Key takeaways
- GIFT, a tvN webtoon-based sports drama, held its first script reading with Kim Woo Bin as a former coach who gains a special ability and coaches a struggling high school baseball team.
- The ensemble features Seo Eun Soo and Seo Hyun Woo as coaching staff with contrasting philosophies, creating central conflict alongside Kim Woo Bin's results-driven protagonist.
- Young cast members Cha Been and Han Si Hyun, who play the team captain and pitcher, bring authentic high school baseball backgrounds to their roles and bonded by practicing team cheers together.
tvN’s upcoming sports drama GIFT gathered its ensemble cast for a first script reading, offering a preview of the webtoon adaptation that centers on transformation, redemption, and second chances in the world of high school baseball.
The Story Behind GIFT
Adapted from a webtoon carrying the same title, GIFT follows a former professional baseball pitching coach whose life takes an unexpected turn after he becomes falsely accused of verbally abusing players under his command. An accident that follows this accusation forces the coach to confront a new chapter, one that introduces him to an extraordinary ability. With this mysterious gift in hand, he accepts a position as head coach for Deokcheon High School’s baseball team, an outfit struggling at the bottom of its competitive bracket.
Kim Woo Bin Embodies the Conflicted Coach
Kim Woo Bin takes on the central role of Jung Min Yong, the disgraced pitching coach formerly employed by the professional baseball team Manders. The actor’s portrayal during the script reading captured both the competitive drive and hidden depth required for a character navigating reinvention after public scandal and personal tragedy.
Speaking to the energy of the reading session, Kim Woo Bin reflected on the experience of working alongside the full ensemble for the first time. He noted that the cast members, particularly the younger actors portraying the high school team, brought considerable vitality to the proceedings. This collaborative atmosphere, he suggested, elevated the entire script reading experience and left him optimistic about the project’s trajectory.
A Coach Defined by Results
Jung Min Yong’s approach to coaching prioritizes winning and measurable outcomes. His methods and philosophy will become a central point of tension within the narrative, particularly as he encounters colleagues and mentors who question whether the ends justify the means.
Contrasting Philosophies in Leadership
Seo Eun Soo portrays Yoon Seo Jin, the head of Deokcheon High School’s baseball program who bears responsibility for protecting both the team’s welfare and its individual players. Unlike Jung Min Yong’s results-focused methodology, Yoon Seo Jin’s leadership model values the development process itself and prioritizes athlete well-being throughout their growth.
The Supporting Figure
Seo Hyun Woo rounds out the coaching hierarchy as Ahn Gi Man, the acting manager of the professional Manders organization. Like Jung Min Yong, Ahn Gi Man operates from a results-driven standpoint, evaluating players strictly on performance metrics and statistics. This alignment sets the stage for conflict between the two men, each representing a different understanding of success.
Reactions from the Coaching Staff
Seo Eun Soo expressed enthusiasm about her scenes with Kim Woo Bin, describing how his work during the reading made the character feel authentic and lived-in. Seo Hyun Woo, meanwhile, commented on the infectious energy brought by the younger cast members portraying the baseball players, an experience that inspired him to approach his own performance from a more grounded, coaching-adjacent perspective.
The High School Baseball Team Takes Shape
The supporting cast structure includes established actors filling administrative and family roles: Kim Won Hae as the school’s principal, Yang Hyun Min as Coach Yang, and several performers as family members including Hyun Bong Sik, Park Sang Nam, Lee Bong Ryun, and Park Ji Ah.
Young Athletes and Their Authenticity
The ensemble of actors playing Deokcheon High School’s baseball team members brings both performance experience and, in several cases, genuine athletic backgrounds to their roles. Cha Been, credited previously under the name Lim Su Been, portrays the team captain Heo Seung Il and carries personal experience as a former high school baseball player. Han Si Hyun, playing hard-throwing pitcher Cha Tae Hoon, similarly draws from a competitive baseball background in high school. Park Sung Hyun, Han Tae Ha, and Kim Gun Woo complete the roster of young players.
Team Chemistry in Practice
During the script reading itself, the actors portraying the baseball players demonstrated their commitment to authenticity by rehearsing their team cheer together, establishing vocal cohesion and group identity that will carry through the drama’s narrative.
Vision and Intentions for the Project
Cha Been articulated the show’s potential reach, suggesting that GIFT will resonate with audiences regardless of their familiarity with baseball. Han Si Hyun committed to bringing intensity and storytelling coherence to every scene, emphasizing the human dimensions of a high school team united by shared passion.
Kim Woo Bin concluded the remarks from the reading by promising that the cast will channel their collective positive energy into creating an enjoyable viewing experience, expressing hope that the finished drama will connect meaningfully with audiences.
Source: Soompi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GIFT and what network will air it?
GIFT is an upcoming tvN sports drama based on a webtoon of the same name. It follows a former professional baseball pitching coach named Jung Min Yong who gains a special ability after an accident and becomes head coach of Deokcheon High School's bottom-ranked baseball team.
Who are the main cast members of GIFT?
Kim Woo Bin plays Jung Min Yong, the former pitching coach. Seo Eun Soo portrays Yoon Seo Jin, head of the high school baseball program, and Seo Hyun Woo plays Ahn Gi Man, the acting manager of professional team Manders. The high school team players include Cha Been, Han Si Hyun, Park Sung Hyun, Han Tae Ha, and Kim Gun Woo.
What happened at the GIFT script reading?
The cast gathered for their first script reading session, where actors playing the high school baseball team brought strong energy and practiced their team cheer together to establish cohesion. Cast members praised the collaborative atmosphere, and Kim Woo Bin, Seo Eun Soo, and others expressed optimism about the project's direction.
