Netflix's new Korean reality show Rugby: Conquer or Die is Netflix's newest heart-racing show, created by A Clean Sweep producer Jang Si-won, the sports series is in the tradition of Culinary Class Wars,” ‘The Devil's Plan,’ and ‘The Influencer,’ and brings the intensity of ‘Physical: 100’ (not to mention some of the contestants) into an unexpected niche. This time, the reality show takes place in the world of competitive rugby.

Rugby is still a minor sport in Korea (as is its presence in the U.S.), but after watching the sport for the first time, Chang was determined to bring this “moving, emotional, and admirable” sport to a global audience. During the 14-episode season, seven teams - Yonsei University, Korea University, Korea Army Sports Corps, OK Man Rugby Club, POSCO E&C, Hyundai Globis, and KEPCO - will compete for the title of the best rugby team in Korea and 300 million won (approximately $200,000) in prize money.

The series not only showcases rugby, but also highlights the sportsmanship and determination of the players, whether they are college students, semi-professional players, national team members, or Olympians Meet the fierce contestants of Rugged Rugby: Win or Die, and see how they will compete for the title of Korea's best rugby team.

Emosi Ravati, 20, is a Fijian-born player who first came to Korea in 2019 to play high school rugby before joining the Hyundai Globis team in 2023. In an interview with South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo, he revealed that his dream is to become the Son Heung-Min of rugby and “secure Korea's first Olympic victory” as a naturalized player.

The 31-year-old Jung Young-shik has played for the Korean national rugby union and rugby sevens teams. He was part of the team that won the silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games. Chung played rugby as a member of the Hyundai Globis team, which he has played for since 2020.

Lee Young-eun played rugby with a team called OKMan Rugby Club, which was formed in 2023. The newest team in the tournament, they are often underrated in the Netflix series.

Na Kwang-yong is an integral part of KEPCO, the most prominent team in the Netflix tournament. At the rugby press conference, he said, “I am happy to introduce rugby through Netflix. It was the most desperate game I have ever played because I might become the representative image of Korean rugby. I feel responsible.”

Jang Yong-hun made his Netflix debut earlier this year, competing in the second season of Physical: 100. Chang has been a member of the South Korean national team since 2014, and after withdrawing from “Physical: 100” to prepare for the 2022 Asian Games, the team won its first silver medal in 17 years.

Oh Ji-Myung plays rugby as a member of POSCO E&C, known as Korea's leading “power rugby” team. At the press conference for the show, he said, “I am happy to promote Korean rugby through the Netflix platform. I wanted to be the hero and win the championship” (from The Korea Times).

Seo Woo-hyun, 21, is the captain of the Yonsei University rugby team, a highly respected team that competes in the country's semi-professional rugby league. Yonsei University also has a decades-long rivalry against Korea University, which is portrayed in the program.