Korean Soccer Player, Ji-sung Park

Every four years around this time of year, not only soccer fans but all the hearts
of the Koreans recall the summer of 2002 when they shouted “South K~orea!”
During the year when South Korea, a country known to be the periphery of soccer, reached the semi-finals, there was a player that emerged as a star. His name is Ji-sung Park. Following that, he took part in two more World Cups and scored goals in them to cement himself as Korea’s soccer legend. Why are the fans so ecstatic over him? And why do they still miss his play?

 

Ji-sung Park debuted as a pro with Japan’s Kyoto Sanga FC in 2000. Then after playing some time with PSV Eindhoven, he joined the world’s best Manchester United in 2005 and played a vital role in winning Champions League trophy. He started his national team career in 2000 as he played for the Olympic team and played in three consecutive World Cups in 2002, 2006, and 2010. He currently is working hard for the advancement of soccer as the Chief of Youth Strategy Dept. at the Korea Football Association, a Global Ambassador for Manchester United, and the Director of JS Foundation.
Ji-sung Park debuted as a pro with Japan’s Kyoto Sanga FC in 2000. Then after playing some time with PSV Eindhoven, he joined the world’s best Manchester United in 2005 and played a vital role in winning Champions League trophy. He started his national team career in 2000 as he played for the Olympic team and played in three consecutive World Cups in 2002, 2006, and 2010. He currently is working hard for the advancement of soccer as the Chief of Youth Strategy Dept. at the Korea Football Association, a Global Ambassador for Manchester United, and the Director of JS Foundation.

Asia’s very own greatest soccer star, Ji-sung Park! Although it has already been over four years since his retirement, he continues his active work by placing himself into other soccer organizations such as being the Director of JS Foundation, the Chief of Youth Strategy Dept. at the Korea Football Association, and a Global Ambassador for Manchester United. Such walks in life are continuing to take news headlines and are all over the internet.

This is such a convincing storyline being that soccer is so well known and considering the impact he made during his playing years. He scored a total of 13 goals participating in 100 national team games, reaching the semi-finals during the 2002 World Cup and the Round of 16 during the 2010 South Africa World Cup. He debuted as a pro in 2000 with Japan’s J-League Kyoto Sanga FC. Then in 2003, he scored the equalizer during the Emperor’s Cup finals to capture the team’s win. That same year, he was moved to PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands League and scored the the team’s first goal during the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League semi-final game.

He later moved to England’s Manchester United in 2005 and spent his best playing years there. Champions League champion and finalist, League champion, UEFA Super Cup finalist, FIFA Club World Cup champion . . . such a resume is nothing short of the title, “Korea’s very own superstar.” At this point a question emerges, “What was the inner drive that led him to go beyond Korea and become the Asia’s star player?”

 

Confining Oneself to “Soccer Prison”
Park has many nicknames. Apart from the common name, “oxygen tank,” he has various names such as the “man with two hearts and three lungs,” “Manchester’s hermit,” “Unsung Hero,” and even “Ghost.” The interesting fact is that such nicknames express his soccer life and his normal playing style.

When you search Ji-sung Park on the internet, a common suggested search word is “Ji-sung Park’s feet.” If you are a soccer fan, you must have seen the black and white photo of Park’s feet. The scars from being struck by cleats, calluses in various places, and his red swollen toes will take the breath away of even those that don’t know about soccer. Most importantly, he was flat-footed. Flat-footed people are unable to absorb contact. Not only does it easily cause fatigue but also causes a lot of damage to the knees and back. Park carried those feet and ran the length of the field constantly every game. After every game, when measuring the travel distance throughout the game, he always placed first or second. What was his reason for running the field with such energy?

 

Park at the K-League All-Star Game in 2014. (c)Yoan Shin
Park at the K-League All-Star Game in 2014. (c)Yoan Shin

When Park was young, his goal was to wear the Korean flag on his chest. Then when he was a freshman in college, he somewhat accomplished his dream by being selected to the Olympic national team. However, after traveling to Europe as a member of the Olympic national team in August of 1999, he set a new goal. After witnessing Europe’s rave for soccer and seeing the plays of the world star players, he made up his mind to play in Europe one day. His approach to the game was “if others’ skill level is 50 then mine is only 10.” On top of that, being flat-footed, he had a physical disability that he believed if he didn’t run multiple times to that of others then he wouldn’t have a chance. That was when he earned the nickname the “man with two hearts and three lungs.”

“Manchester’s hermit” was a nickname given to him following his lifestyle of devoting 24 hours of his life only to soccer. On days when there was no game throughout the season, his daily schedule is as follows: “He wakes up in the morning to have breakfast, then goes to the training center. After his morning training, he has lunch and when he comes home, it’s 3 p.m. Afterwards, he receives language tutoring lessons until 5 p.m. then eats dinner. He then either reads a book or watches TV as he relaxes and then sleeps.” As he would not allow his heart to deviate to anything else other than soccer, a writer labeled him as being “confined to a soccer prison.”

Mancher United players training. (c)apasciuto
Mancher United players training. (c)apasciuto

The name “Unsung Hero” slightly originated from his name “Ji-sung.” This nickname directly portrays his altruistic playing style. In May of 2008, there was an article on Manchester’s local newspaper called, Manchester Evening News with this headline. “Ronaldo (Manchester’s forward at the time), you may have stolen most of this season’s headlines, but not everything was done by Ronaldo.” In addition to this, this newspaper named Park the “Unsung Hero” and “though unseen to the eye, his clever play is what binds the team together.” His constant movement, catching his opponents off guard and creating space stands as his trademark. His teammate Evra, named him “Ghost.” Let’s hear what Evra had to say.
“During practice, Park is very difficult to guard. With a blink of an eye, he’s right behind me. Then moments later, he’s somewhere else. He is a like a ghost.”

