-ups,
possess a speedy guard line-up.
Park Ju-hyun to Park Sung-joo.
Mid-range jumper!
Clean.
Heavy pressure on Ki-bum.
He has nowhere to pass it.
He ends up finding Jae-yoon.
Don't guard him, don't guard him.
I can do it.
- Jae-yoon! Shoot!
- Wide open, Jae-yoon. Shoot!
Miss.
Anyang's bench is aware
that Jae-yoon has no shot.
That's why they're leaving
him open on purpose.
Jungang is basically
playing 5 on 4 right now,
with heavy defensive pressure
on Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk.
This means Busan Jungang will have to run
until the sky turns yellow.
Five games in one week
with no substitutes for Busan Jungang.
Shoot...
Miss.
And they lose the rebound,
showing signs of fatigue.
Anyang on the attack, Choi
Seung-won to Lee Jong-soo.
Returns it back to Choi Seung-won.
For the easy lay-up.
Anyang is burying Jungang
to start the game.
Jungang has a long uphill
road ahead of them.
Ah, another turnover.
Busan Jungang is helpless
against Anyang's organized play.
They have yet to find
a spark for a comeback.
Jungang continues their offense.
Ki-bum inside. He's stuck.
He has nowhere to pass.
Jae-yoon is wide open again.
Leave him open!
He shoots!
For 8 years until this tournament,
played 0 minutes, scored 0 points.
But everyone here knows
how much he loves this game,
how much he wants to improve.
And how much he practices shooting
every night by himself.
The opposing team will leave Jae-yoon open.
So in this tournament, Jae-yoon,
you'll have two chances.
Two three-point chances.
Jae-yoon.
Everyone has a first time. I did too.
This tournament is when
your scoring starts.
A timely dagger swishes through!
Wow, Jae-yoon. He has
returned as a positive.
His first official
points is a dagger three!
Woo! That's my son!
[Go for it, Jae-yoon]
Who is that guy?
Drill it, Jae-yoon!
Jae-yoon, another wide open chance.
Jae-yoon!
For three!
Hey! You told me
he's there just to fill the head count!
Jae-yoon drills back
to back three pointers.
If they continue,
Jungang just might be pull off this win.
[Busan Jungang High School]
There's no record of him anywhere...
Is he a secret weapon?
Jae-yoon! Jae-yoon!
A three pointer!
Jungang High! Jungang High!
Hey, defend #14 too!
Ki-bum on the attack,
but he's stumped by Anyang's defense.
He looks to the perimeter.
Jae-yoon is defended, but Gyu-hyuk isn't.
Gyu-hyuk with the three!
Clean swish!
With the defense on Jae-yoon,
Gyu-hyuk found the open chance.
Gyu-hyuk, nice!
Ki-bum is orchestrating.
To Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk looks to Gang-ho,
who finds Sun-kyu.
Sun-kyu muscles in for the low post shot!
It's good.
Busan Jungang's Jae-yoon's
back-to-back threes have sparked a run.
We're good. Defense, defense!
Defense!
Gang-ho!
Gyu-hyuk drives the lane.
Tosses an alley-oop to Gang-ho!
Marvelous finish!
Gang-ho's off-the-ball
movement is fantastic as well.
Let's go, Jungang!
Choi Seung-won to Jung Chan-woo.
Dribble drive, kick out to Kwon Jung-bin.
He takes it in...
Interception!
Jung-bin! Focus!
With the unexpected Jae-yoon getting hot,
Anyang is in shock right now.
Busan Jungang continues
their onslaught on Anyang.
So handsome, Sun-kyu!
Lee Jong-soo moves up to receive the pass.
He drives it in,
but Sun-kyu with the block!
And Gang-ho's hustle play!
Gyu-hyuk finds Ki-bum up court.
Ki-bum for the three!
Good!
With that basket, Busan
Jungang takes the lead.
Fantastic play by Jungang.
Their teamwork is starting to come alive.
- Let's go!
- Defense!
And the game ends!
Busan Jungang upsets
tournament favorite Anyang 74 to 54.
I can't believe Busan
Jungang, isn't this a miracle?
That's right. Busan Jungang defeats
Anyang High to continue their miracle run.
- Jungang High!
- Yes...
Good work.
And thank you all.
We still get to play
tomorrow, you like that?
- Yeah!
- You like that?
Yeah!
We won!
Think you can play tomorrow?
Tell the coach while we still can.
Want me to tell him?
Nothing changes even if we do.
Everywhere hurts.
Whew.
- Gang-ho.
- Hmm?
Do you think we'll keep being
able to play basketball?
I think high school is the end for us.
Maybe not for Gyu-hyuk or Ki-bum.
What college or pro team
would want guys like us?
Yeah.
Well at least we can play tomorrow.
And then...
we'll be adults one day.
