[DiaryPoint Reporter Park Bo-young] The determined Wonder Dogs defeated the Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders 3–2 in the fifth episode of MBC’s “Rookie Coach Kim Yeon-koung 2,” which aired on November 8. After dropping the first two sets, they won the next three in a row to complete the comeback. They lost the first set 21–25 and the second 16–25, then took the fourth 25–22. In the deciding fifth set, Lee Ye-eun sealed the win with a touch-out point. Money Today reported that the victory gave the Wonder Dogs their second consecutive win.
The momentum shifted early in the third set, when the Wonder Dogs surged ahead 10–0. Attacks by Inkuush, blocks by Lee Ye-dam and serves from Ha Hyo-rim helped build the lead, which they held despite Heungkuk Life’s efforts to close the gap. MBC’s official episode description said the Wonder Dogs had “pushed the pro team Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders to 10–0.” According to titles of clips released by MBC, Inkuush and Lee Ye-eun showed off a set play, while Lee Ye-dam contributed points with her blocks.
Coach Kim Yeon-koung led the comeback by adjusting the players’ attack directions and blocking timing with her instructions. A match clip released by MBC also showed her calling for targeted serves at a tiring Pyo Seung-ju, as well as an ace by Lee Ye-eun. Pyo, who captained the Wonder Dogs in Season 1, faced her former teammates as a Heungkuk Life player. Before Episode 5 aired, iMBC Entertainment highlighted setter Ha Hyo-rim’s determination: “I thought I couldn’t lose to Na-yeon unnie.” Lee Na-yeon was the Wonder Dogs’ starting setter in Season 1; in this matchup, she wore Heungkuk Life colors and faced Ha.
The Wonder Dogs took the fourth set to level the match, then clinched the win after a closely fought, extended fifth set. Lee Ye-eun finished it with a touch-out shot aimed at the opposing blockers’ fingertips. After the match, commentator Yang Hyo-jin said of Lee, “I think today’s MVP is Lee Ye-eun,” and remarked on how she had changed under Kim’s coaching. The Wonder Dogs had also come back from 0–2 against Shuji High School on October 25, making this their second reverse sweep of Season 2.
The next episode is scheduled to air on November 15 at 9:10 p.m. MBC’s preview announced that the Wonder Dogs would face a “longtime powerhouse in Korea’s corporate league,” and described the matchup as a “fiery rivalry.” Episode 5 is available on MBC VOD. Season 2 has also ranked No. 7 on Netflix Korea’s TV chart, drawing interest from viewers looking for ways to watch.