'Sadanggwi' national team soccer player-turned-commentator Lee Young-pyo revealed the behind-the-scenes story of how he was able to play in the 2002 World Cup.
On the afternoon of the 5th, the KBS 2TV entertainment program Boss in the Mirror revealed Jun Hyun-moo's challenge to broadcast the third group stage match of the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup.
On the day of the third group stage match against South Africa, Jun Hyun-moo appeared more nervous than usual. As he was about to make his broadcasting debut, he was as nervous as a player about to play.
Jun Hyun-moo said, "Even if we draw today, we advance," expressing nervous expectation, and Lee Young-pyo also lifted the mood, saying, "Everything is fine except Korea losing to South Africa. If we lose, it will be painful. That won't happen. We will win, so just enjoy it."
But Jun Hyun-moo was still nervous before the broadcast. Jun Hyun-moo cautiously said, "I envy that relaxed smile. I feel like a player."
Lee Young-pyo encouraged Jun Hyun-moo, saying, "Good commentary seems to come from a good match. If the match is good. You will see a very fresh kind of broadcast that we haven't seen before in the history of soccer commentary."
The conversation naturally moved to the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup in which Lee Young-pyo had played an active role. At that time, Lee Young-pyo did not participate in the first and second group stage matches due to injury, and he played in the third match against Portugal.
About that time, Lee Young-pyo said, "Originally I should have left the team. The coach called me and I thought I would be released, but he said, 'We suffered together for a year with you, so I will not give up on you.' There were Dutch physiotherapists named Arno and Wilco, and Wilco was assigned to me only. The coach gave me one more chance," and revealed the behind-the-scenes, "After that I played in the World Cup, so I thought I should die on the field and played." /seon@osen. o.kr
[Photo] KBS 2TV broadcast screen capture.
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