[Yongsan High School Basketball Team]
[The best basketball team in the country]
It's late, why aren't you sleeping?
My body wants to sleep...
but my mind won't let me.
[Let's repeat as champs, Yongsan High!]
[Jungang High Gets to the Final!]
Gosh, how long has it been?
I'm glad all of you could make it.
Thanks to you, Chairman,
our team made it this far.
I haven't done a thing.
It's all thanks to Coach Kang and the kids.
- You're being modest!
- Sit, sit.
Wow, so many people here.
Will we be okay ditching school?
Bro. There's only three
people to watch out for.
Who?
Home room teacher. Principal.
Vice principal.
- Oh, vice principal.
- Yeah.
Now there's only two
people to watch out for.
You punks, why are you here right now?
Come out. Come out.
Over there, our players are coming out!
Oh, oh, oh!
- Jungang High!
- Let's go, Jungang!
The championship game for the 37th KBA
National Tournament will begin soon.
How have you been, sir?
You guys look great.
Thank you.
Jun-young.
Good luck today.
Thanks, you too.
- This is the finals. Focus.
- Yes, sir.
Don't forget. We're the best in the nation.
- Victory!
- Yongsan!
Let's go, let's go!
We busted our asses to get here.
Let's enjoy today.
With no regrets.
With no remorse.
Jungang High!
Box!
The last battle for the
championship begins now.
Yongsan takes the jump ball.
As expected, Yongsan
attacks with rapid pace.
Yongsan rolls out a practiced play.
Heo Hoon catches the pass
for their first basket.
Yongsan takes the first
points of the finals.
Gyu-hyuk receives the pass.
He goes up,
but his shot is blocked!
Yongsan's Jun-young is in charge down low!
He finds him for the running lay-up!
Basket count, and one!
As expected, Yongsan's Jun-young
is taking care of business down low.
- Yes.
- Yongsan is out to a strong start.
- Sun-kyu, good job.
- Not even a minute into the game,
and Yongsan has taken full control.
It's still early on,
but if they don't find a turning point,
this game might run
away from Busan Jungang.
That's right.
And as we speak, Gyu-hyuk's long
pass hits Ki-bum for a lay-up!
First points for Ki-bum!
Yongsan back on the attack.
Heo Hoon with the dribble drive.
Heo Hoon!
Scores! He looks light on his feet.
- That's right!
- Heo Hoon, that's who he is.
Jungang now on offense.
Ki-bum to Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk finds Gang-ho.
To the cutting Sun-kyu, lay-up.
How'd he find the rim?
They're fighting hard,
as a finals team should.
Quite a tight match between the two.
Heo Hoon with the ball,
drives into the middle.
His quickness leads to another basket!
The leading favorite for MVP.
Twenty, twenty.
Twenty!
Another basket by Yongsan.
The cheer sections on
both sides are fierce too.
As we speak, Yongsan uses
another substitution.
Jungang must be jealous
of Yongsan's deep roster.
Heo Hoon, dribble drive into spin move.
Lay-up! Score!
Wow, Yongsan. Relentless
like the #1 ranking they are.
24 to 12.
Overall, the Jungang
players look very fatigued.
They've basically played only five players
all the way to the finals.
Right.
It's obvious that they should be tired.
Ki-bum, defend to the end.
We can make it!
Ki-bum!
Ah, Jungang with the turnover!
Now with no energy, their
focus is dwindling too.
I think that's why they're
making these mistakes.
Basketball is especially a
high energy sport, isn't it?
Yes.
- That's why substitutions are necessary to save energy.
- Sun-kyu, you okay?
And that's where Busan Jungang
is struggling right now.
Han, Jun-ho, sit out.
Ho-jun, Jae-min, go in.
Pressure them a bit more.
Those guys can't even stand right now.
If you're hurting, you can sit out.
This game isn't more
important than your body.
We don't have any subs.
I'm playing till the end.
You bastards.
Heo Hoon with the ball.
Drives in to find Kim Ho-jun.
Kim Ho-jun, jump shot.
Good!
- And Sun-kyu with the foul. Extra free throw!
- Basket count, #11.
Jungang is in trouble now.
Gang-ho smothered by the defense.
He's looking for somewhere to pass.
Yongsan steals the pass.
To Baik Jae-min for the lay-up!
Good!
Yongsan adds two points to pull away.
The lead is growing, 32 to 18.
Let's go, Jungang!
Ki-bum. Slowly, slowly.
Jae-yoon. To Gyu-hyuk. To Sun-kyu.
Back to Ki-bum.
Jungang passes it around to find Gang-ho.
Finally finds the rim!
With the last of their energy,
Jungang keeps the spark alive.
Every basket looks tiresome.
Jun-young with the ball, battling down low.
He pushes him off
and scores again, Jun-young!
