Puyol sprinting to attack with Pique in a Barcelona jersey and Drogba, the Premier League's top scorer in a Chelsea jersey, making the final defense in a “cartoonish” scene. Every moment I encountered while covering the Nexon Icon Match last weekend was like something out of a video game.
While many of us marveled at the assemblage of overseas stars we'll never see again, another moment struck a chord when a fan wearing a purple J-League Kyoto Sanga jersey broke down in tears after Park Ji-Sung's penalty kick goal in a surprise appearance . “Ah, Korea had its own unforgettable legend .” KBS caught up with the fan, who took to social media to share her story.
“I cried from the time I entered the field until the end of the game,” says Jeju resident Park Ji-sung.
The fan captured on the broadcast was 30-year-old Jun Hyuk Ko from Jeju. Jun Hyuk was a self-proclaimed “steamed fan” of Park Ji-sung, wearing a Kyoto Sanga jersey among other jerseys to the game, hoping to stand out among the many Park Ji-sung fans.
“I was caught on the broadcast screen after the goal was scored, but I was already crying when Park Ji-sung stood on the field to start the game,” 메이저사이트 Jun Hyuk told the press. What was the meaning of his tears that day?
Jun Hyuk was already a fan of Park Ji-sung, but he says he fell in love with Park Ji-sung's “personality” again. “On the day of Park Ji-sung's retirement game, I went to the hotel where Park Ji-sung was staying, and he was so happy to greet me, sign autographs, and take pictures with me, so I liked him even more,” he explains.
Jun Hyuk, who was an athlete in the past and understood the hardships of athletics, said that there was something about Park Ji-sung that no one else could match. “I love Park Ji-sung so much that I've actually tried to imitate him, but I couldn't even if I tried. And he has everything, from his skill to his personality , so it 's a little bit like monks looking at Buddha.”
■ 'Director of the Park Ji-Sung Museum in Jeju Island' dream... “Opening a Park Ji-Sung exhibition, my life goal”
Mr. Jun Hyuk has chosen the nickname 'Jeju Park Jisung Museum Director' as his nickname in the soccer community. Just like his nickname, Jun Hyuk has been building a collection dedicated to Park Ji-sung since 10 years ago.
Dozens of photos, which he briefly showed to the press. There were Manchester United jerseys, Eindhoven jerseys, and the most talked-about jersey of Park Ji-sung's professional debut team, Kyoto Sanga.
Of Jun Hyuk's many bucket lists, the top three things he wants to accomplish are all related to Park Ji-sung: to have Park come to his space, to have a meal with him, and to receive even one pass. To fulfill these bucket lists, Jun Hyuk says he wants to build a collection and organize an exhibition.
“I've gotten a lot of calls from people for my birthday,” he said. I've gotten more calls than for my birthday. “Everyone says it's a big deal, but I don't really feel it, and I think it's just a small spring breeze blowing through my daily life.
Instead, his genuine fandom was evident throughout the interview, making the interviewers smile as he asked, “Will Park Ji-sung see this?” and shared that he's planning to visit the set of a show he's filming this weekend.
Finally, we asked him what he would like to say to Park Ji-sung, and his answer was surprisingly simple and full of warmth. We hope that Jun Hyuk's sincere words will reach his idol, Park Ji-sung.