'Star Awards' Son Jung-beom kept his promise to 'enter the professional field' two years ago... My next dream is to enter Europe like Yang Min-hyuk and Park Seung-soo. "I will improve my skills in the K-League." [the scene of Sangam]

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Jung-beom (22), who scored his professional debut goal, is now running toward his next dream.

Seoul won 5-0 in the fifth round of the "Hana Bank K League 1 2026" home game against Gwangju FC at 2 p.m. on the 22nd at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Seoul, which has won four consecutive league games (12 points) since the opening of the league, has overtaken Ulsan HD to take the lead. It also marked the first four-game winning streak since the club was founded in 1983.

Son Jung-beom contributed to the victory by scoring the first goal and his professional debut goal in the ninth minute of the first half. Son Jung-beom shook the net with a sensational header when Babets floated the cross to the gate with his forehead. Son Jung-beom, who assisted Cho Young-wook's winning goal in the previous match against the Pohang Steelers, made Kim Ki-dong laugh by scoring offensive points for two consecutive games.

Seoul, which was in the flow with Son Jung-beom's first goal, scored four goals in the second half to win a big victory.

Son Jung-beom is the star of the "2024 Futures Star Awards" hosted by this newspaper in November 2024. Son Jung-beom, who was a second grader at Osan High School at the time, was called up to the first team in Seoul in December last year, and he is proving his presence by starting almost every game this season.

At a press conference after the game, Son Jung-beom said, "I think the game went well as I prepared for the training, and I'm happy to win," adding, "I want to win the next game and win five consecutive games."

According to head coach Kim Ki-dong's statement after the game, Son Jung-beom may not have been able to play on the day due to his thigh injury. However, on the eve of the game, Son Jung-beom expressed his willingness to play, and head coach Kim Ki-dong also put him as a starting card. And Son Jung-beom met expectations by scoring his professional debut goal.

Coach Kim Ki-dong said, "In fact, even though (Son) Jung-beom was not a member to play today, the performance in the first half stood out for his composure and calmness, not like a young player. I think the possibility of using U-23 cards in the future is more open," he said.

When I asked Son Jung-beom how he felt when he scored a goal, he said, "I scored a goal on the professional stage of my dream, but I didn't think about anything, and I just thought I was so happy," adding, "I was so grateful and happy that the older brothers ran from behind."

When asked if he was "not nervous" when interviewed in front of numerous reporters, he laughed, saying, "I'm very nervous inside, but I'm trying not to show it on the outside."

He is still shy, but his spirit is different on the ground. When asked about his own strengths that are better than his prominent seniors, he said, "As I am younger than my brothers, I am more confident in my activity and determination. The older brothers are outstanding in terms of aggression, but I will play harder and prove it," he said, expressing his strong determination.

When receiving the Star Award two years ago, Son Jung-beom said his goal was to "enter the professional league." Looking at Yang Min-hyuk (Coventry City) and Park Seung-soo (Newcastle), who sat next to each other at the time, he said, "My goal is to play professionally by signing a professional contract quickly like (Yang) Min-hyuk and (Park) Seung-soo."

When asked about his "next goal" to Son Seung-beom, who achieved his first dream of becoming a professional, he mentioned Yang Min-hyuk and Park Seung-soo again this time. "I want to improve in the K-League and play abroad like Minhyuk and Seungsoo," he said.

"I envied that I was experiencing it abroad quickly," he said, expressing his aspiration for overseas expansion, saying, "I will try harder because I can go abroad only if I do better than I do now."

Son Jung-beom scored a goal a day before the call-up of the South Korean U-23 national team led by head coach Lee Min-sung. He said, "I was lucky enough to post two offensive points before the call. Rather than trying too hard to show better at the national team, I will focus on my play and do my best," he said, maintaining calm.

Son's ultimate dream, aiming for the K-League Young Player Award as a short-term goal this year, is to select the A national team and advance overseas. However, when asked to choose between advancing to the English Premier League (EPL) and Seoul's victory, he answered, "Of course, FC Seoul's victory," without any hesitation, drawing laughter.

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*This content was translated by AI.