Jungang is pushing their limits
with each passing second.
And a foul. They are fighting so hard.
Just reaching the finals
with 5 players is a miracle.
The Jungang players are amazing.
Another foul by Jae-yoon.
- Exhaustion usually leads to those fouls.
- How is that a foul?
With no substitutes,
Jungang must be frustrated.
- That's right.
- How on earth can we play like that?
- Busan Jungang's Jae-yoon has three fouls.
- How on earth can we play like that?
Sun-kyu also has three.
So now they have to watch
out for their fouls as well.
Busan Jungang is now fighting against
their exhaustion, and against foul trouble.
You're doing well, Jungang High!
Ki-bum!
Foul!
Jun-young, don't follow
the ball, mark the person.
You alright?
Yeah.
You and me.
We've only have one defender on us each.
Sun-kyu, Gang-ho.
They're tired too.
I'll shake them up from the side,
then dive down the middle.
Use me.
If you overdo it, you'll
screw up your ankle for life.
Stay in your spot.
My ankle...
It's too late already.
Let's make use of it one last time.
Jungang. Free throws, quickly.
Sun-kyu!
Are you ready?
Let's go.
Bae Gyu-hyuk finishes the alley-oop!
What a tough shot!
Wow. If perimeter player Gyu-hyuk can
attack the basket with that kind of speed,
Busan Jungang just might have a chance.
They're fighting back with fantastic
teamwork from Ki-bum and Gyu-hyuk.
Gyu-hyuk on the attack. Double clutch!
He made sure the ball went in!
Yongsan dismantling
Jungang with their passing.
They try for a three.
Straight through the net.
The illustrious Yongsan
High, they're not easy.
That's right. The match
is reaching a fever pitch.
No team is backing down. Very impressive.
[Yongsan 44 - Jungang 27]
[Yongsan 47 - Jungang 27]
Balance out the court.
Jungang High!
[Yongsan 47 - Jungang 29]
Focus, Yongsan!
Nice!
Han! Get your match up right!
Sun-kyu, switch! Next, next!
Hurry inside!
Ki-bum!
Are you done screwing around?!
Are you going easy on a
tired countryside team?!
No, sir!
Pressure from the start!
We should've cornered
them, steamrolled them!
Don't get careless, not for a moment!
That's basketball!
And that's courtesy for the other team.
- Got it?!
- Yes, sir!
All of you...
can't even stand, right?
No, we can.
When we hoop,
sometimes our shots don't go in.
More often than not, our shots don't go in.
But in that moment,
depending on our effort,
we can seize another chance.
What do we call that?
Rebound.
That's right. Rebound, Sun-kyu.
I...
I failed as a player.
Then became a coach at my alma mater not knowing
how to win, and drove you guys to the ground.
Why?
I was afraid.
What if things go wrong?
What if I get fired?
That's why I failed. You know.
But...
turns out that wasn't a real failure.
Because I'm here now,
at the tournament finals,
in the locker room with you guys,
because of that fake failure.
We grabbed that rebound at all cost.
And I didn't grab it alone.
You grabbed that rebound for me.
And passed it to me.
You guys seized that rebound.
And passed it to each other.
Let's run again.
Let's pass the ball again.
Don't ever give up on the thing you love.
For the rest of this game.
For the rest of your lives.
Whether you make a living playing ball
or doing other work,
don't be afraid.
Jump into the fray and seize it.
Remember,
a basketball game may end,
but life goes on.
- Jungang High.
- Yes.
- Wanna try it?
- Yes!
- Are you ready?
- Yes!
Jungang High!
Rebound!
That day, Busan Jungang lost 63 to 89.
Jae-yoon, who continued to add
to his point total in the 2nd half,
fouled out of the game
with 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter.
Sun-kyu, who lasted two
more minutes under the rim,
fouled out as well.
Busan Jungang continued the 4th quarter
with only three players on the court.
At halftime of the championship game,
Busan Jungang trailed Yongsan by 16 points.
But with three players
left in the 2nd half,
they came as close as 10 points.
Ki-bum was the 1st round 4th pick in the 2016
draft, joining the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Gang-ho was the 2nd round 1st pick
in the 2017 draft, joining Anyang KGC.
Sun-kyu was the 2nd round 6th pick in the 2017
draft, joining the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
Jin-wook was the 3rd round 1st pick in the
2018 draft, joining the Busan KT Sonic Boom.
Coach Kang went on to coach Korea's U-19 team, and
is currently the head coach for Chosun University,
as well as for the Olympic
3x3 basketball team.
After graduating, Jae-yoon enrolled in
Kyungsung University's athletics department.
With his worsened ankle, Gyu-hyuk set aside
his hoop dreams after two ankle surgeries.
And after ten years, Coach
Kang and his six players
are continuing strong for
their next leap in life.