Je GaGil is a former Taekwondo national player who lost his career after an accident. GaGil, who had suffered mentally and physically during his time, devoted himself to helping other national athletes. But it’s not always easy. He meets Cha GaEul (Lee YouMi), a short-track speed tracker who falls into a slump but refuses to take help. “Mental Coach Jegal” gives an inside look into the world of sports, but one doesn’t have to be an athlete in order to be able to relate to the drama. It focuses on the hardships of life and the need to succeed. The drama gives hope to the viewers with its warm characters and their journey. Here is why “Mental Coach Jegal” is more about hope than just sports. The article contains spoilers.
1. “Mental Coach Jegal” Teaches About Self-Healing
Coach Jegal devotes his life to helping struggling athletes. Jegal, himself, suffered from injustice in the national team. He was forced to loose against his seniors. Jegal and his friend MuTae (Kim DoYoon) were beaten up a day before the match because they refused to loose willingly. Because of this MuTae hurt his shoulder and Jegal suffered from many injuries. Yet he still fought because he believed that working hard work will bring him success. By the end of the match, he wounded his leg. After years of struggle, he decided to help athletes who were like him. Jegal became a successful mental coach with the claim ‘I stopped working hard’. When MuTae requests him to help his younger sister GaEul, he refuses because she was related to the national team. Jegal had still not gotten over his own trauma. It is until GaEul gets into an accident during one of her matches, Jegal sees himself in her. He sees his old self that he had abandoned, the one he refused to heal instead in order to cope up, he began to heal others. Similarly, GaEul suffered from yips, an involuntary muscle spasm when one is performing a task. This can be a result of psychological disturbance. GaEul was a rising star, who won a gold medal at the age of ten but soon her performance began to deteriorate and she was kicked out of the national team. After seeing her father and brother’s athletics career decline, she is put under the pressure of always doing well. During preliminary round she gets into an accident and hurts her leg. When the doctor offers anesthesia before stitching the cut, she refuses because she had another match in two days. Seeing her state, Jegal is motivated to take her out of the dangerous mental state she was in.
2. The Brutal Race For Success
Even though the drama focuses on sports and the national team, we see a similar run for success in other fields in real life. The competition at the rink is not limited to it but each and every person is rushing their way to be something. In episode 1, Jegal meets a basketball player who begins to lose hope because she failed at achieving any medal. She begins to question her self worth and is convinced to take her own life. She wished to be comfortable and, unfortunately, for her, it was the only escape. Jegal too, as an athlete, believed in hard work as the way to success. Despite being severely wounded, he refuses to miss the match. He fought to the point his ligament tore. Jegal then gave up on working hard and began to preach it. He refused to treat himself but turned to treat others that were stuck in that race. Kwon Yul’s character, Goo TaeMan, is another prime example. He likes to be at the top of the food chain. TaeMan is also the director of Human Rights. He forced his juniors to loose against him and even asserts his dominance over the Coach in front of MuTae and Jegal.
3. Coming In Terms With The Past
It seemed that Jegal has healed from his past, but as the drama proceeds, we find out that isn’t really the case. By the end of episode 1, when he sees GaEul get hurt, he is reminded of himself. He confesses that he saw himself at that time and that he had abandoned his past self. Still in shock, he did not realize that he was not holding his cane and began to walk perfectly fine. It is not until someone calls him from behind and he returns to his injured state. Even though he tries to walk perfectly fine again, he fails to do so. Similarly, in episode 1, when he and MuTae meet TaeMan. He still feels rage and anger. He tries to keep his cool but he is unable to do so for long. The drama will unfold his journey of finally coming in terms with his past. The new episodes of “Mental Coach Jegal” airs new episodes every Monday and Tuesday and we cannot wait for it! Have you watched the show? Share your thoughts! “Squid Game” Actress Lee YouMi Reaches 5 Million Followers On Instagram KDRAMA STORIES|Oct 8, 2021
