Kim Yeon-koung is rebuilding from scratch. The volleyball empress, retired from active play in 2025, is personally holding tryouts to assemble a brand-new Wonder Dogs roster for the second season of MBC’s “Rookie Manager Kim Yeon-koung 2,” according to News1.
According to the report, Kim launched open tryouts after several season 1 players turned pro, leaving gaps in the squad. The candidate pool ranges from released professionals and corporate-league players chasing pro dreams to former players plotting comebacks, all carefully evaluated by Kim and her coaching staff.
Six season 1 Wonder Dogs are throwing themselves back into the tryout mix for another shot: Koo Hye-in, Inkushi, Baek Chae-rim, Han Song-hee, Yoon Young-in, and Lee Jin. A new face has already caught Kim’s eye, though no new signing has been confirmed. The big question hanging over the rebuild is who inherits the ace spot vacated by season 1 captain Pyo Seung-ju.
“It won’t be easy, but we have to build it,” Kim said of starting over with a fresh squad. Of one standout tryout participant, she added simply: “This player looks good.”
Season 1 aired last September through November and finished 5-2, a 71.4 percent win rate, peaking at a 5.8 percent nationwide rating from Nielsen Korea.
A prequel special airs tonight at 9:40 PM, ahead of the season 2 premiere on October 11 at 9:10 PM on MBC.
