The former national football team player Song Jong-kook, who was a key figure in the World Cup semifinals, famously referred to as Hiddink's prince, is living in a camping car for the fourth year after his divorce and controversy over unpaid child support, which adds to the sadness.
Song Jong-kook was hailed as a national hero for his key role in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup semifinal. At that time, chef Lee Yeon-bok's sweet and sour pork event went down to 4,000 won due to the World Cup semifinal progress, and a promise to give a new car for reaching the round of 16 was upgraded to a luxury sedan after advancing to the semifinals, showing how his popularity exceeded imagination. Song Jong-kook enjoyed the greatest glory as a football player.
After his glamorous prime, his personal life faced criticism. Song Jong-kook divorced Park Yeon-soo in 2015, and the two children, Song Ji-a and Song Ji-wook, have been cared for by Ms. Park.
The problem was the controversy over 'unpaid child support' that erupted last year. Park Yeon-soo targeted Song Jong-kook directly through her social media, leaving a post that said, "I just asked you to keep one promise you made before the law for the children..." She later clarified the post as 'child support' and strongly appealed, saying, "I have endured more than a hundred times. Please just keep what you promised," which shocked the public.
Despite the controversy, Song Jong-kook was shaping his life in his own way. On the 20th, through MBN's 'Altoran,' it was revealed that he has been living like a 'natural person' in a camping trailer for the past four years. Regarding the camping car, which cost about 70 million won and is located in a rural area near a small reservoir in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Song Jong-kook introduced it as "my small house of 6 pyeong" and explained, "Living in a camping car is more comfortable than living in an APT. I chose this lifestyle for a free and comfortable daily life."
Song Jong-kook woke up early, had a simple meal of apples and soybean water, managed a lawn as wide as a football field, and enjoyed a leisurely rural life by eating salads made from vegetables he grew in his garden. He was also guiding children as a youth football coach, walking the path of a mentor.
In this way, Song Jong-kook, who was once revered as a national hero, has shocked many with the stark contrasts of his divorce, child support controversy, and the unconventional life in a camping car.
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