Park Ji-sung: "I'm being dragged around by the debt of gratitude to Baek Sung-jae, who set me up on a blind date" [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Baek Sung-jae and Park Ji-sung duo shared their thoughts on their third World Cup broadcast partnership at JTBC.

On the morning of the 21st, JTBC held a press conference for its '2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup' coverage at the Grand Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Ambassador Seoul Fullman Hotel. Attendees included Kwak Jun-seok, head of JTBC's broadcasting relay division, casters Baek Sung-jae, Lee Gwang-yong, and Jeong Yong-geom, and commentators Park Ji-sung, Kim Hwan, and Lee Ju-heon.

On this day, Baek Sung-jae said, "This is our third broadcast partnership with Park Ji-sung. We already have a close relationship, and since I even set him up on a blind date, it feels like traveling with a friend." He added, "Even if the results aren't good, it will become history."

Park Ji-sung responded, "I'm being dragged around because I owe a debt of gratitude." He continued, "Our chemistry is improving, and I'm gaining know-how. My wife is even training me. I'm preparing well." He further stated, "If we were to rate our chemistry with Baek Sung-jae, I aim to score over 90 points this time. The first tournament was under 80 points, and the second was around 85 points."

Previously, JTBC announced that it had confirmed a joint broadcast with KBS for the 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

JTBC secured the broadcast rights for approximately $125 million (about 190 billion won) and proposed a plan to bear half of the amount excluding digital resale revenue, with the remaining costs shared by the three terrestrial broadcasters (approximately 16.7% each). However, negotiations faced difficulties. Subsequently, JTBC presented terms of approximately 14 billion won to each broadcaster, and KBS accepted the offer.

The 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup is the first-ever tournament co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is also the largest World Cup in history, expanded to 48 teams with a total of 104 matches. The tournament opens on June 11 and runs until July 19.

South Korea has been drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. The team will begin its group stage schedule with its first match against the Czech Republic on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time).

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*This content was translated by AI.