Mental Coach Jegal (2022) 멘탈코치 제갈길
Directed by Son Jeong-hyeon, starring Jung Woo and Lee Yoo-mi.
"Why was I given a desire that’s far greater than what my talents can achieve?" — Lee Yoo-mi as Cha Ga-eul
Watched 4 episodes of this K-drama, set in the competitive world of professional sports, and I’m really enjoying this one. I sought this out for Jung Woo, because I loved him in Mad for Each Other. In a way his character here resembles the one from Mad for Each Other, also crazy at times and having anger management issues. Woo is so good in portraying the wacky and humorous side of his character (he’s often hilarious), and then playing serious and emotional.
I’m not sure whether there’s going to be a romance in this show. There is an age gap of about 12 years between the leads Jung Woo and Lee Yoo-mi, and they have good chemistry but so far no romantic sparks. I also like Jung Woo together with Park Se-young as Dr. Park, who’s closer to his age, and I like their bickering, but at the moment I don’t feel any love or attraction between them either. But the vibe between Lee Yoo-mi and Moon Yoo-kang (as the swimmer) might indicate that something has happened between them romantically. They definitely have a past together, are about the same age, and I’m curious to know what the show has in store for us. By the way, I find the skating scenes very exciting and well filmed, and Lee Yoo-mi is totally believable in her role as a skater. It’s also good the series tackles the abuse athletes (both male and female) undergo (I found it shocking!), and I love the life lessons expressed by Jung Woo. Also, love the support of the No Medal Club! Cannot wait to see more of this show.