Kwak Jin-su, played by Lee Jae-joon, is Baek-du and Du-sik’s childhood friend who goes on to become the coach of the Geosan-gun team.
Like Baek-du, Jin-su is also a ssireum wrestler, but unlike Baek-du, Jin-su has won several ssireum championships.
The two wrestlers used to be good friends, but they drifted apart as they grew older. Now, Jin-su keeps trying to provoke Baek-du, who never takes the bait.
Jin-su, an otherwise straight-laced man, tends to make unkind remarks toward Baek-du. However, Jin-su’s mean comments and provocations are not driven by malice.
Becoming the coach
When the Geosan-gun team is in need of a coach, Jin-su, who is an experienced and sought-after coach, is chosen to be the next coach of the team.
However, Du-sik wants Baek-du to coach the team, which poses a problem since Jin-su already left his job and decided to move to his hometown for this job.
The debate over who is the best choice for the position divides the entire town and leads to a match between Jin-su and Baek-du.
Baek-du has always had a soft spot for Jin-su. In situations where they both want the same thing, Baek-du would let Jin-su have it without putting up a fight.
This time is no different; Baek-du does not want to compete against Jin-su for the job, but he does it for Du-sik’s sake.
Although Jin-su has more supporters, Baek-du gives him tough competition. The winner is not determined as the two wrestlers do not get to finish their match.
Baek-du then decides to start wrestling again and rejoin the team, automatically making Jin-su the new coach.
Jin-su and Baek-du’s relationship
As the new coach, Jin-su does not make training easy for Baek-du. He humiliates him by scolding Baek-du for every single thing in the presence of his juniors.
Jin-su is harder on Baek-du more than anyone else. Despite this treatment, Baek-du holds no grudge against Jin-su and still considers him a good friend.
On top of that, in Jin-su’s first championship as the team’s coach, he decides to exclude Baek-du, whose match is against a strong wrestler.
Jin-su thinks that Baek-du is not ready to compete. This assessment drives his decision; he has no intention of humiliating Baek-du.
Despite his intentions, Jin-su’s decision upsets Baek-du, and for the first time, Baek-du decides to express his desires to Jin-su instead of backing out, as he has always done.
Jin-su believes that Baek-du is the most talented ssireum wrestler he knows but has not won a championship because he does not know how to use his talent.
Jin-su’s harsh treatment might be just what Baek-du needs. Under his childhood friend’s training, Baek-du might finally win a championship.
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