Sweet Newlywed Kim Woo-bin Takes the Helm of a Last-Place Baseball Team in New Series 'Gift,' Premiering December 5

Talent and tenacity collide in a contrasting drama on the mound

tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama 'Gift' has unveiled a three-character poster brimming with unusual tension, officially kicking off the countdown to its premiere. Set to debut on Saturday, 'December 5', at 9:10 p.m., the series follows the coming-of-age story of a coach assigned to a perennial last-place high school baseball team and two pitchers still finding their way.

The main poster reveals a clear contrast between the characters, alongside the provocative tagline, "Overwhelming effort vs. unparalleled talent—it's obvious, isn't it?" The stark divide between C-grade Heo Seung-il, who must prove himself through grueling training, and S-grade Cha Tae-hoon, who relies on his innate feel for the game, hints at a psychological clash that goes beyond a conventional sports drama. Whether talent's apparent advantage, like a foregone conclusion, will hold true in the ruthless world of competition is a key question for viewers.

Live-action adaptation of a Kakao Webtoon... A special grading system only the coach can see

'Gift' begins when a former pro baseball pitching coach, who gains the special ability to assess other people's potential numerically after an accident, takes charge of a high school team at the bottom of the rankings. The series is an adaptation of the baseball webtoon of the same name by Jung I-ri I-ri, which built a loyal following during its run on Kakao Webtoon.

At the center of the poster, 'Kim Woo-bin' plays coach 'Jung Min-yong', watching the students on either side of him with an air of ease. Above the heads of Heo Seung-il (played by Cha Bin) and Cha Tae-hoon (played by Han Si-hyun), both shown in pitching stances, the letters 'C grade' and 'S grade' are clearly displayed. The players themselves have no idea about these secret labels, visible only to their head coach, Jung Min-yong. Attention is focused on how they will affect player development and team management.

Kim Woo-bin shares behind-the-scenes photos and marks completion of 100 filming sessions

'Kim Woo-bin', who stars in the series, also shared the cheerful atmosphere on set through his personal social media channel. In photos posted on the 11th, Kim Woo-bin celebrates wrapping filming with a bright smile, holding a bouquet and a distinctive cake.

A banner prepared by the production team read, "Coach Jung Min-yong, everything went according to plan. You can clock out now!"—a playful message that offered a glimpse of the team's close bond. The staff members posing with their fingers forming the number '3' hint at a witty rapport tied to the baseball term 'safe.'

Fresh casting combination and dynamic chemistry from rising stars

Jung Min-yong, played by Kim Woo-bin, is a layered coach who overcomes setbacks, returns to the field and cultivates new possibilities. Rising stars Cha Bin and Han Si-hyun join the cast as, respectively, a diligent pitcher and a pitching prodigy, adding the unfiltered energy of youth.

Trusted production team joins forces, raising hopes for a finely crafted sports coming-of-age drama

The production lineup backing the series' quality is also noteworthy. Studio Dragon is overseeing development, with By4M Studio, GTist, Studio Double M and AM Entertainment co-producing. Directors Kim Kyu-tae and Ham Seung-hoon are at the helm, while writers Min-jung, Hae-ju and Seong-eun are penning the script, promising a finely crafted series.

A drama about young players' challenges and growth beyond predetermined rankings, tvN's 'Gift' arrives on screens Saturday, December 5, at 9:10 p.m.