 

“I Empty Myself to Achieve a Greater Me”
Park’s mindset which we’ve seen until now can be summarized in these three words. Humility, considering others to be greater than himself. Self-control, controlling himself for a greater goal. Sacrifice, placing the team before himself. However, we are still short in expressing Korea soccer legend’s mindset. All in one word, “he did his best.” But how many athletes would pour out blood, sweat and tears for the game.

We trace back to Ji-sung Park’s mindset through his nicknames. Then we come to a nickname that has not been introduced yet. It is “Park Bench.” When he was first brought into Manchester United, he was given the nickname “Park Bench” on the England’s weekly magazine, News of the World. That meant that he would not be able to take a starting role on a Manchester United team filled with stars.

Here is when Park’s true value emerges. When he first joined PSV, a similar situation took place. Park, who played in Japan’s J-League, had a difficult time adjusting in PSV at first. Netherlands is the cradle of star players. Although its popularity and recognition is low compared to that of English and Spanish pro-league, Netherland players catch the attention of Europe’s coaches and scouters through their astounding physique and well-toned skills. In comparison to J-League, players’ physique was much better and games were played at a much faster pace and tempo. The atmosphere within the team was much different too. Things were so fierce that if opinions clashed among players during practice, they would grab each other by the throat.

PSV fans turned their backs against him as he struggled to get accustomed to the Netherlands’ League. In truth, Park incurred an injury as he played for Kyoto due to the rigorous  schedule and had not fully recovered to display his full potential. Home fans had no idea of such things as they didn’t hold back their heckling at him in the arenas, throwing their beer cups at him. Only those who have been discouraged and put down through discrimination and mocking from home fans, who should be cheering them on with all their might, can only understand this feeling. Right around that time, he received scouting reports from several teams in the J-League. Park who was weighing his options to either “remain or return to the J-League” finally took heart to empty himself for a greater self. What does it exactly mean to empty myself? In the preface of his biography titled, Empty Myself for a Greater Me, he writes:
“The tighter I grabbed, I became lonely, but new spaces and opportunities opened when I let go. I advise you to empty and let go if you are despaired over the parts of you that don’t change. It is because the strength to pursue a greater me without looking back lies within emptying yourself.”

Sports journalist Jason Dasey and Park at the 2018 World Cup draw held in Kuala Lumpur, in April, 2016. (c)Chuckvarys
Sports journalist Jason Dasey and Park at the 2018 World Cup draw held in Kuala Lumpur, in April, 2016. (c)Chuckvarys

That was when something amazing happened to Park who had emptied himself. Although he was not able to record an offensive point nor did his team win, he was starting to play with much relief that was unexplainably satisfying. Even fans stopped heckling him and began cheering and encouraging him. From then on, Park put in consecutive goals and earned his spot as a starter on PSV. He even earns a chant. If you are a his fan, you know it as “Ji-sung Park Song.” How was he in England? News of the World which gave the nickname of “Park Bench,” posted a full page article on his goals titled, “Brights Park” in February of 2007.

 

The Moment You Lose Yourself, the Game Is Over
Ji-sung Park once said that the feeling of scoring a goal feels like “pouring showers on a hot summer day.” The moment he scores a goal, the player becomes the happiest man on earth. It brings infinite joy and excitement. However, according to Park, that joy doesn’t last a minute. After whole-heartedly expressing his overflowing and burning joy, the player should return to the cold reality. Once he settles his heart and looks for opportunities, he is able to score two or even three goals. Once again, this is only possible when he let go of his heart.

(c)Gordon Flood
(c)Gordon Flood

In the hearts of soccer players, there is yet another desire in mind other than number of goals. That is number of game appearances. Club teams in Europe play about 60 games a year. That is why coaches use a rotational system. On important games, they send out their best eleven to put out their full strength. Against weaker teams or in friendly matches, they send out their second tier of players to keep them up with game speed and to provide rest to the starters. Of course, it also raises competitiveness amongst players.

Soccer players certainly know such things, but they remain hungry to display their talents on the field. However, they need to put aside such desires and follow the coach’s orders for the betterment of the team. Manchester United’s coach Ferguson habitually said, “to put aside your desires for the unity of the team.” Although Park fully trusted Ferguson and stood on his side, there was a time he had to swallow his tears due to a rotation. His name was not on the roster for the Champions League finals match in Moscow in 2008.

He eventually had to watch his teammates capture the win from the stands. During the trophy ceremony, he felt even more left out because he was not awarded a medal. However, he made up his mind. “I will let go of myself once more!” The following year, during the Champions League second semi-final match against Arsenal, he scored the team’s first goal to help them reach the finals. He was also the very first Asian to reach the Champions League finals.

 

Park and commentator Sung-jae Bae at the SBS Mokdong Center. (c)SBS
Park and commentator Sung-jae Bae at the SBS Mokdong Center. (c)SBS

Starting from the Bottom Again
On May 16th, there was a special event at the Seoul Broadcasting Station (SBS) in Mok-dong, Seoul. It was a press conference for Ji-sung Park being named a commentator at the Russia World Cup. Park  picked Brazil, Germany, France, and an underdog team to be runners up for semi-final finalists, and picked Egypt to be the wild card team to bring flare. What would be Park’s strengths as a commentator?

“Since I have never had any experience on television as a commentator, there aren’t any strengths to speak of. Once I build experience, I will probably have my own special type of style. I don’t feel any sort of competitiveness from commentators of other broadcasting station. Because we all have our pros and cons, I am just happy we can deliver joy to our viewers in a variety of ways.”

Ji-sung Park is currently in Russia commentating the World Cup games. He currently stands at a new challenging point in life. As someone who used to watch him play soccer on TV through the night, I sincerely send my best regards to him.

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