'2025 Coupang Play Series' kicked off on the 30th at 8 p.m. at Suwon World Cup Stadium with a match between Team K League and Newcastle United (hereafter Newcastle).
Before the match, various fan events took place at the fan park set up outside the Suwon World Cup Stadium, creating an exciting atmosphere. Fans created memories taking photos in front of Newcastle's Carabao Cup trophy, and the Newcastle supporters, who prepared cheering tools, made their presence known in the stadium. Fans wearing Team K League uniforms were also seen in various places, and the enthusiasm for both teams surged before the match.
The preview show, which began 1 hour and 30 minutes before kickoff, featured caster Bae Seong Jae, commentators Lee Geun Ho and Han Jun Hee, and special guest Gamst, who provided match information. Park Seung Soo and Anthony Elanga of Newcastle also shared their thoughts on participating in the match through preview show interviews. Park Seung Soo said, "My goal is to become a world-class player," and added, "I will work very hard to make a quick debut and score my debut goal."
In the first half, Team K League took the lead with a goal from Kim Jin Gyu. Immediately after the goal, the players showcased a 'Wolchuk Ceremony' they had prepared in advance. Kim Jin Gyu flailed on the ground like a fish, and the other players performed actions mimicking casting fishing rods, adding laughter to the scene. In the 36th minute of the second half, Park Seung Soo was substituted in, marking his debut for Newcastle in Korea. He produced cheers with quick tempo plays and breakthroughs, and after the match, online communities and social media were filled with praise for his performance, with comments like "Park Seung Soo is really something," "Not the second Son Heung Min but the first Park Seung Soo," and "His dribbling break was amazing." The match featured intense back-and-forth play from both teams, and Team K League won 1-0.
After the match, Newcastle coach Eddie Howe evaluated, "Team K League is a team of high caliber," and noted, "We faced a very strong opponent and had a great test stage, which was a good opportunity to prepare well for preseason." Meanwhile, coach Kim Pan Gon, who led Team K League, said, "I believe this match has given the K League players courage and confidence," and added, "Matches with good players are both a privilege and motivation for the players, and this match was well prepared by Coupang Play."
This match featured Coupang Play's unique broadcasting style, enhancing fans' engagement. The 'Coupang Voice,' which included real-time tactical instructions from head coach Lee Jeong Hyo, offered new perspectives for understanding the strategic flow of the game and received feedback like, "It would be great if this could be introduced to the K League." Additionally, the 'Coupang Body Cam,' filmed from the referee's perspective, vividly conveyed the players' movements and the urgency of the scene, providing fans outside the venue with a unique viewing experience. Thanks to the enthusiastic response from fans, a highlight video showcasing key moments from both broadcasting styles will be released today on Coupang Play, spotlighting another aspect of the match.
YouTuber Gamst participated as Team K League's manager for a day, showcasing a unique performance. Before the match, at the request of head coach Lee Jeong Hyo, he was responsible for conveying tactics, writing messages like '3 Minutes Concentration,' 'Defense Following the Box,' and 'DARI FOCUS' on a whiteboard and relaying them in real time to the players. When this scene was broadcast on the big screen, laughter erupted at the venue, and on social media and in community discussions, comments such as "You can really feel Gamst's love for soccer," "Legendary whiteboard tactics delivery," and "It's even funnier how seriously the players listened to Gamst's tactical instructions" appeared.
IVE participated in the kickoff and halftime performance. All six members together marked a special beginning from the kickoff opening, and during the halftime stage, they delivered explosive performances with a parade of hit songs like 'HEYA,' 'LOVE DIVE,' 'REBEL HEART,' and 'I AM,' filling the stadium with cheers from the audience. Immediately after the performance, online reactions included, "It felt like a concert at the soccer stadium," "IVE's stage was the highlight of the match," and "It's the first time I'm looking forward to a halftime performance like this," leaving a strong impression not only on the live audience but also on viewers.
The second match of the '2025 Coupang Play Series' will be held on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. It will feature a 'Champion Match' between Tottenham Hotspur (hereafter Tottenham) and Newcastle, generating excitement among fans for the clash between the UEFA Europa League champion and the Carabao Cup champion.
Ahead of the second match between Tottenham and Newcastle, Coupang Play will provide live coverage from the arrival of the Tottenham squad to the official press conference and open training. The preview show on the day of the match will feature Lee Soo Ji as a special guest, with actor Park Seo Jun taking the kickoff, and the halftime performance will be handled by 2NE1.
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